Math 109 - Fall 2011

  Algebra for Calculus and Related Topics

Some suggested exercises

INSTRUCTOR:          Michael Howe,  HHH 603,  836-3366,  hower@uwec.edu

OFFICE HOURS:       See my schedule or by appointment.

TEXT:                         Lial, Essentials of College Algebra,  Tenth Edition, Addison-Wesley.

ATTENDANCE:        

You are expected to attend class every meeting.  You will be responsible for all material presented in class as well as all material assigned from the text. Attendance will be taken randomly and points assigned.  I will consider more than three unexcused absences to be excessive (see GPC below for the definition of an excused absence). I will also consider numerous absences for any reason a cause for concern. TIP:  Skipping class is an inefficient use of time. It is much easier coming to class than having to learn the material on your own.  Poor attendance leads to poor grades. I will assume that you check your email regularly.

M.K./S.G CLAUSE:   Satisfactory classroom attendance is a prerequisite for receiving help during office hours or in the mathematics laboratory.

HOMEWORK:            Homework will be assigned regularly, and will consist of recommended exercises that you should work to gain proficiency and understanding.  Homework will not be handed in, but I will expect that you will have done (or at least attempted) the homework for the following class meeting. 

YOU SHOULD WORK ENOUGH OF THE EXERCISES TO CONVINCE YOURSELF THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE MATERIAL.

QUIZZES:                   There may be short (announced and unannounced) quizzes, typically over material from the homework

EXAMS:                    There will be 3 in-class exams and a comprehensive final exam. 

                                   THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP (OR EARLY) EXAMS OR QUIZZES .  (See GPC) 

                                   Test dates TBA.    

 

FINAL EXAM: Monday December 19, 10-11:50 AM HHH 100

 

                            USE OF CALCULATORS OR CRIB SHEETS IS TYPICALLY NOT PERMITTED ON  EXAMS OR  QUIZZES

PROJECTS:                

There will be a variety of projects designed to enhance your understanding and appreciation of mathematics and futher the goals of the First Year Experience program.  A number of these may require participation outside of class.

 

Attendance and FYE: Your attendance at all required FYE activities/events is expected as part of this course.  You can make up any missed activities by attending other ones.  If you must miss a scheduled event for a legitimate reason (i.e., work, class, team practice, illness, or emergencies), you need to provide relevant documentation (such as a note) within 24 hours in order to not be penalized for the absence.  Missing or late excuses will not be accepted, and excessive absences will lower your grade for this course.

GRANDMOTHER PROTECTION CLAUSE:  

In order to protect the health and well-being of grandmothers, other relatives and close friends during the times when exams are given or when projects are due, the following policy is in effect; in the event of a UNIVERSITY EXCUSED ABSENCE (this typically requires a letter from a Dean, Athletic Department, etc.), and at the discretion of the instructor, the missed score will be replaced with the prorated score from the rest of the course. See me in extraordinary cases.

 

 

 

 

GRADES:                    Quizzes and Projects, attendance, etc.               400 pts.

                                      3 In-Class Exams @200 pts                              600 pts.

                                       1  Final Exam                                                   200 pts

                                                                                                             1200 pts.

I will then throw out the lowest in-class exam score, and out of 1000 possible points assign the following grades:

 

920=A             800=B             680=C             540=D

880=A-            760=B-            620=C-           500=D-

840=B+           720=C+           600=D+           Less than 500 = F

 

IMPORTANT:  A GRADE OF ‘C’ (NOT C-) OR BETTER IS REQUIRED TO SATISFY THE MATHEMATICS COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT FOR A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES.

IMPORTANT UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND DEADLINES:   

See the University policy on drops and adds for important deadlines. Especially:

 Deadline for a student to add a full-semester course. Done by the student online, on the Blugold system, no permission required.

 Deadline for a student to drop a full-semester course with no record of enrollment. Done by the student on the Blugold system, no permissions required.

Students may ‘drop down’ to a prerequisite course during the first four weeks of class without any record appearing on their  transcript. Go to the the  Math Department office, HHH 508.  Students may also ‘Move Up’ during the first two weeks of class.

Deadline for a student to withdraw from a course with a "W" on the transcript. Student uses Change of Registration form obtained in the Registration office in S128. Requires permission/signatures of course instructor and student's advisor. This may have academic consequences.  See your advisor.

Any academic misconduct in this course as a serious offense, and I will pursue the strongest possible academic penalties for such behavior.  The disciplinary procedures and penalties for academic misconduct are described in the UW-Eau Claire Student Services and Standards Handbook in Chapter UWS 14—Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures

Any student who has a disability and is in need of classroom accommodations, please contact the instructor and the Services for Students with Disabilities Office in Old    Library 2136 at the   beginning of the semester. 

 

OTHER RESOURCES:

 

The Mathematics Laboratory    220 HHH

Provides drop in assistance for students in courses numbered

010, 020, 110, 111, 112.  Hours to be announced, but should be

open normal business hours and M-R evenings.

 

Academic Skills Center   2112 Old Library  

Part of Academic and Career Services, the center provides assistance with study skills and time management, as well as limited help with basic mathematics.

Graphing Calculators Some students may find that calculators or computer programs with a graphing utility can aid their comprehension.  Students should        have access to one (i.e. own or borrow), although one is not required for the course.

                                        Student Solutions Manual  Available at the bookstore.  Often students buy a copy to share.

 

TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN THIS COURSE:

 

1. THIS IS NOT A HIGH SCHOOL COURSE

The material in this course will not be spoon-fed to you for you to reproduce on exams and quizzes.  Most of the learning you will do will be outside the classroom.  Expect to spend at least 2 hours of REGULAR, QUALITY study time for each hour of class time. The material will be covered at two at three times the pace of a typical high school class, and we will expect a greater command of the material. 

                       

2. READ THE TEXTBOOK

It will be assumed that you have read (or at least previewed) the appropriate sections BEFORE the material is presented in lecture.  This is your best hope for understanding the lecture.  After the lecture, read the material again, this time carefully.  It is very helpful to use pencil and paper to work through the material, (especially the examples!!), and fill in the omitted steps.