Math 120: Instructor's Syllabus
There are files on this site in PDF format. You will need to download a free copy of the Adobe Reader to read them. Click the following icon to obtain a free copy of the Adobe Reader.
It is important that you have the most current version of the Adobe Reader that your system will allow. The above links will take you to the Adobe site. The Adobe site will analyze your system, but you may be asked to choose the appropriate version of the reader for your system. If this happens, carefully select the appropriate version of the reader.
Official Course Outline
The official course outline for Intermediate Algebra, including content, objectives, and student learning outcomes, can be viewed online via the following link:
Prerequisite Classes
Elementary Algebra (formerly Math 105 or 106, now Math 380 (or equivalent)) with a grade of "C" or better or appropriate score on the math placement exam.
Instructor's Schedule
The following link contains a copy of my schedule, including office hours.
Note: These are "official" office hours. However, I will make myself available whenever I can. Please do not be afraid to ask for help at any time as I am always eager to help.
Office Location and Phone
- Physical Science building PS114A
- Office phone: (707) 476-4222
Cancelled Classes
Those driving long distances to attend classes are advised to call (707) 476-4210 before driving to the CR campus. Choose #5 from a menu of choices. You will then be advised of any cancelled classes for the day in the Physical Sciences complex (math/science). Thus, you can avoid the frustration of driving to campus, only to find that your class has been cancelled.
My email address is: David-Arnold@redwoods.edu
myCR
Click the myCR icon that follows. This will initiate contact with myCR. Click the Account tool, then the Modify Details button. Change your password. Be sure to write down your login name and password for future reference. Next, click the Profile tool and enter any information you wish to share. Don't enter things like phone numbers that you wish to keep private.
Once you login to myCR, locate your math class and take some time to find out what is provided. Then read the "Welcome Message" in the Discussion Board and reply to to the "Welcome Message" thread. In the future, use the Discussion Board to discuss issues and problems you are having with your class.
Getting Help
Help is available in many forms.
- You can view class notes on line at Class Notes.
- Your instructor is always available for help in PS114A when he isn't teaching class or attending a meeting. Take advantage.
- There are two great study rooms in the Physical Sciences building where the "math geeks" hang out, PS119 and PS116. If you study in these rooms during your break, it is highly likely that there will be people in there who might kindly answer a question or two. Just remember that they have their own studies as well and don't overly monopolize their time.
- The Academic Support Center (ASC) in the library provides individual and group tutoring. You need to check in at the ASC desk and make an appointment to meet with a tutor.
- The "Mathlab" resides along the windows in the ASC. You must first go to registration (Forum Building) and register for Math 120L to make use of the mathlab. You can either register for 1/2 unit or a full unit.
- If you register for 1/2 unit, you must complete 22.5 hours in the mathlab. This amounts on average to 1.5 hours per week.
- If you register for 1 unit, you must complete 45 hours in the mathlab. This amounts on average to 3 hours per week.
After you complete the registration process at Registration, proceed to the Mathlab which is located in the Academic Support Center (ASC) of the Learning Resource Center (LRC). There will be an instructor there who will give you an information page, and a contract to sign.
Comprehensive information on the Mathlab is available at the following link:
You can find a list of instructors who work in the Mathlab (Math 120L) and a schedule for the hours that Mathlab is open at the following links:
Math 120L Instructor Schedule and Hours (Eureka)
And:
Math 120L Instructor Schedule and Hours (Arcata)
And:
Math 120L Instructor Schedule and Hours (Del Norte)
The mathlab is not a great place to get personal, extensive, one-on-one tutoring (you should make an appointment with an ASC tutor for that), but it is a great place to work on your homework and get quick help when you are stuck. People work on their homework, then raise their hand when stuck, and tutors come by as soon as they are available. Tutors are trained to jump around from student to student, hopefully not taking too much time with each question, so its likely that you can get quick attention as you need it.
There are paid tutors available. HSU publishes a list of students willing to tutor for a fee. See:
I know nothing about these individuals, so use the list at your own risk.
Finally, Tami Matsumoto has compiled a list of generic help available at the college and elsewhere in the following document.
Classroom Environment
It is expected that everyone involved in this class, teacher and students alike, will act in a manner conducive to providing a comfortable environment for learning, a classroom where students feel free to ask and answer questions without fear of embarrassment or ridicule.
It is important to stay on task when class is in session. Hence, conversation not pertaining to the subject at hand should be taken outside the classroom.
I understand that students will have to get up and leave the room for various reasons and I also understand that students will arrive late from time to time. However, courtesy requires that you enter and leave as quietly as possible, without disturbing discussion or lecture.
It is essential for student success to maintain a good environment in the classroom. If you have any personal difficulties with the learning envrionment in the classroom, please visit me in my office to discuss them.
Textbooks
Students will be given a free Intermediate Algebra textbook on the first day of classes in the form of a CD. The book is written by the mathematics department and will be given free of charge to all students in intermediate algebra in the spring semester, 2009. When you load the CD into your computer, double-click the file start.html to view a table of contents.
The textbook files on the CD are in PDF format. You will need to download a free copy of the Adobe Reader to read them. Click the following icon to obtain a free copy of the Adobe Reader.
It is important that you have the most current version of the Adobe Reader that your system will allow. The above links will take you to the Adobe site. The Adobe site will analyze your system, but you may be asked to choose the appropriate version of the reader for your system. If this happens, carefully select the appropriate version of the reader.
The Intermediate Algebra textbook is also available online at:
http://msenux.redwoods.edu/IntAlgText/
The online files are identical to the files on the CD and include:
- A file for each chapter, which includes exercises and short answers.
- Separate files for each section in each chapter.
- Separate files for exercises and short answers for each section.
- Separate files for exercises and complete solutions for each section.
- A single file that contains all exercises and short answers for each chapter.
- A single file that contains all exercises and full solutions for each chapter.
This is a third edition of the text, but errors will still exist. We've started an errata page at:
http://msenux.redwoods.edu/mathdept/courses/math120/errata.php
Paper Copies are available:
- A printed version of the text can be purchased from the Bookstore for $28.00. Go to the information booth in the bookstore to order a copy. It takes 1-2 days for printing services to prepare a printed copy.
- You can also purchase a printed version of the Exercises and Solutions for the entire text from the Bookstore. These contain the statements of the exercises and full solutions for all the odd problems in the text. At the time of writing this syllabus, pricing was not available, but we expect this package to cost under $20.
Reading the Textbook
It is important that you read and work the examples in the textbook before attemping the exercises. Many students will work the process in reverse. That is, they begin working the exercises, then if stuck, they page back through the narrative in the text seeking a similar example to the exercise on which they are working. This is not a recommended approach to the study of mathematics.
With a textbook on CD and/or online, it seems even more tempting to work the reverse process (exercises first, then the reading). There are a number of ways that you can combat this temptation.
- You can print out those pages from the CD or online files that are necessary for current work, three-hole punch them, then place them in a small binder to carry to and from school. This is especially helpful for those students who have difficulty reading extensive documents on a computer screen.
- You can purchase a full printed version of the textbook from the bookstore. Again, it is recommended that you just use a small binder to carry only those pages that are relative to the current discussion in the class.
Whatever your approach, reading the narrative online, printing out pages on your home printer, or purchasing the printed version of the textbook from the bookstore, it is essential that you read each section before attempting the exercises at the end of the section. And, by reading, we mean pencil in hand and scratch paper at the ready to work out the examples as you read. You should not read a mathematics text as if it were a novel.
Tabbed Browsing Today's modern browsers offer "Tabbed Browsing," where you can open two or more tabs in the same browser window, then toggle back and forth from one tabbed window to another. This is a particularly effective way to work with the textbook on your computer, either online or from your CD. The following moview shows how you can optimized your study with tabbed browsing using the Firefox browser.
Using Tabbed Browsing with Firefox
Movies
The department has developed a set of movie tutorials that are correlated with sections of the textbook. Many students have found these mini movie tutorials extremely helpful. You can view these movies at the following link:
Calculators
The TI graphing calculator is required in all mathematics courses (at or above Math 380) at College of the Redwoods. If you have a TI82, it will suffice, as will a TI83, TI83+, TI84, or TI84+. However, if you plan on purchasing a new calculator, we recommend the TI84 Plus.
The Mathematics Department has a limited number of calculators that it rents to students each semester. There is a one-time, non-refundable fee of $25. Rental instructions are available at the following link:
Graphing Calculator Rental Program
I probably cannot provide help on other versions of the graphing calculator during class other than on those mentioned above. However, I am always willing to help the student outside of classtime on calculators such as Casio, HP, or high end TI's (e.g., TI89). Just stop by my office and be sure to bring the manual for your calculator.
Kevin Yokoyama has developed a calculator help tutorial. The web address is
Bruce Wagner also has a calculator tutorial at the following link.
For help constructing inline formulas, see the Optimath Syntax Checker page (requires Firefox 3).
Examinations
We will have 3-4 midterm examinations and a comprehensive final examination. Students should sit for all examinations on the day that they are administered. If you miss an examination, there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to make up the examination. Indeed, makeup examinations are given only at the instructor's discretion.
Students who need special arrangements for examinations are expected to meet with the instructor before each examination to insure that all examination materials are on file in the Academic Support Center (the ASC is in the Learning Resource Center (library)).
If you know ahead of time that you have a conflict that will prevent you from sitting for an examination, please meet with me to discuss alternatives.
Every student will be required to sit for a final, cumulative examination. The time and day of this examination is posted in the Schedule of Classes and students are expected to sit for the exam at the time and on the day posted. No exceptions. Any student failing to sit for the final examination will receive an F in the class. Please keep this in mind when making travel plans for the end of the semester. Plan ahead!
Optimath Online Quizzes
We will use the Online Practice and Testing in Mathematics (OPTIMATH) system to administer quizzes during the semester. Here is the link:
http://msenux.redwoods.edu/optimath
You will take approximately 9 required quizzes (this number varies widely each semseter). We might also offer some extra credit opportunities through this system as the semester progresses.
The OPTIMATH testing system uses PDF format. You will need to download a free copy of the Adobe Reader to take the online quizzes. Click the following icon to obtain a free copy of the Adobe Reader.
It is important that you have the most current version of the Adobe Reader that your system will allow. The above links will take you to the Adobe site. The Adobe site will analyze your system, but you may be asked to choose the appropriate version of the reader for your system. If this happens, carefully select the appropriate version of the reader.
Assistance for using the online testing system can be found at the following link:
http://msenux.redwoods.edu/online/optimathinfo.html.
For assistance with Optimath Syntax, read Writing Mathematical Formulas in Optimath, then try your hand with our new Syntax Checker (Firefox required).
For assistance in logging on to the OPTIMATH system, we have two videos, the second of which deals with names containing hyphens and apostrophes. Note: If you have the Flash plugin loaded, clicking links in the first column of the following table should start the video up in your browser. Use the links in the second column to save the file to your hard disk, then open the saved file in Quicktime or ITunes.
| Flash format | iPod m4v format |
If you are still struggling with OPTIMATH syntax, try watching these three videos. Note: If you have the Flash plugin loaded, clicking links in the first column of the following table should start the video up in your browser. Use the links in the second column to save the file to your hard disk, then open the saved file in Quicktime or ITunes.
Optimath Online Review
The department has developed additional Optimath questions to help students who want more practice and review.
- The following link provides extra practice questions. These Optimath questions are correllated to questions in the text.
- The following link provides Chapter review quizzes. These Optimath questions are valuable when preparing for a chapter examination and/or quiz. Again, these are keyed to the chapters in the textbook.
Homework
Homework will be assigned daily and will be due the next class meeting. Each homework will be assigned a grade ranging from 0-10 points, bases on completeness, the following of directions, and the quality of work.
It is essential that students keep up with the homework on a daily basis. Each time you come to class without your homework, you are not prepared to take part in the class at a level geared to your success. Therefore, students are encouraged to hand in homework on time. However, I am acutely aware of the responsibilities that many students have to deal with outside the classroom. Consequently, I do allow a "grace period" of one class period for late work. That is, if you hand your homework in by the next class period, I will still accept the assignment. However, there is an automatic 2-point deduction for late work. Homework later than one class period will not be accepted.
If you are experiencing difficulty getting your homework in on time, or if you know an upcoming event will interfere with getting your homework in on time, please discuss this with your instructor. We can possibly make some arrangment to help facilitate the completion of your work.
In order to facilitate the recording of homework scores, students are required to place their name in the upper right-hand corner of their homework assignment and staple the pages together with a single staple in the upper left-hand corner. On the first line of the of the first page of your homework, please write down the assignment number, the pages that encompass the assignement, and list each exercise number assigned. For example, the first line of your homework might read:
Assignment #12, Page 150, #1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 23, 45
Attendance
Attendance will be recorded each class session. You are allowed 4 unexcused absences, after which each absence will result in a full percentage point being subtracted from your grade. If you know you will be missing class, you should let your instructor know.
Grades
Your homework, quizzes, and examinations will be weighted and averaged to determine your final grade in the class. A running account of your work can always be viewed in your gradebook.
When Problems Arise
Should problems arise during the semester, always contact your instructor to let me know what's going on. That's the only way I can help.
The Syllabus is Subject to Change
As your instructor, I reserve the right to make adjustments to the syllabus should things not proceed as smoothly as expected. However, in general, I do not anticipate making changes.