VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Course of Study

COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE

MTH 03 - Algebra I

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Covers the topics of Algebra I including, real numbers, equations and inequalities, exponents, polynomials, Cartesian coordinate system, rational expressions, and applications. Develops the mathematical proficiency necessary for selected curriculum entrance. Credits not applicable toward graduation. Prerequisites: a placement recommendation for MTH 03 and Arithmetic or equivalent. Variable hours per week.

COURSE OVERVIEW

This will be a computer-mediated course.  This means students will receive their primary instruction from a computer program.  However, students are encouraged to seek help from their instructor with any course material with which they have difficulty.  The instructor may be contacted during office hours, by telephone, or by email.  Email through the ALEKS program offers the best means of communicating with the instructor from a distance.  The instructor is happy to schedule appointments outside of office hours as necessary.

Students are required to spend at least 5 hours each week working on the ALEKS objectives.  Failure to meet this requirement could result in the student being withdrawn from the class.  The ALEKS program records the number of hours each student spends working, the number of times they log-on, and the number of objectives they complete.

After students complete the 3 Intermediate Goals in ALEKS and take corresponding section tests, they will take a comprehensive Final Exam consisting of approximately 50 problems.  The problems on this exam will be multiple-choice and will be based upon the Course Objectives described in this syllabus.  In order to successfully complete the course, the student must score at least 60% on this Final Exam.

BROAD GOALS OF COURSE

In Basic Algebra I the student will learn the concepts of elementary algebra necessary for

1) Basic Algebra II

2) A prerequisite requirement for a given curriculum

TOPICS TO BE COVERED

1.      Fundamentals (The Real Number System and Algebraic Expressions)

2.      Linear Equations and Inequalities

3.      Properties of Lines

4.      Exponents and Rational Expressions

5.      Polynomials

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Identify and represent real numbers on a number line
2. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide Real numbers (Basic Math 5.1-5.12)
3. Simplify Real number expressions involving exponents and square roots by using order of operations, mental mathematics, and appropriate tools (Basic Math 6.1-6.11)
4. Recognize (1.1 & 1.2) and  use properties of the Real numbers  (See also 1.8 & 1.9)
5. Simplify algebraic expressions by combining like terms (6.1 & 6.2)
6. Evaluate algebraic expressions for given replacement values of the variable(1.3 & 1.4).
7. Solve linear equations in one variable (2.1-2.13)
8. Solve linear inequalities in one variable (2.16-2.21)
9. Graph a linear equation in two variables (3.1-3.10)
10. Graph a linear inequality in two variables (3.19, 3.20)
11. Find x-intercepts of functions (3.12)
12. Find y-intercept of functions (3.11)
13. Find the slope of a line (3.15)
14. Find the equation of a line  (3.13-3.16)
15. Use algebraic methods (above) to represent and evaluate verbal quantitative situations (1.5, 1.6, 2.14, 2.15, 2.22, 2.27, 2.28, 2.29, 2.30)
16. Know and use the properties of exponents (5.4-5.8, 5.18-5.23).
17. Add, subtract, multiply, and factor polynomials (6.1-6.7, 6.9-6.20) .
18. Reduce, add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions (5.1, 5.3, 5.9-5.10, 5.13-5,14, 5.16, 6.21-6.23).

COURSE MATERIALS

TEXT:

 There is no required textbook for this course.  Students must purchase a semester license to the web-based software ALEKS.  The ISBN for this ALEKS Manual with one semester license code is 0072391308.  DO NOT purchase a USED copy.  The code only works one time for one user for one semester. 

Students who would like to have a textbook can check out a Beginning Algebra text from the library or see the instructor for the load of a textbook for the semester.

CALCULATOR:

No specific calculator is required for this course.  Students are encouraged to rely as little as possible on calculators in order to strengthen their math skills.

 EVALUATION 

To obtain a grade of “S” (Satisfactory) in the course, a student must accomplish both of the following:

1. Earn a score of at least 60% on the Final Exam.
2. Have a final course average of 70%. 

To obtain a grade of “R” (Re-enroll) in the course, a student must accomplish ONE of the following: 

1. Meet the semester time requirement but not finish all of the ALEKS Intermediate Goals.
2. Finish the ALEKS portion of the course but fail to make the required 60% on the final exam.
3. Finish all course work but have an average less than the required 70%.

A grade of “U” (Unsatisfactory) will be given to students who do not meet the time requirement and who do not finish all of the course work.