Syllabus

Course Information                                                                       Instructor Information

MTH 95 section 1 Spring Term 2009                                                   Jamieson Scribner

Advanced Algebra                                                                                 scribnej@pdx.edu

Room: NH 307                                                                                         Office: NH M304

Times: TR 8:00-9:50 am                                                      http://web.pdx.edu/~scribnej

 

Office Hours: T 10:00-11:00 am, R 3:30-4:00 pm, after class or by appointment

Text: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, Concepts and Applications fourth edition by Bittinger, Ellenbogden, Johnson

 

Goals & Requirements

The main goal of this course is to develop an understanding of the fundamental language of mathematics: algebra.  By the end of the course you should be able to use the proper notation and recognize the important properties of algebraic relationships.  You should also be familiar with the particulars of expressions that involve inequalities, rationales, quadratics, radicals, and the basics of functions.  As incoming students, you are expected to have some basic familiarity with algebra having completed first or second year high-school algebra, MTH 70, or an equivalent course.  Homework will be assigned out of the textbook.  A graphing calculator will help you to answer many of the questions and the workings of the TI-83 and TI-84 may be discussed during class making them highly recommended.  We will be working out of chapters 6-11 in the book.  Some problems will also be assigned from chapter 5 in order to review the importance of factoring.  Please see the section on grading for more information.

 

Attendance & Conduct

Attendance is essential since there may be a new assignment due on any given day of class which must be turned in during class.  Furthermore, quizzes will be given occasionally and may not be allowed to be made up.  It is the responsibility of the student to read the text, work out the problems, and come to class prepared with questions.  Students attending class will be expected to be respectful of others and careful not to disrupt the learning environment.  All cell phones, beepers, music players, and other noisemakers are to be switched off before class begins.  Cheating on a test or assignment will result in a zero score and possibly additional disciplinary action.  For more information, please read the Code of Student Conduct which is available at www.pdx.edu/dos/conduct.html (it is always good to know what you can get away with).

 

Goodies

In order to maximize your learning experience, I will try to make as many materials available to you on my personal web page as possible.  If you have a learning or physical disability which interferes with you taking the course, please contact PSU’s Disability Services.  They will determine how the course is to be adjusted for your individual needs.  Free tutoring and is available at the tutor tables in front of the math office on the third floor of Neuberger Hall and at the Skills Enhancement Center.

MTH 95 section 1 Spring Term 2009

 

Grading Breakdown (subject to change)

 

Homework                             30%   

Quizzes and Tests                  40%

Final Exam                            30%

 

Homework

Half of your homework grade will be based on the general correctness of your answers.  Please circle, underline, or otherwise indicate which answers you want me to grade.  Show your work and explain your answers so I can give you feedback on incorrect answers and possibly partial credit.  The other half of your homework grade will be participation. Assignments will not be accepted if they are turned in on any other day then their due date without prior communication.  Even if you have a good reason for turning in an assignment late, you will receive a deduction in participation points.  If you are unable to finish it all by the due date, there will be time set aside in class to work out these unfinished problems.  While group work is encouraged, each student must hand in his or her paper individually.  Homework is to be handed in directly to me during class or during designated office hours.  Please do not bother the other staff with it or slip it under my door as I may not receive it in a timely fashion if I receive it at all.  Each homework assignment will be worth ten points and graded in a holistic manner: so if you did it all right you get 10 points, mostly right 8 points etc.

 

Final Exam

The final exam will be given on Thursday, June 11th, from 8:00-9:50 am.  It will be comprehensive and some form of notes may be allowed.  There may also be a take-home project that accounts some portion of the grade (it is basically just a glorified homework assignment).  More details will be given as the term goes on.

 

Quizes and Tests

I plan on giving a brief quiz at the end of class every other Thursday in order to evaluate what we have learned.  Notes will not be allowed unless otherwise mentioned.   I will try to make Thursday test day but make sure to come to class for updates.  I will give you fair warning for a quiz.  There may also be a midterm.  Calculators are allowed and recommended for all tests.  More details will be given when the time comes for tests and quizzes.

 

Relax

A grade of C- or above indicates that you have mastered the material enough to continue on to more advanced math courses.  Consequently, students taking the course on a pass/no pass basis will receive a pass for a grade of C- or above.  The traditional 10 percent scale (100%-90% = A, 80%-90% = B, etc.) will be used. However, since I like to ask hard questions, if the average class test grade is significantly low, the scale will be adjusted accordingly in order to give you a fair grade.