GOALS:  The goal of this course is to teach students topics in Intermediate Algebra which will prepare them for a college mathematics course.  These include functions, linear equations and graphs, systems of linear equations, factoring polynomials, rational functions and equations, quadratic functions and graphs.

PREREQUISITES:  This course is designed for those students who have earned a C or better in MATH 0003 (Beginning Algebra) or who have demonstrated proficiency in basic algebra topics such as linear equations and inequalities and their graphs.

COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS:  Taking a class that has an online component requires you to have access to a computer (with Internet access) to complete assignments. It is your responsibility to have (or have access to) a working computer in this class. Computers are available on campus in various areas as well as in the Academic Success Center. Assignments are due by the due date, and personal computer technical difficulties will not be considered reason for the instructor to allow students extra time to submit required work. Your computer being down is not an excuse for missing a deadline!  

***Registration and participation in MyMathLab is a REQUIRED portion of this course.***

MML:  This class has a unique course id number which you will use to register on the Pearson's MyLab & Mastering website.

HOMEWORK:  All homework assignments are completed online using MyMathLab (MML).  This program is installed on the computers in the Bolin 103, Bolin109, Clark Student Center, Library, Dillard, and Bea Wood computer labs.  You may also choose to use your personal computer; however, you will need to download necessary plug-ins.  An online homework assignment has been created for each textbook section covered in class. Online homework problems may be printed, and the answers entered at a later time. Homework problems are also available from the book but these will not be graded.  Your lowest four homework scores will be dropped and the remaining scores will be averaged to determine your homework grade for the course.  The assigned problems represent a minimum number of problems to be worked.  You are strongly encouraged to work additional problems.

EMAIL:   A valid email account is required for the MyMathLab online homework program and for communications from the instructor.  You may use any personal email account or the account provided to you by MSU.  Include your name and class/section in all emails to the instructor.                                                                                                                                    

FINAL EXAM:  The FINAL EXAM is mandatory for all students.  Failure to take the FINAL EXAM will result in a grade of “0" on the final exam.

GRADES:  Grades will be computed in the following manner:

 Online Homework (MML)  - 100 Points (Maximum)               

4 Tests (100 Points each)  - 400 Points (Maximum)               

 Final Exam (Updated: 100 Points)    - 100 Points (Maximum)               

          Total (Updated)                         - 600 Points (Maximum)               

540-600 Points earned          -   A    

480-539 Points earned          -   B                                                                                                    

420-479 Points earned          -   C

360-419 Points earned          -   D

Below 360 Points earned      -   F

Students are expected to attend all meetings of the classes in which they are enrolled.  Attendance is an essential component of this course and will be checked in every class.

EXCESSIVE ABSENCES:  If you are absent from more than 4 classes on or before March 30, 2020, (last drop day), you will receive a grade of "F" for excessive absences (regardless of your grade average for the course).

EXCUSED/UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:  Absences are not categorized as excused or unexcused.  All absences from class will be counted as official absences except authorized absences (as defined in the Student Handbook).  If you miss class because you are hospitalized or have a death in your family, you should notify the Dean of Students immediately.

AUTHORIZED ABSENCES:  Absences due to required participation in university-sponsored activities must be approved by the Division Director or Athletic Director and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  Students with written approval must present a signed letter or memo to the  instructor at least two days prior to the date of the absence.  Only prior notification can guarantee lack of penalty for these absences.  It is the responsibility of the student to arrange with the instructor to make up all work missed during an authorized absence.

LATE ARRIVALS:  If you arrive after roll has been checked, you will have been counted absent for that class.  It is your responsibility to contact the instructor immediately following class regarding your late arrival.  If you choose not to do so, the absence will be officially recorded.  Any late arrival may be counted as an absence at the instructor's discretion.

CLASSROOM DISRUPTIONS:  Students who need to leave class prior to the dismissal of class must have the permission of the instructor.  If a student has not received the instructor's permission prior to leaving class early, the student will be counted absent for that class.  It is disruptive to the classroom environment for students to leave class for personal reasons and then return to the classroom.  Students may not leave the classroom unless sudden illness occurs.  Students should turn off cellular telephones and pagers during class. It is the policy of the University that dependent children not be cared for in campus offices and classrooms. No food or drink(s) are allowed in classrooms in Bolin Science Hall.

HOMEWORK: Homework must be completed by the due date in order to receive full credit. 

Any changes to the schedule will be announced in class and will be recorded on the MML website.  If there is a discrepancy between MML and the printed schedule, the MML date is binding.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours. Students may meet this requirement in one of three ways: by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, passing two Writing Intensive Courses (only one can be in the core), or passing English 2113. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.