Course Syllabus

Math 25, Precalculus Algebra, Section 4433,

Spring 2021 Course Syllabus

This syllabus is also available as a pdf document:  (which will be available before the start of the semester.)

Course Description

Topics from college algebra, including analytic geometry, functions and their graphs, complex numbers, sequences and series.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Student Learning Outcomes can be found at this URL: https://portal.santarosa.edu/SRweb/SR_CourseOutlines.aspx?CVID=49596&Semester=20217 

Class Meetings

The class will meet Monday's and Wednesdays 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM online via Zoom.

https://santarosa-edu.zoom.us/j/98456684056?pwd=ZitrNUtUckxkRDUwdEh0NzZrWWlwQT09

Instructor Contact

Jennifer Carlin-Goldberg

Email: jcarlingoldberg@santarosa.edu or via Canvas message

Office Hours: M-Th from 10:30 to noon and after 8 PM by request and I will also take appointments

On normal work days, I respond to emails within 24 hours, weekends may take longer.

Course Online Content

Students will use the Canvas course web site for the online homework, access to the reading, the videos, class and assignment schedule, exam review sheets, supplemental assignment instructions, submitting those assignments, and viewing grades. Classes will be conducted via Zoom.

Textbook

We will use College Algebra, a free open resource textbook available for download here: http://www.stitz-zeager.com/szca07042013.pdf (Links to an external site.)

You can purchase a hard copy of the textbook from the bookstore if you really need one. 

The textbook is also available at the Reserve Desk in the library: QA154.3 S75 2013

Calculator Requirement

Graphing Calculators are required.  I would recommend a TI-92, TI-86, or a TI-89.  A graphing calculator with 3d and vector graphing capabilities will be helpful in this and future calculus classes.

We will be using a program called GeoGebra in class.  GeoGebra is a graphical and data analysis program available for iPads, Android Tablets, Macs and PCs. It is free for download and we will use it in class and you can use on homework.  You can download the program https://www.geogebra.org/download?lang=en 

Important Dates

Day Class Begins: Thursday, January 21
Day/Time of Final Exam: Final Exam Window: May 24-26th
Last Day to Add without instructor's approval: Tuesday, January 26
Last Day to Add with instructor's approval: Sunday, February 7
Last Day to Drop and for course fee refund: Sunday, January 31
Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol: Sunday, February 7
Last Day to Drop with a 'W' symbol: Sunday, April 25
Last Day to Opt for Pass/No Pass: Sunday, February 28

Dropping the Class

If you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it. A student may be dropped from any class when that student's absences exceed ten percent (10%) of the total hours of class time. It is strongly advised that if you need to miss more than one class/homework deadline in a row that you contact the instructor to avoid being dropped from the class.

Attendance

We will be holding class at our scheduled time online via zoom.  I will record every lecture and post in in Canvas both in case you miss a class and for your reference later.  I will take attendance in each class by taking note of your name in the zoom meeting, so you do need to use your correct name in zoom.  You get half credit for being in class and the other half credit for participating in the class, mostly through the group work, worksheets, and in-class exit quizzes.  Attendance and participation are worth 5% of  your overall grade.

Students who fail to attend the first class meeting may be dropped by the instructor.

Instructors are required to drop all No-Show students immediately following the second class meeting. A No-Show is an enrolled student who has not attended any class meeting of the course or not completed any of the assignments in the first two weeks.  If you fail to attend class several weeks in a row without contacting me about your absence, instructors can drop you from the course then as well.

Instructor Announcements

The instructor will post announcements on the Announcements page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences. (You don't want to miss any important communications from your instructor!)

Set your Notification Preferences

Using Canvas on your mobile device - On mobile devices, Canvas is designed to be used within Canvas mobile applications. Be aware that not all features are fully supported in the app. (It's recommended you do "sophisticated" tasks like taking quizzes and submitting assignments using a regular web browser.)

Homework Assignments

The homework is assigned, and submitted in Canvas.  There will be NO extensions granted for any reason.  I expect that you get to work on your assignments early and consistently, therefore, last minute disasters will not be grounds for assignment extensions!  When the assignment is posted, download the assignment and you are allowed and encouraged to print out the assignment and work on the solutions away by hand and in study groups.  Then enter in your answers in the system when you are done.  You only get one submission per problem, then you get a new version of the problem.  If you get an unaccepted answer after several attempts, go seek help with the problem!    All assignments will be due Fridays at 11:59 PM, a week after we cover the material in class. 

If you are having trouble with homework access and display, you need to run a browser check.  Go to the following link and follow the directions: https://www.myopenmath.com/checkbrowser.php

Any non-book homework assignments will generally have a 10% per day late penalty.

Online Class Meeting Participation and Activities

Monday online class meetings are mandatory and I will record attendance.  During the class meetings, there will be group activities.  I will assign the groups and you will typically work on the activities before leaving the class meeting.  I will drop two of the Attendance scores so if you have to miss a class or two, you won't need to worry about missing a those points.

Exams

There will be 3 midterm exams and a final exam. The final exam is comprehensive.  The exams are all scheduled and dates are posted. No make-up tests will be given.

You will need to be "in class" in order to take some of the exams. The other exams may be done anytime in a two day window.  The exams are hour long exams but you are given extra time due to the unusual format. The exams will be 70-80 minutes long depending on the exam. Each exam will require an upload file where you provide the work for your answers and where you will provide additional answers as asked for in some of the problems. We will discuss this more as we get close to the first exam.

I will drop the lowest midterm exam score.

Grading Policy

Click the “Grades” link in Canvas to keep track of your grades.

Approximate grade breakdown: 20\% (Homework, points varies) + 5% (Online Class Meeting Participation, points varies) + 75% (3 Midterms and the Final exam, 300 +200 = 500 points ) = 100%

Grades will be assigned as follows:

A

100 - 90%

B

80 - 89%

C

69 - 79%

D

60 - 68%

Tutoring

  • FREE Tutoring: The Computer and Mathematics Lab in Kunde Hall is all online! Santa Rosa Campus's Tutorial Center (first floor of library) and Petaluma Campus's Tutorial Center located in Kathleen Doyle Hall, 2nd Floor, Rm 247. For any student who has declared a Calculus based science major, you can join MESA, located in Bertolini, room 4832.  http://mesa.santarosa.edu/  They have tutoring services and so much more!
  • Study Groups: Not only can you help one another by working together, but it can be a lot of fun to discuss mathematics. Since I do not grade on a curve, there is no reason to compete with one another. Let me know if you need assistance setting up a study group, I would be happy to help.
  • NetTutor: You all have 10 free hours of tutoring online per semester through the NetTutor link found in your Canvas Course menu.
  • Private Tutors: The Math Department has a list of private tutors. This list can be found on the Math Department web site at http://mathematics.santarosa.edu/tutorial-resources

Standards of Conduct

Students who register in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Student Code of Conduct page.

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. Students are encouraged to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:

SRJC Writing Center Lessons on avoiding plagiarism
SRJC's statement on Academic Integrity

Special Needs

Every effort is made to conform to accessibility standards for all instructor-created materials. Students should contact their instructor as soon as possible if they find that they cannot access any course materials. Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (527-4278).

Classroom Etiquette and Expectations

  • I expect you to come to class on time with the tools you need: class workbook, pencil, eraser, calculator, and paper.
  • Students are to act respectfully and pay attention while in class. If you can have the video on, please do.  Please use your actual (preferred) name as your screen name as I use it for attendance. The best way to learn is through participation, listening actively, and by being polite even when we disagree with another student's viewpoint.
  • Private chat is available in our Zoom meetings, but all chat, including private chat is recorded.  Please remain respectful in the chat.
  • Cell phones, iPods, etc. are to be turned off. Please note that a cell phone/smart phone is NOT a calculator, you will not be able to use them at any time in class.  During Exams, if your cell phone goes off, you are disrupting your classmates' concentration and I will take away your exam and ask you to leave.  You will not be allowed to finish your exam later.
  • Students are expected to arrive on time, stay the entire class period, and not put course materials away before I have concluded the lecture.
  • Sharpen your pencils and use the restroom before class starts. Do not eat or drink distracting foods (such as crunchy chips) or put your head down on the desk and sleep during class.
  • Since other students may find side conversations distracting, direct your questions to me, not to your neighbor.
  • If you use a laptop or tablet computer for note taking, please sit in the front row with the sound off.  You cannot do your homework, chat online, Facebook, Tweet, etc. during class.
  • We will conduct ourselves in a manner that reflects our awareness of common standards of decency and the rights of others. All students are expected to know the Student Conduct Code, link found on the class's website for your reference, and adhere to it in this class. Students who violate the code more than once will be asked to leave the classroom and must schedule a meeting with me to explain to me why you should be allowed to return to class.  Repeated offenses and we will refer to the Vice President of Student Services for discipline.
    If you have any questions, please feel free to discuss them in class or during my office hours. I'll be glad to provide any help you need.

List of Assignments:

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due