RANGER COLLEGE
Math 1314 College Algebra
Master Syllabus

PREPARED BY: Dr. John Gresham
jgresham@rangercollege.edu
www.rangercollege.edu/math

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A study of the elementary functions: linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic, sequences. Graphing, solving equations, solving inequalities, and applications of these functions. Solving systems of equations and matrix algebra. Introduction to conic sections.
COURSE CREDIT: 3 semester hours—3 lecture hours per week

TEXT: College Algebra, Graphs and Models, 3rd Edition , by Barnett, et al
OTHER REQUIRED MATERIALS: graphing calculator (TI-83 or -84 strongly recommended), graph paper.

PREREQUISITES: Passing the math portion of the THEA test and two years of high school algebra or completion of the developmental math sequence as described in the Ranger College Developmental Education Plan.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: Class lecture, cooperative learning and problem-solving, interactive web pages

EXEMPLARY OBJECTIVES SUPPORTED BY THIS COURSE
The purpose of these objectives is to contribute to your intellectual and personal growth and assist you in understanding and appreciating not only your heritage, but also to prepare you for responsible citizenship and provide you the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing and highly technological world.
M1. To apply arithmetic, algebraic, geometric, higher-order thinking, and statistical methods to modeling and solving real-world problems
M2. To represent and evaluate basic mathematical information verbally, numerically, graphically, and symbolically
M3. To expand mathematical reasoning skills and formal logic to develop convincing mathematical arguments
M4. To use appropriate technology to enhance mathematical thinking and understanding and to solve mathematical problems and judge the reasonableness of the results
M5. To interpret mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables, and schematics, and draw inferences from them
M6. To recognize the limitations of mathematical and statistical models
M7. To develop the view that mathematics is an evolving discipline, interrelated with human culture, and understand its connections to other disciplines

COLLEGE ALGEBRA COURSE OBJECTIVES: To be able to demonstrate these skills in writing:
1. Graphing relations, functions and inverses in the plane (M1, M2, M5)
2. Solving linear and quadratic equations (M2, M3, M4, M6)
3. Solving linear and non-linear inequalities (M2, M3, M4, M6)
4. Graphing quadratic and higher-degree polynomial functions; finding zeros of polynomial functions (M1, M4, M5, M6, M7)
5. Solving systems of linear equations; applying matrix algebra in solving linear systems (M1, M4)
6. Graphing and solving equations with exponential and logarithmic functions (M1, M2, M4, M5, M6, M7)
7. Graphing rational functions and conic sections (M1, M4)
8. Modeling and problem solving with sequences (M1, M7)


COURSE CALENDAR (15 weeks plus final) Suggested timetable (subject to change). The problem set for each section is listed with the section. Instructions in bold print over-ride and replace the book’s instructions.