Catalog Description: MATH 125-- Introductory Algebra (3)
Topics in sets, whole numbers, integers, rational and real numbers, linear equations and inequalities, and systems of equations. Grading is limited to A, B, C and F. Offered each semester.

NOTICE CONCERNING WEB SITE: This syllabus and all daily assignments including exam information is posted on my web site at
www.malone.edu/erodd
On that page will be links to this syllabus and to the day by day schedule of assignments. I will not provide assignment details (e.g. problem numbers) in class. The web page will always have up to date details and students are responsible to be aware of these details.

I. Objectives

1. Prepare students for MATH 130.
2. Prepare students to use the basic concepts of algebra in other areas such as elementary statistics and business calculations.
3. Develop quantitative thinking.

II. Course Content

1. Required Text: Intermediate Algebra by McKeague, 8th edition. Math 125 includes most (but not all) topics in chapters 1-4 except sections: Sets in Section 1.1, Some problem types in 2.3, 2.6, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, joint variation in 3.8 and some problem types in 4.5.
   Note: This text is also used for Math 130.

2. Required workbook: Math 125 Worksheets - Earl Rodd (available in the bookstore). These will be used for regular in class exercises.

3. Class attendance is critical to mastering the concepts. Bring your calculator to every class so that you can work through problems.

4. In-class worksheet exercises. Many classes will follow a format:
   • Explain a type of problem
   • Allow students to work several problems on their worksheets
   • Review answers

   If students actively participate in this process, then homework should generally be quite straightforward.

5. Homework assignments. These are for your benefit to help you master the concepts. If you can do the homework, you will be able to do the exams!
   • In the assignments (posted online), there are two kinds of assignments:
     1. Work yourself and check: These will be odd numbered problems. The answers to these are in the back of your text! You should work these and be sure you understand how to get the correct answer.
     2. Hand in: These problems should be handed in and will be graded. This homework will not be accepted late. Homework will be collected at the beginning of class. i.e. You may not do homework after coming to class. However, if you understand the material, you are welome to work on the next day's homework during class. If you miss class for sickness, car trouble etc., you may put your homework in my mail slot by 2PM. Otherwise, it will not be accepted. This is why I drop your lowest homework grades.

   • Students are encouraged to collaborate (work with each other) on homework! The goal is to learn!

   • The assignment web page will show which problems should be handed in. In addition to the add problems noted in the assignments (which have answers in the back of the text), please note that you can practice on any odd numbered problems the answers to which are in the back of your text! Occasionally, the homework to turn in will also list an odd numbered problem.

   • Homework grades depend on both the correct answer and showing your work. The guideline for showing work is that if you cannot reliably do the problem in your head, then show your work. If you show no work, and it is obvious that the work not not shown could not be done in your head, then I will assume you just copied answers from another student and it will be marked wrong.

     At a minimum, showing your work means writing the problem itself! The only exception to this is word problems. Examples from problem set 1.1:

     ---

     11. 6² = 36
     29. (5 + 7)² = 12² = 144
     

     ---

     If you write on your paper:

     ---

     11. 36
     29. 144
     

     ---

     
     Both problems will be marked wrong.

     Homework must be neatly organized. This is not a handwriting grade, or an art grade, but I must be able to see how you have done work. Sloppy homework will be handed back ungraded and counted as not turned in. See the examples of how homework should look and should not look.

   • To be more specific, you should show problem numbers and work. Do not try to cram too many problems on one sheet of paper! There are 3 levels of neatness:
     1. BEST: You can get partial credit for problems because I can follow your work and see that you understood principles even if you did not get the correct answer.
     2. MINIMAL: I can find the answers to your problems. You may lose points for missing work.
     3. WORST: I will hand back homework ungraded (zero) because it is not readable.

     If some problems are in acceptable form, then those will be graded. Others will be counted wrong.

     Examples of all three types will be handed out in class.

   • Problem sets have sections Applying the Concepts and Extending the Concepts. The assignments will include some of these problems. When these are assigned, this is a hint that this concept will be on an exam!

   Note: My goal is to always be available in class 5 minutes prior to the start of class to answer any questions about homework. You may make corrections to your homework during this time!

6. In class worksheets. In-class worksheets are not collected nor are they graded. Their purpose is to provide practice.

7. Six exams. All exams are comprehensive; that is, all material covered thus far in the course may be included in an exam.

8. Optional Comprehensive Exam. This may be taken during the last week of class or the weekend before finals. Exact time slots available will be posted on the website.

1. Exam administration:
   • Don't be late! Exams finish on time.
   • If you must miss an exam due to a school sponsored activity, it it your responsibility to notify me before the exam! Based on the situation, a make-up exam will be given or arrangements made to adjust your grade to account for the missing exam.
   • In case of illness, car trouble, etc. it is your responsibility to contact me prior to the exam!
   • Unexcused missed exams receive a score of 0 (zero).
   • Exams are closed book. You may however bring with you:
     • Your calculator. You may not share a calculator with another student!
     • One page of handwritten notes (one sided). This is to allow you to write definitions etc. so that you don't miss a set of related exam questions because you forgot one memorized fact.
2. I will announce office hours.
3. I can always be contacted via email.

1. The grading scale is:

   A	93-100
   A-	90-92
   B+	87-89
   B	83-86
   B-	80-82
   C+	77-79
   C	73-76
   C-	70-72
   F	Below 70

2. 10% of your grade will be your homework grade. Homework will not be accepted late. If you are ill or know have unavoidable absence, put your homework in my mail slot by 2PM in the math/science office or send it to class with another student. To account for dogs eating homework, personal business, illness etc., your four (5) lowest homework grades will be dropped.
3. 90% of your grade will be the higher of two numbers:
   1. The average of your six exams.
   2. The optional comprehensive exam.

V. Success Factors

Experience has shown the following to be critical success factors for MATH 125:

• Class attendance.
• Doing homework each day. Putting off studying until exams is perhaps the most common cause of failure. If you do your homework, you should find that little studying is needed before exams.
• Seeking help as soon as difficulties are encountered! Sources of help include:
  • Other students
  • The instructor
  • The Math tutor room
• Spending extra time repairing weak areas discovered during the course. For example, a student may find that his/her education was deficient in dividing fractions. In such cases, seek help and do the work to repair the deficiency!
• One specific deficiency which is all too common is working with fractions, expecially getting common denominators. If you cannot do this it means your school failed to teach you 5th grade math. This is not your fault, but complaining about it now won't help you pass Math 125. Instead, get HELP and learn how to do it. It is nearly impossible to pass Math 125 if you cannot work with fractions.

VI. Academic Integrity

Cheating is a form of lying and indicates a serious spiritual and moral problem. Cheating will lead to dismissal from the course with a failing grade. Refer to the section of the catalog on Academic Integrity.

VII. Extra Help

The Mathematics department maintains a math tutor room staffed by advanced math students. The location and hours of the math tutor room will be announced. It is highly recommended that you do not wait until exams to visit the tutor room! Whenever you find that you cannot do a problem set, that is the time to visit the math tutor room and get extra help! Students often find one particular person (it could be another student, the instructor, or a particular student tutor) with whom they really "connect" and find their explanations especially clear!