Spring 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: MATH-1314 (Section: 6B, CRN: 10992)
College Algebra 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Grace Merino
Email grangerge@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6102
Office Madison Monroe Educational - Room: 147A
Office Hours Location: Room 207
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday during 4th and 5th period
Additional Contact Information *Students, please use my Bob Hope email (grace.merino@bobhopeschool.org) and do not use my Lamar email.
Course Information
Description In-depth study and applications of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions, and systems of equations using matrices. Additional topics such as sequences, series, probability, and conics may be 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.

None
Additional Materials/Resources Required Materials
  1. Pencils with erasers
  2. Notebook
  3. Chromebook
  4. Scratch paper
  5. Your best effort
Optional Materials
  1. Graphing paper
  2. Highlighters (good for notetaking)
Corequisites/Prerequisites TSIA2 complete in Mathematics">TSIA2 complete in Mathematics">TSIA2 complete in Mathematics
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
 
1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions, including domain and range, operations, compositions, and inverses. This will be measured by embedded questions in tests, quizzes, and homework. (PSLO 1, 3)
 
2. Recognize and apply polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions and solve related equations. This will be measured by embedded questions in tests, quizzes, and homework. (PSLO 1, 3)
 
3. Apply graphing techniques. This will be measured by embedded questions in tests, quizzes, and homework. (PSLO 3)
 
4. Evaluate all roots of higher degree polynomial and rational functions. This will be measured by embedded questions in tests, quizzes, and homework. (PSLO 1, 2, 3)
 
5. Recognize, solve and apply systems of linear equations using matrices. This will be measured by embedded questions in tests, quizzes, and homework. (PSLO 3)
Core Objectives PSLO 1: 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.
 
PSLO 2: Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.
 
PSLO 3: Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
Lecture Topics Outline Week 1 – linear equations in one variable, linear inequalities in one variable, types of linear equations, solving linear and absolute value equations, applications of linear equations, linear inequalities and compound inequalities, absolute value inequalities, applications, graphing solution sets and interval notation.
 
Week 2– the cartesian coordinate system, linear equations in two variables, plotting points, quadrants and axes, missing values, determining ordered pairs that satisfy given equations, finding distance and midpoint, identifying linear equations, standard form of a linear equation, determining intercepts and graphing with intercepts, graphing equations of horizontal and vertical lines.
 
Week 3– slope and forms of linear equations, parallel and perpendicular lines, determining slope and y-intercept, slope intercept form, and graphing, determining whether two lines are parallel, perpendicular, or neither, and finding parallel/perpendicular lines. Review and Exam 1. 
 
Week 4 – relations and functions, linear functions, determining domain and range of a graph, relations and functions, vertical line test, function notation and implied domain, finding a linear function for given properties and graphs, identifying slope and y- intercept of linear functions, graphing linear functions.
 
Week 5– greatest common factor (gcf) of a set of terms, factor by grouping, terminology including monomial, binomial, trinomial, polynomial, factoring trinomials, determining the greatest common factor of a set of terms (numeric and variable), factoring a polynomial by finding the greatest common monomial factor, factoring polynomials by grouping, factoring trinomials using gcf and “ac” method. 
 
Week 6– review of factoring techniques, solving quadratic equations by factoring, factoring by grouping, difference of squares, sum and difference of cubes, solving by factoring. Review and Exam 2.
 
Week 7– simplifying numerical radicals, identifying if a radical yields a real number, converting between radicals and rational exponents, using the discriminant to determine characteristics of solutions, solving quadratic equations using quadratic formula, vertex of quadratics, vertex form, solving quadratics in vertex form to determine x-intercepts, determining maximum and minimum values of quadratic functions, graphing quadratic functions, applications involving maximization and minimization.
 
Week 8– other common functions, transformations of functions, identify functions of the form 𝑓(𝑥)=𝑎𝑥𝑛, 𝑓(𝑥)=|𝑥|, 𝑓(𝑥)=√𝑥𝑛, 𝑓(𝑥)=1𝑥, piecewise defined functions and their graphs, evaluating piecewise functions, identify graphs of common functions, using transformations (shift, stretch, and reflect) to determine the equation of a function given graphs and attributes, using transformations to graph functions, and determining domain and range.
 
Week 9– Introduction to Rational Expressions, Combining Functions, Identifying restrictions on rational functions, evaluate rational expressions for given values of the variable, reduce rational expressions to lowest terms, Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing various functions, determining domain of combined functions, composing functions, evaluating combined functions for a given value. Review and Exam 3.
 
Week 10– introduction to polynomial equations and graphs, determine if a given value satisfies an equation, solving polynomial equations by means of factoring and the quadratic formula, determining x and y intercepts and graphing polynomials, determining where a function is positive/negative, determining end behavior, leading coefficient, and degree, understanding multiplicity, and solving polynomial inequalities.
 
Week 11– rational functions and rational inequalities, inverses of functions, determining vertical and horizontal asymptotes, graphing rational functions, solving rational inequalities, finding the inverse, domain, and range of discrete functions, determining if an inverse function exists using the horizontal line test and finding the inverse of continuous functions.
 
Week 12– exponents, power rules for exponents, exponential functions and their graphs, power to a power, negative exponents, 0 as an exponent, and writing numbers with different bases, identifying graphs of exponential functions, solving basic exponential equations using one-to-one property. Review and Exam 4.
 
Week 13– logarithmic functions and their graphs, identifying graphs of logarithmic functions, converting between exponential and logarithmic form, solving basic logarithmic equations.
 
Week 14– Systems of Linear Equations, Solutions by Graphing, Solving Systems by Substitution and Elimination, Determining if a coordinate satisfies a system, and solving systems of linear equations by graphing Solving systems of two linear equations by substitution and elimination, dependent and inconsistent systems, writing the solution to dependent systems using set builder notation.
 
Week 15– Review and Exam 5.
Major Assignments Schedule Homework Sets will be due weekly on Thursdays.
Five tests will be periodically spread throughout the course. The final exam (after Exam 5) will be cumulative and will replace your lowest test grade.
Final Exam Date May 8, 2024 - 8:15 AM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade		 Tests - 60%
Homework - 40%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies
CLASS COMMUNICATION
Remind: Join our remind group through the app using this code: @f6a28e6
    OR text that code to the phone number 81010
Microsoft Teams: Feel free to send a message any time you have questions.
Email: You can also send me questions over email. Please use my BHS email rather than my LSCPA email, as I check it more often.
 
 
TECHNOLOGY
Bob Hope has a NO PHONE policy. ALL students are expected to have their phone, earbuds, and smartwatch silenced and sealed away in their backpack. No phone use is permitted, even for academic purposes. Any phone or smartwatch that is out will be collected and brought to the office. It will cost $15 to get it back at the end of the school day. If you expect important communication from guardians, let me know. However, please inform your guardians of appropriate times to contact you while you are at school.
 

You will be required to show up each day with your chromebook and your charger. Coming unprepared will result in a detention.
 
 
Additional Information and Resources

  • Use desmos.comto access a handy graphing calculator. Desmos also has a scientific calculator and a matrix calculator available.
  • You can find additional tutorials by simply Googling that topic (ex: “how to factor trinomials”). As always, exercise safe internet practices. Most results should be trustworthy, but don’t click on a site if it seems shady.
  • “Math is not a spectator sport.” Practice is essential to mastering concepts. Don’t be afraid to work a few extra problems from the book or elsewhere in order to really get it down.
  • Mark your calendarfor when tests are scheduled and assignments are due.
  • You can reach me with specific questions at grace.merino@bobhopeschool.org if the above resources do not quite suit your needs.
  • YouTube tutorialsare an excellent aid. Simply type the topic into the search bar and watch a couple short videos to boost your understanding of materials. Here are a few channels that are particularly helpful. 
 

Expectations
Beginning of class:
Be in the room when the bell rings. Go straight to your assigned seat, and read the info board.

During the first 5 minutes of class you are responsible for completing the Do Now.
Once you finish the Do Now, use any extra time to work on homework or review notes.
 
Info board:
Agenda, objective, Do Now, upcoming deadlines, and announcements.
 
Lecture:
Keep a voice level zero (0) ANYtime I am at the front of the room. To ask a question or to answer a question you must raise a hand. Other times, I might invite the class to talk to each other or call out answers. We will practice listening for these cues.
 
Homework:
Students will complete a homework assignment each week and are expected to be aware of and meet deadlines for these assignments. Students are encouraged to work on the assignment a little bit at a time throughout the week, as relevant material is covered in class. This will prevent you from being stuck doing the whole assignment the night before it’s due. All students must show their work to receive credit. Students may rework missed problems to get credit back.


Late work:
Unexcused late submissions will result in a 20 point deduction after one day. After two days, the deduction will be 40 points off. Students who do not complete their homework must report to Eagle Academy.
 
Notes and classwork:
During class, all students are expected to be courteous and attentive to the instructor. This includes listening quietly, participating when called upon, and taking detailed notes.
 
Anything that goes up on the board should get written down in your notes.Please make an effort to keep your notes organized, and be encouraged to use underlining, circling, boxing, or symbols to emphasize important words and ideas.
 
During independent practice time, students are expected to work on their own through practice problems that are supplied by the instructor. This time is for you to practice the new concept and become acquainted with using it yourself.
 
Absences:
It is your responsibility to leave a note on any late work due to absence, in order to get full credit. It is your responsibility to ask for a copy of the class notes. It is your responsibility to get information about homework assignments if you were gone when that was discussed.
 
Tardies:
The teacher will open the door for all tardy students. The tardy student will sign the tardy page, quietly gather their materials, and join the class without disruption. I will assign detention to all tardy students at the end of each day (per school policy).Frequent tardiness will result in a private talk and a call home.
 
Missing work:
Students with unexcused missing work will be required to attend Eagle Academy after school to complete makeup work for the 6-week grading period.Absence from assigned Eagle Academy will result in a discipline referral and generally Saturday detention.  I will not change grades from a past 6 week period.
 
Bathroom:
NO ONE MAY USE THE RESTROOM IN THE FIRST 10 MINUTES OF CLASS NOR THE LAST 10 MINUTES. If you do need to use the restroom during the allowed times, sign out and come back in a timely manner. Only one person may be out at a time. If a student regularly leaves for the restroom and is gone for long periods of time, I will contact parents about potential health notes or concerns about skipping.
 
Nurse:
If possible, wait until I can stop lecturing and then raise your hand or come to me to ask for a nurse pass.
 
End of class:
Students may NOT pack up unless told to do so by me. ALL TRASH must be thrown away before leaving the room. Students are expected to push their chairs in before leaving their area.
Everyone is asked to leave the room better than they found it!
 
Consequences: Misbehavior will be met with a discipline referral. Dr. Lewis will determine the appropriate consequences from there, whether that is a parent conference, after-school detention, Saturday detention, or other measures of discipline.
Inappropriate behavior includes: crude language, loudness, talking back, openly defying, horseplaying, throwing things, damaging materials, playing sounds during class, playing games or misusing technology during class, cheating, packing up before being told.
 
Attendance Policy All students are expected to come to class on time every time.
Additional Information None
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 the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. 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
Dual Enrollment
Chair:Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431