[MAT 110] College Algebra

Introduction

If you decide to take college algebra online, you will be signing on for an adventure that will require a great deal of work and dedication on your part. Your reward is being able to complete this course in your own setting and at your personally selected best times of day. Your instructors will be here to help you every step of the way, serving as guides, facilitators, and a cheering section to encourage you as you proceed. They hope and expect to hear from you often.

In this course students will be expected to study commentaries and the text, complete homework assignments, enter into online discussions and take proctored paper and pencil exams.

Description

The successful completion of the equivalent of one course in geometry is a prerequisite for all credit mathematics courses.

UW Colleges Catalog Course Description for MAT 110: College Algebra - 3 credits. Definition of function; linear and nonlinear functions and graphs including logarithmic and exponential functions; systems of linear equations; theory of polynomial equations and optional topics such as mathematical induction, matrix solution of linear systems and Cramer's rule.

Successful completion of this course will meet the Mathematics Core Requirement of the UW Colleges Associate of Arts and Science (AAS) degree. If a student has already met this core requirement through the successful completion of Math 108, a passing grade in this course will earn three Mathematical Science (MS) credits toward the Math and Natural Sciences breadth requirement of the AAS degree.

Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT 105 or placement based on placement test score.

This college algebra course assumes that you have completed Math 105 (Introduction to College Algebra) with a grade of C or better or that you have completed two years of high school algebra or the equivalent.

The course topics include:

• Definition of function
• Linear and nonlinear functions and graphs including:
  • polynomial functions
  • logarithmic and exponential functions
• Equation solving
• Nonlinear inequalities and systems of equations

Proficiencies

Institutional proficiencies assigned to this course

Successful completion of this course will enhance students' ability to

• interpret and synthesize information and ideas;
• select and apply scientific and other appropriate methodologies;
• solve quantitative and mathematical problems;
• interpret graphs, tables, and diagrams.

Department-specific proficiencies assigned to this course

By completing this course, students will learn to

• graph a variety of basic equations using intercepts and symmetry where appropriate;
• complete the square for graphing circles and parabolas;
• graph polynomial and rational functions;
• use function transformations;
• use function arithmetic and composition;
• understand functions and inverse function evaluation;
• use the Factor Theorem for polynomials and the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra;
• apply the properties of logarithms;
• solve logarithmic and exponential equations;
• solve systems of linear equations;
• solve applied problems.

Requirements

Software

• Scientific Notebook:
  The homework assignments in this course can be submitted in one of two formats:
  • Microsoft Word documents
    OR
  • Scientific Notebook files

  Note: Scientific Notebook is not compatible with Macintosh computers.

  The Scientific Notebook software is available at your campus computer labs (if you are an on-campus student) or on a CD from the UW Colleges Distance Education Technical Coordinators (if you are not an on-campus student).

  A copy of the CD will be mailed to all students at no additional cost just prior to the start of the semester. If you are registered for MAT 110 and do not receive a copy of the CD by the first day of the semester, send an email to uwconlinesupport@uwc.edu. Include your name, US mail address, and course name and number. A CD will be sent to you by the UW Colleges Distance Education Technical Coordinators.

  When you install the the program, be sure to register the product using the serial number provided on the CD's envelope. Registering the product electronically gives you a license for the program and unlocks all of the program's features. One important feature you'll need is the Maple plotting feature (which is used in all of the graphs). If you do not register the product, you will not be able to view graphs properly.

• Shockwave/Flash, RealPlayer, QuickTime, MathXL Player and Test Gen plug-ins, Adobe Reader..

Hardware

• A Scientific Calculator. (A TI-83 or TI-84 is recommended for ease of use, but a TI 82 is acceptable.)

About the Instructors

• Rotraut Cahill
  Professor, Mathematics/Computer Science
  BA, Rutgers State University
  MA, University of Rochester
  PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana
  
• Roger Peterson
  Professor, Mathematics
  BA, Northwestern University
  PhD, Ohio State University
  
• Jamie Thomas
  Senior Lecturer, Mathematics
  BA, University of Iowa
  MA, University of Iowa