Course Syllabus

Math 112: Functions and Algebraic Methods
Syllabus #1431
5 credits

 

Dr. Timothy Banham
Instructor
Department of Mathematics
Bond Hall 423 | Phone: 360-650-2296
Email: banhamt@wwu.edu | Website

Full Course Syllabus:  MATH 112 syl 1431.doc

Course Designed by: Dr. Keith Craswell

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION:

• Department Information
• Department Mission, Goals, and Objectives
• Course Description

Math 112 is intended for students who have had one year of high school mathematics.

Except by permission of the chair of the Department of Mathematics, a student may not receive credit for any of Math 101, 106, 107, 112, 114, 115, 118, 156 or 157 if that course is completed after completion of any higher numbered course in this list or after completion of a course in calculus for which college credit has been received.

PREREQUISITE:  

Math 99 or college intermediate algebra course with a C- or better or suitable math assessment score.  NOTE: Neither Math 106 or Math 107 is an acceptable prerequisite for this course.

TEXTBOOK:  

INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA by Jerome Kaufmann and Karen Schwitters, 7th edition (Brooks Cole,  2004).  ISBN: 9780534400507

The textbooks may be obtained online through a price comparison website such as www.AddAll.com.  Plan on purchasing your textbooks early and always be sure you are purchasing the correct edition of the book for this syllabus.

ASSIGNMENT PREPARATION:  

The lessons should be carefully prepared and written on standard-size paper with either pen or pencil.  Pencil is recommended due to possible erasures.  Answers should be underlined. 

In case you are not sure of a problem, start the problem and go as far as you can.  At that point, ask your question.  That way, I can help you with whatever your question or uncertainty is, otherwise, I will have no idea what your question may be.

Each chapter ends with a Chapter Review and Practice Test.  Use these Practice Tests to make sure you understand the material in the chapter.  If you cannot do a particular problem on the chapter test, go back to the section in question and review the material and work more of the problems.

The problems indicated are to be submitted as lesson assignments.  Notice that each lesson includes more than one section from the text.   Do not submit incomplete lessons.  When you complete one lesson, submit it.  Start another lesson right away--do not wait for one to be returned.  Each assignment involves reading sections and problems.  Do not attempt to work the problems without first carefully reading the text and following the examples.  Even numbered problems have answers in the back of the book.  Check your even numbered answers to assure that you are working problems correctly.  In this course, you learn by working the problems.

If you are working with a tutor, work through the example problems with their help.  You will learn more and be better prepared for the exams if you do the homework problems on your own.  Setting up a schedule and doing the homework on a regular basis is a key to success.

Send in the assignments as you complete them.  Do not save up lessons and turn them in large batches.  Please put lesson numbers on the cover sheet - do not use the chapter numbers for lesson numbers.  All lessons assigned before an exam must be turned in before that exam is taken.

To be successful in a self-paced course, most students need to set aside a block of time each day or each week to work on the course.  Set yourself a goal date for completion of the course.  Since you will not have a teacher with you, you and I will need to cooperate.  In order for me to respond to your troubles, you must be very specific.  When you have trouble with a problem, write me a note explaining where you feel you are in trouble.  Just saying things like "I can't do story problems" will not narrow my response enough to be of much help.  If you want help without receiving a grade for an assignment, indicate this on the cover sheet.  I will then respond to your questions, return the lesson to you and you can complete it and resubmit for grading.

EXAMINATIONS:  

This course consists of 20 lessons and two exams.  The first exam follows lesson 11 and the second is at the end of the course.  The second exam covers only the material of the last nine assignments.  Both tests are three-hour closed book tests.

You may write, on an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper, any formulae from the book you feel you will need and use this paper in the test.  Turn your formulae sheet in with the test.  You may use a calculator. 

Remember to schedule your exam in advance of when you wish to take it. Information for setting up Proctored exam appointments is available on the Modules page under the listing Self-paced Proctored Exam Request Form and Information.  Please note: Proctored exams may only be taken at accredited testing centers within the United States; exams will not be sent to international proctors.

GRADING: 

Lesson assignments count for one-third of your grade.  The two examinations each count for one-third of your grade.  Note that a C- is required to pass the class.

**IMPORTANT NOTE**  Students must turn in all pre-midterm lessons before taking the midterm and all pre-final lessons before taking the final.  Lessons not turned in before the appropriate exam will earn a grade of "F".

SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS:

ALWAYS make a copy of your work BEFORE submitting it.  If lessons are lost, it is far easier to resubmit a copy than to rewrite an entire assignment.  All assignments must be completed in order to receive credit for the course.  Under no circumstances may you submit all, or even most, lessons at one time.  All work must be submitted to the Western Online office.

Time Considerations (a message from the Western Online office)  -  In a math course, the learning from one lesson builds on the problems done in the previous assignment.  Try not to let too much time lapse between lessons. Organize your time so that you spread the work out over 10 to 12 weeks, just like a regular academic quarter.  Treat your Self-paced course as the serious learning experience that it is.  True learning takes time:  time for reading, time for processing new information, time for reflection.  When students get into trouble in a Self-paced course it is most often when they try to rush through a large part of the work at the end of the quarter or right before their own deadline.

Remember that careful grading and feedback takes time and our instructors have other classes and students.  The instructor cannot be expected to grade assignments immediately because you have a deadline.  Allow for your mailing time to and from the Western Online office and back and forth to the instructor’s office.

Holidays, Intersessions, and Summer Session - When the University is closed for scheduled holidays and between quarters, delay in return of assignments and examinations must be expected.  In addition, some faculty members are off campus during the summer months and delays may be unavoidable.  The Western Online office will inform students of instructor absences, but it is important for students not to wait until close to a deadline to submit work.

HELP WITH MATH:

Be sure to read your text and work the example problems.  Help is available from the WWU Tutoring Center in Wilson Library 280 if you are in the Bellingham area.  They can be reached at 650-3855.

For procedural matters such as textbook ordering, assignment submission and exam questions go through the Western Online Office. For specific  assignment questions include a note with your assignment or write to him in care of the Western Online office.