User Name and Password:  

You must use a user name and password after the first week of class. Without these you will not be able to access the course materials. The format of your username and password are clearly posted on the main page of your course. If you still need assistance with your username and password, please go to this page and read the instructions: http://www.bcconline.com/orient/password.htm for further assistance

In the box below please explain your understanding of user names and passwords, including how you expect to receive your user name and password for this class:

Math 55: Intermediate Algebra

Units: 4 Units

You may choose whether to

Both options are available at the on-campus bookstore with extra help features. .

If you choose to buy the textbook used, make sure the code has not been activated!

You will also need a scientific calculator for this course. I suggest that unless you already have a scientific calculator that you really like, find one that shows what you typed in even when it gives you the answer so that if you get an incorrect answer, you can see what your input was to be able to better determine where the mistake occurred (such as the TI-30XIIS).

Instructor: Ms. Angela Leontas

Email: aleontas@bcconline.com

You must include in the subject line:

*See Important Note under "Feedback" for correct labeling of emails before sending an email.

Online Office Hours: Thursday 8:30 - 9:30 am

One of the primary methods of contact in an online course is email. Your college is capable of extracting student names and email addresses from our registration system. The purpose of extracting this information is two fold. The information will be used by the instructor to remain in contact with the class in order to provide information necessary for the students' academic success. The information will also be used to send emails to the students from the college administration. The emails sent by the college administration will consist of links to course surveys which will be used to improve our online courses, important announcements for students, and links to college surveys, which will be used to satisfy requirements placed on the college by the California Community College Chancellor's Office. The college will not use this information to advertise any products and will not share student email addresses with any other organization.

Catalog Description:

Exponents, power, and roots. Quadratic equations and quadratic functions. Graphing linear and quadratic functions and inequalities. Slopes of lines. Solutions of equations with rational expressions. Solving systems of linear equations with two and three unknowns. Exponential and logarithmic functions. Absolute value and inequalities.

MATH 50 Elementary Algebra, or equivalent

I. Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities

A. Solving Equations

B. Formulas and Applications

C. Sets and Inequalities

D. Absolute-Value Equations and Inequalities

II. Graphs, Functions, and Applications

A. Graphs of Equations

B. Functions and Graphs

C. Finding Domain and Range

D. Linear Functions: Graphs and Slope

III. Systems of Equations

A. Systems of Equations in Two Variables

B. Solving by Substitution and Elimination

C. Systems of Equations in Three Variables

IV. Polynomials and Polynomial Functions

A. Introduction to Polynomials and Polynomial Functions

B. Multiplication of Polynomials

C. Introduction to Factoring

D. Factoring Trinomials

V. Rational Expressions, Equations, and Functions

A. Rational Expressions and Functions

B. Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions

C. Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

D. Solving Rational Equations

VI. Radical Expressions, Equations, and Functions

A. Radical Expressions and Functions

B. Rational Numbers as Exponents

C. Simplifying Radical Expressions

D. Addition and Subtraction of Radical Expressions

E. Solving Radical Expressions

VII. Quadratic Equations and Functions

A. Graphing Quadratic Functions

B. Solving Quadratic Equations by various methods

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Develop intermediate problem solving skills
• Develop intermediate strategies for solving word problems
• Demonstrate knowledge of functions.
• Find domain and range of functions from tables, graphs, and basic equations.
• Solve and graph inequalities, compound inequalities, and absolute value inequalities
• Perform operations with polynomial expressions and functions
• Solve systems of linear equations in two and three variables by various methods
• Factor binomial and trinomial polynomial expressions and functions
• Perform operations with rational expressions including complex rational expressions
• Simplify radical expressions as radicals and rational exponentials
• Perform operations with radical expressions as radicals and rational exponentials
• Solve radical expressions as radical and rational exponentials
• Simplify and perform operations on imaginary and complex numbers
• Solve quadratic equations and functions by factoring and using the quadratic formula
• Graph quadratic equations and functions by various methods

(The instructor reserves the right to amendment - see disclaimer below)

Lesson 1:

• Section 1.1 "Solving Equations"
• Section 1.4 "Sets, Inequalities and Interval Notation"
• Section 1.5 "Intersections, Unions and Compound Inequalities"
• Section 1.6 "Absolute-Value Equations and Inequalities"

Lesson 2:

• Section 2.1 "Graphs of Equations"
• Section 2.2 "Functions and Graphs"
• Section 2.4 "Linear Functions: Graphs and Slope"

Lesson 3:

• Section 3.1-3.3 "Systems of Equations in Two Variables"
• Section 3.4 "Applied Problems: Two Equations"
• Section 3.5 "Systems of Equations in Three Variables"

Lesson 4:

• Section 4.1 "Introduction to Polynomials and Polynomial Functions"
• Section 4.2 "Multiplication of Polynomials"
• Section 4.3 "Introduction to Factoring"

Lesson 5:

• Section 4.4-4.6 "Factoring Trinomials and Special Factoring"
• Section 4.8 "Application of Polynomial Equations and Functions"

Lesson 6:

• Section 5.1 "Rational Expressions and Functions"
• Section 5.2 "LCMs, LCDs, Addition and Subtraction"
• Section 5.5 "Solving Rational Equations"
• Section 5.6 "Applications and Proportions"

Lesson 7:

• Section 6.1 "Radical Expressions and Functions"
• Section 6.2 "Rational Numbers as Exponents"
• Section 6.3 "Simplifying Radical Expressions"
• Section 6.4 "Addition, Subtraction and More Multiplication"

Lesson 8:

• Section 6.5 "More on Division of Radical Expressions"
• Section 6.6 "Solving Radical Equations"
• Section 6.7 "Applications Involving Powers and Roots"
• Section 6.8 "The Complex Numbers"

Lesson 9:

• Section 7.1 "The Basics of Solving Quadratic Equations"
• Section 7.2 "The Quadratic Formula"
• Section 7.4 "More on Quadratic Equations"

Thinking critically in the derivation of abstract math concepts; utilizing math concepts, math models, and math processes in solving problems.

Students are expected to:

• Read the syllabus and abide with its contents.
• Perform all nine lesson plans. Each lesson plan contains the following items:
  • Lesson Plan Overview.
  • Reading Assignment (Reading the lesson plan overview + Reading the assigned sections from the Textbook).
  • Quiz Assignment.
  • Discussion Question(s).
• Take the Two Exams (The Midterm and the Final Exam).
• Login to the course website at least twice a week to check the "Instructor Posting Area" for important announcements from your instructor.

Grades will be based on the quizzes, midterm, final exam, and online discussions.

Online Discussion: 2 points * 10 Discussions = 20 points

Top 8 Quizzes: 10 points * 8 quizzes = 80 points

Midterm Exam: 100 points

Final Exam: 100 points

Total points: 300 points

Grade Scale

A: 270 – 300 points

B: 240 – 269 points

C: 210 – 239 points

D: 180 – 209 points

F: 179 or less points

Online Discussion

Every week, you must post to the discussion board your solution of the Discussion Question(s) found in each Lesson Plan (this is due by each lesson’s due date). The Discussion Question can be found in the Lesson Overviews. (Note: You earn 2 points towards the Online Discussion by introducing yourself in the "Introductions" area of the Discussion board during the first week).

Please do not use all capital letters since that is perceived as YELLING! Inappropriate or unrelated posts will be removed, and may result in disciplinary action including revoking the opportunity to take part of the discussions.

I will be reading the discussion posts, between Monday and Thursday, and may make corrections/comments if needed. Please email me with any questions/comments that you have.

Homework will be assigned weekly; however, it will not be collected. Practice the homework problems after working out the margin exercises while you are reading through the section in the textbook. Homework is supposed to help you prepare for the quizzes and upcoming exams.

Students are expected to take the weekly quizzes by the lesson due date-- there will be no make-up quizzes. I will drop the lowest quiz score. Quizzes will be based on the material, topics, and questions in the required textbook. You may use a scientific calculator for the quizzes.

The Final Exam is proctored. If you live outside the Barstow and Ft Irwin area and thus cannot take the Final at BCC), you will be required to find a proctor. The proctor must be employed in a college or private testing site, or in a library. The proctor can be a librarian, ranked military officer, testing site coordinator, and college or university professor. The exam must be administered in the location where the proctor is employed. Your proctor’s information is due by the fourth week. You may use a scientific calculator for the exams. The final exam is comprehensive.

Important Note: I will respond to your e-mails within 24-48 hours, 48 hour response time does not include Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Emails sent on these days will be replied to by the following Tuesday. I will be unavailable weekends and holidays. However, I will be available during my office hours and will respond to your emails as soon as I receive them. If you email me and do not receive a response within the time given above, this means I did not receive your email and please email me again. ***See below for proper labeling of emails:

When emailing your instructor: aleontas@bcconline.com

***Sign all email with your name as registered at school, or else you will not receive a reply and your assignment will not be graded. Email without an appropriate subject line will be deleted and will not be read. With the current high incidence of viruses and unsolicited email I automatically delete all email without appropriate subject lines. I automatically delete all email without appropriate subject lines.

Online classes are NOT conducted via instantaneous transmission. Just as I am giving you a SEVEN day period to complete your work, I am to be given SEVEN days to reply to your assignments. In addition, the above stated timelines apply to ALL students and ALL responses to your questions and concerns.

I appreciate your understanding of the above stated timelines and will respond to ALL questions and concerns about this class within the timeframes stated above.

A posting place at the top of the discussion page indicates the instructor’s message board to you. Be sure to check this each week so that you don’t miss messages and clarifications; remember that sometimes no instructor posting will have been made. Students are not to post in the instructor's posting area. Should you have a concern with your class please email me your question. It is not appropriate for students to post their concerns in the instructor's posting area. Students who post in the instructor's posting area will receive a warning and their posting will be deleted unanswered. Students who ignore the warning and post again to the instructor's posting area will be dropped from the class.

At the conclusion of the class students may find out their grades by calling (760) 252-6868 (local or out of state) and (877) 336-6868 (toll free within California). You may also find out your grade by going on the Internet at http://bcregweb.barstow.edu/. I do not email or post student grades and will not respond to inquiries about grades at the conclusion of the course.

IMPORTANT:

You will not officially start this course until after you have completed the orientation sessions at http://www.bcconline.com/orient/.  No work should be completed until AFTER you have reviewed the orientation area. The orientation area will answer many frequently asked questions about online instruction and also provides tutorials on common problems students encounter while doing online courses. If you are experiencing technical difficulties and/or need to learn how to use our courseware you should first check the orientation area to see if it answers your technical question. If your technical question is not answered on the website you may then email the webmaster@bcconline.com  with your question.

If your question pertains to class materials you should email aleontas@bcconline.com The webmaster cannot answer course related questions, and your instructor does not answer technical questions. Remember that you must state your full name, problem, question or concern and your class name in the subject line when asking a question.

YOU MUST FILL OUT THIS SYLLABUS IF YOU INTEND TO TAKE THE COURSE!

In the box below type, I understand there is one meeting for this course (the final). If I am unable to take the final on the main campus, or at Barstow College's Ft. Irwin or Miramar sites, I understand it is my responsibility to find a proctor and completely fill out the proctor from. I understand I must fill out the syllabus in order to complete this course and that completing the online orientation before beginning my course work is mandatory. I realize that I should email the instructor with any class related questions. I also understand that I should first check the orientation area for answers to my technical questions and can email the webmaster@bcconline.com  my technical questions ONLY after checking the orientation area for the answer to my question first.

Syllabus Disclaimer:

A syllabus is not a contract between instructor and student but rather a guide to course procedures on attendance, requirements, grading, and objectives.

The instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus when circumstances dictate, and students will be duly notified.

If you have a disability that may impact your success in this course, you may contact the Office of Student Support to arrange any reasonable accommodations and supports to which you are entitled. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate these procedures. The OSS department can be contacted by calling 760-252-2411 x7225 or 760-252-6759 TTY/TDD or emailing oss@bcconline.com

After filling out this form, copy the confirmation page and send it via email to aleontas@bcconline.com.