Office Hours - Olapa 110
MW 10:30-11:30; M 3-4:30pm
TTh 2:30-3:30
& by appointment at other times

This class will combine both lectures and group work. The third week you will be assigned to a group with 3 or 4 other students. You will work together during class (and I hope outside of class also) to practice mathematical processes and to set up applied problems. Part of your grade will be based on your participation in your group. I will be available to meet with you during the office hours listed above and at other times by appointment. You are strongly encouraged to make use of these office hours as soon as you have questions or problems. I am here to help you learn algebra.

Since this is a college level math course, it will need your intense effort for at least 6 to 8 hours per week outside of class. Attendance is critical in this class. If you think your present class and work schedule will not allow enough study time or regular attendance, you need to change your schedule NOW. Although a grade is not given directly for attendance, in almost every class there will be activities for which you will earn points toward your grade. If you cannot attend a class, it is expected that you will contact your instructor, and call a member of your group to discuss what was covered in class. You will need to read the section(s) to be covered in class before class. Test corrections and assignments must be turned in on time to receive credit. Late assignments receive no credit.

• It is expected that you will arrive on time for class and stay until the end of class unless there is a dire emergency. If you must come late or leave early, please do so as inconspicuously as possible.
• It is expected that you will act the role of an interested student. Sleeping in class is not acceptable.
• It is distracting to your classmates if you are talking when someone is addressing the class. Please confine talking to the time during group work.

I will come to class on time prepared to help you learn math. I will grade your tests and quizzes and return them the next class period. I will be available to meet with you during my stated office hours and at other times by appointment. I will return all phone messages if you leave your number with the message. My main goal is for you to succeed in Math 135!

• Munem/Yizze, Precalculus, 5th Edition. NYC, NY: Worth Publishers, Inc., 1990
• Copies of the texts and solutions manuals are available at the Lama Library.

• A scientific or graphing calculator is required.
• A copy of the study guide is available at the bookstore.
• A light-weight folder for assignments and quiz corrections is required. (Spiral notebooks are not accepted.)
• A stapler for stapling each assignment should be in your possession.

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

• Understand and apply definitions of functions, inverse functions, and composition functions.
• Show familiarity with all principles involving linear functions.
• Find roots, evaluate, sketch, and solve inequalities involving polynomial functions.
• Graph rational functions using the concept of asymptotes.
• Understand and be able to apply the definition and principles of logarithmic and exponential functions.
• Use knowledge and techniques of this course in solving applied problems.

There will be occasional opportunities for a limited number of extra credit points.

There will be four 20-minute, 20-point quizzes near the middle of each unit. There will be no makeups for quizzes. However, the lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the course.

There will be four 50-minute, 50-point tests. If you are unable to take a test at the scheduled time, you must contact me on or before the day of the test to see if it is possible to arrange for a makeup test before the next class.

If you have to miss a class, you must call in before the class (734-9701) to notify me of your impending absence. If a student is absent without notification, this is called an undocumented absence. After four (4) undocumented absences, the course grade is automatically an F.

Extended time for tests in a distraction-free environment is appropriate for some disabilities. If you have such a disability and have not contacted Special Student Services, you are invited to contact their office at 934-9552, 'Ilima 105.

If, on a regular class day, the instructor does not arrive within fifteen (15) minutes of the starting hour, students are disissed. You should keep up with the scheduled sections by going to the LAC or library during the rest of the class time.