MATH 103     (INTERNET)  INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA

20 Survival Tips for Being a Successful Online Learner

Web Master:  
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.

MOODLE: Log into your Moodle account weekly through your MyCOM Portal to keep updated on course content schedule, available resources, and other announcements.
Note: To enter your Moodle account,
1. Log into your MyCOM Portal
2. Click on the "Distance Education" tab
3. Click on the "Login to Moodle directly" link

Textbook:
Intermediate Algebra, Miller/O'Neill/Hyde (2011), 3rd ed. (McGraw-Hill)--available through the campus bookstore as well as online bookstores, and may be available for rent.
ALEKS360 (one-semester version)
The content in this course is delivered online, with ALEKS as our primary learning system.  You must purchase a standalone User's guide for ALEKS (ALEKS360), which contains the twenty-digit ALEKS Student Access Code (information and instructions to follow) you will need to enter the instructional web site.  Enter here for a trial version to see if the style of the course may be of interest to you. 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.

Prerequisites:
Introductory Algebra.  This is equivalent to high school algebra (first year).  This prerequisite cannot be waived, although you may test out of it.  Contact the College of Marin's Testing Center to arrange for a placement test.  Students not meeting the prerequisite will not be allowed to continue in this course.  In addition, ALEKS, which is the 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 intermediate  algebra class.  If you do not have mastery of these selected prerequisite topics, you will be directed to a review section of the course.  This review must be successfully completed before you can begin the intermediate algebra portion of the class.

Objective:
Algebra is a continuation and generalization of arithmetic.  Our course begins with an initial assessment of the content from Elementary Algebra that you have retained. A brief review of the fundamental ideas of arithmetic and elementary algebra is given when appropriate, and then we proceed to a complete development of intermediate algebra.  There is considerable emphasis on the techniques of algebra, efficiency in manipulation , as well as stress on the important underlying ideas. 
We will be covering chapters one through nine, and selected sections from chapters ten and Additional Topics Appendix of the stated text.
This course is a prerequisite for many upper division coursework in mathematics as well as in other disciplines. You should note that success in many of these disciplines begins with a good command of intermediate algebra.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
1. Apply the concepts of slopes and linear relationships to modeling and solving linear systems.
2. Apply matrices in solving systems of linear equations, including the use of Gaussian elimination and Cramer's rule.
3. Solve linear programming problems.
4. Perform the complete set of basic operations on polynomials.
5. Perform the complete set of basic operation on rational expressions and functions, and solve rational equations; including proportions.
6. Perform the complete set of basic operations on functions; including composites and inverses.
7. Perform the complete set of basic operations on radicals; including simplification and factoring.
8. Perform the complete set of basic operations on complex numbers; including rationalization and conjugates.
9. Graph, and solve quadratic equations by means of the square root property, completing the square, and the quadratic
formula and graph quadratic equations.
10. Graph and perform the complete set of basic operations on exponential functions and find solutions for equations with
exponential functions.
11. Graph and perform the complete set of basic operations on logarithmic functions and find solutions for equations with
logarithmic functions.
12. Translate, model, and solve application problems.
13. Identify Conic Sections given their equations.
14. Determine the radius and center of circles given their equations in general form.
15. Apply the Binomial Theorem.

Course Work:

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

22% -- Homework (Multiple sections assigned weekly. Percentage is based on performance on all assigned homework.)

69% -- Exams (1, 2, and Final)

Most parts of this class are self-paced, but must be completed within the time frame of the current single semester. Everyone is expected to start on the first day and everyone will be graded on the work they have completed by the last day of instruction in the semester.  It is possible to finish the course before the end of the semester, but you may not extend beyond the semester. Students have some option in the order in which they move through the content. 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 ability to clearly communicate your ideas in a concisely written form is essential to success in this class.  In addition, the time you will need to spend on learning the content will also vary with what you have retained from Elementary Algebra.  In a 16-week semester, assuming you have had no previous Intermediate Algebra course, you should expect to spend at least 10 to 15 hours per week (as would be the case if you were taking an on campus class, including homework).

The majority of learning for this class takes place in ALEKS.  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:

THE FOLLOWING ARE MANDATORY EXAMS FOR THIS COURSE.
Exam 1: (Online with ALEKS) due date - Monday, February 20th (See Coursework above for more information)
Exam 2: (Online with ALEKS) due date - Monday, March 19th (See Coursework above for more information)
Final Exam: (On-Campus) Friday, May 25th (On-campus proctoring provided for your convenience -- 2:10pm to 5:00pm)

Exam 1: Topics include (SLO #s: 1, 2, 6, 12)
Ch. R - Review of Basic Algebraic Concepts
Ch. 1 - Linear Equations and Inequalities in One Variable
Ch. 2 - Linear Equations in Two Variables and Functions
Ch. 3 - Systems of Linear Equations
Solving Systems of Linear Equations using Matrices
Exam 2: Topics include (SLO #s: 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12)
Ch. 3 - Systems of Linear Inequalities
Applied Linear Programming
Ch. 4 - Polynomials
Ch. 5 - Rational Expressions and Rational Equations
Ch. 6 - Radicals and Complex Numbers
Final Exam: Topics include all topics from Exams 1 and 2 and the following: (SLO #s: 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, + all previous SLOs)
Applied Linear Programming
Solving Systems of Linear Equations using Matrices
Ch. 7 - Quadratic Equations and Functions
Ch. 8 - Exponential and Logarithmic Functions and Applications
Ch. 9 - Conic Sections (selected topics)
Ch.10 - Binomial Expansions, Sequences, and Series (selected topics)

Note: The Final Exam will be a written exam--not using ALEKS. You may use calculators throughout our course, including exams.
On-campus group study sessions will be available but are not mandatory. They are offered as an additional resource. (Time, dates and place: To be Announced)

Grading Policy:

Your final course grade will be weighted as follows:

9% --- Completion ALEKS' Comprehensive Assessments (Initial, Midterm, and Final Assessments) -- Online
22% -- Homework -- Online
17% -- Exam 1 -- Online
17% -- Exam 2 -- Online
35% -- Final Exam -- Proctored/On-Campus

Grading Schedule for our course is as follows:
"A"   90% - 100% overall percentage and at least 85% on the Final Exam
"B"    80% - 89% overall percentage and at least 75% on the Final Exam
"C"    70% - 79% overall percentage and at least 65% 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. It is no longer processed through your instructors. (See Important Dates link on Homepage)