Fall 2010 College Algebra (Math 901)

Mon, Wed, Fri at 2:15 PM - 3:20 PM in Sci 2200

Details:

Class Setup

Monday of each week will be a lecture. Wednesday will be a workshop day where we will get together and work on problems in small groups (attendence is required). Friday will be a test day. On weeks with only two days of lecture (The week of Sep 6th, Oct 18th, and Nov 22nd). We will usually do make-up tests (see below) and individualized help sessions. Details may change based upon class performance. I will be taking attendance each day. Don't be late!

Grading:

Grading will be based primarily upon successful mastery of the material as indicated by performance on the weekly tests and the final. Homework will not be graded directly but most of the questions that you see on the test, though not identical, will very closely resemble those from your homework (hint, hint, hint).

For the purposes of grading the material is broken up into 14 units. Twelve of these units correspond to the twelve tests you will take throughout the semester. One of the units will correspond to the final and one will correspond to participation.

Homework will be turned in on Wednesdays at the end of class and count towards participation (you will be able to ask for help and complete problems in class on Wednesday (I will also be available during office hours on Tuesday). It is unlikely that you will be able to complete the entire problem set on Wednesday and you shouldn't try.

On Fridays we will have a test for the current unit, and you will also be able to retake a test from a previous unit. To pass the test you will typically only be allowed one error. You will also be able to retake a test during my office hours. The final is a cumulative test of all the material and for the purposes of grading it will count as any other test with one very, very important exception: If you score less than a 30% then I reserve the right to give you a failing grade for the course, BUT if you score more than a 90% then I reserve the right to pass you.

Grade Summary:

Units Mastered 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 or less
Letter Grade A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F
Grade Point 4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00 2.67 2.33 2.00 1.67 1.33 1.00 0.00

Grading Expectations:

A -- achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements.

B -- achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements.

C -- achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect.

D -- achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements.

S -- achievement that is satisfactory, which is equivalent to a C- or better (achievement required for an S is at the discretion of the instructor but may be no lower than a C-).

F (or N) -- Represents failure (or no credit) and signifies that the work was either (1) completed but at a level of achievement that is not worthy of credit or (2) was not completed and there was no agreement between the instructor and the student that the student would be awarded an I (see also I)

I -- (Incomplete) Assigned at the discretion of the instructor when,due to extraordinary circumstances, e.g., hospitalization, a student is prevented from completing the work of the course on time. Requires a written agreement between instructor and student.

Academic dishonesty: Academic dishonesty in any portion of the academic work for a course shall be grounds for awarding a grade of F or N for the entire course.

Student workload: For undergraduate courses, one credit is defined as equivalent to an average of three hours of learning effort per week (over a full semester) necessary for an average student to achieve an average grade in the course. For example, a student taking a three credit course that meets for three hours a week should expect to spend an additional six hours a week on coursework outside the classroom.

Academic Integrity:

Academic integrity is essential to a positive teaching and learning environment. All students enrolled in University courses are expected to complete coursework responsibilities with fairness and honesty. Failure to do so by seeking unfair advantage over others or misrepresenting someone else's work as your own, can result in disciplinary action. The University Student Conduct Code defines scholastic dishonesty as follows:

"Scholastic Dishonesty: Scholastic dishonesty means plagiarizing; cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; altering forging , or misusing a University academic record; or fabricating or falsifying data, research procedures, or data analysis."

Within this course, a student responsible for scholastic dishonesty can be assigned a penalty up to and including an "F" or "N" for the course. If you have any questions regarding the expectations for a specific assignment or exam, ask.

Online Resources:

Final words: