Brazosport College – Spring 2008
Office: B202
Phone: 230 – 3383
Office Hours: MW: 9:30 – 11:00 am
TTh: 10 – 11:30 am; 4 – 5:30 pm or by appointment
E-Mail: jeff.detrick@brazosport.edu
Web Site: http://www.brazosport.edu/~math/jdetrick/index.htm
Required Course Material
Textbook: Levitan, Kolman. College Algebra. Best Value Textbooks, 2005.
Graph Paper (Lots of it!)
Scientific Calculator (Graphing Calculator ok, but not required)
Access to a computer running Windows Media Player
Course Description
College Algebra will provide you with an opportunity to enhance your knowledge of algebra and to prepare you for future mathematics and science courses. It will also provide you with those three magical math credits you need. We will spend a great deal of time examining functions. This will include graphing techniques, function algebra, and inverse functions. We will apply this knowledge to linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions. We will also spend time exploring other topics in algebra, including solutions to equations and inequalities, circles, complex numbers, and systems of equations.
Course Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Find solution sets for compound open sentences.
2. Perform arithmetic operations with complex numbers.
3. Find all complex solutions to a polynomial equation.
4. Solve equations containing radicals.
5. Solve non-linear inequalities.
6. State the domain of a function in interval notation.
7. Graph a function using transformations.
8. Find the composition of two functions.
9. Verify if two given functions are inverses.
10. Classify a function as one-to-one and find the inverse of that function.
11. Find the slope, intercepts, and graph of a linear function.
12. Find the end behavior, intercepts and graph of a polynomial function.
13. Find the domain and graph of an exponential function.
14. Evaluate a log function and state the domain of a log function.
15. Use log properties to simplify an expression.
16. Solve exponential equations.
17. Solve log equations.
18. Apply exponential and log functions to real world situations.
The following grades are possible for this course:
A: 90 -100%
B: 80 – 89%
C: 70 – 79%
D: 60 – 69%
F: Below 60%
Your grade will be determined by the following guidelines:
Daily Activity (including quizzes): 20%
Exams: 3 @ 20% each
Final Exam: 20%
The key to success is regular practice. Homework is assigned after each class meeting. It is your responsibility to complete the assignment, check your work, and ask questions. Each class day will involve some kind of hands on activity, including cooperative learning, quizzes, etc. You will receive a grade on much of this work. It is crucial to attend each class meeting. No make up quizzes or activities will be allowed.
Attendance is taken each class day but is not part of your grade. You need to attend every class meeting to succeed in college algebra. Note that if you stop attending the class, you will NOT be dropped automatically from the course. Should you need to drop this class, it is YOUR responsibility to do so. The last day you can officially drop this course is Friday, March 28.
There will be three exams given in this course. I do NOT believe in trick questions. My job is to help you learn and succeed in mathematics, not to trick you. All exam questions will be a fair review of the class material, quiz questions, and assigned homework problems. We will review in class before each exam so there will be no surprises. At the end of the semester, I will replace your lowest exam grade with the final exam score if that helps your average. Finally, I do allow for make up testing, but it must be arranged ahead of time. If you miss an exam and do not contact me for another week, do not expect me to allow you to make up the test. All make up exams are given in the Learning Assistance Center.
Students with Disabilities
Brazosport College is committed to providing equal education opportunities to every student. BC offers services for individuals with special needs and capabilities including counseling, tutoring, equipment, and software to assist students with special needs. Please contact Phil Robertson, Special Populations Counselor, 979-230-3236 for further information.
Academic Honesty
Brazosport College assumes that students eligible to perform on the college level are familiar with the ordinary rules governing proper conduct including academic honesty. The principle of academic honesty is that all work presented by you is yours alone. Academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, and collusion shall be treated appropriately. Please refer to the BC Student Guide for more information, this is available online at http://www.brazosport.edu, click on the link found on the left side of the homepage.
At no time should you think you are in this alone. Seek help before you get into trouble or fall behind. Catching up in math is really a pain! So, always feel free to get help from me, either during my office hours, or by appointment. Also, you can sign up for free tutoring in the LAC. Finally, work together. The best way to understand something is to try to explain it to someone else.
This list is provided to assist you in locating available services.