Syllabus

San Bernardino Valley College

Spring 2015
Math 090 Elementary Algebra Online-73

General Information
Instructor:
Instructor's Office:
Instructor's Online Hours:
Online Help Sessions:
Instructor's Phone:
Instructor's Email:
Course Application:
Purchase Access Code:
Publisher:

Prof. Kristin Dillard

Physical Science 184
Tues/Wed. 6:00-7:00 PM
Please contact instructor by email
909.384.8524
kdillard@valleycollege.edu
Enhanced WebAssign Course Key: valleycollege 7287 8198
http://www.cengagebrain.com/micro/1-1IGZNIZ $60
Cengage

Course Prerequisites:

Math 952 Prealgebra or equivalent

(Grade of C or better) or by Assessment

Course Requirements:

Unhindered access to an operable computer system

(see system requirements) with Internet Service Provider

Course Content:
This course will cover the following topics:
1) Equations and Inequalities
a) Solving Basic Linear Equations in One Variable
b) Solving More Linear Equations in One Variable
c) Simplifying Expressions to Solve Equations
d) Formulas
e) Introduction to Problem Solving
f) Motion and Mixture Problems
g) Solving Linear Inequalities in One Variable
2) Graphing and Writing Equations of Lines
a) The Rectangular Coordinate System
b) Graphing Linear Equations
c) Slope of a Line
d) Point-Slope Form
e) Slope-Intercept Form
3) Polynomials
a) Natural-Number Exponents
b) Zero and Negative-Integer Exponents

c) Scientific Notation
d) Polynomials
e) Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
f) Multiplying Polynomials
g) Division of Monomials
h) Division of Polynomials
4) Factoring polynomials
a) Greatest Common Factor and Factor by grouping
b) Factor Simple Trinomials
c) Factor General Trinomials
d) Difference of Squares
e) Sum and Difference of Cubes
f) Summary of Factoring Techniques
g) Solve equations by Factoring
5) Rational expressions
a) Simplifying Rational Expressions
b), Multiplying, and Dividing Rational Expressions
c) Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions
d) Simplifying Complex Fractions
e) Solving Equations Involving Rational Expressions
f) Applications
6) Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities
a) Solve By Graphing
b) Solve By Substitution
c) Solve By Elimination
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Students will demonstrate their ability to identify the base and exponent of an exponential expression
and to simplify exponential expressions by correctly applying the definition and properties of exponents
to exercises which require such properties.
2. Students will demonstrate their ability to solve real world problems employing linear models in one
variable by applying properties of equality, the order of operations, and their ability to translate English
phrases into mathematical symbols to formulate and solve representative equations.
Core Competencies

Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:
A. Solve linear equations
B. Develop and solve appropriate linear equations which model applications
C. Describe polynomials using proper vocabulary
D. Evaluate the sum, difference, product and quotient of polynomials
E. Apply rules for exponents to simplify exponential expressions
F. Factor polynomials and solve equations by factoring
G. Manipulate rational expressions by simplification, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division
H. Simplify expressions containing complex fractions
I. Solve equations involving rational expressions
J. Construct graphs of linear equations
K. Solve systems of linear equations in two variables
Participation:
Students are encouraged to participate in online discussions. Feel free to start a discussion thread with a
question or a comment. Students must participate in completing all assigned homework. Any student
who fails to complete a total of 2 or more weeks worth of assignments may be dropped from the course
according to campus attendance policy. Be advised that it is not the instructor's responsibility to drop any
student from the course, but it is the responsibility of the student. Any student enrolled in course after the
deadline to withdrawal will receive a letter grade.
Methods of Evaluation:
Students will demonstrate mastery of learning objectives by methods of evaluation which may include,
but are not limited to homework, quizzes, prompt responses and a comprehensive final exam.
Homework:
Homework assignments are listed and detailed in the My Assignments section of the online course
room. Weekly homework assignments will be due by each Sunday night at 11:59pm (PST).
Students should follow the course content for each section before attempting homework. Course content
includes reading the e-book and watching the videos. Students can access the eBook by clicking on the
link next to the picture of the book in the About this Class section. Videos can be accessed in the
Resources section. The work should be done in the order listed in this area of the course room.
Please note: there are interactive tutorials available in the eBook. You can find the tutorials that are
denoted with a blue button with the pi symbol. These are very useful in practicing how to solve problems
before the homework is attempted.
Homework will be due each Sunday night at 11:59pm (PST). Due dates are posted for each assignment.
Homework assignments may be handed in (submitted via computer software) early with no penalty, but
may not be handed in late for credit.
NOTE: Students will have 3 chances to answer a homework question correctly. After the 3rd try, if the
answer is not correct, a score of zero will be recorded for that problem. Students are encouraged to seek

help through reviewing the book, reviewing notes, tutoring, asking the instructor through email, attending
an online office hour with the instructor, or posting the questions in the course room.
Additional practice problems can be found in corresponding sections of the textbook and completed for
your own benefit. Assigned homework accounts for fifteen percent (15%) of the final course grade.
Quizzes:
Sixteen (16) quizzes will be required as part of your online assignments. Quizzes are always due on
Wednesday nights at 11:59 (PST) and may be handed in (submitted via computer software) early with
no penalty, but may not be handed in late for credit. Chapter quizzes account for forty percent (40%) of
the final course grade.
While the quizzes are due on Wednesday evenings, you are encouraged to consider the due dates to be
Tuesday and to make every effort to complete quizzes by Tuesday evening. This way, if you have a
technical issue, you can email me and we can resolve the issue so you can complete it on time. Be aware
that if you are taking a quiz on Wednesday evening, and encounter technical problems, you are on your
own.
Once a quiz is started, there will be a time limit (which is posted in the Quiz listing) for completing AND
submitting the quiz. Time remaining will be displayed on the quiz screen. Quizzes may only be attempted
once so be sure to complete the quiz once it is opened. Incomplete quizzes (for any reason) will be
considered a score of 0. Please email the instructor in the event of a technology problem. Note there is no
promise that your problem will be resolved before the deadline passes. Extensions will not be given.
Incomplete quizzes will be scored and included in the quiz average.
When taking the test, you will need to submit your response to each question individually after you have
answered it. If you complete all the problems before the time runs out, you may close the chapter quiz and
the score will be recorded after the deadline. Note that students can review the chapter quizzes as well as
access the answer key only after the deadline has passed.
Final Exam:
A comprehensive final exam will be given at the end of this term on campus. All students are required to
take this final exam. The final exam is scheduled for Saturday, May 16th. Notification of location will be
forthcoming. This final exam will account for fortyfive percent (45%) of the overall course grade.
Any student who fails the final will also fail the course. Students who do not take the final exam will
receive a score of zero.
The final exam will begin and end at the specified times. If you arrive late, you will have less time to
complete the exam. You will be allowed to use a calculator (you may not use the calculator on the
computer or on your cell phone), but books, notes, and neighbors will not be allowed. Bring a pencil;
scratch paper will be provided. You must also bring photo identification.
If you want to use a calculator while taking your exam, you need to bring one. You only need a scientific
calculator. No graphing calculators will be allowed. You will not be allowed to access a calculator on the
computer during the final exam. The only window that can be opened while taking the exam is the
WebAssign window.
Check course announcements for any updates as to location of the final exam.

Grading Policy:
Homework 15%
Chapter Quizzes 40%
Final Exam 45%
If your average is as follows, your course grade will be assigned as follows. Final overall averages will
not be adjusted even in the slightest case.
90.00 100%
80.00 89.99%
70.00 79.00%
60.00 69.99%
0 59.99%

A
B
C
D
F

NOTES on NET-iquette
Like being in a face-to-face class, students in an on-line class must be able to discuss and debate
divergent views without ridicule or personal attack. An important part of learning is considering the broad
range of views possible on any one subject. You may be engaging in online discussions on topics that
may yield a diverse array of opinion. Any behavior that is considered offensive in a classroom setting will
be considered offensive online. This includes, but is not limited to the use of profanity, racial, sexual, or
religious epithets, harassing or disrespecting another person on-line. Remember, all discussions are
monitored.
Read the Syllabus
The Syllabus is your "roadmap" to the class. It contains a description of the course, an overview of each
element of this course, a list of the course materials, and requirements, and an introduction to your
instructor. You should review the class syllabus frequently and refer to it first when you have a question
about the class.
How to Study
You should plan to devote at least 15 hours per chapter of study time to complete coursework. Establish a
study schedule that works for you by setting aside a specific time to study when you are free of
distractions and other commitments.
Keeping Up
Math is not a spectator sport. There are no shortcuts-the key to success is keeping up with the course.
Deadlines are given in the Discussion Board on a weekly basis. Do not wait until the last minute because
computer, energy, server, and internet providers may not be available at the last minute. Deadlines given
in the syllabus are local time (Pacific Standard Time). The publisher's server is on the east coast and has
a three-hour time difference, hence do not use that time as Pacific Standard Time.

Always do your assignments on schedule. If you miss an assignment, contact me for guidance to
get back on schedule quickly.

Do your assigned exercises and other online homework as soon as possible after working through
the sections in the text. This will provide the most effective reinforcement while concepts are
still fresh in your mind.
As you do your homework assignments, refer to your notes and the text section. Look for
examples that are similar to the exercises.
Be sure to watch the video presentations. These can be found in the Textbook/Videos section of
the course room label video presentation.

Dont be fooled! Homework performance is not a good indicator of quiz

performance. Be sure that you are understanding concepts and not just mimicking what
you find in the homework helps. Take sample exams numerous times before attempting
actual quizzes, but dont limit your study and preparation to homework and sample
exams alone.