Mathematics 98 – Beginning Algebra with Geometry
Fall 2008 – Syllabus

Course Title
Credit Hours
Prerequisites

Beginning Algebra with Geometry
4
Placement test or consent of department chair

Section
Classes

98 BCQ
Monday, Wednesday, 9:30 AM - 11:15 AM in Room 3979

Instructor

Marta Hidegkuti e-mail: mhidegkuti@ccc.edu Office: Room 3812

Office Hours: (walk-in)

Monday, Wednesday 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Monday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Advisement Hours: (available by appointment)

Wednesday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Friday 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Web Site

http://faculty.ccc.edu/mhidegkuti/Math98/Math98.html

Calculator

The use of a scientific calculator is strongly recommended. Students are expected to bring the calculator to class. The optimal calculator is TI-30X II S. The price of this model is between $15 and $20. Do NOT purchase a different calculator if it is significantly more expensive. It is not true that more expensive calculators are easier to use. During quizzes and exams, students are not allowed to use a graphing calculator. Students are not allowed to use a cell phone as a calculator any time during class.

Tutoring

The Tutoring Center is located in room L129. Students have already paid for this service as part of tuition fees. Please note: in order to receive tutoring, students need to sign up in advance.
The Student Success and Leadership Institute (SSLI) is located in room 1435. SSLI offers free services to students, including tutoring, orientation, help with e-mail account or registration.

Important Dates

First class: Monday, August 25

Holiday, no class: Monday, September 1

Exam 1: Wednesday, September 17
Exam 2 (same as Midterm Exam): Wednesday, October 15

Exam 3: Wednesday, November 12
Last day to withdraw from classes: Monday, November 17
Exam 4 (same as Final Exam): Wednesday, December 10
End of Semester: Saturday, December 13

Attendance Policy

Attendance is an essential part of the course. Regular attendance is expected of all students in the course. Students are expected to be on time and to attend the entire session. Please make every effort to arrive to class on time. If you arrive after attendance has been taken, check at the end of class that your attendance record has been corrected. If you are absent, you are responsible for all work and assignments covered in lecture that day.

Administrative Withdrawal

If a student misses two of the first three classes, he or she will be dropped.

Students will be administratively withdrawn at midterm (October 15) if at least two of the following apply:

1. Less than 70% of assignments up to the midterm have been completed.

2. Less than 70% of quizzes and tests up to the midterm have been attempted.

3. Less than 50% of class sessions up to the midterm have been attended.

Student Initiated Withdrawal
	Not attending classes does not constitute withdrawal from the course. After the midterm date, instructors can no longer drop students from the course based on attendance. If students stop attending classes after the midterm, the instructor can only assign a grade of F. If you no longer attend classes, it is essential that you stop by at the registrar’s office and officially withdraw from the course to protect your average. The last day for student initiated withdrawal is Monday, November 17, 2008. Before withdrawing from the course, students are encouraged to consult the instructor.
Grading Policy
Grading Scale Grading of all assignments, quizzes, and exams will be based on the following scale. 90-100 - A 80-89 - B 70-79 - C 60-69 - D 0-59 - F
Midterm Grade
	If the Midterm Exam (same as Exam 2) is below 70%, a D or F will be given as midterm grade. In other words, students must earn a passing grade on the exam to receive a passing grade for the course. If the midterm exam is at least 70%, the midterm grade will be the weighted average of the grades shown below with their weights. Exam 1 – 25% Exam 2 ( same as Midterm Exam) – 35% Quizzes –30% Homework –10% Extra Credit Assignments –5% Before determining the grade given for quizzes, the lowest quiz score will be dropped.
Final Grade
	If the Final Exam (same as Exam 4) is below 70%, a D or F will be given as final grade. In other words, students must earn a passing grade on the exam to receive a passing grade for the course. If the final exam is at least 70%, the midterm grade will be the weighted average of the grades shown below with their weights. Exam 1 – 15% Exam 2 (same as Midterm Exam) – 15% Exam 3 – 15% Exam 4 (same as Final Exam) – 20% Quizzes – 20% Homework – 10% Essay – 5% Extra Credit Assignments – 5% Before determining the average for quizzes, the two lowest quiz scores will be dropped.
Makeup Policy
	Without exception, there will be no making up quizzes. If a student missed a quiz, a score of zero will be assigned. Exams can be made up only if it was missed due to a case of a documented emergency. If possible, students should notify the instructor in advance. All make-up will take place on Saturday, November 22, 10 AM - 2PM.
Homework
	Homework is an essential part of the learning process; do not expect to do well in this course without keeping up with the homework. Homework is expected to be turned in at the beginning of class, stapled, written neatly and legibly, on graph paper. Please do not ask the instructor for a stapler. To earn full credit, always show all work. A solution turned in without work shown will receive a maximum of 20% credit. Since the instructor is going to be grading more than one hundred papers a week, write as legibly as possible and circle your final answers. Homework assignments will consist of problem sets. If the assignment to be turned in consists of more than one problem set, they should be stapled separately. Within a problem set please present the problems in the order they were assigned. After homework assignments have been graded and returned to students, they may re-submit them with corrections, for full credit.
Late Homework
	Homework assignments turned in late will receive up to 50% credit. If an assignment is more than one week late, no credit will be given.
Academic Integrity
	Any incident of academic dishonesty may result in actions from assigning a grade of F given for the entire course to expulsion from the college. For further information, please refer to the Student Policy Manual.
Course Information Catalogue Description: Real numbers and basic properties. Algebraic operations involving integer exponents, including scientific notation, polynomial operations, and factoring polynomial. Solution of linear and quadratic equations, and linear inequalities. Solutions and manipulations of literal equations. Graphical and algebraic solutions of systems of linear equations in two variables. Geometry: perimeter, area of geometric figures, triangles, rectangles, and circles; volume of sphere, cylinder and pyramid. Applications of problem-solving skills are emphasized throughout the course. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course. Truman College General Education Goal(s): Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate the ability to think critically, abstractly, and logically.
General Information At all times, please treat the instructor, other students, and their opinions with respect. Before arriving to class, please turn off all cell phones, pagers, and other loud devices. Please make every effort to arrive on time for class. Please refrain from talking while the instructor is lecturing. If you need an extensive review (for example, due to absence) of material presented in class, please see the instructor during office hours. Valuable class time can not be spent on assisting one or a few students to the detriment of the entire class. Office hours are designated to address these problems. Arrive to office hours prepared. If you have missed a class, be sure to obtain and read all class-related material (handouts, text book section, and class notes). Have a list of specific questions. Please retain all class-related material until you receive your final grade for the course. At all times, email is the fastest and most efficient method to contact the instructor. If you wish to contact the instructor about grades or attendance or other administrative issues please use email. When e-mailing, please use your CCC student account.