Course Syllabus

Spring 2024 | MAT-1020-VO01 - Intermediate Algebra

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Suzanne Gruendling
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Julie Dalley

General Education Requirements

VSCS Mathematics

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course provides an in-depth study of algebra skills including algebraic laws, polynomials, exponents, linear equalities and inequalities, factoring, functions, set notation, graphing in the Cartesian Coordinate system, and applications. Students must take a math assessment for placement purposes prior to registration. Prerequisite: Math and Algebra for College or equivalent skills.

Essential Objectives

1. Solve and graph linear equations and inequalities.
2. Solve equations and inequalities involving absolute value.
3. Given information of a line, such as slope and intercept, find its equation.
4. Use proper set notation for solution sets.
5. Solve systems of linear equations and inequalities of two variables by graphing and using algebraic methods.
6. Perform all operations using polynomials and rational expressions.
7. Factor polynomials such as quadratic trinomials, quadratic binomials (special cases of trinomial factoring), higher order trinomials of the quadratic form, and cubic polynomials.
8. Apply properties of exponents (including positive, negative and fractional exponents) and radicals.
9. Define and graph functions including absolute value, quadratic, and square root.
10. Apply algebraic techniques and models in solving problems that occur in various fields of study.
11. Apply mathematical reasoning to analyze social justice problems in a variety of different contexts and consider whether these approaches are just and equitable.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations, along with free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials.

Spring 2024 textbook/book details will be available on 2023-11-06. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

MAT-1020-VO01 Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

For Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

Textbooks & Technology

The textbook used in this course: Tobey Slater Intermediate Algebra 7th or 8th Edition. The 7th Edition can be found for $10-30 online if you look around resalers.

Technology Requirements: Please make sure you have access to a Scientific Calculator (this is a $12 calculator). You can also use an app or calculator feature on your phone.

Assignments Overview

During this course, there will be review exercises, problems, quizzes, and exams to assess your learning.

Discussion forums are a part of every learning module and are post-first discussions, which means that you will post your reply before seeing the replies of others. Discussions will be graded based on the following rubric:

	Meets Expectations	Approaching Expectations	Does Not Meet Expectations	Points
Analysis	Discussion posting shows significant evidence or understanding of the assigned topic or mathematical problem. (4 points)	Discussion posting shows minimal evidence or understanding of the assigned topic or mathematical problem. (2 points)	Discussion posting shows no evidence or understanding of the assigned topic or mathematical problem. (0 points)	4 points
Replies	Discussion posts are distributed throughout the week and the student responds to postings in a timely manner. (4 points)	The discussion posting contributes to the class conversation. (2 points)	There are no replies to students or the reply does not contribute to the ongoing conversation. (0 points)	4 points
Professional communication that generates learning within the community	The discussion post is clear and demonstrates knowledge and evidence of the assigned topic and elicits further reflection for other learners. (2 points)	The discussion post attempts to elicit responses from other learners. (1 point)	The discussion post contains grammatical errors and does not facilitate effective communication or encourage responses. (0 points)	2 points
			Total Points:	10 points

Assessment

Rubrics are attached to each of your discussions and assignments. It’s important to review the grading rubrics before starting your work so that you will know exactly how your work will be assessed.

Feedback

It is important to review feedback for your assignments and discussions to see where you are meeting expectations and where additional work may be needed.

Course Summary:

Additional Notes:

a) Math is a subject to be learned daily, please make every effort to spend time with the material every day. Many students find it helpful to keep your book and syllabus with you to increase the minutes you can spend reviewing material even if it is just for a few minutes.

This course’s generative AI policy acknowledges the use of AI is an essential skill in today's world. By using AI for specific purposes, students become equipped with the relevant skills and tools necessary to thrive in a technology-driven society. Emphasizing the mastery of generative AI should empower you to harness its potential, enhancing your problem-solving abilities and preparing you
for future challenges and opportunities. Be aware, however, that any time generative AI is used at any point in the assignment without attribution it may be considered a violation of CCV’s Academic Integrity Policy. Our discussion board responses are really important to be authentic student conversation, please use your own words to connect with classmates and respond to their posts. The instructor will indicate when an assignment is acceptable and encouraged to use AI to complete.

Evaluation Criteria

Your final grade will be based on the following assessments:

Assignment Category	Grade Weight Percentage
Discussion Forums	20%
Weekly Assignments	20%
Quizzes	30%
Exams	30%

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Participation is an important aspect of the course. It helps build our online community

Read the assigned material and demonstrate an understanding of those resources in your assignments and posts.

Post an original response to the weekly prompt(s) before Friday at midnight (11:59 PM) and a minimum of three responses to peers before Monday at midnight (11:59 PM). You are welcome to post early and/or more frequently, as your schedule allows, but you will not receive full credit if you do not meet these minimum requirements and/or deadlines.

Posts should be substantive and demonstrate college-level writing. A substantive post is a well-developed paragraph that includes details and outlines steps to solve problems.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity