Elementary Algebra Course Syllabus

Summer 2002

Instructor: Mark Moses

Office: 108 Thornton
Office Phone: 333 4434
E-Mail: mmoses@stcc.tn.edu
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday from 12:40 2:00 pm or other times by appointment

General information: Elementary Algebra is an introductory algebra course. The prerequisite is a

passing grade in Basic Math or appropriate placement exam score. Topics that we will discuss include:
solving basic equations and proportions; problem solving, including direct and inverse proportions;
exponential and logarithmic expressions; roots and radical expressions; formula rearrangement; factoring
and other selected topics. This course will provide the student with the background to succeed in more
advanced math courses.

Course Materials:
Textbook (College Mathematics for Technology, Fifth Edition; Cleaves, Hobbs, and Dudenhefer); scientific
or graphing calculator; 3 ring binder or other suitable notebook for organizing homework and assignments

Grading:
Chapter Tests There will be chapter tests on chapters 9 13 and 14 if time allows. Chapter tests will
compose a total of 60 percent of the course grade. The lowest test grade may be replaced by your final
exam score.

Homework There will be periodic homework assignments to be turned in, which will make up 15%
of the course grade. Homework will be due at the beginning of class. There will be a penalty for any
homework turned in late. In addition to graded homework, there will be optional homework assignments
given from the textbook. Although this work is optional, you should do it in order to prepare for tests.

Final Exam There will be a comprehensive final exam that counts for 25% of the course grade.

Grade Scale 90 100 A

80 89 B
70 79 C
60 60 N
< 60 F

Attendance and makeup work:

Attendance will be checked daily. There will be a substantial penalty for any homework or other
assignments turned in late. Anyone missing a chapter test for an excused absence has the option of taking a
makeup or replacing the missed grade with their final exam score.

Final thoughts: If you want to succeed in this course, here are some helpful suggestions. You must
attend class regularly, and you must do the homework on time. You should be prepared to spend a
minimum of one hour per day, and several hours reviewing for tests, on this course. Do not wait until the
day before a test to begin the problems. Form small study groups with your classmates. This will make the
class more fun and provide a good way to review for tests and work on projects. Come see me for help if
you have questions, or get behind. I have regularly scheduled office hours listed at the top of this syllabus.
In addition, there are free tutors and video tapes available at the Learning Resource Center.