Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: DMTH-0310 (Section: 71, CRN: 92062)
Beginning Algebra 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Chesney Culver
Email culvercb@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6574
Office Student Center - Room: 414
Office Hours Online by appointment 
Additional Contact Information Students should use their LSCPA email to communicate with the instructor; any communications from personal email accounts (gmail,yahoo,etc.) or blackboard may be ignored.
Course Information
Description Concepts of basic algebra. Operations on real numbers and polynomials, solving equations, inequalities and systems, graphing, and problem solving are included.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Elementary Algebra, 2nd Edition, by Openstax, 2020. 

All materials will be FREE and posted to the course's Blackboard page. You do not need to purchase any books for this course. Be sure to check and see if your seahawk book bundle is beneficial to you. If not, you can opt out here:https://www.lamarpa.edu/student-services/academic-services/books.html 
Additional Materials/Resources None 
Corequisites/Prerequisites Please see the LSCPA catalog. 
Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Use appropriate symbolic notation and vocabulary to communicate, interpret, and explain mathematical concepts.

2. Define, represent, and perform operations on real numbers, applying numeric reasoning to investigate and describe quantitative relationships and solve real-world problems in a variety of contexts.

3. Use algebraic reasoning to solve problems that require ratios and rates in a variety of contexts using multiple representations.

4. Apply algebraic reasoning to manipulate expressions and equations to solve real-world problems.

5. Use graphs, tables, and technology to analyze, interpret, and compare data sets.

6. Construct and use mathematical models in verbal, algebraic, graphical, and tabular form to solve problems from a variety of contexts and to make predictions and decisions. 

 
Core Objectives

- Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or visual communication.

-Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.

-Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
Lecture Topics Outline Please see course blackboard
Major Assignments Schedule See course Blackboard
Final Exam Date December 10, 2025 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale

Let?x?represent your weighted average in the course. 

 

Grade 

Range 

AD 

x≥90 

BD 

80≤x<90 

CD 

70≤x<80 

DD 

60≤x<70 

FD 

x<60 

** Note that the first letter is the earned letter grade in the course and the second letter D denotes this is a developmental course** 
Determination of
Final Grade

 

  • Homework 60% 

  • Quizzes 15% 

  • Chapter Exams 15% 

  • Final Exam 10%  
Course Policies
Instructor Policies

 

Class Policies:  

-No late work, extensions or make-up work will be accepted. Please do not ask.

-This syllabus is subject to change as needed throughout the semester. Any major changes will be accompanied by an announcement in class, via email, or posted on Blackboard.

-All relevant information about this course will be communicated to students using announcements posted on Blackboard. You will receive an email copy of each announcement but replies to those emails will not be monitored nor receive a response.

-Students should use their LSCPA email to communicate with the instructor; any communications from personal email accounts (gmail,yahoo,etc.) will be ignored.

-Students must use appropriate email etiquette when corresponding with the instructor; for example, complete sentences and a full subject line with your name and course name. Voice mail messages should be clearly spoken identifying students' name, course, and return phone number.

-Emails or messages determined by the instructor to be rude or disrespectful will not be responded to and will possibly be forwarded to the student’s department chair or program coordinator.

-Students may check their grades in their Blackboard gradebook. If the student wishes to discuss their grades, they may email the instructor and request an appointment to meet with the instructor or see the instructor during scheduled office hours. The instructor will not discuss any grades over email or phone calls.

-The instructor will not discuss a student’s grades with anyone besides the student unless the instructor is given permission by LSCPA officials to do so.

-Students are responsible for informing the instructor if they are unable to access any course materials. There will be no late work or credit given for assignments missed for this reason.

-If the instructor sees a need, she may require the quizzes and chapter tests be taken in a proctored environment. If this change occurs, the instructor will notify the students prior to the due dates. 

 

Attendance Policy

-Attendance (including that in online courses) will be taken into account when determining borderline grades. 
Additional Information
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Dr. Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431