Course Syllabus

Course syllabus

Course Description:

This course is a second course in algebra.   This course explores multiple representations of functions and relations.  The types of functions studied will include linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic.  These functions will be used in solving a variety of equations and inequalities, systems of equations, and application problems.  

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Create, analyze, and interpret nonlinear models of real-world applications
• Communicate mathematical thinking coherently and clearly with appropriate use of mathematical notation and vocabulary
• Express answers in complete sentences when appropriate
• Demonstrate an understanding of relations and functions and convert flexibly among and use various representations for them, including tables, graphs, equations, and verbal descriptions
• Use appropriate technology to foster mathematical understanding, solve mathematical problems, and judge the reasonableness of results

Required Textbook and Materials:

Great news: your textbook for this class is available for free online!
Intermediate Algebra from OpenStax, ISBN 1-947172-03-4 

You have several options to obtain this book:

• View online
• Download a PDF
• Order a print copy

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.

Access to Knewton Alta ($39.95) and a TI-83/84 graphing calculator.

Student Expectations:

• Read and understand the syllabus.
• Log into the course regularly (everyday).
• Watch lecture videos and take notes before starting your assignments.
• Complete all assignments in a timely manner.
• Complete discussions.
• Attend office hours if you have any questions or would like to work on homework.
• Check announcements regularly for important information regarding the course.

Grading and Assignment Policy

Your grades are updated regularly in the gradebook on Canvas. If you have any questions about your grade, contact the instructor immediately. Your final grade for this course will be determined by the following:

Grading Scale:

You final Grade is based on the following grading scale:

Grading of Assignments:

The grade for this course will be determined according to the following formula:

Course Policies

Discussions (5%)

• Expect to complete a discussion every other week for a total of 8.
• You will need to post your response to a prompt before seeing other students’ responses.  
• Employ proper “netiquette” (or “net etiquette”) in your online communications. Any student not following netiquette rules will be in violation of student conduct, which in turn will be reported.
• Opens on a Monday at 12am and close the following Sunday at 11:59pm.

Video Lectures (5%)

• Expect to watch lecture videos for each section while following along with the guided notes. All guided notes are in located in the Files link and in the Guided Notes folder.    
• A schedule of the sections to complete each week are located on the last page of the syllabus. You may move quicker through the material but make sure you keep on track for the exams. 
• All video lectures covered for each exam will be due by 11:59pm the Sunday before the exam date.

Quiz Policy (15%)

• There will be a total of 6 quizzes throughout the semester.
• 1 hour to complete and 2 attempts; the higher of the two scores will be recorded.
• You will have a 24-hour period on a Friday to complete each quiz, opens at 12am and closes at 11:59pm.  
• No makeups will be allowed for quizzes.
• Each quiz will be from 25 to 30 points.

Knewton Assignment Policy (15%)

• All homework will be completed on Knewton Alta through Canvas.
• All assignments covered for each exam will be due by 11:59pm the Sunday before the exam date.
• All late homework will result in zero. Late homework cannot be made up.  
• Make sure you complete your homework in a timely manner. Do not wait until the last minute.
• You will need to purchase an access code for Knewton Alta, which can be purchased through Canvas. (a two-week trial period available).

Exam Policy (40%) and Final Exam Policy (20%)

• There will be a total of 3 exams (dates listed on the last page of syllabus)
• No makeups will be allowed for exams and final exams.
• Exams and final exam will be available on Canvas for a 24-hour period from 12am to 11:59pm. (look at last page for dates)
• You will need a 3-hour window to complete the exam, there will be 2 parts.
  • For the written portion, you will have 2 hours to complete, covert to a PDF and submit the exam on Canvas.
  • For the online portion you will have 1 hour to complete it. You are allowed 2 attempts and the higher of the two scores will be recorded. 
• If an exam or final exam is turned in after the allowed time, then it will be counted as a zero.
• It is suggested that you work out all exam and final exam problems online using pencil and paper and keep this work until the course is successfully completed. All work you submit must be your own.  At any point in the semester, you may be asked to meet with an instructor via Zoom to justify your solution process to select problems and/or discuss concepts you have demonstrated in your work.  You must set aside this time to meet within one week of notification from your instructor.  If you are unable to properly justify your submitted work, you will forfeit credit on the corresponding exam or final exam.  Failure to attend requested meetings will result in a zero score on the corresponding exam/final exam. 
• Exams or final exam that are not properly justified are considered violations of academic honesty and will be treated with the same penalties as outlined in the Academic Honesty Policy in this syllabus.
• If you have any technical difficulties during an exam or final exam, email me ASAP.
• Final exam will be cumulative and scheduled on the last day of finals week: written (2.5 hours) and online (1 hour).
• All homework after exam 3 will be due the Sunday before finals week.

Important Notes:

• Important dates
  • Last day to get a refund/instructor initiated add:  Thursday, August 26
  • Last day to drop with no “W” grade:  Tuesday, September 7
  • Last day to elect pass/no pass: Tuesday, September 21
  • Last day to drop with a “W” grade:  Tuesday, November 16

• Netiquette: 
  • Speaking of email, in particular, and of online communication, in general, although this is an online course, you should always conduct yourself as if you were participating in a face-to-face class discussion. Employing proper “netiquette” (or “net etiquette”) in your online communications means, that you should always treat your classmates and their respective work with the utmost respect – even if you disagree. As a sign of respect, it is always best to begin any peer-to-peer interaction with a compliment. That does not mean, that you should simply dispense empty compliments; it means that you should offer only constructive criticisms. Your role isn’t to tell your fellow classmates their work is bad; it is to tell them how to make it good – in a positive and supportive tone.
  • Speaking of treating your classmates (and your instructor) with respect, please remember, outside the context of this course, many of your online communications may be informal and personal in nature – inside the context of this course, they need to be formal and professional. That is, you should express yourself in your online communications for this course with correct capitalization, spelling, grammar, structure, and punctuation.

• Attendance:

  • Students showing no activity during the first week of classes will be dropped.  Students must log in regularly to Canvas/Knewton.  If there is no activity for 3 days in a row, then you may be dropped from the course. 

• Academic Accommodations: 

  • If you have a documented disability and need academic accommodations, you are encouraged to contact not only your professor, but also a Student Accessibility Services (SAS) counselor as soon as possible. SAS is located on the first floor of the Liberal Arts and Disabled Students Programs and Services Building. For more information, visit the SAS website.

• Student Conduct Policy
  • Students are responsible for upholding the Standards of Student Conduct (BP5500) (Links to an external site.), including academic honesty and behavior expectations. 

• Academic honesty/dishonesty policy:

  • Academic dishonesty is defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for work using any dishonest, deceptive or fraudulent means. If you are found violating the academic honestly-dishonesty policy, you will receive a failing grade on that assignment. Repeat offenders will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Grievances for further administrative action, such as suspension or expulsion from Cerritos College.  For more information, visit the Academic Honesty -Dishonesty Policy.

• Basic needs:
  • Cerritos College Food and Housing Insecurity Taskforce seeks to improve student’s ability to access food and housing resources. The taskforce is committed to fostering community partnerships, increasing awareness, advocating for resources, and addressing barriers to create a safe and supportive campus for our students to be successful.  For more information, visit the Falcon Basic Needs website.