Revised: Fall 2010

MATH 1300 STUDENT SYLLABUS

Course:   MATH 1300 (Intermediate Algebra)

Prerequisite:  A grade of “C” or
better in
MATH 0300 or placement by exam taken at UH-Downtown. If you do not meet
this prerequisite, you may be dropped from the course without prior
notification at your own expense. Please see your instructor immediately if
you do not meet this prerequisite, so you can be enrolled in MATH 0300.

Textbook:  Beginning
and Intermediate Algebra, Fourth Edition, by Elayn Martin-Gay, Pearson
Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River,
NJ, 07458.

OPTIONAL:  Math Study Skills, by Alan Bass, Pearson
Education, Inc, 75 Arlington
Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA  02116

Why You Are In This Course:  Like many students at UHD, your
placement test results indicate that your arithmetic and algebra skills are not
sufficiently developed for you to pass one of the core college level
mathematics courses required of all students at UHD (these core courses are
MATH 1301 or MATH 1310). MATH 1300 is a developmental course intended to help
build your mathematical skills up to the college level. If you feel that the
material in MATH 1300 is too advanced for you and you were misplaced, please
see your instructor immediately, so you can be enrolled in MATH 0300. Remember,
it is better to drop back than drop out.

Where to Find Course Resources:  The first place to seek assistance and
resources is from your instructor, both inside and outside of class. Your
instructor will provide the times and locations where he or she is available
for office hours to work with you outside of class. Next, students
enrolled in MATH 1300 at UHD have access to the Math Lab in the Academic Support Center
(925-N) where they may obtain additional tutoring with understanding concepts
or improving their skills. The Center is staffed with mathematics faculty and
student assistants, and offers tutorial help, videotapes, calculators, and
computer access on a walk-in basis. The Math Lab maintains extensive hours
which are published each semester. You are encouraged to visit the Math Lab
throughout the semester whenever you feel you have time to work there, no
appointment required. It is also an excellent place to study the textbook
and work on homework problems, so that you can receive immediate answers to
your questions as necessary. The accompanying online homework component, MyMathLab,
at http://www.coursecompass.com
provides numerous help resources such as chapter pretests, exercise examples,
and self-quizzes. The multimedia online library contains section lecture
videos, animation examples, PowerPoint slides, test prep videos corresponding
to each textbook chapter test, and a multimedia textbook. The CD that comes
with text, The Test Prep Video, also
contains step-by-step video instruction for each question corresponding to the
chapter tests in the textbook. A copy of this CD is available in the Math Lab
for use in the lab. The Martin-Gay’s
Interactive DVD/CD Lecture Series is also available for purchase at http://www.mypearsonstore.com. Students
which utilize the online component have access to the UHD Math Portal, http://www.pearsoncustom.com/tx/uhd_math,
which provides a direct link to the online homework program and textbook, the
optional Math Study Skills workbook,
the Student Solutions Manual, as well
as additional materials corresponding to numerous Math Department courses.

Goals/Objectives:  At the
completion of this course, a student should be able to:  (1) factor out the greatest common
factor from a polynomial; (2) factor binomials and trinomials using standard
techniques; (3) use the Zero Factor Theorem to solve equations; (4) solve
quadratic equations in one variable by the methods of factoring, the Square
Root Property, and the Quadratic Formula; (5) solve various geometric and
real-world word problems involving quadratic functions; (6) simplify rational
expressions and utilize the fundamental principle of rational expressions; (7)
perform basic operations to combine rational expressions; (8) solve rational
equations and identify those with no solution; (9) solve proportions and
proportional word problems; (10) simply complex fractions; (11) compute the
slope of a line; (12) recognize the equation of a straight line and determine
the equation of a line from information such as: given two points on the line,
or, one point on the line and the slope of the line; (13) state and use the
relationship between the slopes of parallel and perpendicular lines; (14) determine
the domain and range of a relation; (15) recognize functions expressed as graphs, formulas, or
tables, and evaluate expressions involving function notation; (16) evaluate and
simplify square and cube roots, compute nth
roots, and approximate roots; (17) write radicals using rational exponents and
vice versa; (18) simplify and combine radical expressions using the basic
operations and the rules for exponents, and rationalize denominators and numerators
in radical expressions; (19) find the distance between two points in the plane
by using the appropriate formulas; (20) solve equations containing radicals and
use the Pythagorean Theorem to model problems.

Developmental Education Objectives:

A)
Develop positive mathematical attitude and success study skills such as
effective use of mathematical textbooks, test preparation and taking
strategies, and class time management.

B)
Acquire the ability to read, write, listen to, and speak mathematics in order
to effectively translate mathematical sentence, phrases, and relationships
between two quantities into mathematical statements and algebraic expressions.

C)
Engage in substantial mathematical problem solving, reason appropriately from
linear models to draw conclusions, and judge the reasonableness of results.

D)
Utilize multiple-approaches such as numerical, graphical, symbolic, and verbal
reasoning to solve mathematical problems.

E)
Prepare students for College Algebra and develop the view that mathematics is
an evolving discipline, interrelated with human culture, and understand its
connections to other disciplines.

Department Grading Policy:  The final exam for this course is
comprehensive and counts 1/3 of your course average. Your instructor will
provide complete information as to how your course average will be computed.
Your final course average will be used assign your final course grade according
to the formula shown here. Since MATH 1300 is considered a pre-college course, this grade
will appear on your transcript but will not be calculated into your GPA.

90-100

“A”

80-89

“B”

70-79

“C”

0-69

“IP”
[not a passing grade]

The following cases are exceptions:

1.
If your final exam score is less than 50, you will receive a “F”
or “IP” for the course regardless of your average.

2.
If you violate the MATH 1300 Attendance Policy (see item below), you will
receive a “F” for the course regardless of your average.

3.
If you are attending class but are not making a genuine effort to pass (as
evidenced by not handing in assignments, not participating in class, not
seeking help outside of class, etc.), you will receive an “F” for
the course regardless of your average.

4.
You may only request a W for this course if you (a) withdraw from the
university, or (b) if you have a compelling reason.

You
cannot receive the grade “I”-Incomplete unless you have a
documented personal emergency that prevents you from completing the last
fraction of the course, such as the last test and/or the final exam. You must
have a passing average based on the work you have already completed to receive
an “I.”

Excess
Course Attempts:  In accordance
with state law, effective Fall 2004 the University of Houston-Downtown
is charging an additional fee for each credit hour for enrollment in a
developmental course, after 18 hours of developmental work has already been
attempted. Once 18 attempted hours of developmental course work has been
accumulated, registration in a developmental course will result in the
additional charge. An attempt is defined as an enrollment that results in a
letter grade (including “S”, “U”, “IP”, and
“W”). A developmental course is defined as MATH 0300, MATH 1300,
ENG 1300, ENG 130A, and RDG 1300.

Satisfactory
Progress Policy:  Students
are required to demonstrate satisfactory progress toward completing their
developmental course requirements. MATH 1300 is a developmental course. See the
separate sheet Satisfactory Progress Policy for Developmental Courses for
details.

MATH
1300 Attendance Policy:  An
attendance policy is enforced for this course. See the separate sheet MATH
1300 Attendance Policy for details.

Calculator Policy:  Students are allowed to use scientific
calculators on the final exam, although no problem on the final exam requires
the use of a calculator. Students possessing graphing calculators may
NOT use the advanced features of a graphing calculator on the final exam. Your
instructor will give you more information about the use of calculators in your
class.

General University
Policy: All students are subject to UHD Academic Honesty Policy and to all
other university-wide policies and procedures as they are set forth in the UHD
University Catalog and Student Handbook.

Statement
on Reasonable Accommodations:   UHD adheres to all applicable federal,
state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing
reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students with
disabilities should register with Disabled Student Services (409-S) and contact
the instructor in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

Using MyMathLab:  To supplement what is done in class,
your instructor may require an online resource called MyMathLab. In order to
use MyMathLab, you must purchase a Student Access Code from the UHD Bookstore
(bundled with new textbook or sold separately) or purchase it online at http://www.coursecompass.com  If you purchased a MyMathLab code for
MATH 0300 or MATH 1300 last semester, you DO NOT need to purchase a new code
this semester. Your account will still be active, but you will need to enroll
in a new section.  You can use
MyMathLab on any computer that has Internet access. If you do not have a
computer at home with Internet access, you can log into MyMathLab from a UHD
computer, print out the MyMathLab assignment, work through the exercises on
paper, and then enter the answers in MyMathLab when you are next on campus. To
register with MyMathLab, you will also need a valid email address – use
one that you regularly check. You must register with MyMathLab at http://www.coursecompass.com only the
first time that you use it. (1) The course ID number will be given to you by
your instructor. (2) The zip code for UHD is 77002. (3) You will then create a
Login Name and Password which you will use to log in whenever you use MyMathLab
at http://www.coursecompass.com   Make sure to record your exact
login name and password for future logins. Note:
The computers in the Math Lab (N925), the Academic Computing Labs (S800, C300,
B200), the CMS Lab (S738), and the SI Lab (S405) can be used to access
MyMathLab. Some of the features you can access are:

·
Complete and submit homework assignments online
(if required);

·
Check out your MyMathLab homework grades and
other course grades in the Gradebook;

·
View a complete online version of the textbook
and look at multimedia sources such as online video clips that accompany the
textbook, and much more.

Be
sure to register with MyMathLab during the FIRST WEEK of the semester, so you
can begin to use it right away.
Also, you can use your MyMathLab Login Name and Password to access the
UHD Math Portal at http://www.pearsoncustom.com/tx/uhd_math
to find additional helpful student resources such as a Video Tutor and Student
Solutions Manual.

See
you instructor for more information regarding MyMathLab and the UHD Math
Portal.

Course Content:  The course covers the following sections
of the textbook. In some cases, not all pages from a section are covered.

Chapters

Sections

Chapter
6

Factoring Polynomials

NOTE:

Either 6.3 or 6.4

will be covered in class but not both

6.1
The Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping

6.2
Factoring Trinomials of the Form x2+
bx + c

6.3
Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax2+
bx + c and Perfect Square Trinomials

6.4
Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax2+
bx + c by Grouping

6.5
Factoring Binomials

6.6
Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring

6.7
Quadratic Equations and Problem Solving

Chapter
7

Rational Expressions

7.1
Rational Functions and Simplifying Rational Expressions

7.2
Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

7.3
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Common Denominators and
Least

Common
Denominators

7.4
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Unlike Denominators

7.5
Solving Equations Containing Rational Expressions

7.6
Proportion and Problem Solving with Rational Equations

7.7
Simplifying Complex Fractions

Chapter
3

Lines and

Introduction to Functions

3.4
Slope and Rate of Change

3.5
Equations of Lines

3.6
Functions

Chapter
10

Rational Exponents,

Radicals, and

Complex Numbers

10.1
Radicals and Radical Functions

10.2
Rational Exponents

10.3
Simplifying Radical Expressions

10.4
Adding, Subtracting, and Multiplying Radical Expressions

10.5
Rationalizing Denominators and Numerators of Radical Expressions

10.6
Radical Equations and Problem Solving

Chapter
11

Quadratic Equations and Functions

11.1
Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square

11.2
Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic Formulas

Tips for Becoming a Successful College Student:

1.
Come to class.

2.
Read your book.

3.
Do your homework.

4.
Listen and ask
questions.

5.
Contribute to
classroom discussions.

6.
Interact with
your teachers, either face to face or using the phone or email.

7.
Form study groups
with your classmates.

8.
Meet with your
advisor.

9.
Get involved in
campus activities.

10.
Share new ideas
with your friends and family.

VISIT THE UHD ALGEBRA STUDENT WEB PAGE FOR MORE
INFORMATION:

http://cms.dt.uh.edu/qep/algebra