Mathematics 140 (4 credit hours)
COLLEGE ALGEBRA AND ELEMENTARY FUNCTIONS
www.utm.edu/~caldwell/classes/140/

Teacher:
Dr. Caldwell, office 429 Holt Humanities.  Department office 57360.  Email: caldwell@utm.edu.  Web page www.ccaldwell.com.
Text:
Algebra & Trigonometry, John W. Coburn, McGraw Hill, ISBN: 9780077374228.
Syllabus:
A copy of the departmental course syllabus (with course outline and objectives) can be viewed in my office or on the web at http://www.utm.edu/departments/cens/math/courses/
Grading:
The course grade will be determined as follows.
  • 16 %   quizzes (daily five-minute quizzes) 
  • 64 %   tests (about five fifty-minute tests)
  • 20 %   final (the final is comprehensive)

Letter grades will be assigned as follows:

90-100% A, 80-89% B, 70-79% C, 60-69% D, 0-59% F.

No WF's will be given.  Students dropping after the WD period will receive a WP.  The grade of I is given very rarely and never just to temporarily improve your GPA.  No extra credit.

Quizzes:

We will start most days with a brief "quiz" (usually less than five minutes).  This will usually be one problem directly from the previous night's homework.  You will be allowed to use your personal handwritten notes; but not your book, computer or printed notes.  If you have attended class and done all the homework, the quiz points should be automatic!

These quizzes will be graded on a four-point scale: one point for your name, four points for the correct answer, and two or three for a partially correct answer.  If you are late, you will get a one.  If you cheat or use a computer or cell-phone during class, you may get a negative score. 

If you miss the day, or leave early, then you will get a zero.  Exceptions will be made for appropriate excuses, but you must let me know (and provide documentation) within two weeks.  Being excused from an absence does not excuse the next days quiz.  If you miss class for any reason, you should still do your homework.

The three lowest quiz scores will be dropped (other than earned zero or negative scores, see above).  All of your remaining quiz points will be added, then converted into a percentage score. 

Quizzes will usually be returned the next class meeting. Those that are not picked up will be tossed out a week later.

Tests & Final:
The homework, quizzes and classroom examples indicate the type of problems that will be on the tests, though some (especially the final) may be changed to a multiple-choice format.  No make-up tests.  If you miss a test, you will be given the average of the following tests and final.  The final will be a comprehensive departmental exam.  Review for the final by studying the hour tests, homework and quizzes.  You may not leave the room during any test. There is a practice final online, but do not focus only on it.
Homework:
Homework will not be checked, but if you do not do the homework, you will not do well on the tests or final, and you will not pass the class.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory and enforced by the quiz policy.
Calculators:
A graphing calculator is required for this course.  If you do not have one, we recommend the various TI83 and TI84's.  Algebraic Operating Systems such as the TI89 and TI92 are not acceptable (unless you use the TI84 faceplate).  Students may not share calculators during a test!
Questions:
If you have any questions: 
  • Ask in class after the quiz.
  • Study with a friend.
  • Form a study group in the class
  • Drop by my office (office hours are posted on my door)
  • Ask in the Math Lab (begins 2nd week) : MTWTh 9-3 in B103A (Humanities Basement), 4-9 in Humanities 408
  • Find a private tutor (ask Mrs. Lackey in the Math Lab)
  • Often the Learning Center runs study groups.