Math 1050: College Algebra

Spring 2017 Syllabus

Instructor: John Schweitzer
Office: 004A (Library Square Campus)
Departmental Web Site: http://www.slcc.edu/math/
Office Hours: Library Square Campus Room 004A (in the basement)
Monday/Wednesday: 1:20-2:30
Tuesday/Thursday: 3:30-4:50

Office Phone: 801-957-2025

Email: Canvas

Welcome to College Algebra!

Text: College Algebra, Stitz and Zeager
Prerequisites: This course is for students who have successfully completed an intermediate algebra course,
such as MATH 1010, with a grade of C or better, or who otherwise qualify by virtue of acceptable CPT or
ACT scores achieved within the past year. Substitutions for the intermediate algebra course include an ACT
score of 23 or better, or a CPT score of at least 43 on the college algebra section. If you do not have
documentation for one of these prerequisites, you are advised to enroll in a math class more appropriate for
your background.
Course Description: This course continues to explore, in greater depth, standard algebra topics many of
which were addressed in MATH 1010. Topics will include the following: 1. functions, including polynomial,
rational, exponential, and logarithmic; 2. systems of equations; matrices and determinants; partial fraction
decomposition; 3. conics; and 4. sequences and series.
Class Schedule: A tentative calendar for the course will be posted online.
Homework: Part of the homework this semester will be online. A list of homework exercises assigned from
the text will also be posted online. These exercises are the required minimum for you to demonstrate the
learning objectives of the course and the mastery of the course concepts. You are encouraged to work more
exercises than those assigned. Regular practice is essential in learning mathematics. You should be prepared
to spend at least two hours studying outside of the class for each hour you spend in class. Many students find
that much more time is required in order to perform as well as they desire on exams. Details of how and
when homework is due will be discussed in class.
You are expected to work homework assignments from each section that we cover by the next class. Please
keep current on your homework and ask questions about the homework in class.
Tests: There will be hour exams on the dates indicated below, and a comprehensive final exam. All
examinations are closed book. Full credit will be awarded on test problems only if your work can be readily
followed and solutions are precise and correctly notated.
Hour Exams: Hour exams are closed book, last 50 minutes, and are taken during a scheduled class period.
No hour exam grade will be dropped.
Final Exam: All students must take the final exam. Students should make arrangements with employers
now to be free at the appointed time.
The final will be a comprehensive examination emphasizing topics listed under the course objectives.
Permission to take the final exam at a time other than the scheduled time must be approved by the
Mathematics Department Chair.
Project-Based Labs: These projects are designed to allow students to examine real-world applications
using technology as a tool. You must work on the projects in groups of approximately 4 or 5 students. You
are encouraged to share ideas and work and collaborate in whatever ways you find effective. However, each
student must turn in a complete copy of the work and the reflective writing statement must be original.
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At least one of these projects must be uploaded to your ePortfolio.

General Education Statement: This course fulfills the Quantitative Literacy (QL) requirement for the
General Education Program at Salt Lake Community College. It is designed not only to teach the information
and skills required by the discipline, but also to develop vital workplace skills and to teach strategies and skills
that can be used for life-long learning. General Education courses teach basic skills as well as broaden a
students knowledge of a wide range of subjects. Education is much more than the acquisition of facts; it is
being able to use information in meaningful ways in order to enrich ones life. While the subject of each course
is important and useful, we become truly educated through making connections of such varied information
with the different methods of organizing human experience that are practiced by different disciplines.
Therefore, this course, when combined with other General Education courses, will enable you to
develop broader perspectives and deeper understandings of your community and the world, as well as
challenge previously held assumptions about the world and its inhabitants.
General Education ePortfolio:
Each student in General Education courses at SLCC maintains a General Education ePortfolio. Instructors in
every Gen Ed course will ask you to put at least one assignment from the course into your ePortfolio, and
accompany it with reflective writing. It is a requirement in this class for you to add to your ePortfolio, and
this syllabus details the assignments and reflections you are to include. Your ePortfolio will allow you to
include your educational goals, describe your extracurricular activities, and post your resume. When you
finish your time at SLCC, your ePortfolio will then be a multimedia showcase of your educational
experience. For detailed information visit http://www.slcc.edu/gened/eportfolio, and click on the Student
Support site.
After you have picked an ePortfolio platform, go to the corresponding help site to watch the tutorials and look
at the examples so you can get started on your own:
http://slcceportfolio.weebly.com
http://slcceportfolio.wix.com/slcceportfolio
http://slcceportfolio.wordpress.com
http://slcchelpsite.jimdo.com/
https://sites.google.com/site/slcceport
If you would like assistance in starting or improving your ePortfolio, visit an ePortfolio Lab (in the
Taylorsville-Redwood Library LIB 047, in HTC 102a on the Jordan Campus, and in 3-174 on the South
City Campus) during business hours, and staff will help you without an appointment. Hours and other lab
details are located here: http://eportresource.weebly.com/start-an-eportfolio.html.
Grading: The breakdown of the grade is:
Component

Percentage

Homework/Quizzes/Attendance

34%

Projects

6%

Hour Exams

35%

Final

25%

It is an SLCC Math Department policy that students attaining a score of less than 60% on the final
shall receive a grade no higher than D for the course.
In order to pass this course, you must receive at least 50% on the final exam.
Scores will be equated with letter grades using the following
Grade

Range

A
A-

93%
90%

Grade

Cutoff

below 60%

Grade
B+
B
B-

Cutoff
87%
83%
80%

Grade
C+
C
C-

cutoffs:

Cutoff
77%
73%
70%

Grade
D+
D
D-

Cutoff
67%
63%
60%

Calculators: Scientific calculators with no more than a basic numeric store and recall memory are allowed on inclass tests. The following are prohibited on any in-class test: graphing calculators, programmable calculators, or
calculators capable of symbolic manipulation, computers, cell phones, and any other

communication device that can connect to the Internet. In particular, prohibited calculators include the TI89,
TI92, TI-Nspire, HP 48SX, HP 48GX, as well as other models and brands.
Permanent Folder: In case of human or computer error, it is recommended that you keep all homework and
exams in a folder until you have received a grade for the course.
Attendance: Class attendance is expected, but not required. Ordinarily, regular attendance is essential to
achieve satisfactory results. It is the students responsibility to be aware of all material covered, tests dates,
and assignment due dates.
Classroom Deportment: Each student is responsible for their own behavior. Any student who shows a
pattern of disrespect for others, or who at any time displays egregious disrespect for others, will be subject
to penalties as per the student code of conduct: http://www.slcc.edu/policies/docs/stdtcode.pdf.
Cheating Policy: Cheating on any assignment will result in a failing grade on that assignment and possibly
a failing grade in the class. Please consult the student code of conduct pages 39-41 where this topic is
addressed. The link is: http://www.slcc.edu/policies/docs/Student Code of Conduct.pdf.
Withdrawal Policy: Students may drop from the course through May 31, 2016. Students may withdraw
from the course through June 30, 2016. No withdrawals will be approved after that date. That means I will
not sign late withdrawal forms.
Extra Help: College Algebra is a challenging course, but the methods for success are simple: read the text,
participate in class, and keep up on assignments. Many students find that forming study groups with other
students is a very effective way for them to master mathematics. If you need extra help, free tutoring is
available in the Learning Centers (phone 957-4172) at Redwood Campus LIB-40, South Campus N308,
Sandy Campus Bldg. B, and Jordan Campus Room 102. A list of private tutors who may be hired is available
in the Learning Centers.
Please visit the math department web site at http://www.slcc.edu/math. On the left of the screen, click on
Resources for Student Success. This page contains a wealth of valuable information! Learn about
workshops, tutoring, software, videos, and web sites that are all designed to help you succeed.
Accommodations: Students with medical, psychological, learning or other disabilities desiring
accommodations or services under ADA, must contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC ). The DRC
determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of these accommodations and services for the college.
Please contact the DRC at the Student Center, Suite 244, Redwood Campus, 4600 So. Redwood Rd, 84123.
Phone: (801) 957-4659, TTY: 957-4646, Fax: 957-4947 or by email: linda.bennett@slcc.edu
SLCC Mission: SLCC is committed to fostering and assessing the following student learning outcomes in
its programs and courses:

Acquiring substantive knowledge in the field of their choice

Developing quantitative literacies
Developing the knowledge and skills to be civically engaged
Thinking critically
Communicating effectively