TRI-COUNTY TECHNICAL COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Prefix & Number:    MAT 101_______________

Course Title:                          Beginning Algebra _______

Class  Hours                        Lab Hours                     Credits

Per week:  3_                    Per Week:   0                   Awarded:   3

Catalog  Description: This course includes the following topics:  operations with signed numbers; addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with algebraic expressions; factoring; techniques for solving linear and fractional equations; and an introduction to graphs.   

Entry Level Skills: A student entering MAT 101 should be able to perform basic operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percents and to solve simple linear equations.

Pre-requisites: Satisfactory placement test scores

Co-requisites: none

Text(s)/Required Materials: Elementary & Intermediate Algebra by Bittinger, Ellenbogen and Johnson, 4th ed., Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., 2006.

Equipment: Calculator (TI-83, TI-83 Plus, or TI-84 Plus recommended).

Course Competencies and  Objectives/Major Course Topics: 

Unit 1: Introduction to Algebraic Expressions 

Upon completion of this unit (Sections 1.1-1.8), the student should be able to:

  1. Use the Commutative, Associative and Distributive Laws
  1. Use the four operations with fractions as well as order of operations
  1. Use the four operations with signs
  1. Use the four operations with exponents as well as order of operations

Unit 2: Equations, Inequalities & Problem Solving

Upon completion of this unit (Sections 2.1-2.7), the student should be able to:

  1. Solve equations with several steps
  1. Manipulate formulas with algebra
  1. Do applications with percents
  1.  Use the problem solving process
  1.  Work with inequalities

Unit 3: Introduction to Graphing

Upon completion of this unit (Sections 3.2-3.3, 3.5-3.6, and 7.1-7.3), the student should be able to:

  1. Perform all methods of graphing linear and non linear equations
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of slope and intercepts
  1. Show an introductory knowledge of the concepts of functions, domain & range

Unit 4: Polynomials 

Upon completion of this unit (Sections 4.1-4.5), the student should be able to:

  1. Work with exponents and their application with polynomials
  1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the concept of polynomials
  1. Use basic operations with polynomials
  1. Use the special products and their purpose in Mathematics

Unit 5: Polynomials and Polynomial Functions   

Upon completion of this unit (Sections 5.1-5.5 and 5.7), the student should be able to:

  1. Show an understanding of the concept of factoring vs. Distributive Law (multiplying)
  1. Factor trinomials of the type…  x2 + bx + c
  1. Factor trinomials of the type… ax2 + bx + c
  1. Factor using the special products

Grade Calculation Method:                                      

Five exams                                                                     = 70-80%

Homework                                                                     =   5-10%                            

Final exam                                                                     = 15-20 %

                                                                                      __________

                                                                                           100%

Prepared by_Hubert McClure__       Date written or revised: 11/29/05