College Algebra
01Course Description
An introduction to equations and inequalities and a study of functions and their properties, including the development of graphing skills with polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. The objective is to apply appropriate technology and demonstrate fluency in the language of algebra; communicate mathematical ideas; perform operations on real numbers, complex numbers, and functions; solve equations and inequalities; analyze and graph circles and functions; and use mathematical modeling to translate, solve, and interpret applied problems. Technology is used for data modeling. Discussion also covers applications.
"Algebra is the intellectual instrument which has been created for rendering clear the quantitative aspects of the world." —Alfred North Whitehead (1861–1947)
"Algebra is generous; she often gives more than is asked of her." —Jean D'Alembert (1717–1783)
Mathematicians have long extolled the power of algebra!
The purpose of this course is to foster the development of mathematical skills required in a wide range of disciplines. College Algebra emphasizes the application of these skills to fields ranging from astronomy and business to sports and transportation. This course continues the development of algebra skills that you gained in introductory and intermediate algebra courses, providing grounding in the function concept, and covering polynomial and rational functions as well as exponential and logarithmic functions.
College Algebra emphasizes problem-solving rather than theorem-proving. This course provides foundations for lifelong skills in quantitative reasoning.
After completing this course, you should be able to
You are responsible for the following graded items:
| Component | Weighted
Percentage |
| LEO Participation | 16% |
| Quiz 1 | 8% |
| Quiz 2 | 8% |
| Quiz 3 | 8% |
| Linear Model Project | 12% |
| Quiz 4 | 12% |
| Quiz 5 | 12% |
| Final Examination | 24% |
| Total | 100% |
To calculate your final course grade, you may use this formula: 0.16 (percentage score on participation work) + 0.08 (quiz 1 percentage) + 0.08 (quiz 2 percentage) + 0.08 (quiz 3 percentage) + 0.12 (linear model project percentage) + 0.12 (quiz 4 percentage) + 0.12 (quiz 5 percentage) + 0.24 (final exam percentage score).
The work you are required to do in this course consists of
These course components are described below.
Weekly Reading Assignments
Even though there is no numerical score associated with the weekly reading assignments, how well you do in the course depends heavily on how conscientiously you follow the reading assignments.
When doing the reading for this course, you need to slow down!
Reading mathematics is not like reading anything else. You need to look carefully at the numbers and formulas and spend time making sure you understand them and that they make sense. Reading any mathematical text can take three to four times longer, per page, than reading a nonmathematical text.
Homework
There are homework assignments each week. The homework assignments give you practice in solving problems associated with each week's topics. Your aim should be mastery of all concepts.
Homework will not be collected. The best way to learn mathematics is to do mathematics, so your homework practice will be valuable preparation for participation, quiz, and exam work.
Participation
By registering for a Web-based course, you have made a commitment to participate in course discussions and online activities. Plan to participate regularly. Participation for this course is defined as proactive discussion. This requires you to actively reflect on weekly readings and to develop original ideas in your responses. You are expected to demonstrate critical thinking and your understanding of the content in the assigned readings as they relate to the issues identified in the discussions. You are encouraged to respond to other students as well as to your instructor. You are expected to adhere to the general rules of online etiquette.
You are expected to participate in 8 weekly discussions, and your goal is to earn at least 80 participation points.
For individual participation on an ongoing basis, there is a collection of participation topics posted in weekly LEO discussions. You are free to choose any topic, complying with the discussion instructions, provided someone else has not already attempted it or "reserved" it.
For each participation topic, you will earn up to 10 participation points for the accuracy of your solution. You may be given opportunities to attempt your solution more than one time. If you make an error, you may get feedback and a chance to edit your work and resubmit it. The goal of online participation and problem solving is to help you understand the concepts and to give you an opportunity to practice solving problems and get feedback from me. See the participation instructions in each weekly module for details and deadlines.
Online participation work is to be posted in LEO discussions. Participation work submitted by other means will not be accepted.
Extra credit participation: You may solve additional participation topics over the course of the term, chosen according to discussion guidelines. Overall, you may receive up to 90 participation points (with points beyond 80 counting as extra-credit participation). You are encouraged to pursue extra credit, but your point total will be capped at 90 points overall.
At the end of the term, your total number of participation points will be multiplied by 5/4 to arrive at a percentage, and that score will represent your grade for the participation component of your final grade. For instance, a total of 80 participation points corresponds to the participation percentage 80(5/4) = 100%, and a total of 90 participation points (the maximum with extra credit) corresponds to the participation percentage 90(5/4) = 112.5%.
Quizzes/Exams
Quizzes and exams are important milestones, as they provide valuable feedback for instructors and students. They are open book and will be given as indicated in the schedule. Quizzes and exams must represent your own work.
Makeup quizzes and exams are not available except in cases of documented emergency.
You will be given one week to work on each quiz, and the due dates of the quizzes and exams can be found in the schedule. Each quiz will be posted as an Assignment at the beginning of the designated academic week, and each will be due at the end of that academic week. Quizzes may be submitted in plain-text format, as attached files such as Microsoft Word documents, or as handwritten and scanned documents.
Quizzes must be individually completed and represent your own work. Neither collaboration nor consultation with others is allowed.
To keep up with the pace of this course, you should submit quizzes on or before the due date. After the due date, solutions will be posted. Quizzes submitted after the solutions are posted will not be accepted.
Project
You are required to complete a project in this course involving curve-fitting and interpretation. See the Project Descriptions for details.
Final Examination
All sections of this course have a required final examination, administered in a 72 hour period during Week 8, the last week of the course.
The final exam is comprehensive, open book and includes multiple-choice and short answer questions. You are required to show your work and calculations, where requested, in order to receive full credit.
The final exam must be individually completed and represent your own personal work. Neither collaboration nor consultation with others is allowed.
The solutions for the final examination will not be posted.
You are expected to take the exam as scheduled. In the event of illness or extraordinary circumstances, you must contact your faculty member and provide documentation to request an exception and approval to take a makeup exam. If the request is not approved, the exam grade will be recorded as a zero.
Additional Information
Late Policy
Meeting course deadlines is crucial for success in computer-mediated courses. You may read at your own pace, but homework, participation, quizzes, and projects must adhere to the timetable given in the schedule. Otherwise the grade will be zero. No late homework, participation, quizzes, or exams will be accepted.
Guideline for Receiving Tutoring Services
We appreciate that many students may seek tutoring services to supplement our instructional program. However, tutors may not be used to complete any portion of assignments, projects, quizzes, and exams on behalf of students. Students are expected to submit their own work. Students who are suspected of submitting the work of their tutors will be reported to the dean's office for potential investigation.
If you are to receive tutoring services, inform your tutor of this expectation and clarify your tutor's role and responsibility to your academic endeavors at UMGC.
For this assignment, you will implement a project involving curve-fitting and interpretation.
Linear Model Project
For this assignment, you will compile appropriate data, fit the data to a linear model, assess the appropriateness of the model, and explore the predictive power of the model. You will use appropriate technology to perform the modeling tasks.
In our classroom, navigate Content > Linear Project module for detailed instructions.
Nonlinear Models
Nonlinear models, such as quadratic models and exponential models, will be explored via homework, participation, and quizzes.