CCBC, Fall 2015

Introductory Algebra, MATH 082, CH1

School of Mathematics and Science

Math Department

Description: Introductory Algebra covers first degree equations and inequalities, linear
equations, systems of equations, polynomials, and factoring.
Pre-requisites: MATH 081 or a satisfactory score on the math placement test and RDNG 051.
I.

Basic Course Information A.

Instructors name: Robert Koca
B. Office number: Catonsville Campus MASH building 116
Phone number: 443 840 - 5989
Email address: rkoca@ccbcmd.edu
C. Instructor's office hours/
Mondays 4:00 pm 5:30 pm
Tuesdays 11:10am 12:30 pm
Wednesdays 1:30 pm 2:20 pm
Thursdays 11:10 am- 12:30 pm

D.
E.

F.

G.

I will be in office hours at those times and no appointment is needed. Calling then
is also possible.
Mathematics Department Phone Number (Catonsville): 443-840-4251
Class meeting day(s), time(s) and location(s)(classroom and campus):
Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30 pm 3:55 at Catonsville campus in room
C.CLLB 036
Statement of Student Out of Class Work Expectations:
This is a three-credit/billable hour course offered over 14 weeks. You are
expected to complete at least 6 hours of work per week outside of class
including reading, course preparation, homework, studying, etc.
Materials (texts, equipment, software, and supplies)
Text Book:
Introductory and Intermediate Algebra For College Students, 4th Edition, by
Robert Blitzer; Pearson Publishers. Please note that the book, if purchased new, is
bundled with MyMathLab which may be required by some instructors of Math
082 or Math 083. It may be useful but I will not personally require its use. Thus, if
you can find a used textbook for a good price that does not use MyMathLab you
are fine for my course (but may need it for Math 083). Another option to obtain

the textbook is to just purchase a MyMathLab access code (which includes access
to an E-text) and not have a physical textbook. If you wish to use MyMathLab the
course ID is Koca87095 and the course name is Math082SectionCH1. I put the
course time as 2 years so you can use it in the future if you want. If you take Math
083 (which uses the same textbook) with a professor who does require its use as
part of the official grade for the course you will be able to transfer it to that
particular course.

Calculator:
Calculator use in this course is permitted during class and assessments but not
required. Basic, scientific, and graphing calculators are suitable. Calculators with
advanced capabilities, such as the TI-89 or TI-92, are not permitted during
examinations. Cell-phone calculators, or other devices with internet capabilities,
are also prohibited. When completing assessments, all algebraic steps must be
shown to receive full credit.

II.

Course Goals Overall

A. Course objectives as listed on the official Common Course Outline
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
1. solve linear equations in one variable;
2. solve application problems using linear equations;
3. solve linear inequalities in one variable;
4. solve application problems using linear inequalities;
5. interpret and calculate slopes;
6. determine equations of lines;
7. apply rules of integer exponents;
8. perform operations on polynomials;
9. factor polynomials and trinomials of the form ax2 + abx +ac;
10. solve quadratic equations by factoring;
11. graph linear equations;
12. solve systems of linear equations; and
13. solve application problems using linear systems.
Major Topics
I. Linear Equations in One Variable
A.
Solve linear equations using algebraic properties.
B.
Solve application problems.
C.

Solve literal equations including formulas.

II.

Linear Inequalities in One Variable

A.
Solve linear inequalities.
B.

Solve compound inequalities.

III. Graphs of Linear Equations

A.
Use rectangular coordinate system.
B.

Find slope of a line.

C.

Graph linear equations.

IV. Systems of Linear Equations

A.
Solve systems by the graphing method.
B.

Solve systems by the substitution method.

C.

Solve systems by the addition method.

D.

Solve application problems using systems of equations.

V. Exponents
A.
Use product, quotient, and power rules.
B.

Use negative exponents.

C.

Use scientific notation.

VI. Polynomials
A.
Add and subtract polynomials.
B.

Multiply polynomials.

C.

Divide monomials.

VII. Factoring
A.
Find greatest common factor.

B.

ax +abx+ac, a 0
Factor trinomials of the form! 2
.

C.
D.

Factor perfect square binomials.

Factor perfect square trinomials.

E.

Solve quadratic equations by factoring.

B. Rationale
Algebra is a branch of mathematics which studies equations and the methods for
solving these equations. Algebra has evolved for more than 3000 years and has
emerged as a basic tool of modern science, social science, business, and
technology. Algebra is a foundation for al higher mathematics, including, but not
limited to, trigonometry, calculus, finite mathematics, probability and statistics.
Algebra teaches not only skills, but also thought processes that will be used again
and again in college level mathematics courses.
III.

Evaluation
A. Requirements (papers, oral reports, projects, quizzes, tests, final exams, etc.)
Exam 1 (20% of grade)
Exam 2 (20% of grade)
Comprehensive Final exam (30% of grade)
Quizzes (30% of grade) (Average quiz score after dropping the two lowest
scores. Graded homeworks will count as two quiz grades. There will be an
optional review assignment that can be used to replace a quiz score.)
B. Instructors grading policy
i. Departmental Final Exam 30% of course grade Final Exam Review and
Answer Key:
http://www.ccbcmd.edu/Programs-and-Courses/Schools-andAcademicDepartments/School-of-Mathematics-andScience/Mathematics/CourseReview.aspx

ii. The individual faculty member will determine the remaining percentage
of the course grade using quizzes, projects, homework, and/or other
methods.
A final course grade will be assigned using the following criteria:
Final Average

Final Grade

At least 90%

At least 80% and less than 90%

At least 70% and less than 80%

Less than 70%

C. Math Department Attendance policy:

i. You are expected to attend ALL scheduled classes. ii.
Attendance is critical to student success in college.
iii.Satisfactory attendance is defined to be at most 6 hours of unexcused
absences.
iv. Documentation of the reason for your absence(s) may be required.
v. The instructor may count each unexcused tardy arrival as an absence and each
unexcused early departure as an absence.
D. Math Department Audit policy: Students may change from credit to audit only
during the published 50% refund period, as indicated in the CCBC academic
calendar. Students who audit are required to attend class, participate in course
activities, and complete assignments (except for tests and the final exam) in
accordance with instructor guidelines and due dates. For students who do not
meet these requirements, the instructor may change their grade from AU to W.
E. Other material related to Evaluation
Homework will be given each class. Much of this will be from MyMathLab or
the similar but free site interactmath.com. (Do from one or the other). These will
normally be designated as self check. There may also be self check problems
from the text that have answers in the back or self check questions that I put on
blackboard with solutions and comments. Some of the homework will be
designated as being for hand in. I might collect it and return the next class with
a solutions sheet or we might go over it in class. If I return the HW I will grade
with a check plus, check, check minus system but it will not have a formal
number grade. The overall performance including problems we go over in class
will count as two quiz grades. This is a small portion of the final grade. The most
important reasons to do home works are the following:
i)
ii)

iii)

It is easy to sometimes get overconfident but doing the home

works is the best way to check understanding.
The quizzes will always be on the one or two most recent home
works that we have gone over and will be very similar to those
homework questions.
A mistake on a homework has a very small impact on the grade
compared to a mistake on a quiz or exam. Be sure to make a
mistake for the first time on a homework instead of a quiz or
exam.

IV.

Course Procedures
A. Course related policies and procedures.
No cell phone use in class outside of a short break. If you have an important reason that you
need to be accessible let me know individually.
You should bring your scientific calculator to class but if you forget I can lend you one to use.
For assignments: Please write your name on the first page and at least initial additional
pages. Paper clipping or stapling is not necessary.

If an exam must be missed for a valid reason a makeup is only possible if you contact me as
soon as possible. Documentation may be required. The short quizzes do not have makeups
but there are two scores that can be dropped and there will be an optional assignment to
replace a score.

B. College wide syllabus policies: For college wide syllabus policies such as the
Code of Conduct related to Academic Integrity and Classroom Behavior or the
Audit/ Withdrawal policy, please go to the Syllabus Tab on the MyCCBC page.
C. Contact information for course-related concerns: Students should first attempt to
take concerns to the faculty member. If students are unable to resolve
courserelated concerns with the instructor, they should contact the Math
Department Coordinator at the Catonsville campus, Kristin Duckworth, at 443840-5963 or kduckworth@ccbcmd.edu.
D. Other material related to Course Procedures
1) I am in my office during office hours and no appointment is needed.
Appointments outside of office hours are also possible.
2) Six hours per week of study time should include a review of the most recent
homework that has been returned. The quizzes will be on the most recent homeworks
and if you fix your misunderstandings you can do well on the quizzes even if the
homeworks are not done perfectly the first try. I think of the homeworks as being
more for your use than mine for grading purposes.
3) Unless I say otherwise collaboration is allowed on homeworks. Say in a short note
whom you worked with (could be a classmate or a tutor). Also realize that you may
be called on to explain your solution to a homework problem in class.

4) It is o.k. to do the homework with paper and pencil. Initial subsequent pages
beyond the first. If it is too messy I will let you know. In particular the combination
of using pen and cross-outs should be avoided. If you see yourself doing that either
start using pencil with an eraser or rewrite a nicer version.
5) Tutoring is available for free through the student success center. Also in a couple
weeks tutoring though the math department is also available. Ill give a schedule at
that time.
6) Some students want to see more examples in class and some students want to see
the class examples worked more slowly. Some want both. That is not possible
though. You will need to do both the self check and handin problems, to get the full
range of examples. Also as you read through the text book you should be working
along instead of just reading.
7) Some students say that they can follow the material in class but cannot do it on
exams. Realize there is a difference between just reading and following mathematics
and doing it yourself. You need to practice working problems on your own. The
homework is a chance to make mistakes before it really counts against you grade
wise.

E. Course calendar/schedule:
Fall 2015 Academic Calendar and final exam schedule:

http://www.ccbcmd.edu/Resources-for-Students/Registering-for-Classes/
Academic-Calendar.aspx

This syllabus may be changed with notification to the class.