Math 155 Intermediate Algebra
Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa Campus
Course Information for
Section 3248 Monday August 22 – Monday December 19 2016
Section 0443 Friday August 26 – Friday December 23 2016
Instructor Maureen McCarthy
Course Description
This course is an intermediate algebra course, which incorporates the use of technology. The topics in this course
include functions, equations and inequalities in one variable, systems of linear equations in two or three variables,
exponential and logarithmic functions and equations, and discrete topics. Graphing calculators and/or computer
algebra systems will be incorporated as appropriate.
Course Content
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Use graphing technology to demonstrate algebraic concepts, observe and predict the behavior of
functions, and process information, manipulate structures such as matrices, and perform
summations.
2. Analyze the behavior of linear, quadratic, absolute value, radical, polynomial, exponential, and
logarithmic functions, and use functions to solve application problems.
3. Find solutions to equations and inequalities using graphical and algebraic methods.
4. Solve systems of linear equations and inequalities, and apply matrix methods to solve systems in
real world applications.
5. Perform computations with sequence, summation, and factorial notation.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Define function, domain and range and use function notation appropriately. Distributed among all Tests
2. Identify basic features of the graphs of polynomial, radical, absolute value, rational, exponential and
logarithmic functions. Distributed among all Tests
3. Use a graphing calculator to construct graphs, locate roots, intersection %, maximum and
minimum values. Distributed among all Tests
4. Find algebraic and graphical solutions to equations that involve polynomial, radical, absolute value,
rational, exponential and logarithmic functions. Distributed among all Tests
5. Find graphical solutions to nonlinear inequalities in one variable.
6. Find algebraic solutions to literal equations. Distributed among all Tests
7. Solve, either graphically or algebraically, application and modeling problems that use polynomial,
radical, absolute value, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions. Distributed among all Tests
8. Solve linear systems in two and three variables with algebraic methods. Test 1 and Final Exam
9. Express a system of linear equations as an augmented matrix, transform the matrix with a graphing
calculator to its Reduced Row Echelon Form, and interpret the solution set of the system
from the RREF. Test 1 and Final Exam
10. Solve application and modeling problems that require the use of a system of linear equations.
Test 1, Test 2 and Final Exam
11. Find a graphical solution to a system of linear inequalities. Test 2 and Final Exam
12. Use the basic properties of exponents and the common and natural logarithms to simplify expressions
and solve equations. Test 3 and Final Exam
13. Express an understanding of the number e. Test 3 and Final Exam
14. Evaluate sequence and series expressions, by hand and with a calculator. Test 1, Test 3, and Final Exam
15. Use factorial notation and find binomial coefficients by hand and with a calculator. Final Exam
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Math 155 Intermediate Algebra
Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa Campus
Course Information for
Section 3248 Monday August 22 – Monday December 19 2016
Section 0443 Friday August 26 – Friday December 23 2016
Instructor Maureen McCarthy
Required Materials
Textbook Intermediate Algebra, Graphs and Models, 4th Edition, Bittinger, Ellenbogen, Johnson
Johnson, Addison/Wesley, 2012 ISBN-13: 978-0-321-725554
Graphing Calculator A graphing calculator is REQUIRED. TI-84 model is strongly recommended.
Recommended Materials
MyMathLab website for this text for homework help and practice of skills recommended for purchase and
registration at any time during the course where the course is getting away from you (that time may come
sooner than you think or it may not come at all!) Substantial fee!
Optional Materials
Student Solutions Manual for this text available in SRJC Bookstore; MyMathLab website (fee)
Course Evaluation
Class participation, GIVEN attendance
Written, graded homework
Written review assignments
Three in-class tests @15 % each
Final Examination @ 25 %
5%
10 %
15 %
45 %
25 %
100 %
Class Attendance and Participation (5% of the course grade) includes attendance, punctuality, AND class work
submitted at the end of random classes. There are NO makeups for missed class work/classes.
Written, graded homework (10% of the course grade) will have due dates specified on the homework assignment
documents. Late papers are not accepted and there are NO makeups.
Written Review Assignments (15% of the course grade) will have due dates specified on the documents as each is
issued. Students will have access to written review problem sets at least one week before the due date. Late papers are
NOT accepted and there are NO makeups.
The in-class tests (45% of the course grade) during the semester before the final examination will cover topics
specified at least a week before the date of each test. No makeups will be allowed for a missed test AFTER the test
date. Individuals can arrange to take a test BEFORE the scheduled date in case of a necessary, planned absence.
Individuals who miss one test because of illness or emergency can have the final exam count in place of one missed
test. (In effect, this makes the final exam 40% of the course grade.) The tentative test schedule is as follows:
Test 1 Section 0443 Class #10 Saturday September 24 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Section 3248 Class #10 Monday, September 26 7:00 pm – 8:50 pm
Test 2 Section 0443 Class #20 Saturday October 15 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Section 3248 Class #20 Monday, October 31 7:00 pm – 8:50 pm
Test 3 Section 0443 Class #30 Saturday November 12 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Section 3248 Class #30 Monday, December 5 7:00 pm – 8:50 pm
If you know before the listed test date that you cannot be in class for that test, you can make arrangements with me to
take the test early as long as you give me enough advance notice. (“enough” is defined by me.)
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Math 155 Intermediate Algebra
Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa Campus
Course Information for
Section 3248 Monday August 22 – Monday December 19 2016
Section 0443 Friday August 26 – Friday December 23 2016
Instructor Maureen McCarthy
The final examination (25% of the course grade) is cumulative and comprehensive and MUST be taken to earn a
grade of C or better in this course. You cannot arrange to take the final exam BEFORE Monday, December 19, 201
MW Section 3248
Monday, December 19 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
FS Section 0443 Friday, December 23 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Student Resources
Textbook on Reserve QA154.3. B5824 2012 4th Floor Doyle Library. You need Student ID
Monday through Thursday 7:45 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Instructor Office Hours will be available for each class meeting on a “drop-in” basis. The office hours
will be held in the classroom, Shuhaw 1737 for MW, Shuhaw 1713 for FS. Students from either class are
welcome to drop in at any of the times specified. Alternative times can be arranged on an individual basis.
My cell phone number is 707-548-5503.
Section 3248 Classroom Shuhaw 1737
Mondays AFTER class 8:50 pm – 9:30 pm
Wednesdays BEFORE class 6:20 pm – 7:00 pm
Section 0443 Classroom Shuhaw 1713
Fridays AFTER class 7:50 pm – 8:30 pm
Saturdays BEFORE class 1:20 pm – 2:00 pm
Doyle Library Tutorial Center First Floor, Room 4251. The staff consists of professional tutorial
assistants and student tutors. Individual consultations by sign-up and group meetings by arrangement are
available. Call 521-6903 for Tutorial Center hours.
Shuhaw Mathematics Computer Lab and Shuhaw Tutorial Center Located in Shuhaw 1733,1735. This
facility is open August 22 – December 16 Call 527-4708 for Fall 2016 hours. Mondays through Thursdays,
the staff includes mathematics instructors and student assistants. Fridays, student assistants are on duty. In
addition, there are several computers in the computer lab next door, Shuhaw 1735 where students who have
opted can work on MyMathLab. Shuhaw Tutorial Center not staffed on Thursdays, Fridays.
The cost for this four-unit course is as follows:
~$214 for fees and tuition
~$170 for textbook. There are rental options (Amazon, et al)
TI-84 calculator, @ ~ $75-$150 There are rental options.
You may need a parking permit @ ~$60.
The total can be as much as $500!
READ THE STUDENT/INSTRUCTOR DETAILS ON THE NEXT PAGE AS
YOU THINK ABOUT WHOEVER IS SPENDING THIS MONEY!
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Math 155 Intermediate Algebra
Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa Campus
Course Information for
Section 3248 Monday August 22 – Monday December 19 2016
Section 0443 Friday August 26 – Friday December 23 2016
Instructor Maureen McCarthy
Student Initiated OBLIGATIONS/CHOICES
You MUST be committed to consistent attendance and out-of-class time (at least 4 hours a week minimum), in order to
succeed with a grade of C or better. If you opt to use MyMathLab (for a fee) as a practice and reinforcement tool, the
time required is probably doubled.
You should seek help as soon as you need it, with homework, with written review assignments, with class lessons.
You can withdraw from this course by Sunday, Sept 4, 2016 and receive a refund tor fees/tuition.
You can withdraw from this course by Sunday, Sept 11, 2016 with no fee/tuition refund without a course grade of W.
(There is then no official record of your having been enrolled in the course.)
You can opt for a grade of Pass/No Pass for this course by Sunday, October 11, 2016. A grade of Pass is awarded for
a student with a grade of C or higher. A grade of No Pass is awarded for a student with a grade of D or F. The
Pass/NoPass option is available for students who are protecting their GPA from letter grade assignment in this course.
You can withdraw from this course by Sunday, November 20, 2016 with a grade of W. This grade does not affect
your GPA and allows you to sign up again for the course in a future semester.
Instructor Initiated OBLIGATIONS/CHOICES
I am always available for homework help, via the internet or with a private meeting convenient to us both.
I am always available for discussion of written review assignments and tests AFTER grading.
I am always receptive to notification of extended absence in case of emergency or ongoing illness. I will work with
you to make up work if the situation warrants it.
I will drop you from the course for excessive absence (more than three class meetings) at any time after your fourth
class absence if you are not succeeding at least at C level cumulative grade at the time of that fourth absence.
I will drop you from the course if your behavior consistently reflects a lack of respect to other classmates (including
me).
I will drop you from the course if you are unable to demonstrate the level of responsibility that I expect in a college
class of adults who are serious about our mutual use of time in this educational endeavor.
I am the numbers manager at the end of the course and I can’t change what you have or haven’t done by that
time. I want you to succeed but you have to work at it as hard as I do. I can’t “fix” your grade for you. I
can’t adjust your grade because you have “potential.” I NEED RESULTS! It will be what it will be.
This course information document represents a contract between student and instructor. If you remain
enrolled in this class and take the final examination, you and I are MUTUALLY bound by it.
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