Course Syllabus

Course Description

This course is designed for students majoring in life or social sciences. The main topics to be covered include linear and quadratic equations and inequalities, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions and their graphs, systems of linear equations, matrices, sequences and series, combinatorics, and the Binomial Theorem. 

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of linear, non-linear and functions, and use them to evaluate expressions, solve equations, and solve applications
  • Use technology appropriately to explore and analyze linear, non-linear and functions
  • Use simple linear algebra techniques to solve systems of equations
  • Explore and analyze conic sections
  • Differentiate between arithmetic and geometric sequences and series and use the binomial theorem to expand the power of a binomial

Required Textbook/Materials

Great news: your textbook for this class is available for free online!
College Algebra from OpenStax, ISBN 1-947172-12-3

You have several options to obtain this book:

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), a TI-83/84 graphing calculator, and access to a device to complete online work.

Student Expectations

  • Read and understand the syllabus.
  • Log into the course regularly (everyday).
  • Check announcements regularly for important information regarding the course.
  • Watch videos assignments (lectures) and take notes (guided notes) before starting your Knewton assignments.
  • Complete all Knewton assignments (homework) in a timely manner.
  • Complete all discussions.
  • Complete all quizzes.
  • Complete all exams (3 total) and the final exam on the scheduled dates.
  • Attend office hours if you have any questions or would like to work on homework.

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:

Your final grade is based on the following grading scale.

Grade scale

Letter Grade

Percent %

A

90 - 100

B

80 – 89

C

70 – 79

D

60 - 69

F

0 - 59

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

Weighted grades

Course Assignments

% of Final Grade

Discussions

5%

Video Assignments (Lectures)

5%

Knewton Assignments (Homework)

15%

Quizzes

15%

Exams

40%

Final Exam

20%

Course Policies

Discussions (5%)

  • Expect to complete a discussion every other week for a total of 7.
  • You will need to post your response to a prompt before seeing other students’ responses and must respond to at least two 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.
  • Each discussion opens on a Monday at 12am and will close the following Friday at 11:59pm.

Video Assignments (Lectures) (5%)

  • Expect to watch lecture videos for each section while following along with the guided notes. All guided notes are in located in Files under Guided Notes folder.   
  • A schedule of the sections to complete each week is located on the last 2 pages. You may move quicker through the material but make sure you keep on track for the exams. 
  • All video lectures covered for each assessment will be due two days before the scheduled assessment date by 11:59pm.

Knewton Assignments (Homework) (15%)

  • All homework will be completed in Canvas through a program called Knewton.
  • All assignments covered for each assessment  will be due two days before the scheduled assessment by 11:59pm.
  • 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 directly through Canvas. (a two-week trial period available).

Quizzes (15%)

  • There will be a total of 6 quizzes throughout the semester. (Look at dates on calendar.)
  • 1 hour to complete and 2 attempts; the higher of the two scores will be recorded.
  • You will have a 24-hour period to complete each quiz, opens at 12am and closes at 11:59pm.
  • Once you start the quiz you must complete it in one sitting.
  • No makeups will be allowed for quizzes.
  • Each quiz will be from 25 to 30 points.
  • You will be required to submit your work in PDF form for 5 points.

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

  • There will be a total of 3 exams and 1 final exam, with 1 attempt.
  • 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 and you will have a 2.5-hour window to complete.
  • You will be required to submit your work in PDF form for 5 points.
  • Once you start the exam or final exam you must complete it in one sitting.     
  • 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.
  • Email me, ASAP, if you have any technical difficulties during an exam/final exam.
  • Final exam will be cumulative and scheduled on the last day of finals week.

Important Notes

  • Important dates
    • Last day to officially add a course: Monday, February 20
    • Last day to drop with no ‘W” grade: Monday, February 20
    • Last day to elect pass/no pass: Thursday, March 2
    • Last day to drop with a “W” grade: Tuesday, April 25
  • Netiquette 
    • It is important to be intentional about making sure we “see” each other in an online community. You can do this by making sure that everyone in the course has at least one response. 
      • Tip: If you are unsure who to respond to, try looking for posts that have not yet received a reply.
    • Your contributions to our discussion are important, but our learning community will not benefit from them unless you post on time.
      • Tip: Set calendar reminders to make sure you contribute on time.
    • Do not use all uppercase letters in online communication, it is usually interpreted as yelling.
    • Sarcasm does not translate well in an online environment. It is best to avoid the potential pitfalls of misunderstood messages.
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Finding your Path
    • Choosing a major can be hard. Find the right program to meet your academic and career goals through our Learning and Career Pathways (LCPs)! Whether you're planning to transfer, earn an associate degree, or develop new skills for the workforce, Cerritos College has a pathway to help you cross the finish line. The programs at Cerritos College are organized into 8 LCPs, based on broad areas of interest. Each LCP has its own Success Team made up of individuals to help you on your journey at Cerritos.
    • Explore our Learning and Career Pathways to find your path by going to Learning and Career Pathways