Welcome to

MA 112, Precalculus Algebra

Fall 2005

---

MLC Hours		Coordinator: Ms. Pam Marples
Sunday	2:30 – 5:00	Office: MD 339C
Mon & Wed	10:15 – 6:30	Phone: 824-2225
Tues & Thurs	9:00 – 8:00	E-mail: marplesp@uah.edu
Friday	9:00 – 3:00	Office Hours: MTWF 8:20 - 9:10, MWF 11:00 - 12:40, T 10:05 - 11:45, TR 4:30 – 5:30

Course Objectives

MA 112 has two main objectives.

• To help prepare students for calculus. MA 112 is the first course in a two-course precalculus sequence; the second course is MA 113, Precalculus Trigonometry
• To stand alone, as a self-contained course in college algebra

More specifically, a student who successfully completes MA 112 should

• Be able to perform standard algebraic operations on polynomial and rational expressions, and transform algebraic expressions into various equivalent forms, depending on the purpose intended.
• Understand functions and expressions from contrasting but complementary points of view: algebraic, geometric, procedural.
• Be able to recognize basic functions (linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic) from both an algebraic and geometric point of view.
• Know the basic properties of exponential and logarithmic functions.
• Be able to solve linear and quadratic equations and simple equations with exponential and logarithmic functions.
• Have a good understanding of the function concept and the standard ways of combining functions using the arithmetic operations and composition.
• Recognize algebraic fallacies, particularly those that involve the improper interchange of operations.
• Be able to translate simple applied problems into algebraic language and have a general understanding of the applications of basic algebra.
• Make progress towards the general goal of being able to learn, use, and communicate mathematics independently.

Format

MA 112 is taught in a computer-assisted format.  Students attend two classes per week on a regular schedule with a dedicated instructor, and also work in the Mathematics Learning Center on their own schedule with the help of instructors and other graduate assistants. Graded homework assignments, quizzes, and tests are computer-based.

Alabama General Studies Curriculum

MA 112 is an AGSC approved course. The standard AGSC number is Math 112.

Prerequisites and Restrictions: Placement or successful completion of MA 004.

Credit 3 Semester Hours. No credit given to students who have completed an MA course numbered above MA 112.

Grading System This course is graded A, B, C, D, NC.

Instructors

• Ms. Lei Xiahou, Instructor for section 01
• Ms. Miranda Roden, Instructor for sections 02 and 04
• Ms. Shelley Lenahan, Instructor for section 03
• Mr. Aaron Willmon, Instructor for section 05
• Dr. Thomas Park, Instructor for section 06
• Mr. Nizar Abudiab, Instructor for section 07

Course Materials

Precalculus, 3rd edition, by Lial, Hornsby, and Schneider with MyMathLab, published by Addison Wesley.  MyMathLab is part of the CourseCompass course management system. Website: http://www.math.uah.edu/courses/precalculus/ma112.html.

Graded Items

The course grade will be determined on the basis of a total of 1000 points described below:

Item	Points
Tests (4)	400 (100 each)
Final Exam	300
Quizzes	128 (16 quizzes x 8 points)
Homework	102 (17 sets x 6 points)
Class Attendance	66 (3 per meeting)
Syllabus Acknowledgement Form	4
Total	1000

Grading Scale

The grading scale is given in the table below:

Grade	Points
A	900-1000
B	790-899
C	680-789
D	570-679
NC	0-569

Attendance Policies

• Each section of MA 112 will meet with the instructor two times per week for 55 minutes, on either a Monday-Wednesday schedule or a Tuesday-Thursday schedule.  A student earns 3 points for attending each class. Lecture classes do not meet on the Wednesday or Thursday test days.
• In addition, each student is required to work in the Math Learning Center at least 3 hours per week. It is the student’s responsibility to keep a record of MLC hours each week to assure compliance with this requirement.
• The 3 hour requirement is waived upon completion of all assignments for the given week.

Quiz and Homework Policies

• Homework assignments and quizzes may be done at the MLC or at home; however, we recommend that students do their work at the MLC. The proper plug-ins must be downloaded on the student's computer if they choose to work at home. (The necessary plug-ins may be found on the announcements page in CourseCompass. Click on the MyMathLab Installation Wizard link.).  Please note that if a malfunction occurs at home while doing course work, students will not be able to make up homework assignments that are not successfully received, completed, or graded because of technical problems.
• There will be one quiz and one homework for each lecture. These will build upon each other and increase in size during each test period. Each quiz may be taken twice; only the higher score counts in the student’s grade. Each quiz and homework assignment must be completed by the expiration date and time given on the schedule. No extensions will be given.
• Two quizzes and one homework will be dropped at the end of the semester.
• No makeup quizzes or makeup homework will be allowed. The policy of dropping two quizzes and one homework is intended partly to accommodate illnesses or other circumstances.
• After finishing an assignment, the student should press the “Submit” button and record the score.

Test Schedule

The test schedule is given below. For each registration period, the deadline is 3:00 pm on the last day.

Test	Test Dates	Registration Period
Test 1	Wednesday 9/21 or Thursday 9/22	Friday 9/9 to Friday 9/16
Test 2	Wednesday 10/12 or Thursday 10/13	Thursday 9/29 to Wednesday 10/5
Test 3	Wednesday 11/2 or Thursday 11/3	Friday 10/21 to Friday 10/28
Test 4	Wednesday 11/30 or Thursday 12/1	Wednesday 11/16 to Tuesday 11/22
Final Exam	Monday 12/12, Tuesday 12/13, or Wednesday 12/14	Friday 12/2 to Wednesday 12/7

The following test times are available:

• 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Wednesday
• 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Wednesday
• 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM Wednesday
• 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM Wednesday
• 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM Wednesday
• 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Thursday
• 12:00 Noon - 1:15 PM Thursday
• 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Thursday
• 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM Thursday
• 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM Thursday

On each final exam day, the following exam times are available:

• 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM (not on 12/12)
• 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
• 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
• 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM (not on 12/14)

Test Policies

• The tests are 75 minutes long. The final exam is 150 minutes long.
• The tests and the final exam must be taken in the MLC.
• You must reserve a test or final exam time by completing the Test Registration Form, available at the MLC website, by the deadline given. If you miss the deadline, you can reserve a time by coming in person to the MLC by 7:00 PM Tuesday, the day before the first test day.
• Show up on time for tests. Any tardiness will cost you working time on the test.
• Failure to show up at your reserved test time will result in a 10 point deduction from your test score.
• Because each test period is two days long, makeup tests will not be allowed except for extraordinary and documented emergencies.  The student must file a petition, available in the MLC or on the MLC website, to request a makeup test.
• A student's lowest test score will be replaced by the score on the final exam, if the final exam score is higher. However, a 0 test score due to an absence without a corresponding petition on file or due to academic misconduct will not be replaced.
• Bring your Charger Card ID and pencils. The MLC will provide scratch paper. No other paper is allowed. Please refrain from bringing unnecessary belongings to the MLC on test days. Such items will be stored at the front of the room during the test.
• You will be allowed to review your test before you leave the lab. You may not write down any information pertaining to test questions. You may not share test information with anyone else until after the test period is over. A violation of this policy is considered academic misconduct.
• Only the calculator on the computer is allowed unless the coordinator announces otherwise.

General Policies

• The MLC is a mathematics classroom. Please be quiet during your visit to the MLC.
• You must show your Student ID to the monitor upon entering the MLC. You will not be allowed to enter without a valid ID.
• Eating, drinking and sleeping are not allowed in the MLC.
• No work other than mathematics is allowed in the MLC. In particular, talking, surfing the web, reading and sending e-mail (except e-mail related to MA 112), playing computer games, and working on non-mathematical courses are prohibited.
• Cell phone use in the MLC is prohibited. Cell phones must be out of sight and turned off.
• The use of the computers in the MLC is on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations can be made for ordinary course work, homework, or quizzes. (Reservations are required for tests, as noted above.)
• Please do not hesitate to ask questions in the MLC. The staff members are here to help you!

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities

Any student with a disability that will require special attention or accommodation should inform the instructor as soon as possible, preferably within the first week of class.

Grievance Procedure

Any problems that you encounter should be brought to the attention of your instructor.  If you are not satisfied with the decision of the instructor, you may appeal through the administrative chain given below:

1. Course Coordinator: Ms. Pamela Marples, 339C Madison Hall
2. Math Department Chair: Dr. Jia Li, 205 Madison Hall
3. Associate Dean of the College of Science: Dr. Daniel Rochowiak, 207 Materials Science Building

See the Student Handbook for more information about the grievance procedure.

Academic Misconduct

All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct.  This includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information, misrepresentation, and abetting any of the above.  Academic misconduct will not be tolerated and may result in a failing grade in the course.  Consult the Student Handbook for further description of Academic misconduct and penalties.

Important Dates

• Labor Day Holiday: September 5
• Last day to withdraw with refund: September 7
• Last day to change from credit to audit: September 21
• Fall Break: October 6-8
• Last day to withdraw: November 4
• Thanksgiving Holidays: November 23-26
• Study Day: December 7