Math102: College Algebra

Larry Angel
Economics Department
at South
Email: langel@uw.edu

 

General Information:

Instructor:  Larry Angel
Emaillangel@uw.edu or langel@sccd.ctc.edu
Office & Office Hours (OH):  Robert Smith Building (RS190) & OH:  12pm to 1pm or by appt.
Contact Information:  Work Phone:  (206) 764-5325

Announcements

Fall 2011:

Note 1: Some of you have expressed a problem with emails being sent from my UW email account, langel@uw.edu.  I'm hoping that it's just a setting problem.  Because I send an email "BCC", hotmail.com & gmail.com might consider me a spammer, so to correct this you need to change your options.

For example in hotmail.com, click on "Options".  Scroll down to "more options".  Under Junk Email, click on "Safe and blocked senders" and enter my email langel@uw.edu in "safe senders" and enter langel@uw.edu in "safe mailing lists".  This should correct the problem and if not, let me know immediately.  I don't have a gmail account, but I'm more or less assuming the directions are similar.  If you have any questions, let me know.

Note 2: How do I update my records (email, phone, or address) at South? Go to www.southseattle.edu. "Click on" Student online Services. Under Grades & Records, "Click on" Update your address, email, or phone.


Syllabus

Course Description:

Math 102 is designed to strengthen both your conceptual and procedural knowledge of algebra.  This course covers linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions and systems of linear equations.  In addition, this course prepares you for success in subsequent courses involving mathematical quantitative reasoning including calculus.  Prerequisite is placement exam or a 2.0 or better in Math 098.

Textbook:

College Algebra, Concepts & Contexts by Stewart, Redlin, Watson, and Panman.  The book with ISBN# 978-1-111-66087-1 has solutions for the odd problems while the book with ISBN#   978-0-495-38789-3 does not have the solutions.

Calculator:

A SCIENTIFIC CALCULATOR is required for this course.  If you plan to continue taking more math classes, you might want to buy a graphing calculator.  

Math 102 Schedule:

Daily Schedule for LA's classes

Dates
Chapter
Group Activity
HW
Quizzes & Tests
Week 1 (Sep 26-30)
Alg Tool A-B2, C-D2, Sec. 1.1-1.3
-
-
-
Week 2 (Oct 3-7)
-
Week 3 (Oct 10-14)
Rev & Sec. 2.1-2.2
-
-
Test 1
Week 4 (Oct 17-21)
-
Week 5 (Oct 24-28)
Rev & Sec. 3.1, 3.2, 3.4
-
-
Test 2
Week 6 (Oct 31-Nov 4)
Sec. 4.1-4.2 & Sec. 4.4-4.5
-
-
Week 7 (Nov 7-11)1
 
Review
-
Test 3
Week 8 (Nov 14-18)
-
-
Week 9 (Nov 21-25)1
Review
-
-
Week 10 (Nov 28-Dec 2)
-
-
-
Test 4
Week 11 (Dec 5-9)
Sec. 7.1-7.3 & Review
-
-

1No class: Nov 11, Nov 24 & 25

Final (Test 3):
10am class:  Tuesday, Dec. 13th from 10:30am to 12:30pm

*Schedule WILL be adjusted accordingly, so look always look to the daily schedule for those changes…

Student Learning Outcomes
  • Communication: Read and listen actively to learn and communicate.
  • Computation: Identify, interpret, and utilize higher level mathematical and cognitive skills.
  • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Think critically in evaluating information, solving problems, and making decisions.
  • Technology: Select and use appropriate technological tools for personal, academic, and career tasks.

Grading Policy:

Test 1, 2, 3, 4:                            20% each                 - 400 points (100 points each)
Participation                              10%                           - 50      points
HW & Group Activity               10%                           - 50      points
*Grade adjustments will be made accordingly*     500 points                

The final (Test 5) is a cumulative exam.  This test can only help your grade, not hurt you.

NC” or “Inc” will ONLY be given in extreme cases…

Grading Scale:

Decimal Grade

Percentage

 

Decimal Grade

Percentage

 

Decimal Grade

Percentage

4.0

> 95%

 

2.9

79%

 

1.8

68%

3.9

94%

 

2.8

78%

 

1.7

67%

3.8

92%-93%

 

2.7

77%

 

1.6

66%

3.7

90%-91%

 

2.6

76%

 

1.5

65%

3.6

88%-89%

 

2.5

75%

 

1.4

64%

3.5

86%-87%

 

2.4

74%

 

1.3

63%

3.4

84%-85%

 

2.3

73%

 

1.2

62%

3.3

83%

 

2.2

72%

 

1.1

61%

3.2

82%

 

2.1

71%

 

1.0

60%

3.1

81%

 

2.0

70%

 

0.7

50%-60%

3.0

80%

 

1.9

69%

 

0.0

Below 50%

Test 1, 2, 3, 4 (20% each):  Most of the material will come from the homework, group activities, old tests, and problem solving.  There are no make-ups unless you have a written doctor’s excuse or extreme situation. The final (Test 5) is a cumulative exam which can only help you in your overall score, not hurt you.

Homework (5%):  Homework will cover lecture material and chapter readings.  On the homework due date, a number of students, selected at random, will present their answers on the board.  I will grade each student on his or her answer and presentation style from a 0 to 5 point scale.  There are NO make-ups, NO exceptions.  It is highly recommended to exchange emails and work in groups for the homework.  Solutions will be posted online right after we review them.

Group Activities (5%):  Groups of 4 or 5 will work on questions and one member will present the answers to the class.  You are required to present to the class at least once over the quarter and will be graded the same as the homework, 0 to 5 scale.

Participation & Attendance (10%):  Cell phone use, texting, being disruptive, missing class will decrease your score, especially talking in class.  Attendance will be taken formally the first couple of weeks in order to remember everyone’s name.  Unexcused tardiness and absences will result in a reduction in points.  Don’t come to my office hours about points on exams unless it’s an obvious mistake.

Course Policies

Honesty:  Students must turn in their own work; plagiarism and cheating can result in loss of credit or dismissal.

Disabilities:  Students subject to provisions of the ADA:  If you believe you qualify for course adaptations or accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is your responsibility to contact the Disability Support Services officer and provide the appropriate documentation.  If you have already documented a disability or other condition, which would qualify you for accommodations, or if you have emergency medical information or special needs I should know about, please notify me during the first week of class.

Diversity:

Students are required to:
• Respect the dignity of all individuals.
• Promote a culture of respect.
• Respect the privacy, property, and freedom of others.
• Reject bigotry, discrimination, violence, or intimidation of any kind.
• Practice personal and academic integrity and expect it from others.
• Promote the diversity of opinions, ideas and backgrounds, which is the lifeblood of an educational institution.

Tips for Succeeding in my Class:

  • Take the prerequisites.
  • Read my chapter pdfs before class.
  • Study in groups.  Teach other students.
  • Complete all the assigned problems!

My teaching style: Remember, I’m a student like everyone else in this class, so I understand a lot the issues of being a student.  Currently, I’m a doctoral student at the University of Washington, so I understand the time commitments needed for work and school.  All I ask are the basics:  Golden Rule.  I treat everyone with respect and I expect the same in return.  Everything that I go over in class will be available through my website, so homework and tests will not be a mystery. Students who fail my class: miss class, don’t complete their homework, or are disruptive.  If you come to class, participate, turn in the homework, there’s no reason you shouldn’t get a reasonable grade.
 
Any corrections or questions regarding my syllabus please email me.


Group Activity Keys & Homework Keys

Group Activity Keys
Homework Keys
-


Old Tests & Keys

Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Test 4
-
-
-
-

Test 5, Fall10

Test 5, Fall10 Key


Miscellaneous

Syllabus

Hockey website

Grade Report 1, 10am class (After Test 2)

Grade Report 2, 10am class (After Test 3)

Grade Report 3, 10am class (After Test 4)