MATH 101B ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA II

Text:  Miller/O'Neill/Hyde: Beginning Algebra, 3rd Ed. (McGraw-Hill)--available through the campus bookstore as well as online bookstores, and may be available for rent.
ALEKS 360 (one-semester/18 wk version)
You must purchase a standalone User's guide for ALEKS (ALEKS360), which contains a twenty-digit ALEKS Student Access Code you will need to enter the ALEKS website. Enter here for a trial version. The ALEKS User Guide is available through the campus bookstore, but it can also be purchased online through ALEKS.
Follow Tips for Using ALEKS to increase your success rate.

Technology: The College of Marin's Information Technology group oversees the servers and software that run and support some aspects of this course.  They can be contacted at (415) 883-2211 x8181.
Any technical difficulties associated with the ALEKS website can be answered through the ALEKS website at this location.

Prerequisites:
Introductory Algebra I. This is equivalent to the first half year of Algebra 1 in high school , Math 101A, or Math 101X. This prerequisite cannot be waived. ALEKS, which is the computer learning management system that we will be using for our class, will assess your knowledge of the basic and essential mathematical skills necessary for this class.  If you do not have mastery of these selected prerequisite topics, you will be directed by ALEKS to a review of relevant prerequisite course material.  This review must be successfully completed before you can begin the Algebra II portion of the class.

Objective: 
The principle objective in elementary algebra is to develop an appreciation, facility, and understanding of the basic concepts and skills so that algebraic methods can be applied in the solution of quantitative problems arising in vocations, engineering, science and other aspects of daily life.  We will be covering chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of the stated text.
The completion of Math 101A and 101B is a prerequisite for Intermediate Algebra, Math 103, and many upper division coursework in mathematics as well as in other disciplines. You should note that success in these disciplines begin with a good foundation in algebra.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

1. Simplify algebraic expressions.
2. Write the equation of a line from data.
3. Calculate the length of a line segment.
4. Solve linear systems in two variables using graphing and algebraic methods.
5. Set up and solve application problems using linear systems.
6. Interpret and solve linear inequalities.
7. Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and factor polynomials.
8. Solve quadratic equations by appropriate methods.
9. Graph quadratic equations.
10. Extract information from quadratic models.
11. Add, subtract, multiply and divide basic rational expressions (algebraic fractions).
12. Solve basic rational equations.
13. Set up and solve application problems using inverse variation, direct variation and proportions.
14. Simplify exponent expressions using the laws of exponents.
15. Convert from radical notation to rational exponent notation and from exponent notation to radical notation.
16. Solve basic exponential equations and simplify square root expressions.
17. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide radical expressions.
18. Solve basic radical equations.
19. Identify independent and dependent variables.
20. Identify domains of linear, quadratic, rational, and radical functions.
21. Analyze geometric relationships and solve geometric application problems.

Course Work:

ALEKS' Comprehensive Assessments (Initial, Midterm, and Final) (9%):
(Comprehensive Assessments completed beyond the closed date will not receive credit.)

Homework (15%):
Homework (Multiple sections assigned weekly in ALEKS. Percentage is based on performance on all assigned homework.)
Homework will be completed in ALEKS.  You will have help with the program if you are not already familiar with it.
Homework is a learning tool.  A good successful learning strategy is this: attempt all problems, and ask questions when a concept is unclear.

Certain concepts in your "pie" in ALEKS may be restricted if one concept has another as a prerequisite.    

As you work on learning your topics through your "pie" in ALEKS you will be required to complete periodic Progress Assessments. Your Progress Assessments in ALEKS will occur based on when you have completed a certain amount of topics, and this could vary at different times for each and every student. The ALEKS system determines when you are ready to be assessed. The periodic progress assessments do not carry any grade value. The value that it does carry is in the immediate feedback on whether, or not, you are understanding a concept, so that the correct concepts are learned. The value is also in the practice that you get from working through the given problems so that it can be absorbed into your long-term memory.

Take the short guided tour to get an idea of how ALEKS works. Testing, or "assessment" as it is called in ALEKS, happens at different times for each student.  here is how it is described in the User's Guide:

Quizzes (15%):
A short QUIZ (10 to 15 minutes) will be given on Monday of every week in which there is no exam scheduled.  Quiz problems will be similar to homework problems. Of the approximately 10 quizzes given, the best 8 scores will be used in the calculations of your course percentage. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of each class. On occasion, there will also be a quiz at the end of class. There will be no make-up quizzes--no exceptions. If you miss a quiz, then you will receive a score of zero for that quiz.

Exams (60%):
There will be 2 in-class written exams during the semester, and a cumulative final exam.  Retakes on any of the 2 semester exams (not for the final exam) will be available, providing that you complete a Retake Review provided in Aleks and achieve an 75% or better score.  Retakes on exams are only available to students who have completed the scheduled exams.
Note:  No make-up exams will be given.  Any scheduling conflicts must be resolved prior to the exam.

Tentative exam dates: 

The final course grade will be based on the percentage of points, and on class and homework performance.  Attendance is considered to be part of class performance.

Grading Schedule:
"A"  96% - 100% overall percentage and at least 85% on the Final Exam
"A-" 90% - 96% overall percentage and at least 80% on the Final Exam
"B+" 86% - 89% overall percentage and at least 75% on the Final Exam
" B " 80% - 85% overall percentage and at least 70% on the Final Exam
"C+" 76% - 79% overall percentage and at least 65% on the Final Exam
"C"  70% - 75% overall percentage and at least 60% on the Final Exam
"D"  60% - 69% overall percentage and at least 55% on the Final Exam
"F"   less than 60%

Note: The course may be taken for Pass/No Pass (P/NP), with a Pass grade being the equivalent of "C" or better.  If you want this option, you must select it through your CoM Student Portal by the deadline (2/27 see Important Dates link on homepage). It is no longer processed through your instructors.

***It is strongly recommended that students attend all classes and do at least all assigned problems.***

 Electronic devices – Turn your cell phones off before class starts. 

Academic dishonesty – Academic dishonesty is not tolerated.  Cheating on any quiz or exam will result in a grade of zero for that quiz or exam (not to be dropped).

Excessive absences – Absences are strongly discouraged.  A day’s absence will mean a great deal of material missed.  It is very difficult to “catch up” on missed material in a math class.  Schedule appointments so they do not conflict with your class schedule.

Teacher’s note:
My goal as your teacher is to make the math content in our course as accessible to you as possible.  However, you must be willing to be an active participant in this process or little or no learning will result.  Also, the learning is not just between you and me—it takes place in your interaction with each other as well.  Collaboration in learning our course content is encouraged—except on quizzes or exams. You are also encouraged to visit me during office hours, or schedule an appointment with me.  The Tutoring Center (peer tutoring/LC160)and Math Lab (SC115) are also excellent resources you may wish to investigate.