Instructor: John Kwon
Office: Shuhaw 1720
Phone: (707) 527-4373
e-mail: [email protected]
Office hours:
Mondays: 9:30 – 10:30 am, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Tuesdays: 9:30 – 10:30 am, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Wednesdays: 9:30 – 10:30 am
Thursdays: 9:30 – 10:30 am, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
(Additional hours may be available by appointment.)
Math 150B: Elementary Algebra 2 (Spring 2017, Section 5151)
Mondays & Wednesdays 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, at Room 1783 Shuhaw Hall
Textbook: Beginning Algebra, 7th edition, by Elayn Martin-Gay
Prerequisites: Course Completion of MATH 150A.
Course Homepage:
1030am-12pm
https://canvas.santarosa.edu/courses/20463/pages/math-150b-section-5151-mw-
Course Description: We will mainly cover material from chapters 4, 7, 8, and 9. This is a 3-unit course
covering the second half of a beginning algebra course, including systems of equations, rational
expressions, radicals and rational exponents, quadratic equations, and the graphs of parabolas. (Note: The
combination of MATH 150A and MATH 150B is equivalent to MATH 151. Therefore, this class is not
open to those who have taken MATH 151 with a grade of "C" or better.)
Calculators: Non-graphing scientific calculators are the only type of calculators permitted to use on
exams. The use of a graphing calculator or a cell-phone calculator is NOT allowed. You will NOT be
permitted to share a calculator during an exam, so please make sure to bring your own calculator to class.
Attendance: Attending every class meeting is critically important. Missing classes can severely affect
your grade. An absence during the first three weeks may result in being dropped from the class. The
following statements are from the SRJC attendance policy:
“Students are expected to attend all sessions of the course in which they are enrolled.”
“A student may be dropped from any class when that student’s absences exceed ten percent of the
total hours of class time.”
If you wish to drop the class, it is your responsibility to make the drop official.

If you have a perfect attendance and your final grade percentage falls within 1% below the cutoff
point for the higher grade, your final grade will be bumped up to the higher grade.
Homework: Homework is assigned on a daily basis and collected in class every Monday. A typical
homework assignment consists of problems from several sections (anywhere between 2-5, usually 3 or 4).
(IMPORTANT: No late homework will be accepted for any reason; however, you will be allowed
to submit up to two makeup assignments near the end of the semester.)

Instructions for Homework Assignments:
1. Do every homework assignment on standard-sized paper (8 ½ by 11 inches).
2. Staple all sheets together in the order of sections if more than one sheet of paper is needed.
3. Please begin each section of exercises on a new piece of paper and write the section number
(such as “Section 4.1”) on the top of the page.
4. Clearly label each problem with the corresponding problem number, and have the final
answer boxed or circled.
5. Show all necessary work. An answer with the correct final solution presented with
insufficient or no work will result in 0 points for that problem.

How Your Homework Will Be Graded:
1. Initially, each homework assignment will be graded out of 10 points.
2. 6 points will be awarded for trying all of the problems, clearly showing all necessary work
and solution in a neat and organized manner.
3. The remaining 4 points will be given based on two problems that will be selected randomly
and graded for correctness, with each problem worth 2 points.
4. At the end of the semester, your total homework score will be rescaled to a 110-point scale
before being added to the final tally of your scores (See the “grading” section below).
Quizzes: At the beginning of many Wednesday class meetings, in-class quizzes will be given. The
quizzes will be similar to the problems from the previous homework assignment. Every quiz will be an
individual, closed-book assignment.
In-class Assignments (ICAs): In-class assignments may be given instead of quizzes on some
Wednesdays, depending on the current material and available class time. Unlike a quiz, in an in-class
assignment you may work with other students or use your textbook and notes. One in-class assignment
will be worth the same number of points as one quiz.

No make-up opportunity will be given for a quiz or an in-class assignment, so please avoid
missing classes on the days when in-class assignments are given. Your lowest quiz/ICA
score will be dropped.

At the end of the semester, your total score from all of the quizzes and all ICAs (minus the lowest
quiz/ICA score) will be rescaled to a 110-point scale before being added to the final tally of your
scores (See the “grading” section below).
Exams: There will be 3 exams during the semester before the Final Exam. Make-up exams will be given
for only serious and compelling reasons, and I must be notified prior to the scheduled exam time. You
must show all work for exam problems. An answer without any work will receive no partial credit.

At the end of the semester, your score from each of the exams will be rescaled to a 180-point
scale before being added to the final tally of your scores (See the “grading” section below).
Final Exam: The Final Exam will be given from 10:00 am to 12:45 pm on Monday, May 22. The
Final Exam will be cumulative, meaning it will cover everything we will have discussed during the entire
semester. If the percentage on your Final Exam is higher than your lowest exam score, your Final
Exam percentage will replace your lowest exam score before your exam scores get rescaled to 180
points.
Grading Policy: Points may be obtained as follows:
Homework Assignments:
Quizzes/In-class Assignments:
Exams (180 pts each, after rescaling):
Final Exam:
110 points (after rescaling)
110 points (after rescaling)
540 points
240 points
Total:
1000 points
Your final letter grade will be assigned as follows:
Percentage out of 1000 points:
90% and above
80-89.9%
70-79.9%
60-69.9%
0-59.9%
Final Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO): Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Graph quadratic equations in two variables.
2. Perform operations on radical and rational expressions.
3. Solve quadratic, rational, and radical equations.
4. Solve systems of equations and graph systems of inequalities.
5. Use algebraic problem solving methods in a variety of applications.
Objectives: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Solve systems of equations and inequalities in two variables and related applications. (SLO #4)
2. Perform operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on radical expressions
and simplify. (SLO #2)
3. Solve radical equations and related applications. (SLO #3, #5)
4. Manipulate expressions involving rational exponents. (SLO #2)
5. Perform operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on rational expressions,
and simplify rational expressions and complex fractions. (SLO #2)
6. Solve rational equations and related applications. (SLO #3, #5)
Solve quadratic equations by completing the square and the quadratic formula. (SLO #1, #3)
The student learning outcomes and the objectives above are found on the course outline of records here.
Important Dates:
January 16
January 22
January 29
February 5
February 5
February 16
February 20
March 20 – 26
April 23
May 17
May 22
Martin Luther King Holiday (No Class)
Last day to add without instructor’s approval
Last day to drop and be eligible for a refund
Last day to add with instructor’s approval (signature/add code)
Last day to drop without receiving a “W” on your transcript
Professional Development Activity Institutional Day (No Class)
Washington’s Day Holiday (No Class)
Spring Break (No Class)
Last day to drop with a “W” on your transcript
Last day of class
Final Exam (10:00 am – 12:45 pm)
Student Conduct: We will conduct ourselves in a manner which reflects our awareness of common
standards of decency and the rights of others. All students in this class are expected to know the Student
Conduct Code and adhere to it. Students who violate the code may be suspended for two class meetings
and referred to Vice President of Student Services for discipline.
Respect: The best way to learn is through active participation; therefore, we respect others by being on
time, listening actively, and by being polite even when we disagree with another’s viewpoint. Please turn
off all electronic devices. If you use a laptop for note taking, please sit in the front row with the sound off.
No food in class please.
Academic Integrity: All written work is to be original; plagiarism of any kind will result in a failing
grade on that assignment. Students who plagiarize or cheat may be suspended for two class meetings and
referred to the Vice President of Student Services for discipline sanction, in cases of egregious violation.
Please read the college policy/procedure on academic integrity.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: If you need disability related accommodations for this
class, such as a note taker, test-taking services, special furniture, etc., please provide the Authorization for
Academic Accommodations (AAA letter) from the Disability Resources Department (DRD) to the
instructor as soon as possible. You may also speak with the instructor privately during office hours about
your accommodations. If you have not received authorization from DRD, it is recommended that you
contact them directly. DRD is located on the third floor of Bertolini Student Center on the Santa Rosa
campus, and 101 Jacobs Hall on the Petaluma Campus.
Help & Resources:
 The Computer and Mathematics Lab: A wonderful team of tutors are there to help you with your
studies. A variety of mathematics softwares for student use at this PC/Macintosh lab are also
available. Open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm Mondays through Thursdays, and 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
on Fridays. Located at Shuhaw Hall Room 1733. For more information, please call (707) 5274708 or click on the link above.

Tutorial Center: Open 8:00 am to 7:00 pm Mondays through Thursdays, and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
on Fridays. Located on Doyle Library, first floor, Room 4251. Individual appointments and
math study groups are available. For more information, please call (707) 521-6903 or click on
the link above.

Calculator Rental: Calculators can be rented free of charge for 72 hours at the information desk
in Bertolini Student Center. If the rented calculator is not returned on time, there will be a
penalty of $5 for the first hour after the 72 hours, followed by $1 for every additional hour
thereafter. Semester-long checkout of calculators may also be available at the library circulation
desk.

Private Tutors: Click on the link for the list of private tutors that the Math Department office has.

Office Hours: I have office hours to assist your learning. Please feel free to drop by with your
list of questions.
About the Syllabus:
 This syllabus is an agreement; continued enrollment in this course means that you agree to the
policies and procedures outlined in this syllabus.

This syllabus is intended to give the student a general guideline in what may be covered during
the semester and will be followed as closely as possible. However, the instructor reserves the
right to modify, supplement and make changes as the course needs arise.