Math 102
College Algebra with Supplemental Instruction, Fall 09
Class Number: 15424
Location: EH 2132
TR 4:00PM-5:15PM
Dr. B. Al Sethuraman
( http://www.csun.edu/~asethura
)
Office Information
Office: Room 126, Santa Susana Hall (red brick
building by the bookstore).
Office Hours: MW 11:00AM-12:15PM
Telephone: 818-677-2701.
Fax: (818)-677-3634.
Email: al.sethuraman@csun.edu
Text: College Algebra (8th edition) by Sullivan.
See the attached file
for your options for buying this book.
Essential Skills Problems: Please download the booklet here.
If this link doesn't work, try this link.
Additional Requirement: Course Compass. The course ID that you'll need is sethuraman27794 --- See below.
Syllabus: 3.1--3.6; 4.1--4.4; 5.1--5.6; 6.1--6.6, 6.8; 7.1--7.4, 8.1, 8.6.
This section of Math 102 includes a mandatory 2 hours of Supplemental Instruction (SI) each week. Performance in SI will be factored into the final grade.
About the class: Math 102 is the algebra portion of
pre-calculus. Along with Math 104
(trigonometry) it is designed to prepare students for a rigorous study
of
calculus. In Math 102 students will
learn to:
- Represent,
understand and explain mathematical information symbolically,
graphically, numerically and verbally.
- Develop
mathematical models of real-world situations and explain the
assumptions and limitations of these models.
- Interpret
mathematical models by making predictions, drawing conclusions,
checking whether results are reasonable, and finding optimal solutions.
- Demonstrate
an understanding of the nature of mathematical reasoning.
The prerequisite for Math 102 is
a passing score on or an exemption from the ELM, or Credit in Math 093.
Calculators:
will not be
allowed on the midterm test, or the final exam. It is in your best interest to not use calculators while doing your homework or your quizzes (you don't really need them!)
Course Philosophy: Learning algebra involves skill acquisition. It is analogous to the physical training involved in music and sports. No matter how much you understand about playing a musical instrument or performing a certain athletic feat, you will never be able to do either one without practice. It is simply impossible. Similarly, the only way to be successful in algebra is to devote consistent time to the practice of homework problems. A general guideline is to practice five hours out of class for each class meeting.
Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes will be assigned via Course Compass. There will be three midterm tests for the course, and a final.
The final is on DEC 12th, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Homework: Will be assigned every week, often more than one per week, and will
be done via Course Compass (see below).
Grading: The course grade will computed based on the
following
percentages:
Final Exam
30%
(cumulative common final)
Midterm Tests
50%
Quizzes
10%
(I will drop the lowest two quiz grades)
Homework (SI and Course Compass)
10%
( I will drop the
lowest two homework grades)
IMPORTANT Course requirement: Passing score on the final exam, i.e., 55% or more on the final exam. To earn a grade of C or better for the course, students must pass the final exam, i.e., must get 55% or more on the final exam. Students whose overall average is above 55% but do not pass the final will earn a D in the course, no matter what their average is.
Final grades will
be assigned
according the following percentage ranges:
A: 91--100 A-:
90
B+: 87--89 B:
81--86 B-: 80
C+: 77--79 C:
70--76
D: 55--69
F: Below 55
Makeup Exams: In general, there will
be no makeups on homework or
quizzes. As for the midterm tests and the final, if there are any dire situations such
as emergencies, then I will
consider on a case-by-case basis, but do not expect to get a makeup. Please be aware that even if one student has to take a
make
up exam, then my workload is doubled and my schedule is completely
thrown
off, so please request make ups only for serious situations.
Course Compass:
Your course ID is sethuraman27794
Course Compass is an online program that comes with the book (or can be purchased separately if you use Option 3 in the Textbook Pricing Options file). All homeworks and quizzes will be done via Course Compass, and therefore, it is essential that you have access to Course Compass.
To log on to Course Compass, see the attached file.
As we proceed through the semester, I will be turning on assignments and quizzes in Course Compass. Note that you can attempt your homework as many times as you want. You have only two attempts (and a total of 45 minutes) for each quiz. The deadlines for the quizzes will be the same as that for the homeworks, and it is expected that you do the homework first and then the quizzes.