Course Syllabus

Fall 2025 | MAT-1230-VU01 - College Algebra

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Warren Ellison
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Nick Molander

General Education Requirements

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 prepares students for precalculus by reviewing the fundamental concepts of algebra. Topics include equations and inequalities, exponents, radicals, functions, systems of equations, polynomials, and applications. Prerequisite: Intermediate Algebra or equivalent skills.

Essential Objectives

1. Solve linear equations and inequalities.
2. Graph linear equations in the Cartesian Coordinate system using slope and intercepts and, given information about a line, find its equation.
3. Simplify radicals and solve radical equations.
4. Solve quadratic, rational equations, and systems of equations.
5. Define, identify, and graph functions.
6. Define properties of logarithmic and exponential functions, discuss their applications, and demonstrate their basic operations.
7. Apply algebraic concepts to problem-solving and the solution of word problems.
8. Demonstrate proficiency in understanding, interpreting, evaluating, and applying quantitative data and information to real-world situations.
9. 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 computer recommendations Support page.

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.

Fall 2025 textbook details will be available on 2025-05-19. 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-1230-VU01 Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

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.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Prohibited: The use of generative AI is not allowed in this course, with the exception of spellcheck, grammar check and similar tools. This course rests in the value of students engaging in the learning process without relying on AI-generated content. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently, owning their learning journey from start to finish. If you use these tools, your actions would be considered academically dishonest and a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

This is an algebra course designed to help students learn to perform the logical steps to solve problems. The standard algebra system has been used and understood for centuries. It is a testament to its wonderful logic that clever people have used the system to create machines capable of using algebra itself to solve problems without humans! Some of them are small enough to fit in your hands.

I think it is good for human beings to learn the milestones of human civilization, and one of them is algebra. So, let's do the tasks necessary to learn algebra with our own brains. To that end, I don't permit the use of algebraic capable calculators (such as the TI-Nspire class of calculators etc) on quizzes and tests.

Methods

1. Weekly lectures with discussion, guided excercises, word problems, and puzzles.

2. Weekly homework problem sets from the textbook.

3. Occasional quizzes and a final exam.

4. Numerical calculations and estimations will be done by pencil, brain, and machine. A basic calculator is appropriate (you don't need a graphing calculator). The calculator should be able to figure square roots and perhaps have the ability to raise a number to a power and figure logarithms. A TI-30or equivalent isappropriate.

Evaluation Criteria

30% Homework

15% Class Participation and Attitude

35% Quizzes

20% Final Exam

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.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Grades are based on performance. That performance will be judged based on your quality of coming to class, behaving with a proper & respectful attitude, doing class/home work, submitting assignments, and taking quizzes/tests. All of these activities work together to create a successful learning experience.

If students are absent or non-attentive, if homework is late, neglected or missing, or if quizzes/tests are skipped, the results of the semester simply won't be rewarding.

So... Please be responsible and do the work needed to be a successful student. It is the responsibility of every student to communicate their needs to the teacher. If for some reason a student needs to be absent, an assignment needs an extension, or a test needs to be postponed, it is required that the student work out a plan with the teacher before the situation arises or the due date occurs. Hopefully an amenable resolution can be found.

There is a limit, however. Credit is not given for homework problem sets after solution sets have been distributed. Late assignments are not accepted after their associated tests have been given. The point of doing problem sets and homework is to give students time to practice the material and get feedback before examinations. Turning in preparatory material after solutions are given or when feedback can not be helpful for better test-taking seems counter productive.

Speak with the teacher about difficulties and extenuating situations. Communication usually makes all the difference.

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

Apply Now for this semester.