Course Syllabus

MATH 125S Syllabus - 18570 - Fall2021.pdf 

Course Description:

This course is a study of the properties of real numbers, laws of exponents, radicals, equations & inequalities in linear and quadratic form, system of equations, matrices, graphing in two variables, rational expressions & equations, complex numbers, conic sections & their graphs, exponential and logarithmic functions.


Basic Course Information:

Instructor: Kristin Webster, PhD (Dr. Webster)

Class Meetings:  MTW 10:10am - 11:45pm and Workshop Th. 10:10 – 11:10 via Zoom

Office Hours: Tu & Th 7:45 – 10:05am and Th 11:15 am – 12:05 pm via Pronto

Final Exam: Tuesday, December 14, 2021, 9:30 - 11:30 am

Instructor Contact Info:

Email: webstek@laccd.edu ,  Canvas email or Pronto private message.


Zoom Classroom Policies:

  • It’s important that we all treat one another with respect and kindness in Zoom, just as we would in person. For any misconduct, I will report the incident to LATTC’s disciplinarian.
  • These Zoom sessions are a great opportunity for us to interact, discuss, and learn together, and I’m looking forward to these meetings together!

Attendance Policy: 

Only students who have been admitted to the college and are in approved active status may attend classes. Attendance is strongly recommended and graded. There are no make-ups for missed class activities, tests or late assignments.  Students are responsible for announcements made in class in their absence including changes made to assignments or test dates.  

Students should attend every meeting of all classes for which they register. To avoid being dropped from class, students should contact the instructor via email when they are absent for emergency reasons.

An instructor may exclude a student who is absent for more hours than the class meets per week or 20% of the total class hours. In this class, students will be dropped for missing 4 consecutive Zoom meetings or 5 total Zoom meetings.  In addition, an instructor may equate three or more late arrivals or early departures from class as an absence for purposes of class attendance.  Please Note: Students who are pre-registered in a class and miss the first meeting may lose their right to a place in the class.

Students are responsible for dropping a class that they stop attending. If the class is not dropped, the student may receive an “F” in that class and be responsible for enrollment fee. Any drops or exclusions that occur between the 4th week and the 12th week will result in a “W” on the student’s record. Drops are not permitted beyond the 12th week. A grade (“A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “F”, “INC”, “P”, or “NP”) will be assigned to students who are enrolled past the 12th week even if they stop attending class. For further details, refer to “W” section of “Grading Symbols and Definitions.”


Textbook:

Great newsyour 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 (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
  • Download a PDF (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
  • Order a print copy (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) 

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

Other Required Course Materials:  Paper, Pen/Pencil, TI30XS Multiview Calculator -  4 Lines. Some type of device that enables you to upload documents or photos, such as a scanner or cell phone camera. 


Assignments:

  1. Homework - Assignments will be posted on Canvas and on the Syllabus.  Students are expected to complete ALL assigned problems but homework will not be graded or collected. Completion of the Homework is essential to success in other class activities.
  1. Weekly Quizzes – There will be quizzes held weekly, usually Mondays during class time. Consult Canvas for the quiz schedule. It will be a 10-20 minute quiz consisting of material from the previous weeks’ homework. All work must be shown and uploaded to Canvas. The lowest quiz score will be dropped.
  1. Discussion Boards – You will be required to complete weekly discussion boards which include a response to a prompt and also responding to at least two of your classmates. There will be a specific rubric posted for each discussion board based on the post requirements.
  1. Attendance – Zoom meetings are required and quality of attendance will be graded. In order to get full credit, you must attend AND participate. There are up to 2 points per class for attendance and participation. A rubric will be posted on Canvas. Attendance grades will not be given on test days. Attendance will also be required and graded for Wednesday Workshops.
  1. Tests – 5 Chapter tests will be held periodically through the semester. Test dates will be posted on Canvas and are subject to change. Tests are worth 100 points each. No makeups permitted.  You must log into ZOOM and are subject to monitoring during your test time. 
  1. Final Exam: Tuesday, December 14, 2021, 9:30 - 11:30am

Grades:

Points

Discussion Boards                                140 Points

Tests (Best 4 out of 5)                          400 Points

Final Exam:                                           200 Points

Quizzes:                                                140 Points

Attendance:                                            88 Points

Thursday Workshop Attendance:         52 Points

Total:                                                   1000 Points

 

Grading Scale

If your total is at least:   

Your grade is:

900 Points

A

800

B

700

C

600

D

Less than 600

F

 


Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, a student will be able to:

  1. The student will be able to define and manipulate nonlinear and linear functions and relations.

  2. The student will be able to solve a variety of nonlinear equations, e.g. logarithmic, inverse, quadratic equations, absolute value, rational.

  3. The student will be able to create, analyze, and interpret graphs of linear and nonlinear relations.
  4. The student will be able to apply algebraic skills to a variety of applications such as: growth and decay, logic, reasoning, geometry, optimization, quadratic applications (motion, mixture, and work)

Course Content:

  • Linear Equations and Inequalities in One Variable
  • Inequalities and Problem Solving
  • Linear Equations in Two Variables
  • Systems of Linear Equations
  • Exponents and Polynomials
  • Factoring Polynomials
  • Rational Expressions
  • Functions
  • Radicals, Radical Functions and Radical Exponents
  • Quadratic Equations and Functions
  • Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
  • Sequences and Series
  • Conic Sections

Tips for Success

  1. Students should plan on spending at least 8-12 studying and practicing problems outside of class.
  2. It is never enough in math to only be able to get the answers. You must also work at understanding the underlying concepts as well. 
  3. Find resources on the internet to help you understand. Khan Academy on YouTube has a ton of great videos of all the algebra topics.
  4. Work in (virtual) groups whenever possible. This gives you opportunities to discuss and explain and get insights from your peers.  
  5. Ask questions from your instructor or a tutor.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is there extra credit?

Nope. Please don’t ask.  There are already “extra points” worked into the grading scheme.  No additional opportunities will be offered.

  1. I missed class, can I make up the test (assignment, quiz, etc.)?

No.  Sorry.  No make ups allowed.  There is a bit of wiggle room already built into the grading policy.

  1. I did the homework but I am (insert excuse here, sick, having internet trouble, etc.), can I hand it in late?

No. There are no late assignments accepted.   If you cannot upload the assignment to Canvas under the assignments, you may email it to webstek@laccd.edu or upload it through the Canvas inbox. I recommend uploading your assignment as soon as it’s done so that you have time to troubleshoot tech issues.


Student Resources:

  • NetTutor is 24 hour online tutoring help provided for multiple subjects for LACCD students through Canvas. Click on the “NetTutor” link on our Canvas page to access the service.
  • Tutoring is also provided via Academic Connections.

Office Hours for LATTC Online Tutoring Services

Click here to register or for more info: http://www.lattc.edu/services/academic/academic-connections

Additional Information

Disclaimer: Syllabus/Schedule subject to change.


Academic Honesty Policy:
Violations of academic integrity of any type by a student provide grounds for disciplinary action by the instructor or college. Violations of Academic Integrity include, but are not limited to, the following actions: cheating on an exam, plagiarism, working together on an assignment, paper or project when the instructor has specifically stated students should not do so, submitting the same term paper to more than one instructor, or allowing another individual to assume one's identity for the purpose of enhancing one's grade. For more information on the Standards of Student Conduct refer to the college catalog available in hard copy and online at http://www.lattc.edu.

Disability Support Services (DSS) Accommodation: Students with disabilities who seek academic accommodations should first promptly contact the Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) office, Mariposa Hall, Room 100, (213) 763­3773,

  • Email DSPSLATTC@LATTC.EDU to make a request for accommodations. For more information, please refer to LACCD Administrative Regulation E­100 (“Criteria for Serving Students with Disabilities”).
  • http://www.lattc.edu/services/support/dsps/students-rights-and- responsibilities

Course Summary:

Date Details Due