Math 121 College Algebra

General Information: Math 121-College Algebra includes the study of equations, inequalities and systems of equations. Functions and their graphs are introduced including polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic. Prerequisite: Math 120 with a minimum grade of CR or adequate score on placement exam.

Textbook: The textbook used in this course is College Algebra 3^rd Edition, by Robert Blitzer, Pearson Education, 2004. We will also make use of Texas Instruments (TI) graphing calculators. The instructor will use the TI-83 or TI-83 Plus. It is possible for you to use a graphing calculator of a different kind provided you know how to use it. I am not familiar with all the calculators out there, and I can only guarantee that I can help you use the calculator if you use the ones I use. If you do not have a graphing calculator the one you should purchase is the TI-83+ or TI-84. The UNM VC Math Department has a classroom limited number of TI-83's that can be checked out by students during the semester. If you would like to check out a computer for the semester, please notify me right away. These calculators are available on a first-come, first-serve basis as long as they last and are available to all students in courses which require the calculators, so you need to ask quickly if you want to check one out. We also have classroom sets of TI-83's which will be made available for you to use during class time only. The UNM-VC Library and Learning Center have graphing calculators that can be checked out on reserve and must be used on the premises (yes, that means you cannot take them home). If you choose to use these calculators instead of purchasing your own, you will be responsible for making the time to use them in the Library or Learning Center when graphing calculators are required for homework.

Course Objectives: 1. Students will develop an understanding of the presented mathematical concepts and improve their skills in algebraic manipulation; 2. Students will improve their ability to organize material and present it in an orderly manner; 3. Students will develop and improve their ability to set up and solve a variety of problems through the use of problem-solving skills and techniques.

Course Requirements:
Instructional Methods: Group work, demonstrated problem solving, lectures, discussion, quizzes, and exams.

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class sessions. Four absences are considered to be excessive after which a student may be dropped from the course at the discretion of the instructor. Arriving more than 10 minutes late or leaving more than 10 minutes early constitutes an absence. No make-up work will be accepted; however the lowest grade from both Selected Homework Problems and Class Work and Quizzes will be dropped before the course average is calculated.

Selected Homework Problems and Class Work	15% of grade	Grading Scale	91-100 A
Homework Notebooks	10% of grade		81-90 B
Quizzes	20% of grade		71-80 C
Mid-Term Exam	20% of grade		60-70 D
Final Exam	35% of grade		Below 60 F
A minimum grade of 60% must be earned on the Final Exam in order to receive a grade of C or better in the course.

Homework exercises will be assigned from the text. Selected problems will be collected on a specified due date. The remainder of the homework exercises should be kept in a notebook which will be collected at the completion of each chapter. Homework notebooks will not be accepted late. Homework notebooks will be graded on completeness rather than correctness. It is strongly suggested that students do each homework assignment the day of the class period when it is assigned so that if problems with the work occur, students can attend the instructor's office hours or see a tutor in time to ask questions in class before we move on to new material. Homework must be readable and organized in such a way as to indicate understanding of the topics. All work should be shown.

Quizzes will be administered one per week and will evaluate the student's proficiency with material covered in the course. Approximately 15 minutes will be allotted for each quiz. Questions will consist of assigned homework problems and other questions determined by the instructor.

Class Work will be assigned periodically to be done during class. It can consist of either group or individual study. Half of the grade for Class Work assignments will be based on attendance and the other half will be based on the quality of the paper submitted. If you are not in class on the day a Class Work assignment is done, you can receive only a maximum of 50% for the assignment. Class Work must be readable and organized in such a way as to indicate understanding of the topic.

The Mid-Term Exam will evaluate course objectives covered through the first half of the semester.

The Final Exam will be cumulative and will evaluate all course objectives covered throughout the semester.

Students with Special Needs: If you have a special need, please inform me as soon as possible to ensure that those needs are met in a timely manner.

Other Assistance Facilities: The UNM Valencia Campus Library provides a quiet atmosphere for study as well as research materials and equipment. In addition, The Learning Center (TLC) and the Open Computer Lab (V123) provide free access to word processors, email, Internet access and other software that students may find useful in the course of their studies. If you purchased a new textbook, an access code for My Math Lab was provided with the textbook. My Math Lab is a computer based tutorial that provides practice exercises, video explanations, problem solving help and other benefits to students. My Math Lab can be accessed on your home computer or a Valencia Campus computer provided you have an access code. If you purchased a used book without an access code and would like to have one to use, the access codes are availalable for purchase in the bookstore. They are not required for this course, however they can provide a very beneficial way to do in depth studying on the computer.

Both the UNM-VC Library and the Learning Center have Video CD's with lectures from your textbook available for your use should you need additional instruction.

TLC also provides tutoring at no charge for all Valencia Campus students. If you feel you need a tutor, you may set up a regular time for tutoring, make occasional appointments for tutoring, or ask to see a tutor on a walk-in basis without an appointment. The Learning Center phone number is 925-8900. Please make it a point to become familiar with all of these facilities and the assistance they have to offer you, particularly in connection with this course. I believe you will find them extremely helpful.