MAT 1033C Intermediate Algebra, 3 credit hours
Department of Mathematics, College of Sciences
University of Central Florida
Instructor:
Office:
Phone
E-mail
Office
hours
Keith Carlson
MSB 106
[email protected]
TBD; will be posted in
Webcourses and outside
office door; MWF 9-10am,
TuTh 11am-12pm, or by
appointment
Term: Fall 2016
Classroom: MSB240/241/242
Section 1:
T R 09:30 AM - 10:50 AM
Course Description: MAT 1033, Intermediate Algebra, is a 3-semester-hour college credit course that may be
applied towards a degree as elective credit. Since it is considered a “bridge” course, MAT 1033 cannot be
applied towards the 6 hours of general education or Gordon Rule requirements in mathematics. MAT1033 is a
prerequisite to MAC 1105, College Algebra. The purpose of the course is reinforcement and development of
algebra skills needed for further study in mathematics. Topics include operations with polynomials and rational
expressions, radicals, rational expressions, rational exponents, linear and quadratic equations, linear
inequalities, and applications.
Course Goals: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Factor positive
integers into products of primes. 2. Simplify algebraic expressions. 3. Recognize the order of operations in
algebraic expressions and equations. 4. Manipulate rational expressions. 5. Convert between standard and
scientific notation. 6. Add, multiply, and divide polynomials. 7. Factor monomials from polynomials, factor
trinomials, and use the special factoring formulas. 8. Simplify expressions involving radicals, rational
exponents, and absolute value. 9. Set up and solve word problems. 10. Solve linear, quadratic, and radical
equations. 11. Solve linear inequalities. 12. Complex numbers.
Required Materials:
1. MyLabsPlus (MLP) Access Code for Intermediate Algebra for College Students, 7th edition by
Blitzer. Temporary financial aid access code valid for two weeks will be provided, in case of need, to
help you start working till you purchase your own code.
2. Four new 8.5”×11” bluebooks/greenbooks (books must be blank i.e. nothing written on or in). They
will be used for testing.
3. TI-30XA calculator. Only the TI-30XA will be supplied on tests. Absolutely no graphing calculator or
programmable calculator should be used in class. It is best if you buy a TI-30XA and practice with it.
Proctors are not allowed to answers questions about calculator use during tests.
4. Regular notebook (spiral-bound, binder) to keep neat and organized work.
Note: iClicker2 is not needed in this class.
Students must purchase an access code to web-based MyLabsPlus (MLP). This can be purchased at the UCF
bookstore or directly from the course website. More information available during first class and in
Webcourses. You will also need access to Webcourses@UCF. We will access MLP from Webcourses using a
single sign-on feature or at www.ucf.mylabsplus.com. During testing you must close Webcourses or any other
window except the MLP test window.
Required Academic Activity: As of fall 2014, all faculty members are required to document students'
academic activity at the beginning of each course. In order to document that you began this course, please
complete the following academic activity by the end of the first week of classes, REQUIRED ACADEMIC
ACTIVITY: quiz in Webcourses no later than August 26, 2016 5:00 pm EDT. Failure to do so may result in a
delay in the disbursement of your financial aid.
Exam dates:
Time
Room
Tests
Date
Test 1 (Proctored)
9/15/16
Same meeting time/ Same classroom
Test 2 (Proctored)
10/13/16
Same meeting time/ Same classroom
Test 3 (Proctored)
11/10/16
Same meeting time/ Same classroom
Final Exam (Proctored)*
12/8/16
7:00 AM – 9:50 AM
Same classroom
*No student should make travel plans prior to or on this day unless they have met early finish criteria.
No make-ups without instructor approval. Legitimate documentation must be presented.
Grading Scale:
Average
Grade
90 – 100%
A
80 – 89%
B
70 – 79%
C**
40 – 69% (must take final)
D
Otherwise
F
The official method of contact is Knights
email. Always include your full name,
NID, math class section number (not
class meeting time). Grade discussion
must be in person.
** Students must take the final exam and the final exam is comprehensive.
Academic Honesty: All students are required to abide by the Academic Honesty Guidelines. We must develop,
sustain and protect an academic environment of honesty, trust, and respect. Please read and understand all
policies listed in http://integrity.sdes.ucf.edu/, http://www.goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu *. The Z Designation will be
used in cases of academic dishonesty. Please see: http://www.z.ucf.edu/ for complete details.
Grading Scale: Your final grade will be no less that the following:
Option Option Option
(a)
(b)
(c)
Homework
(MLP+WSP)
Quizzes (MLP)
Class Activity
8%
8%
8%
7%
5%
7%
5%
7%
5%
The student’s grade average will be calculated using all
three options (a, b and c) and the highest average will be
used to determine the students’ final letter grade.
Note: At least your lowest homework and lowest class
activity grades and quiz will be dropped prior to calculating
your final overall grade.
15%
Best 2
Test 1
are
15%
Test 2
30%
15%
Test 3
35%
50%
80%
Final
Students must take the final exam and the final
is comprehensive.
Accessibility Related Accommodations: It is my goal that
Extra Credit (up to 5%):
this class be an accessible and welcoming experience for all
Study Plan, 35 mastery points = 1% added to
students, including those with disabilities that may impact
overall grade. Maximum of 5%.
learning in this class. If anyone believes the design of this
Total must be at most 100%.
course poses barriers to effectively participating and/or
demonstrating learning in this course, please meet with me (with or without a Student Accessibility Services
(SAS) accommodation letter) to discuss reasonable options or adjustments. During our discussion, I may
suggest the possibility/necessity of your contacting SAS (Ferrell Commons 185; 407-823-2371; [email protected])
to talk about academic accommodations. You are welcome to talk to me at any point in the semester about
course design concerns, but it is always best if we can talk at least one week prior to the need for any
modifications.
Make-up Policy: There are no make-ups.
Make-up tests will be given for legitimate reasons recognized by the university. To take a make-up exam, you
have to obtain permission from your instructor ahead of time. Same applies to class activities, and their
passwords will not be emailed or posted online.
FINISHING EARLY: After Test 2, students who
complete all homework and quiz sets 1 to 11 with an average of
80% or better can check with their instructor about any other
requirements to schedule taking Test 3 early.
complete all assigned homework and quiz sets with an average of
80% or better can check with their instructor about any other
requirements to schedule taking final exam early.
 All tests can be taken at most once. The student final course grade will be calculated using
assignments up to final test date.
TEST POLICIES & PROCEDURES:
Tests (except the final exam) will be during your regularly scheduled class time on the date indicated in the
course outline above. Therefore, no reservations are needed (except early testing). The date and time of the
final exam will be confirmed. Follow this check list:

Have an active (not expired) access code. You should check your account before you go to your test.
Memorize your NID and password to log in to a computer and Webcourses.
Make sure that you arrive early as the test will start on time. You will lose elapsed time if you are late
or don’t know login information and need to retrieve it.
If you miss any of the first three tests you'll default to option (b) in which a missed test is replaced by
the final exam.
You must have a UCF ID and put it on the desk to the left of the keyboard to make it easy for the staff
to check.
Bring an 8 ½” x 11” bluebook/greenbook with nothing written on it (see UCF bookstore or vending
machine outside MALL or Student Union front desk).
Bring $.50 (two quarters) if you are going to use a locker (read instruction before you use a locker so
you don't lose the money before it locks). No personal belongings are allowed during testing.
Bring at least one writing utensil.
During a test, a password will be provided by a proctor.
NO cellphones, NO skateboards, NO calculators (you'll be given a TI-30XA), NO smart watches. (If
you don't want to put them in a locker please don't bring them with you and don't jeopardize your final
grade).
When you have finished your test, raise your hand, and a proctor will collect your green/bluebook and
calculator.
At all times, you must abide by Mathematics Assistance and Learning Lab (MALL) Policies and
Procedures; please visit http://mall.cos.ucf.edu/ as it is the student’s responsibility to read, understand
and follow policies.
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COURSE STRUCTURE:
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This class allows you an easy structure in which class meetings are fixed.

This class allows you on-demand assistance and takes advantage of an advanced learning
technology.

The weekly homework is in two parts, MyLabsPlus (MLP) and Workspace (WSP). Both parts
combined include about 50 exercises or less per week. Some problems may have multiple parts.
Completing one part gives you credit only for that part. The two types of homework will give
you resources and opportunities to strengthen your skills and improve your knowledge. WSP
allows you to check your steps as you work on the problems. You should always write all
necessary steps in your notebook. Avoid treating both parts the same way, just plugging in the
final answer. When you are working on MLP homework the system will learn about you and
when you are stuck the adaptive component called
Skill Builder will help you.
HW = MLP + WP

Anytime you use a helping tool like “Help Me Solve This” you should write the steps and
understand how it may apply to different examples. Write all steps in your notebook.

Weekly quizzes are in MLP and they usually have 10 problems each. The problems are
pooled, so when you retake the quiz to improve your score, the system will ask you similar
questions to test your understanding. Again, writing notes while working homework will
help you with the quizzes.
Quizzes = mlp

During each class meeting you’ll be provided with a password to take a short quiz.
Passwords will not be emailed.

When you are finished with assignments and have free time, click on Study Plan. It will
show you skills that need to be improved and also how you collect points toward extra credit.

It is imperative that you stud y your notes, homework and quizzes
prior to taking any test.
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T ypical week workload = Homework (MLP+WSP) + Quiz (MLP)+
Class Activity (MLP in classroom).

Test week workload = t ypical week workload + test.
Keep the tests in mind while working on
homework and quizzes, so that you learn and
retain what you have learned.
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This class allows you access to a team consisting of your instructor, graduating teaching
assistants and tutors. They are available and dedicated to your learning and success. So, ask for
help.
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Your class meets two times a week for 80 minutes each time (except when the campus is
closed). Please arrive on time and stay for the whole time. During class your instructor or
the teaching assistant will review the objective topics on which you are having the most
difficulty or introduce topics you are ready to learn. There will be a short password
protected quiz to track your attendance and participation. The passwords will not be
emailed or posted online. Sharing a password with an absent student is considered an
academic dishonesty. This quiz is for a grade and it replaces the iClicker used in some
large lecture hall classes.

Tests: There will be three tests and a comprehensive final exam which together are worth
80% of the total grade. There will be no make-up tests except for approved cases (see
policy). See grading options in which the comprehensive final replaces lowest test(s). Tests
are proctored, closed note/closed book, and password protected.
Attend class regularly, do your assignments on
time, use tutoring, do the study plan, ask
questions and don’t wait until the last minute to
complete any work.

NO MALL hours are required.
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS: For most students, success in Intermediate
Algebra and using MLP requires spending 4-6 hours each week working
in the system. For other students, it will require more time. It is essential
that you begin work immediately and commit the necessary time each
week. Begin by working on the assignments.
You are not expected to learn on your own; please always ask for help.
All students are asked to log in daily to both MLP and
WEBCOURSES accounts to find out about assignments
and due dates.
Useful links http://mall.cos.ucf.edu/
Disclaimer: Instructor has the right to make some adjustments to syllabus and any adjustment will be
announced in class and via email or Webcourses announcements.