College and Matrix Algebra

Computer Skills Advisory:
This course is offered through the Internet only. Students must be computer literate, motivated, disciplined and have the necessary minimum of 10+ hours to spend on the computer each week. Distance education with SDCCD Online is a flexible and convenient opportunity for self-motivated students who have computer skills and feel they can communicate effectively through reading and writing. To successfully complete this online course, students should have skills or feel comfortable in the following areas: navigate in the Web-CT Browser; use of an equation editor; handling e-mail, including sending e-mail attachments; basic file management; downloading software; finding information on the Internet; and completing online forms.

Course Description:
This course is designed to strengthen the algebra skills of students seeking Business or Natural Science degrees who are required to take an applied calculus course. Topics in the course include the theory of functions; graphing functions; exponential and logarithmic functions; solving equations involving algebraic, exponential and logarithmic functions; solving systems of linear equations; matrix algebra; linear programming; modeling; and applications problems. Analytical reading and problem solving skills are required for success in this course

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

1. Analyze, graph, and evaluate linear functions related to application problems in business and the natural sciences.
2. Perform algebraic operations on functions and determine function inverses.
3. Analyze and interpret the relationship between the properties and graphs of polynomial functions.
4. Determine all the exact zeros of a polynomial by applying root-finding techniques and theorems.
5. Analyze and interpret the graphs of algebraic functions including square root, cube root, absolute value, piece-wise defined functions and rational functions.
6. Solve and graph non-linear inequalities.
7. Analyze and apply rigid and non-rigid transformations to algebraic, exponential and logarithmic functions.
8. Solve equations involving logarithmic and exponential functions, including application problems.
9. Perform algebraic operations with matrices.
10. Construct systems of equations from application

Evaluation:
A student's grade will be based on multiple measures of performance.

I.) Assignments: These will be done on our Web-CT home space. The assignments will be grouped in the exam module sections.
II.) Objective tests: That measures a student's ability to identify and perform the mathematical concepts outlined in the learning outcomes. (There will be three exams, lowest one is dropped.)
III.) A comprehensive final exam.

The grading scale is:
90 -100 = A, 80 - 89 = B, 70 - 79 = C, 60 - 69 = D, 0 - 59 = F.
Your final course grade will be determined by:

Assignment score (25%) will be calculated by adding up your scores, and dividing by the total number of assignments, the usual arithmetic average (Highest total average possible is 100 points).

Exams (25% each exam out of two highest exams) (each exam is worth 100 points) Highest two scores out of the three monthly exams will be used in the final grade calculation.

Final exam score (25%) (worth 100 points) You must take the final in order to receive a grade in the course of A, B, C, or D in course!!!

Your formula to calculate your grade is:
(Homework score)(.25) + + (Monthly exam score) (.25) + (Monthly exam score) (.25) + (Final exam score)(.25) = Numerical grade

**All graded work will be done and submitted in Web-CT**

Cheating:
Since this is an on line class, proctored exams are not possible. If I do find out you are not doing the work, someone else is doing it for you, you will face the procedures as outlined by Miramar College, which can include receiving an F for the assignment and/or exam. Math builds on itself, if you do not build a strong foundation, you will not succeed in advanced mathematics courses. If you cheat, you are only going to hurt yourself. Please keep academic honesty as a priority. Thank-you for your cooperation!

Attendance:
Since this is an on line course, taking daily attendance is not possible. However, in accordance with Miramar attendance policy, I will only monitor attendance for the first two weeks. If you decide to not finish the class, YOU must drop yourself before the last drop date!

Grade of W:
If you decide not to stay in the class and do not drop yourself by the last day to drop, then you will risk receiving an F. If you do need to drop, email me, so I will know you need to be dropped before it is too late!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OTHERWISE, once it is beyond the last day to drop, APRIL 3, 2009, you will receive an F!

CLASS “BUDDY”:
Get to know your classmates!! This is why I have included discussion boards.

COURSE DESIGN:
The course will be divided into Exam Modules.
Each Module will contain:
• lecture material
• references to the textbook pages to read.
• assignments for that particular Module
• the exam review for that particular Module,
• the exam for that particular module
• EACH MODULE MUST BE COMPLETED BY MAY 5^th EXCEPT THE FINAL EXAM MODULE BY MAY 21^st!!

The course will progress according to the following schedule:
The schedule listed below may be altered, so please keep an eye out for announcements and emails!!!

**Remember Text section refers to Blitzer’s textbook. More detailed charts are contained in each exam module in the course.**