MATH 105 - Algebra
Spring 2008

Instructor

Text & Materials

Purpose

MATH 105 covers topics commonly covered in a second year high school algebra course. Proficiency in algebra is a graduation requirement of VWC and passing MATH 105 is one way to meet that requirement. MATH 105 also serves as a prerequisite for MATH 106 Statistics, MATH 113 Precalculus Mathematics, and MATH 125 Mathematics in Western Culture.

Course Topics and Homework Problems

Homework Strategies and Tips

1. You must keep all homework assignments in a loose leaf notebook/folder that you bring to class EACH DAY. I may periodically collect a homework assignment or the entire notebook to check that you are making a reasonable attempt to complete ALL of the problems. If class time permits, I may do a quick, in-class check of the notebooks. These homework checks may be announced or unannounced and any homework grades will count in the Daily Grades category.
   
   
2. It is in your best interest to keep your homework notebook organized and up-to-date. At the beginning of each assignment, write the section number, page numbers, and problem numbers. For each problem, copy the problem from the book, then show all steps leading to to solution to the problem. Draw a circle or box around the final solution.
   
   
3. Try to at least begin working on the homework assignment the same afternoon or evening after class meets. This way the material is fresh in your mind. It is particularly difficult when you wait until Monday night to do the homework that was assigned the previous Thursday.
   
   
4. You should always try to complete the problems before looking up the answers in the back of the text.
   
   
5. After completing the problems, check your answers with those in the text. If most of your answers are correct, you should feel confident that you have mastered the concepts covered in that section. Please ask me to work any problems you had difficulty with at the beginning of the next class meeting.
   
   
6. If you are "stuck" on problem, first try to find a similar problem in your notes or in your text. As a last resort, you can look up the answer in the text and see if this helps you figure out how to work the problem.
   
   
7. If you find that you are "stuck" on a significant number of problems, you need to get tutoring help as soon as possible, ideally before the next class meeting. I can answer some questions at the beginning of the next class meeting, but we must move on to cover new material each time we meet. If you are completely stumped by a section, it will be very difficult for you to comprehend the sections that follow.

Grading

Your final average will be computed using the following percentages. (These percentages are subject to slight modification as the course progresses.)

attendance/participation (max 3 pts per day)	5%
daily grades (includes quizzes, class work, homework)	15%
3 tests	60%
final exam	20%

Regular class attendance is required. You will be held responsible for all material covered in class and assigned sections in your textbook. If you must miss a class, you should arrange to have a friend in the class take notes for you.

The attendance portion of your grade will be calculated by dividing the number of attendance points you earn by the maximum number of attendance points possible at 3 points per day. When you attend class, you must bring your book, notebook, calculator, paper, and pencil. I also expect you to participate in class and take notes. For each complete class meeting you attend, arriving on time with all required course materials and a basic level of participation, you will receive 3 daily grade points. Noticable tardiness, failure to bring course materials and failure to participate may result in a reduction of the number of points you earn.

The daily grades portion of your grade will be calculated by dividing the number of daily grade points you earn by the total number of daily grade points possible. This category includes quizzes, class work, and homework checks.

When you miss a class meeting, for ANY reason, you automatically forfeit the attendance points for that day. I will adjust everyone's attendance average to allow for 3 free absences. There is really no such thing in college as "excused" vs "unexcused" absences, so this does NOT mean that you get 3 random "skips" plus "excused" absences. These allowed absences should be saved for illness, emergencies, oversleeping, sports absences, leaving early for breaks, etc. Note that if you miss fewer than 3 class meetings, your attendance score may be over 100%. However, the maximum percentage that I will average in for your final grade for either the attendance or daily grades category is 105%.

Daily grades points that you miss due to absence may possibly be made up if you consult with me the first day you return to class after the absence in question. Quizzes may only be made up before the quiz is graded and returned to the class.

Note that if you arrive late and a graded quiz or assignment has already been completed before you arrive, you may try to arrange to make up these points if you consult with me before you leave class that day. Also note that persistent tardiness may result in a reduction of the number of attendance points you are awarded.

The plus/minus grading system will be used in assigning course grades as follows:

GRADE	AVERAGE
A	92.5 -100
A-	90 - 92.5
B+	87.5 - 90
B	82.5 - 87.5
B-	80 - 82.5
C+	77.5 - 80
C	72.5 - 77.5
C-	70 - 72.5
D+	67.5 - 70
D	62.5 - 67.5
D-	60 - 72.5
F	below 60

Test Dates

You MUST notify me IN ADVANCE if you must be absent on the day that a test is given. Make-up tests will be considered on an individual basis.

Unless otherwise announced, tests will be given on the following dates:

Thursday, February 21
Thursday, March 27
Thursday, April 24

Thursday, May 8, 8:00 am - 10:30 am

Accommodations

Virginia Wesleyan College recognizes, and is sensitive to, students with special needs. In order to use accommodations, students must first register with the college's disability services coordinator, Fayne Pearson (455-3246), and provide the college with appropriate, professional documentation. If you need accommodations in this course because of a documented disability, or if you have emergency medical information to share, please make an appointment to see me during my office hours.

Academic Honesty

Each student should be familiar with the Honor Code of Virginia Wesleyan College as described in the Student Handbook. Class work and homework assignments that are turned in for a grade should reflect the student's own work unless otherwise announced by the instructor. Violations of this policy are punishable by a grade of zero on the assignment in question. Repeated violations may result in automatic failure of the course.

Of course, any misconduct during quizzes, tests and exams is considered cheating and may result in automatic failure of the course.