Please read this entire document regarding MAT 002 very carefully.

In order to be successful in college, students should be aware of the rigorous nature of the studies involved. If conscientious, most students can succeed. However, each student brings differing motivation, background, and preparation, among the more measurable characteristics, to a college career. In addition, the various programs and courses offered at the college have different levels of complexity. In particular, it should be noted that mathematics is a subject that requires a maximum effort.

And now for some particulars:

Instructor: Dr. Cheifetz

Office: B3065

Office hours: Tuesday, 10:00-11:15 and Wednesday 9:30-10:45

My phone: 572-7932

Math office phone: 572-7383

email : philip.cheifetz@ncc.edu

web page http: //newton.matcmp.ncc.edu/~cheifp/

Text: Introductory Algebra, 4th edition by Martin-Gay

Topics covered:
Section       Topic
1.8       Simplifying expressions
2.1       The addition property of equality
2.2       The multiplication property of equality
2.3       Further solving linear equations
2.4       An introduction to problem solving
2.5       Formulas and problem solving
2.6       Percent and mixture problem solving (only objective A: solving percent equations)
2.7       Linear inequalities and problem solving
3.1       Exponents
3.2       Negative exponents and scientific notation
3.3       Introduction to polynomials
3.4       Adding and subtracting polynomials
3.5       Multiplying polynomials
3.6       Special products
3.7       Dividing polynomials (only objective A: dividing by a monomial)
4.1       The greatest common factor (not objective D: factoring by grouping)
4.2       Factoring trinomials of the form
4.5       Factoring perfect square trinomials and the difference of two squares
4.6       Solving quadratic equations by factoring (not objective B: solving equations with degree greater than two by factoring)
4.7       Quadratic equations and problem solving (a = 1 only)
5.1       Simplifying rational expressions (with minimal factoring)
5.2       Multiplying and dividing rational expressions (with minimal factoring, not objective D: converting between units of measure)
5.3       Adding and subtracting rational expressions with the same denominator and least common denominators (with minimal factoring)
5.4       Adding and subtracting rational expressions with different denominators (with minimal factoring)
5.6       Proportion and problem solving with rational equations
6.1       Reading graphs and the rectangular coordinate system (not objective C: creating scatter diagrams)
6.2       Graphing linear equations
6.3       Intercepts
6.4       Slope and rate of change
6.5       Equations of lines
7.2       Solving systems of linear equations by substitution
7.3       Solving systems of linear equations by addition
8.1       Introduction to radicals (not objective C: finding nth roots)
8.2       Simplifying radicals
8.3       Adding and subtracting radicals
8.4       Multiplying and dividing radicals
8.6       Radical Equations and Problem Solving (only objective A: Using the Pythagorean Theorem)
9.3       Solving quadratic equations by the quadratic formula

Calculator:
All students must bring a calculator to class each day. Strongly recommended is the TI 30X11S. It will be used during class and for all exams. Neither graphing calculators nor algebraic manipulators (such as the TI83/TI 89/TI 92) are allowed.

Exams and Grades:
There will be at least three exams. Additional exams and quizzes may be given. A departmental computerized exit exam will be administrated at the end of the semester. You will have two attempts to pass that exam, provided you satisfy the following conditions:

• For a student to be eligible for both attempts at the exit exam, the student must conform to the attendance policy and he or she must maintain a minimum average of 70% on his or her in-class evaluations.
  
• If you satisfy only one of the conditions, you only are eligible for one attempt at the exit exam.
  
• Students not meeting both of the above requirements are not eligible to take the exit exam.

Cuts:
You are expected to attend class. If you miss class, you are responsible for all missed work. As per the NCC catalogue “Students are advised that absences in excess of 10% of the total class meetings (3 classes in this MAT 002 section) may result in the student being dropped from the course.” IN THIS CLASS, IF YOU ARE ABSENT MORE THAN THREE CLASSES WITHOUT CONTACTING ME, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN F FOR THE COURSE. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class. You are expected to arrive to class on time. Repeated tardiness may cause me to drop you from the class.

Math Center:
Additional assistance is available in the Mathematics Center, Room B–109. This center offers free individual and group help as well as the Instructor’s Solution Manual. If you wish to make use of the Math Center, a student ID card must be obtained. Please be reminded that those academic departments which provide designated Extra-Help Lab support and report student usage clock hours to OIR must adhere to certain SUNY mandated requirements for NCC eligibility to receive state aide for student attendance to such labs. All students must computer swipe their ID cards both upon entrance and exit of the facility. This action is necessary to ensure accuracy of the reported student usage clock hours. Furthermore, pertinent departmental course syllabi must make reference to the availability and utilization of such Extra-Help Labs. Please make a conscious effort for full compliance.

Disabilities Statement:
If you have, or suspect you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may have an impact on your ability to carry out the assigned coursework, I urge you to contact the staff at the Center for Students With Disabilities, Bldg. U (behind the old College Union), 572-7241, TTY 572-7617. The counselors at CSD will review your concerns and determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation will be kept confidential.

Class Policys:

• You are expected to complete all homework assignments and ask questions about the problems that gave you trouble. In the absence of questions, I will assume that you have understood the material. I also urge you to read the open letter on my web site. Be smart! Understand the strategies involved.
• You are expected to attend class. If you miss class, you are responsible for all missed work. As per the NCC catalogue “Students are advised that absences in excess of 10% of the total class meetings (3 classes in this MAT 002 section) may result in the student being dropped from the course.” IN THIS CLASS, IF YOU ARE ABSENT MORE THAN THREE CLASSES WITHOUT CONTACTING ME, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN “F” FOR THE COURSE. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class. You are expected to arrive to class on time. Repeated tardiness may cause me to drop you from the class since I will cout each late arrival as 1/2 of an absence.
• Provided you have not missed three classes, you may withdraw from this class during the first 10 weeks of the semester. If you wish to withdraw from the class and receive a grade of “W”, it is your responsibility to withdraw officially by filling out a properly completed Drop/Add form and having it signed by me. After November 1st, you will receive a “W” only if you have a passing average. If your average is below 60, you will receive an “F.” If you stop attending class and a Drop/Add form is not completed with my signature, you will receive an “F.”
• All cell phones brought to class must be turned off. You are not permitted to make or receive any calls during class. Texting during class is also prohibited. During class, if any cell phone goes off, or if anyone is found texting he or she will be asked to leave and the student will be marked absent for that class.
• You are expected to remove your hat, cap, hood, or do rag while in class.
• You are not expected to throw out coffee cups, food, paper, gum, etc. while class is in progress.

If you are up to the challenge, enter the fellowship of this educational institution and join us in our search for truth, knowledge, and reason.

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