Departmental Course Syllabus

MAT 102

Intermediate Algebra
3 credit hours 3 contact hours (3 lecture hours)

Catalog Description This course includes the study of linear systems and applications; quadratic expressions, equations, functions and graphs; and rational and radical expressions and functions.

Prerequisite MAT 101 or MAT 152 (C or higher) or appropriate placement score

What will I learn? At the end of this course, you should be able to:
1. Simplify an algebraic expression involving exponents, radicals, or fractions.
2. Solve equations and formulas of first and second degree, and first-degree inequalities, for an indicated unknown or variable.
3. Graph a linear function and identify its slope and intercepts.
4. Graph a quadratic function and identify its vertex and intercepts.

Textbook and Required Materials

The custom edition of Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, 4th edition by Tom Carson and Bill Jordan packaged with access to MyLabsPlus, available in the TTC Bookstore and a TI-83 or TI-84 calculator

MyLabsPlus Departmental Homework Policy

Students must complete each section of homework within a unit in MyLabsPlus with a score of 90% or better (on each section, NOT a unit average) in order to receive a grade for the unit exam. Homework mastery must be completed before the unit exam is given and by the deadline stated by your instructor.

Each section of homework is open for the entire unit, and each individual problem has unlimited attempts. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that the 90% or better requirement on each section of homework could not be achieved. However, one exception will be granted per student per semester as follows: If the 90% or better requirement is not achieved on at least one section of homework in a unit, and you take that unit exam, then you will receive the grade for that exam. Once this exception is allowed, there will be no more MyLabsPlus policy exceptions for any reason.

Individual homework grades will still follow your instructor’s grading scheme.

Grading System and Policy The College-wide grading scale is 91-100 = A, 81-90 = B, 71-80 = C, 65-70 = D, below 65 = F
There will be a comprehensive departmental final exam, which everyone must take (no exemptions), and which counts 25% of the final grade. The remaining 75% will be specified by your instructor’s syllabus addendum.

Attendance/ Withdrawal Before attending classes, you must meet all prerequisites and officially register for all courses. Prompt and regular attendance is your responsibility. You are responsible for all material covered and all assignments made in class. Any time you are absent from a class, laboratory or other scheduled events, it is your responsibility to make satisfactory arrangements for any make-up work permitted by the instructor.

An absence is defined as nonattendance for any reason, including illness, emergency or official leave. If you arrive late to class, you may not be allowed into the classroom and may be considered absent for that period. If you leave before the instructor dismisses class, you may also be considered absent. All class sessions are important. Any time you miss a class you increase your risk of making a failing grade.
If you quit coming or participating in the course and do not officially withdraw by the withdrawal date for each semester, you will receive a grade of F. Your instructor cannot assign a grade of W. If you receive financial aid or veterans’ aid, your aid may be revised as a result of any changes in your course schedule.

Instructor availability Your instructor is available to you outside of class for academic assistance. Full-time faculty members maintain and post regularly scheduled office hours. Part-time faculty members are accessible in a variety of ways, which may include conferences before and after class or by appointment, telephone conferences, and e-mail.

See your syllabus addendum This is a departmental syllabus for all sections of the course. As such, it tries to address issues common to all sections. There will be issues (grading details, office hours, and the like) that are specific to your section, and these details will be covered in an addendum issued by your instructor.

Classroom Civility: Student learning is a top priority. Students are expected to come to class prepared and attentive. To ensure a productive learning environment, students must show courtesy and respect to their instructors and fellow students. Instructors will not tolerate uncivil or disruptive behavior. The instructor may dismiss a disruptive student from the class for the remainder of the class period. If inappropriate behavior persists, the instructor may refer the student to the Vice President for Student Services for disciplinary evaluation.

Academic Misconduct: Academic Misconduct is not tolerated at TTC. Academic Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, inappropriate use of a college computer, cheating, plagiarism and/or collusion and falsification of information. Students are responsible for adhering to all policies and procedures in the TTC Student Handbook.

Electronic Communication Devices in Classrooms: To minimize classroom disruptions and protect the integrity of test-taking situations, activated electronic communication devices such as pagers and cell phones are generally not permitted in classrooms at Trident Technical College. The only exception to this policy will be for on-call emergency personnel (police, fire, EMS), who will be required to notify their classroom instructor of their need for such devices and provide documentation verifying their occupation. However, on-call emergency personnel may not leave a testing situation; communicate by electronic means and return to complete an examination. In these cases, instructors should make arrangements for re-testing. Smart phones, laptops and tablet technology may be used in the classroom for instructional purposes as allowed by the instructor.

For Students Enrolled in Online or Other Distance-Learning Sections To confirm that you are actively involved in this course, you need to complete a specified academic assignment. See your syllabus addendum in D2L for more information.

ADA Statement The College will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities should notify Services for Students with Disabilities (located in the Student Success Center) and their instructors of any special needs. Instructors should be notified on the first day of classes.

Textbook Portions Covered

Unit 1/Module 1 Writing Equations of Lines and Linear Functions 3.5-3.6, 4.1-4.3
Unit 2/Module 2 Rational Expressions and Equations 7.1-7.8
Unit 3/Module 3 Inequalities, Absolute Value Equations and Functions 8.1, 8.2, 9.1, 9.2 Introduction to Radical Expressions and Functions
Unit 4/Module 4 Rational Exponents, Radicals, and Complex Numbers 9.3-9.7
Unit 5/Module5 Quadratic Equations and Functions 10.1-10.4

Supplementary Help Extra help is available from The Learning Center (920 bldg, rm 211, Main campus) and the Math Cube (300 bldg, rm 350B, Main campus). Other campuses have more limited assistance. Ask your instructor for details.

College Information TTC uses email as the standard communication system to send information to students and uses TTC Express to post final course grades. To access your accounts go to www.tridenttech.edu.

Department Head Samantha Richards at 574-6754
Division Admin. Asst. 574-6015 (emergencies only) Last revised 3/10/15