DIVISION OF MATHEMATICS & SCIENCES
COURSE NO. AND TITLE: MATH 1304 - College Algebra
INSTRUCTOR: Steve Ochoa Fall
2009
CONTACT INFORMATION: sochoa@alamo.edu
CELL PHONE: 210-842-1447
A. Catalog Description: rational
equations, graphs of functions, transformations, polynomial functions, imaginary zeros,
rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of
equations, Cramer’s Rule.
B. Textbook: Intermediate
Algebra for College Students, Seventh Edition, Allen R. Angel,
Pearson Education, Inc.,
C. Prerequisites: Two years of
high school algebra or MATH 1300
D. Required calculator: TI 83 series,
TI 84, TI 85, TI 86
E. Webpage: www.sa.wbu.edu,
click Class websites.
Assessment and Evaluation
(Class Procedure and Grading)
Academic
Honesty: Disciplinary
action for academic misconduct is the responsibility of the faculty member
assigned to this course. The faculty member is charged with assessing the
gravity of any case of academic dishonesty, and with giving sanctions to any
student involved.
I. Method of Assessment:
Your final
course grade will be determined by your performance in terms of:
1.
Two “2 hour long” examinations
2. A
final exam
3. Homework
A. The “2
hour-long” examinations will be conducted during the normal class period and
will be “closed book” no notes, no index cards etc. There will be two of these
examinations, each will represent a maximum of 100 points for a total of 200
points. If you know in advance that you will be absent on the day of a
scheduled examination, you must make PRIOR
arrangements with your instructor to take the exam early or late depending on
your circumstances. Students who do not follow the above procedure may be
assigned a zero for the examination. They will not have an opportunity to make-up the exam. All students will be
given one week notice prior to each exam. Average (as a percentage) on these
selected exams will be applied to the possible total of 450 points.
As indicated above, there will be a maximum possible score of 450 points in this course. The points are distributed:
2 “2 Hour long” Exams 200
points
FINAL EXAM 150 points
Homework 100
points
TOTAL 450 points
Letter grades will be assigned
on the basis of the following grade scale:
A: 90% – 100%
B:
80% – 89%
C:
70% – 79%
D:
60% – 69%
F: Below 60%
III. Attendance:
Students are encouraged to be
prompt and not to miss any class. In case of an emergency, make arrangements
with the instructor to cover the material. "Any student who misses 25% or
more of the regularly scheduled class meetings will receive a grade of F in the
course. There are no exceptions to this policy. A student's reason for absence
is irrelevant."
IV. Adding or Dropping Courses:
If, for whatever reason, a
student decides to drop a course, it is the student’s responsibility to go in a timely manner to the
Wayland-San Antonio office and make the necessary arrangements. The student must complete the proper forms
and pay all associated charges and tuition.
To simply stop attending a class will result in the student being given
a grade of “F.”
V.
Miscellaneous
Comments:
A.
Don’t fall behind!!! If you are having trouble, please come to me
and ask for extra instruction or help BEFORE
you are so far behind that you cannot recover.
B.
I usually arrive early. If you need help call me
that day to set up a meeting.
C.
Come to class prepared. Ask questions. Class participation is always welcomed and
encouraged. If you don’t understand a concept you have to ask me to clarify.
D.
Late homework will not be accepted. If you miss a class, it is up to you to do
the homework and turn it in on time. I
suggest exchanging phone numbers with a classmate. You can e-mail me also.
E.
No extra credit or partial credit.(doing extra
work, movie tickets, meals, landscaping, Hooters)
F.
Email me any absences or TDY dates etc…
G.
Turn off cell phones. DO NOT ANSWER YOUR PHONE IN CLASS!
H. DO NOT LEAVE CLASS TO ANSWER YOUR PHONE! THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING.
I.
Group tutoring is available for groups of 6 or
more.
J. This class has a steep learning curve. Take advantage of all resources.
K. Make-up exams will be given to students who have taken the exam on the exam day. If a student is TDY and has given prior notice, they are eligible for a make-up exam. Otherwise no can do.
L. A maximum grade of 70 is possible on the make-up.
M. Students must call WBU and make arrangements for make-up or missed tests. All tests must be taken before the next class meeting. You must inform the Proctor what test you are taking.
N. I answer all emails. If you don’t get a response from me, resubmit especially if it is a test absence notification.
O. Practice tests, suggested homework is on my web page.
P. Students are encouraged to do the suggested homework and bring your questions to class. I will collect one homework for your 100 points.
Q. If you need to call me, call me at a reasonable hour.
R. Don’t call me and expect me to help you over the phone. Email me the problem.
S. I have been known to be quite merciful towards students that put forth a great effort.
T. Tutors: Dawn Ellick 830-556-4327, Patricia Bell, email: pbell@ets.org