COURSE OUTLINE** (2012-2013)
COURSE TITLE: COLLEGE ALGEBRA
COURSE NUMBER: MATH1020
QUARTER CREDIT HOURS: 4.5
CONTACT HOURS: 45 lecture hours
PREREQUISITE(S): MATH0001 or placement
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides students with a working knowledge of the basic elements of college algebra. Topics covered include functions, exponents and radicals, the solution of linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, matrices and systems of linear equations.
CONTENT OUTLINE
1. The Real Number System
- Real numbers and their properties
- Operations with real numbers
- Exponents, roots, order of operations
- Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities
- Algebraic terms and expressions
2. Solving linear equations and applications
- Solving linear inequalities and applications
- Compound inequalities
- Equations and inequalities involving absolute value
3. Analytic Geometry
- The coordinate plane
- Linear equations in two variables
- Slope and its applications
- Equations of lines
- Graphs of linear inequalities
4. Systems of Linear Equations
- Graphical solution of linear systems
- Algebraic methods of solution
- Systems of equations in three variables
- Determinants and Cramer’s rule
- Applications
5. Exponents and Polynomials
- Rules of exponents
- Polynomials
- Operations on polynomials
- Special polynomial products
6. Factoring
- Common factors
- Special factoring techniques and rules
- Factoring trinomials
- Solving equations by factoring
7. Rational Expressions
- Operations on rational expressions
- Complex fractions
- Solving equations featuring rational expressions
- Applications
8. Radical Expressions
- Rational exponents
- Product and quotient rules
- Operations on radical expressions
- Solving equations featuring radical expressions
- Applications
9. Quadratic Equations
- The quadratic formula
- Equations in quadratic form
- Applications
REQUIRED TEXT(S)/TECHNOLOGY:
Gustafson, Karr, Massey, Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, 6/e. Cengage, 2011,
(Complete Version) 111401926
(Customized Version) 9780000401924
a scientific or graphing calculator (smart phones/tablets/laptops are encouraged as alternatives to a calculator)
EVALUATIVE CRITERIA:
1. Periodic exams, quizzes, assignments
2. Final examination
3. Class participation/active learning
OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT:
The results from testing students for the Performance Transcript in this course will be used to form a cohort for the assessment of Quantitative Literacy.
PERFORMANCE TRANSCRIPT:
Quantitative Literacy, measured with the Accuplacer adaptive test of arithmetic and algebra.
WRITING INTENSIVE COURSE: N/A
HONORS OPTION: Available in this course
APPROVED COURSE CAPACITY: 40
CLASSROOM REQUIREMENTS: Lecture Room