TEXTBOOK: Contemporary College Algebra, T W. Hungerford, 2nd Edition

GRAPHIC CALCULATOR: TI-83

PRE-REQUISITE:

You should have already completed INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA before you enroll in this course. The most common cause of failure in this course is a poor background in algebra.

ATTENDANCE:

You are required to attend all classes and to be on time. If you miss a class, it is YOUR responsibility to find out what happened in the class you miss. (Any assignment, Any change of test date. I will not be able to give you a private lesson.) For each class you miss you are expected to hand me a note explaining:

1. Your name
2. The date you were absent
3. The reason for your absence
4. How you intend to make up the class you missed

"I did not know that because I missed that class" is NOT a valid excuse. Students who miss an excessive number of classes will be required to submit written work proving that they have mastered the necessary material or their grade will be reduced appropriately.

If you are absent the day of a regularly scheduled test, a grade of ZERO is automatically recorded on my records as your test grade. You will be permitted to make up this zero only when you can confirm that you were absent for serious reasons beyond your control. In such cases, you must phone 256-4500, ext-3877 on the day of the test. Leave a message for me including your name and phone number, the reason for your absence and the date you anticipate returning.

ONLY WHEN A STUDENT PHONES IN AND PRESENTS DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE WILL THAT STUDENT BE PERMITTED TO MAKE UP THE TEST. STUDENTS WHO FAIL TO PHONE AND LEAVE THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL BE ASSIGNED THE GRADE OF ZERO FOR THAT TEST.

When a student returns from illness, the manner in which the test is made up will be determined by Dr. Zeng.
IF A MAKE UP TEST IS GIVEN, IT ALWAYS COVERS MORE MATERIAL THAT THE ORIGINAL TEST IN CLASS. THE MAKE UP TEST MAY INCLUDE ALL MATERIAL COVERED IN CLASS TO DATE.

At times an important activity will conflict with my assigned test date. Call such cases to my attention in writing well in advance of the test date. I will consider your request to take the test at another time. Usually you are asked to schedule the makeup BEFORE the regular test is given.

THERE WILL BE NO MAKE UP TEST FOR ACADEMIC REASON ABSOLUTELY.

ASSIGNMENTS AND WORK LOAD:

You are expected to spend time to study and read the appropriate sections of the textbook as they are covered in class. Unless otherwise specified, the due day for written assignments is the first class we met after the day they were assigned. Mathematical courses are very different from the others. You cannot afford to be behind - not even for one or two classes.

TESTS AND GRADE:

There will be THREE major tests. Tentatively I am scheduling test for

Test 1, Feb. 14, Wed., ( Chapter 0 – 3 )
Test 2, Mar. 28, Wed., ( Chapter 3 – 5 )
Test 4, Final Week ( Chapter 5, 6, 8)

Your final grade will be the average of the 3 tests. The numerical averages will be converted to letter grades by the following scale:

90 to 100 = A
80 to 89 = B
70 to 79 = C
60 to 69 = D
0 TO 59 = F

PASS NO-CREDIT OPTION:

There is no such option for this course. The only grades I assign are A, B, C, D, F (+ or –).

CHEATING:

Cheating on a test seriously undermines the integrity of the academic system and will not be tolerated. If I determine that a student has cheated, I will send a letter to this effect to his or her advisor and all sources of financial aid. In addition I will
assign the grade of F for this course.

Even though a student is not cheating, he or she is expected to refrain from actions which could be suspicious. Using common sense on your part should avoid unnecessary embarrassment.

DROPPING THE COURSE

Please make up your mind as soon as possible whether you are going to stay in this course. The sooner you make up your mind, the easier it is for you to drop the course in terms of the signatures you will need to get, and the refund you might get as well. IF YOU ARE DOING POORLY, BE REALISTIC ABOUT YOUR CHANCES; TALK WITH ME EARLY.

In cases where a student simply stops attending class without ever going through the necessary procedure with the registrar, the grade of F is assigned.

HELP OUTSIDE CLASS:

Please ask all questions in class. In this way other students can profit by the answer.
If you have questions that were not answered well in class, I can usually answer them for you after class. I will not be available for extensive tutoring.

BUILDING REGULATION:

Please no smoking, eating or drinking in the classroom.
Please do not bring children to class.
Please do not bring any pet to class.

OFFICE HOURS

My office is in the Math. Dept. 2nd Floor, Room 229c, Robinson Building, My Office Hours are

Mon., Wed., 1:00 pm -1:45 pm,
Tues., Thurs., 12:05 pm -12:20 pm,
Fri., 11:40 am - 1:45 pm

or by appointment. (Phone: ext 3877 or e-mail : zeng@rowan.edu)

MATHEMATICS AND LEARNING MATHEMATICS

Tom Osler

1. Why is mathematics different from all other academic subjects?

Some 2300 years ago Euclid, a Greek mathematician, wrote a 13 volume treatise on geometry called The Elements. It contained hundreds of theorems. During the past 2300 years, not one of these theorems has been proven wrong. No other subject is like this. Once a mathematical fact has been demonstrated, its truth is evident to all who make the effort to understand it. It remains true forever. All other ancient subjects have changed drastically since they first appeared. Only mathematics remains unchanged, and universally unchallenged.
Also, mathematics is truly universal. A number, a triangle, and a circle are perceived in the same way by a male, female, European, African, Asian, etc. There is no cultural bias in mathematics.

2. Who is responsible for my mathematical education?

YOU ARE!!! You are an adult attending a university. What you learn from this course depends on how seriously YOU pay attention in class and study outside of class.

3. How should I learn mathematics?

Begin by doing the homework your professor assigns. You must practice doing mathematics by yourself. Mathematics is not a spectator activity. It is important to attend class, pay attention and ask questions, but watching the professor solve problems is no substitute for your doing problems yourself. Hours and hours of problem solving are necessary to master complex mathematical ideas. Don’t be afraid to repeat the homework by doing it a second or third time.

4. If I get an A or B in the course, have I mastered the subject?

Maybe yes, but maybe no. Some students are able to “ace the test” by cramming a few days before it, and doing little else. In this case, the student might get a high grade, but also quickly forget the material. There is no substitute for spending hours and hours wrestling with the complex ideas presented in a mathematics course. At times students with a high GPA do poorly on national exit examinations such as the Graduate Record Exam or National Teachers Exams. This often reflects their study habits. They work just hard enough to get good grades, but not hard enough to really master the ideas. Remember, there is no substitute for hard work.