MTH 101: Intermediate Algebra

COURSE SECTIONS

IMPORTANT LINKS

SYLLABUS

Purpose

This course is intended for students to become proficient in algebra, in order to build a firm foundation in preparation for MTH 111 Precalculus. Problem solving and applications will be emphasized throughout. MTH 111 requires a C- or better in MTH 101.

Course Description

LEC: (3 crs.) Introduction to: algebraic manipulation, solving equations and inequalities in one variable, plotting points and graphing elementary functions, interpreting and expressing mathematics. Intended for STEM majors who are not prepared to take MTH 111. Not for credit for mathematics majors, not for general education credit, and not open to students with a C- or better in MTH131 or MTH141.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course the student should be able to:

• Perform arithmetic operations on polynomials using the rules of exponents;

• Factor using GCF, difference of two squares, sum/difference of two cubes, trinomials and grouping;

• Solve quadratic equations by factoring;

• Perform arithmetic operations on rational and radical expressions and functions;

• Solve rational and radical equations and solve quadratic equations by the quadratic formula;

• Use the relationship between the equation of a line and its graph;

• Solve relevant applications (exponents, quadratic equations, rational expressions).

Grade Distribution

Final grades will be based on completing of the AEP, class assignments, WebWork homework, participation in weekly Discussion Groups, three evening exams, and a comprehensive final exam. The grade distribution is as follows:

Assignments will not be graded on a curve nor will any extra credit be made available.

Letter Grade Distribution

Final grades will be determined according to the following scale:

Algebra Enhancement Project (AEP)

In your first Discussion Group, you will take an Algebra Diagnostic Test. This test is graded pass/fail. You must score a 70% or above to pass and receive 50 points toward your final grade. If you receive a score less than 70%, you will be automatically enrolled in the AEP through Sakai where you will be given the opportunity to earn this portion of your grade back. Any student who passed the Diagnostic Test may choose to participate in the program for supplementary algebra review without penalty to their grade. If you have DSS accommodations, please send your paperwork to your instructor before your scheduled Discussion Group in order to receive accommodations for this test.

If you do not pass or do not take the Diagnostic Test, you will be automatically to the AEP Project. This project will be offered entirely online through the separate Sakai Project Site AEP for MTH101 Fall 2019 which provides six mini online lessons that help to enhance your algebra skills. Each lesson is followed by a multiple choice quiz. Completing these quizzes gives you the opportunity to earn back the full 50 points toward your course grade. You need to complete the AEP with 70% or better to receive all 50pts. If you receive less than 70%, you will earn that equivalent percentage of points. For example, if you earn 60%, you will receive 60% of 50pts, or 30pts total.

Weekly Discussion Groups

You will be required to attend weekly Discussion Groups, during which you will have the opportunity to work in a small group setting to analyze some of the more difficult concepts of the course and to complete assignments that demonstrate the knowledge learned in class.

During your first session, you will take the Algebra Diagnostic Test as mentioned before. After that, there will be eleven Discussion Group meetings and you will have the opportunity to earn up to 8pts each week for a total of 88pts. Only 75 of those points will be counted toward your grade. There are no makeups for missed work except in documented or approved situations, so these extra points are your way to help make up for any missed assignments.

Discussion Groups are structured, pre-planned meetings. They are not tutoring sessions. Tutoring is offered separately through the math department. You are expected to attend your session prepared, having already reviewed the previous weeks content and attempted the homework for those sections.

Attendance in these Discussion Groups is mandatory, and repeated or unexcused absences will negatively impact your grade.

WebWork Homework

Online homework will be administered using the free system WebWork. Log in at: https://webwork.math.uri.edu/webwork2.mth101_fall2019/

Your username is your URI student ID number, and your default password is the first eight letters your last name in all lowercase letters. Ignore spaces and characters other than letters. Use your entire last name if it contains eight or less letters.

Some examples:

Tim Smith, Jr., password: smithjr

Bob Jones-Smith, password: jonessmi

John O'Sullivan, password: osulliva

Please change your password as soon as you log in.

For all technival questions about WeBWork, please email: mth111webwork@gmail.com (note the email says mth111 even though we are mth101). Content questions should be taking to tutoring or your instructor.

Most weeks, scheduled assignments will be made available on Mondays at 12:00am and will be due ten days later on Wednesdays by 11:59pm. There are some weeks that homework is due on a Tuesday due to a holiday or semester schedule. Please see the course calendar for specific due dates. There is no late or partial credit for homework.

Policies for the Course

Attendance
Attendance is a vital and necessary part of this course. Attendance to the weekly Discussion Groups is mandatory; lack of attendance will have a negative impact on your grade. While there is no formal attendance policy for lectures, we cover a lot of information at a rapid pace; missing a class will result in a large amount of material missed. Students are responsible for all missed work, regardless of the reason for absence. It is also the absentees responsibility to get all missing notes or materials.

Expectations

• You are expected to attend every lecture, and to submit your work on time. Late homework will recieve half credit up through the date of the next scheduled exam.





• It is your responsibility to communicate clearly when writing up solutions for assignments, quizzes, or exams. Your results must display your understanding well and be written in a correct, complete, coherent, and well organized fashion. The rules of language still apply in mathematics, and they apply even when symbols are used in formulas, equations, etc.





• The rapid pace of the class requires that you spend time every day doing homework, reviewing notes, reading the textbook, and working out extra problems, all in addition to the time spent in class.

Makeup Policy

• Makeup exams may be scheduled in the event you are unable to attend exams under the following conditions (A-B). In particular, if you must miss the exam because of a scheduling conflict, you must notify your instructor before, not after, the exam, and emergencies require you to contact your instructor within 24 hours. See University Manual sections 8.51.10 and 8.51.14 for guidelines.





• A: If your reason for missing the exam as scheduled is (i) a University sanctioned event for which verifiable documentation can be provided (including another scheduled class), (ii) a responsibility to an employer that cannot be rescheduled (with documentation from your employer), or (iii) Religious holidays, then you MUST INFORM YOUR INSTRUCTOR 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE EXAM AND PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION IF REQUESTED. Makeup exams will be scheduled after the actual exam, and preferably before the class period when exams are to be handed back, but no later than one week after the original date.





• B: If the reason for missing the exam as scheduled is due to (i) illness (with verifiable documentation from a medical provider), or (ii) an emergency (with appropriate documentation), then you MUST INFORM YOUR INSTRUCTOR WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE EXAM and provide documentation upon your return. Failure to notify your instructor within 24 hours will result in a 0 for the exam. No exceptions. Makeup exams may be scheduled no later than a week after the original date, unless the illness or emergency precludes this, in which case the makeup exam will be given on a common date during the last two weeks of the semester.





• Students that miss course work (not exams) under the same the conditions mentioned above will be given the opportunity to make up the course work.

Electronic Devices
Cell phones, ipads, ipods, etc. should be turned off during class. Excepted from this are electronic pads used for note-taking. Your instructor may tell you about other exceptions. Texting is NOT allowed. Absolutely no calculators are permitted on exams.

Other Policies:

• All class materials (e.g. notes, projects, exams, lectures, etc.) are property of URI and the instructor. Copying, video taping, taking pictures, or posting this material is not allowed without consent of the instructor and URI.





• Please come to class prepared by reading over the text to be covered and by bringing your book, notebook and pencil.





• You are here to learn, so give class your full attention, ask questions if you do not understand, and be respectful and courteous to your fellow students and professor.





• There is no alternative credit in this course. Don't ask.

Academic Honesty Policy

Cheating is defined in the University Manual section 8.27.10 as the claiming of credit for work not done independently without giving credit for aid received, or any unauthorized communication during examinations. Students are expected to be honest in all academic work. The resolution of any charge of cheating or plagiarism will follow the guideline set forth in the University Manual 8.27.10-8.27.21, http://web.uri.edu/manual/chapter-8/chapter-8-2/.

Special Needs

Any student with a documented disability should contact your instructor early in the semester so that he or she may work out reasonable accommodations with you to support your success in this course. Students should also contact Disability Services for Students: Office of Student Life, 330 Memorial Union, 874-2098. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.

Academic Enhancement Center

There is help available from the Academic Enhancement Center (AEC). The AEC offers tutoring (both walk-in and appointment-based types) and academic coaching. For more information on AEC services and study tips, visit the AEC website at http://web.uri.edu/aec/.

Incomplete Grade

University of Rhode Island regulations concerning incomplete grades will be followed. See University Manual sections 8.53.20 and 8.53.21 for details.

Religious Holidays

It is the policy of the University of Rhode Island to accord students, on an individual basis, the opportunity to observe their traditional religious holidays. Students desiring to observe a holiday of special importance must provide written notification to each instructor.

Standards of Behavior

Students are responsible for being familiar with and adhering to the published Community Standards of Behavior: University Policies and Regulations which can be accessed in the University Student Handbook (www.web.uri.edu/studentconduct/university-student-handbook/). If you must come in late, please do not disrupt the class. Please turn off all cell phones or any electronic devices.