Catalog Description

MATH 1203C College Algebra (Fa, Sp, Su) Same as MATH 1203 except taught with a co-requisite drill component. Credit will be allowed for only one of MATH 1203 and MATH 1285. Prerequisite: ACT math score of 19, 20 or 21.

Text Book

The course requires the electronic textbook, Algebra: Interactive Modular Approach by Mackey and Feldman. The textbook and homework questions and problems are available on a USB Drive for sale in the local bookstores.  You may download the program to do your homework on your personal computer.

FAQ

For information on the rules of the course, please see the Frequently Asked Questions.

Special Keys

For information on entering your answers into the IMME software, please see the Special Keys page.

Test Deadlines

You may take tests after completing your homework. The test must be taken on or before the test deadline date. Test Deadlines

Syllabus Topics

• Week 1
  • Arithmetic Operations of Integers and Rational Numbers
  • Absolute Value
  • Order of Operation
  • Factoring Integers
  • Prime Numbers
  • Rational Numbers
  • Fundamental Rule of Rational Numbers
  • Decimals
• Week 2
  • Variables
  • Exponents
  • Properties of Multiplication
  • Negative Exponents
  • Roots
  • Rational Exponents
  • Simplifying Expressions with Exponents
• Week 3
  • Polynomials
  • Degree of a Polynomial
  • Standard Form
  • Distributive Property of Addition over Multiplication
  • Operations on Polynomials
  • Factoring
• Week 4
  • Equations
  • Linear Equations
  • Properties of Equations
  • Solving an Equation
  • Complex Numbers
  • Operations on Complex Numbers
  • Complex Conjugates
  • Roots of Negative Numbers
  • Solving Quadratic Equations
  • Absolute Value Equations
• Week 5 and 6
  • Cartesian Coordinate System
  • Graphing
  • Calculating the Slope of a Line
  • Distance between Points
  • Midpoint of a Line
• Week 7
• Midterm Review
  
• Week 8
  • Inequalities
  • Interval Notation
  • Properties of Inequalities
  • Solving Quadratic Inequalities
  • Absolute Value Inequalities
• Week 9
  • Linear Systems
  • Alternative Strategies for Solving Linear Systems
  • Matrices
  • Matrix Operations
  • Inverses of Matrices
• Week 10
  • Functions
  • Operations on Functions
  • Composition of Functions
  • Other Relations
• Week 11
  • Polynomial Functions
  • Graphing Polynomial Functions
  • Domain and Range
• Week 12
  • Higher Degree Polynomial Functions
  • Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
  • Rational Root Theorem
• Week 13 and 14
  • Non-Polynomial Functions
  • Growth and Decay
  • Log and Exponential Functions
  • Compound Interest
  • Inverse Functions
• Week 15
  • Functions with Discontinuities
  • Rational Functions
  • Asymptotes
  • Arithmetic Sequences and Series
  • Geometric Sequences and Series
  • Limits of Geometric Sequences
  • Infinite Geometric Series
• Week 16
  • College Algebra Final Review

Grading:

At the end of the semester, a student will have 18 scores: 12 tests, one in-class grade, one activity grade, a midterm score counted twice and the final exam score counted twice. The midterm exam will either:

• replace one zero on an exam on Modules 1-6 or
• if you have no zeroes, replace your two lowest exam scores on modules 1-6, provided your midterm exam score is higher than those two scores.

The final exam will either:

• replace one zero on an exam on Modules 8-13 or
• if you have no zeroes, replace your two lowest exam scores on modules 8-13, provided your final exam score is higher than those two scores.

All students must take the final exam. The final exam is very important. Start to prepare early with the review module for the final since it can significantly affect the student's grade.

The following is the grading scale:

• Downloads
• Test Deadlines