Moraine Valley Community College

Course Syllabus

Date: 01/19/10
Course Title: College Algebra (Functions)
Course Number: MTH 141
Semester: Spring 2010

I. Faculty Information
A. Instructor: Dr. Kristen R. Schreck
B. Office: D112
C. Office Phone: 708-974-5614
D. Office Hours: MTR 9:00 – 10:00 am
W 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Also by appointment.
E. Mailbox location: D108
F. Instructor’s E-mail: schreckk@morainevalley.edu (note the extra "k")
G. Email Policy: 1) Students must use the e-mail account provided by
MVCC as the official means of email communication
for all business related to this course. Any email that
does not come directly from your MVCC
(username@student.morainevalley.edu) account may be
filtered as spam or junk mail or will be deleted.

2) The subject line of all emails to the instructor must

begin with the course number and section number followed
by the topic. The course number and section for this course
is: MTH 141-301.

II. Course Identification

A. Credit hours:
B. Total contact hours:
C. Class meetings:
D. Prerequisite:
E. Catalog description:
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Lecture: 0 Lab: 0
Since this is an online course, there are no
on-campus class meetings for this course. However,
students must take the four exams and the final exam on
campus.
3 years of high school math, including advanced algebra,
and appropriate placement test score, or MTH-098 with a
grade of "C" or better.
This functions approach to college algebra includes
polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic
functions. Effective and efficient use of graphing
calculators will be an integral part of the course.

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III. Textbooks and Supplies
A. Required (physical copy of textbook or e-book):
1. Hornsby, Lial, and Rockswold, A Graphical Approach to College
Algebra, 4th Edition, 2007.
2. Student’s Solutions Manual by Randy Krieger and
Terry A. Krieger
B. Required: 1. My Math Lab (MML) Access Code. The MML Access Code comes
free with purchase of a new textbook for MTH 141 Section 301. Or,
you may purchase the MML Access Code separately online and it will
include the e-book (an online multimedia version of the textbook –
chapters can be printed). If you purchase the MML Access
Code separately, it can only be purchased at the following site:

http://www.coursecompass.com/website/student_register.html

The MTH 141 Course ID is: schreck27156

Note: The MVCC Bookstore does not sell the MML Access Code
separate from the textbook.

2. Also required is a graphing calculator: TI-83/84 series. Note that the

use of calculators may be restricted on quizzes and exams, including
the final exam.

IV. Learning Outcomes

The student will:
A. correctly interpret and manipulate the following “basic” functions by graphical and
algebraic means: constant, linear, square, cubic, reciprocal, square root, cube root,
absolute value, greatest integer, logarithm with base a > 1, natural logarithm,
exponential with base a >1.
B. find the domain, symmetries, zeros, intercepts, vertex, and asymptotes for functions
of the following categories: quadratic, elementary higher degree polynomial, rational,
radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
C. sketch the graph for functions in these same categories.
D. solve application problems which are modeled by functions in these same categories.
E. find the inverse function for a one to one function and state the domain and range of
both the function and the inverse function.
F. solve exponential and logarithmic equations.
G. use graphing calculators for graphing functions and fitting a regression line to a set of
data points.

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V. Classroom Policies/Procedures
A. Attendance: This is an online course -- there are no regular on-campus class
meetings. All exams will be taken on campus (see sections below on Testing Center
and Grading Policies). As a student enrolled in this course, you are responsible for
your own learning. You are responsible for following the detailed course schedule
given in this Syllabus using the text (hardcopy or e-book version), the MVCC MTH
141-301 BlackBoard website set-up by the instructor, and the Course Compass
(My Math Lab) website to submit Online Homework and Online Quizzes. Please see
the instructor for additional help with the course material.

B. Cheating/Plagiarism: Any form of academic dishonesty (plagiarizing/cheating)

will result in a grade of “0” on that particular assignment/exam. A repeated
offense results in failure of the course. In addition, students will be issued
official notification of this action which will become part of his/her permanent
record.

C. Student Conduct: Each student is responsible for adhering to the Code of Student
Conduct as stated in the college catalog.

D. Course Withdrawal: A student who does not officially withdraw from this course will
receive a grade of “F” which will become a part of the student’s permanent record.
The course withdrawal date is listed in the General Information Sheet (see separate
file).

E. Testing Center: The Testing Center (B101) will be used for all exams.
The test number for all exams in this course is #489 – you must first give this number
to Testing Center personnel in order to take an exam in this course. In addition, you
must have an MVCC Photo ID in order to take an exam in the Testing Center. A
driver's license will NOT do. NOTE: Pay close attention to the hours of operation of
the Testing Center which can be found on the General Information Sheet.
WARNING: Do not arrive close to the time when the Testing Center is closing, you
will not be allowed to take the exam. SPECIAL NOTE: The Testing Center will be
providing calculators to use for all exams. No student may use his or her own personal
calculator in the Testing Center when taking an exam.

F. Resources/Tutoring: To be successful in this online course you need to be able to

study on your own and carefully follow the schedule for the course. Realize, too, that
while such independent work can be very rewarding, online courses often demand
more time than on-campus classes do. It is imperative, then, that you familiarize
yourself with the structure of the course you are taking from day one and keep to the
schedule.

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F. Resources/Tutoring (continued):

It is your responsibility to see the instructor if you are having difficulties in mastering
the course objectives. Please do not delay in seeking help. In addition, there is free
tutoring by mathematics faculty and qualified students available in the Academic
Skills Center (B284A) on a walk-in basis.

VI. Online Homework Assignments, Online Quizzes, Written Worksheet

Assignments, On-Campus Exams, On- Campus Final Exam, and Grading
Policies

A. Online Homework Assignments: At the end of this syllabus is a list of the textbook
problems that have been assigned for the course. The Online Homework problems
are taken from (are a subset of) this list of problems. Students are strongly urged to
work through the problems given in the list BEFORE each Online Homework
Assignment (or Online Quiz) is attempted.

To complete the Online Homework Assignments, students will logon to the Course
Compass website using the MyMathLab (MML) Access Code that either came with
the textbook purchased in the MVCC Bookstore or the code that was purchased
separately at the website listed under Section III. Textbook and Supplies . The
Course Compass website is:

www.coursecompass.com

In addition, students should go to the MVCC MTH 141-301 BlackBoard course

website set-up by the instructor for further information on how to access and submit
the Online Homework and Online Quizzes.

The sections covered in each Online Homework Assignment are listed in the
following table. Due dates are given in the Course Schedule.

There are 12 Online Homework Assignments.

Each Online Homework Assignment is worth 12 points.
The two lowest Online Homework scores will be dropped.
Missed Online Homework Assignments will earn a score of zero.

Online
Homework
Assignment Sections Covered
Week 1 1.1, 1.2
Week 2 1.3, 1.4, 1.5
Week 3 1.6, 2.1
Week 5 2.2, 2.3
Week 6 2.5, 2.6, 3.1
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 Week 7 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Week 9 3.5, 3.6
Week 10 3.7, 3.8
Week 11 4.1, 4.2
Week 13 5.1, 5.2
Week 14 5.3, 5.4
Week 15 5.5, 5.6

B. Online Quizzes: There will be eight (8) Online Quizzes also taken at the Course
Compass website:
www.coursecompass.com

There are 8 Online Quizzes.

Each Online Quiz is worth 10 points.
The sections covered in each quiz are listed in the table below.
The two lowest Online Quiz scores will be dropped.
Missed Online Quizzes will earn a score of zero.

Online
Quiz Sections Covered
1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
2 1.5, 1.6, 2.1
3 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6
4 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
5 3.5, 3.6, 3.7
6 3.8, 4.1, 4.2
7 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
8 5.4, 5.5, 5.6

C. Worksheet Assignments: There will be four hand-written worksheet assignments

each worksheet is worth 20 points. Each worksheet will be provided online one week
before the due date. See the Course Schedule for due dates.

D. Exams: There will be four (4) exams that cover the sections listed below. Each exam
is worth 100 points. The lowest exam score (excluding the final exam) will be
dropped. No make-up exams will be given. Missed exams will earn a score of zero.

Exam Sections Covered

1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1
2 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
3 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 4.1, 4.2
4 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6

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E. Exam Procedures: The four exams listed above must be taken on campus in the
Testing Center (B101). You will have three days (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) to
take each exam during each exam week (except for the final exam). The specific dates
for each exam are given in the Course Schedule. Reminders of exam dates will be given
on the Announcements page of the MVCC MTH 141-301 BlackBoard course website
throughout the semester. The Testing Center number for this course is #489. An MVCC
ID is required for the Testing Center – do not go to the Testing Center without your
MVCC Photo ID. The location and hours for the Testing Center are listed on the General
Information sheet (see separate file).

F. Final Exam: The final exam is worth 150 points. The final exam is comprehensive
and must be taken on campus during the final exam week – the exact dates are provided
in the Course Schedule listed below. There is no make-up if you miss the final exam.
The final exam score is never dropped. If you miss the final exam for any reason, a
zero will be recorded as the final exam score.

G. Grades: Final grades will be based on the total points earned on the best ten (10)
Online Homework Assignments (120 points total), the best six (6) Online Quizzes
(60 points total), the four written worksheet assignments (80 points total),
the best three (3) Exams (300 points total), and a departmental final exam (150 points).
The following grade scale will be used:

Grade Average
A 90% or above
B 80-89.9%
C 70-79.9%
D 60-69.9%
F Below 60%

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VII. Course Assignments
The Online Homework and Online Quizzes are taken from problems similar to those
listed in the table below. The following is a list of the sections to be covered in MTH 141
in the text, A Graphical Approach to College Algebra, 4th Edition. The answers to the
odd–numbered exercises, all the Chapter Review Exercises, and the Chapter Tests are
given in the back of the text beginning on page A–1. Worked-out solutions with step–
by–step annotations can be found in the (optional) Student’s Solutions Manual.

Section Read Do Exercises

Pages
Chapter 1 Linear Functions,
Equations, and Inequalities
1.1 Real Numbers and the 2–7 5–23 odd, 24, 25–33 odd, 39,
Rectangular Coordinate 40, 41, 43, 45, 55, 57, 59, 65,
System 67, 71, 75, 77, 81, 85–93 odd
(part a only), 107
1.2 Introduction to Relations and 12–19 1–6 all, 15–61 odd
Functions
1.3 Linear Functions 23–32 1, 3, 5, 9, 13–21 odd, 22, 23–33
odd, 34, 35, 39–45 odd, 47–54
all, 55–61 odd, 65–68 all, 69–
83 odd
1.4 Equations of Lines and Linear 36–45 1–9 odd, 10, 11–49 odd, 63–69
Models odd, 71–76 all
1.5 Linear Equations and Inequalities 51–55 1–9 odd, 10, 11–17 odd, 21–39
odd
1.6 Applications of Linear Functions 69 33, 35, 53, 55

Chapter 2 Analysis of Graphs

2.1 Graphs of Basic Functions and
Relations; Symmetry
2.2 Vertical and Horizontal Shifts of
Graphs
2.3 Stretching, Shrinking, and
Reflecting Graphs
2.5 Piecewise–Defined Functions
2.6 Operations and Composition
90 – 100 1–10 all, 11–45 odd, 49–73 odd
103–107 1–9 odd, 11–19 all, 21–26 all,
27–41 odd, 43–46 all, 47–55
odd, 61
113–121 1–21 odd, 22, 23–59 odd, 63–
73 odd, 87, 89, 91
138– 141 1–7 odd, 9–12 all, 16, 21–24
all, 33, 35, 37, 41, 43
149–154 1–6 all, 7–19 odd, 21–27 odd
(omit domain), 29, 31, 33, 45,
49, 57–63 odd (omit domain),
65–68 all, 71–74 all, 77,79

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Chapter 3 Polynomial Functions
3.1 Complex Numbers 174–179 1–27 odd, 41–61 odd, 69–74
all, 85–97 odd
3.2 Quadratic Functions and Graphs 181–189 1–4 all, 5–37 odd, 39–42 all,
47–59 odd
3.3 Quadratic Equations and 194–200 9–59 odd, 67, 69, 77–89 odd,
Inequalities 103, 117
3.4 Further Applications of Quadratic 208–211 1, 2, 3, 5 (omit part d), 6, 7–25
Functions and Models odd
3.5 Higher–Degree Polynomial 218– 226 17, 21, 25–35 odd, 37–40 all,
Functions and Graphs 41–65 odd
3.6 Topics in the Theory of 232–238 13–49 odd, 53–71 odd
Polynomial Functions (I)
3.7 Topics in the Theory of 240–246 1, 3, 5, 13–35 odd, 37–44 all,
Polynomial Functions (II) 47–55 odd, 75
3.8 Polynomial Equations and 254–256 53 & 54 (omit part d), 56
Inequalities

Chapter 4 Rational, Power, and

Root Functions
4.1 Rational Functions and Graphs
4.2 More on Graphs of Rational
Functions
271–275 1–17 odd, 19-33 odd (omit
draw sketch by hand), 35–38
all
277–286 1–8 all, 9–17 odd, 18, 19–63
odd, 71–75 odd, 81, 83, 89, 90

Chapter 5 Inverse, Exponential,

and Logarithmic Functions
5.1 Inverse Functions 339–345 1–65 odd, 73–97 odd, 103–109
odd, 113, 115
5.2 Exponential Functions 350–359 13–18 all, 19–63 odd, 65–69
odd (part a only), 77, 79, 81,
86, 87
5.3 Logarithms and Their Properties 363–371 1–95 odd, 23, 29-95 odd
5.4 Logarithmic Functions 374–380 1–13 odd, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29,
31–38 all, 39–47 odd, 53–59
odd, 65, 67, 69
5.5 Exponential and Logarithmic 384–390 1 and 3 (part a only), 5–51 odd,
Equations and Inequalities 55–61 odd, 71–74 all, 77, 83,
87, 89
5.6 Further Applications and 394–398 1–9 odd, 15, 21, 23, 24, 39, 50,
Modeling with Exponential and 52, 53
Logarithmic Functions

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