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.  You can access it through Modules, Online, or download a PDF version.  
College Algebra 2e from OpenStax, ISBN 1-947172-12-3

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 ($44.95), 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).
• Attend all in-person class sessions.
• Check announcements regularly for important information regarding the course.
• Watch the lecture videos and take notes before starting your Knewton assignments.
• Complete all Knewton assignments (homework) in a timely manner.
• Complete all quizzes online and submit your work.
• Complete all exams and the final exam on the scheduled dates, in-person
• 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.

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

Course Policies

Video Assignments (Lectures) (10%)

• Expect to watch lecture videos for each section while following along with the guided notes. Guided notes for each chapter are attached to the first lecture video of the chapter.    
• Complete the lecture videos according the weekly schedule.  You may move quicker through the material but make sure you keep on track for the exams. 
• All video lectures covered for each week will be due on Sundays by 11:59pm.

Knewton Assignments (Homework) (15%)

• All homework will be completed in Canvas through a program called Knewton.
• All homework assignments covered for each week will be due on Sundays 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 is available).

Quizzes (15%)

• There will be a total of 5 quizzes throughout the semester. (Look at the weekly schedule.)
• 1 hour to complete and 2 attempts; the higher of the two scores will be recorded.
• Each quiz will open on a Friday at 12am and close on Sunday 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.
• If your work is not justified or submitted, then you will receive a zero for the quiz.

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

• There will be a total of 3 exams and 1 final exam, all be taken in-person
• No makeups will be allowed for exams and final exams.
• Exams are not cumulative but concepts from previous exams will be required.  
• Final exam is cumulative. 

Important Notes:

• Important dates
  • Last day to officially add a course: Wednesday, January 17
  • Last day to drop with no “W” grade: Tuesday, January 16
  • Last day to drop with a “W” grade: Wednesday, February 21

• 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 not in attendance for the first two weeks of class will be dropped.  If a student misses an excess of 10% of the total class hours, then they are subject to be dropped from the course, which is the 4^th class missed.  Arriving late or leaving early is not acceptable behavior and disruptive to the instructor and classmates.   If more than 15 minutes of class is missed, then you will be marked as absent.  Students must also participate online as well as in-person. 
• 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.

• Student Conduct Policy
  • Students are responsible for upholding the Standards of Student Conduct (BP5500), 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.
• 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