Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: DMTH-0310 (Section: 01, CRN: 91969)
Beginning Algebra
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Instructor Information
Instructor Jake Meadows
Email meadowsj@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6419
Office Student Center - Room: 403
Office Hours Monday & Wednesday: 9:30 AM - 10:50 AM & 1:20 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday & Thursday: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Other times by appointment.
Additional Contact Information Please email me from your @lamarpa.edu email address or else I may not receive your email.
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.

This is an open source text, available for free online at: https://openstax.org/details/books/elementary-algebra-2e

-All materials will be free and posted to the course's Blackboard page.

Additional Materials/Resources While it is not required, students may find a calculator helpful. Students may use a TI 30 XS or a basic four function calculator. No other calculators will be allowed. The testing center and instructor will not provide calculators, if the student wishes to use one, they must bring their own.
Corequisites/Prerequisites None">None
Learning Outcomes

1. Students will learn how to solve linear equations and applications

2. Students will determine the slopes, intercepts, equations and graphs of lines

3. Students will solve systems of equations in two variables by substitution and addition

4. Students will add, subtract, multiply, divide and factor polynomials

5. Students will translate, develop a strategy and solve related application problems

6. Students will utilize an outline learning system to demonstrate math proficiency

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

Lecture Topic Outline:

Chapter 1  Foundations

Chapter 2  Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities

Chapter 4  Graphs

Chapter 5  Systems of Linear Equations

Chapter 6  Polynomials

Chapter 7  Factoring

Major Assignments Schedule See Blackboard for Course Schedule.
Final Exam Date December 7, 2025 - 11:0 AM
Grading Scale
Letter Grade Range
AD 90-100
BD 80-89
CD 70-79
DD 60-69
FD 0-59
 
The "D" designates that this is a developmental course.
Determination of
Final Grade

Attendance: 10%
Homework: 20%

Quizzes: 15% 

Chapter Tests: 15% 

Midterm Exam: 20%

Final Exam: 20%

Course Policies
Instructor Policies

Blackboard/MyOpenMath: 

All of your course materials and assignments are accessible through MyOpenMath via Blackboard. You will not need to sign up for or log on to any outside website, as everything will be integrated fully into Blackboard. MyOpenMath is an open-source program and does not require any access code or payment before using. If this is the only course you are taking this semester, or if all of your other classes use open-source (OER) resources, you should consider opting out of the Seahawk Book Bundle program. 


Homework (Practice Problems):

The homework sets can be worked in any order, and multiple versions of each problem will be offered until a correct answer has been reached. You can even continue practicing new versions of each problem after getting a correct answer if needed (I recommend practicing each problem multiple times until mastery is achieved). Homework sets for Chapters 1, 2, and 4 should be completed before the final deadline for the Midterm Exam, and homework sets for Chapters 5, 6, and 7 should be completed before the final deadline for the Final Exam. See Blackboard for exact deadline details.


Quizzes and Chapter Tests:

The quizzes and chapter tests will be taken outside of class time and will not be proctored. Quizzes will have a 1 hour time limit and chapter tests will have a 1.25 hour limit. Quizzes will have 3 attempts and the best score will be used in the students gradebook. Chapter tests will have 1 attempt. If a student should experience technical difficulties during a chapter test that result in an incomplete test, then the student will be allowed a ONE time retake. This is a one time courtesy per semester and does not apply to any other assignments. The student must email the instructor within 24 hours of the first attempt  to receive another attempt. 


 Despite the lack of proctoring students are expected to take these tests and quizzes under the same conditions as the midterm and final exams (meaning, the student only uses scratch paper, a pencil, and a basic four function calculator). The purpose of this is to allow students to appropriately prepare for the exams in a low stakes and low stress environment. Students who study  this way are far more likely to do well on the exams and thus pass the course.

Midterm and Final Exams:
While taking the midterm and final exam, students will only be allowed to use scratch paper, a pencil, and a basic four-function calculator. These exams will be taken in class, not on the computer.

 

Attendance Policy
While attendance is important for success in any classroom, attendance with active participation is crucial for success in a mathematics course. As such, students will be expected to attend all class meetings, for the full duration. Students will be expected to arrive to class prepared and to engage in class activities when appropriate. 

Attendance will account for 10% of the student's final grade in the course. Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of each class period. Each student may have at most 2 unexcused absences before their grade is affected. Absences may only be excused at the instructor's discretion and may only be accepted if the instructor is notified prior to the missed class.

You are responsible for missed material which was covered when you are absent. Please visit me during my office hours or contact me through your LSCPA email account if you need any help.
Additional Information This syllabus may be updated at any time during the semester. Any such change will be announced in class and/or through Blackboard and email. If you ever have questions about the syllabus, please feel free to ask me.
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