MATH 105 –College Algebra:

Students enrolled in this course will become adept at factoring and solving equations of various degrees including exponentials and logarithms.   They will become familiar with lines in point-slope and slope-intercept form as well as function notation and graphing polynomials, rational polynomials, exponentials and logarithms.

TEXT :   Blitzer: College Algebra, Early Functions custom edition

CALCULATOR :   You should have a graphing calculator.   We recommend theTI-83 (preferred), TI-82, TI-85, or TI-86 calculators.   You can get by with a lesser calculator if necessary.

PREREQUISITE :   Any one of the following will meet prerequisites for this course. You are responsible for verifying prerequisites with your instructor.

a.     C –   or above in Math 101 or 103 or an equivalent college transfer course.

      b.   MPLEX (Math Placement Exam):   level   III or higher (You may take this exam as many times as necessary, but only once per day).   The test is offered in Roberts Hall, Rm 111; 1 – 4 PM , generally until the end of the 1 st week of class.   (You must finish by 4 so plan to start no later than 3.)   Bring a Photo ID and a calculator.

c.   Math ACT score of 23 or higher   OR   Math SAT score of 530 or higher.

IS THIS THE RIGHT COURSE FOR YOU?

This course is the prerequisite for Math160 (Precalculus), Math170 (Survey of Calculus) and can be used as a prerequisite for Stat216 (Elementary Statistics).   Note that MA101 and 103 also work for Stat.   You should be enrolled in Math105 only because your major requires MA 160, MA 170 or Stat 216, rather than the minimal math core requirement.   Math core is MA149 or MA150.   Questions?   See your advisor.

LEARNING CENTER :   1-112 Wilson Hall   ( Your One-Card is required for entry/exit.)   Get free drop-in help from qualified tutors.

ONLINE HOMEWORK :   Homework is part of your grade.   It can be done only online, either using your personal computer or a lab computer at MSU.   Each assignment has a deadline.   Those deadlines may fall on a weekend but you have three days to complete it so plan ahead.

EXAMS:   There will be three 100 point, common-hour evening exams (see class schedule for dates) and a 150 point comprehensive final.   It is your responsibility to take all exams at the scheduled times.   If you have an MSU academic or athletic conflict with an exam as scheduled, you must contact the course supervisor ( not your instructor) one full week before the exam.   If you have a work conflict, make arrangements with your employer so that you can take the exam as scheduled.   If an unexpected emergency arises, contact the course supervisor immediately.   Any missed exam which is not excused will be a zero and will certainly mean that you will fail the course.

HOMEWORK, INSTRUCTOR INFO, LEARNING CENTER HOURS & EXAM LOCATIONS :   Additional info is posted on the web at www.math.montana.edu/math105

COURSE SUPERVISOR INFO:   Tom Hayes, Wilson 2 – 252 , 994-5365.   To contact the course supervisor please check the office hours on-line at www.math.montana.edu/~thayes . You can also email the supervisor at thayes@math.montana.edu.   If you must call instead of email, do not leave a message with a long distance number as it cannot be returned from campus phones.

Grading :   Mandatory online homework, weekly in-class quizzes, three mid-term exams and a comprehensive final (the final exam will be weighted toward the material from the last exam to the end of course).

Homework – 10%                   3 Mid-terms – 18% each

Quizzes – 10%                      Final Exam – 26%

Grading Scale:

A+ none                         B +   86.0 – 89.4%            C+   76.0 – 79.4%            D     59.5 – 65.5%

A    93.3 – 100%             B     83.3 – 85.9%            C     69.5 – 75.9%            F       0 – 59.4%

A –   89.5 – 93.2%           B –   79.5 – 83.2%           D+   66.0 – 69.4%