Math 65

Elementary Algebra

Instructor: Daryl Crew                                                    

Office: Room 2014

Phone: (510) 723-7446                                                  

Office Hours: MW 2:40-4:30 p m, TTh 4:00-4:25 pm

Email: encabulator@yahoo.com

Website: http://online.chabotcollege.edu/dcrew/

Text

Elementary Algebra, Chabot College Edition, Bittinger & Ellenbogen, Pearson Custom Publishing

Course Description

We will be covering topics presented in the text in Chapters 1- 9.  Topics include signed numbers, integer exponents, polynomials and rational expressions; linear, quadratic, and rational equations; linear inequalities; introduction to graphs and set theory; systems of equations.  Prerequisite: Math 105 or 105L (completed with a grade of “C” or higher) or an appropriate skill level demonstrated through the Mathematics assessment process.

Homework

Doing homework is essential to your success in this course.  Homework will be done using MathXL (an online homework system) and will be due once a week. 

Tests

There will be 7 tests given during the term and a comprehensive final exam.  Make-up tests are generally not given, however if you have highly extenuating circumstances and provide me with advance notice I may make an exception to this policy.  Under such circumstances you may be required to provide supporting documentation. The tentative test schedule is as follows:

Test 1	Monday, September 8
Test 2	Monday, September 22
Test 3	Monday, October 6
Test 4	Monday, October 20
Test 5	Monday, November 3
Test 6	Monday, November 17
Test 7	Monday, December 8
Final Exam	Wednesday, December 17

Grades

The homework will count 10% towards the course grade; the midterms, 70%; and the final exam, 20%.  Based upon the preceding percentages an overall course score is computed.  Letter grades are assigned in the following way:

A: 90 and above             B: 80-90            C: 70-80            D: 60-70            F: below 60

Note: If it will improve your overall course score, I will replace your lowest midterm score with your final exam score.  This comes in handy in the event of a “disaster” such as missing a midterm or doing very poorly on a midterm.

Attendance

Your class participation is crucial to your success.  Each class meeting is important.  We will be covering new material almost every time we meet.  In class I will emphasize the key concepts of the material covered to help you focus your efforts and be efficient with your study time.  You are responsible for all material and assignments on days that you are absent.

Withdrawing from the Course

It is your responsibility to officially withdraw from the course.  Do not assume that I will automatically drop you if you stop attending.  Students that disappear in the middle of the term typically receive a grade of F for the course.

Tips for Success

While I certainly hope that you'll find this course to be enjoyable and interesting, I also realize that you may find it rather challenging. 

You can expect to spend 2-3 hours outside of class studying and doing homework for each hour in class.  With such a significant time commitment required on your part it's easy to fall behind.  I'd like to encourage you to plan ahead and make sure that your schedule allows for adequate study time between each class meeting. 

Please feel free to ask questions at any time.  Often some of the best learning takes place during discussions that arise when questions are asked.  Chances are, if you find something unclear in class, so do others.

I encourage you to work with other students when studying and doing your homework assignments, however each student must complete their own homework.  When working as a group, it's important that each member of the group contribute equally.  When completing homework assignments, I would suggest having each member of the group first attempting a problem individually, and then comparing solutions with other members of the group to resolve any discrepancies.