WEST VALLEY COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
MATH 106 INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA
FALL 2007: Section 56342, 5 units
DAYS / TIME: Tuesday, Thursday, 6.30 9.00 p.m.
ROOM NUMBER: SM 9
INSTRUCTOR: Priya Babu
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday, 6.00 6.30 p.m., Room SM 5
PHONE: 741 2045 X 3329
E-MAIL: priya_babu@yahoo.com
PREREQUISITE: Math 103 or 103 R or 1 year of high school Algebra I with a grade C or better.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An intensive study of concepts of algebra including 1st and 2nd degree equations and inequalities, operations with polynomials, rational and radical expressions, exponent and radical properties, graphical representations of functions, system of equations, functional notation, evaluation of functions, inverse functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and conic sections.
TEXT BOOK: Intermediate Algebra for College Students by Robert Blitzer, Prentice Hall, 4th edition, ISBN 0-13-061452-1
COURSE CONTENT AND GOALS: The chapters and sections that will be covered from the textbook are as follows:
Chapter 1: 1.3 1.7, Chapter 2: 2.1-2.4, Chapter 3: 3.1-3.3, Chapter 4: 4.1-4.4, Chapter 5: 5.1-5.7, Chapter 6: 6.1-6.8 (omit 6.5), Chapter 7: 7.1-7.7, Chapter 8: 8.1-8.5, Chapter 9: 9.1-9.6, Chapter 10: 10.1-10.4
On completion of this course, you will have a strong foundation in the concepts of intermediate algebra and will be able to use these concepts in your attempts to solve real-world problems.
ATTENDANCE: You are expected to attend all the classes. Please do not come late or leave early, as it will be counted as an absence. Attendance will count for 5% of the course grade.
HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned regularly and constitutes 5% of the course grade. It is due on the week after each chapter is finished. Homework sheets should be neatly stapled and appear in order and numbering as in chapter sections. Please present neat and legible homework to receive the due credits. Late homework will not be accepted.
TESTS AND EXAMS: There will be 10 min quizzes at the start of every class, three 1-hour tests and a comprehensive final exam. It is your responsibility to schedule your appointments accordingly. NO MAKE-UP exams will be given.
TENTATIVE TEST SCHEDULE:
Sep 25 - Test 1; Oct 23 Test 2; Nov 20 Test 3; Dec 11 Final Exam
GRADES: Grades will be determined from your scores in the quizzes, 3 tests, final exam, homework and attendance.
A 90% - 100%
B 75% - 90%
C 60% - 75%
D 50% - 60%
F 0% - 50%
Final exam: 40%; Tests: 20%; Quizzes: 30%; Homework: 5%; Attendance: 5%
CALCULATORS: A scientific or graphing calculator is recommended for this course, as a tool to supplement the students work. Students who are to take Elementary Statistics here at West Valley College should consider buying a TI 83 or TI 83 Plus for the Intermediate Algebra course.
TUTORING: (1) The Math Resource center at SM5 offers tutoring by faculty and peer tutors during the day.
(2) The Tutorial Services, in the right side of the Library is open to students on a drop-in basis. Their number is 7412038.
CHEATING: You shall not copy, help or talk to others during the quizzes, tests and final exams. Cheating will result in an F grade or a withdrawal from the course.
DISABILITIES: West Valley College provides many services to students with learning disabilities. Such students can meet me during or after the class, so that appropriate arrangements can be made with the Learning Services Department on the campus.
EMERGENCY: In case of an emergency (fire or earthquake), we will evacuate the classroom and the building and assemble in Parking Lot 2. Please dont just leave the campus as you may block emergency vehicles from entering the campus roadways. We also need to know that you are safe and not in the campus building, and perhaps needing help.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Holidays Sep 3, Nov 12, Nov 22-24
First day of Instruction Aug 28
Last day to ADD a class Sep 7
Last day to drop semester length classes without a W and receive refund Sep 7
Last day to drop a class without a W grade Sep 14
Last day to drop classes with a W Nov 16
Final exam Dec 11