MATH 94 COURSE SYLLABUS
Napa Valley College	Fall 2011
Math 94 (Intermediate Algebra)	Instructor: Casey Davis
Class: 1:30 pm – 3:50 pm Monday & Wednesday	Room 811
Office Hours: 12:30 pm – 1:20 pm Monday & Wednesday	Room 1031-I
E-mail: davis.mathematicks@gmail.com	Syn#: 61163
Website: http://math.andcheese.org/

SLOs: solve quadratic, logarithmic, exponential, absolute value, and radical equations, and systems of equations. Graph quadratic, logarithmic, and exponential functions.

Text:  Elementary & Intermediate Algebra by Bittinger et al., 5th edition

Other Materials:  You will need 8.5"x11" lined paper, graph paper, and a pencil. Colored pencils may also be useful for taking notes. A scientific calculator is required. It must have parentheses, square root, exponential, and logarithmic functions. (If you are going on past pre-calculus, you should get a graphing calculator instead.)

Classroom Procedures:  A typical class session will begin with time for you to ask questions about the most recent homework assignment. I will then introduce new material, work through some useful examples, and give you some practice problems to try in class. At the end of each class you will take a short quiz (about 6 questions) about recent material. Keep in mind throughout the semester that the best way to learn math is to do math, and the best way to find answers is to ask questions!

Homework:  Homework will be assigned most days. Do as much of the homework as you can before the next class session so you can ask about problems you don't understand. Homework will not be collected; instead, your progress will be judged by your performance on the quizzes, which should be easy if you've been doing your homework. Do NOT fall into the trap of thinking that homework is "optional" just because it is not collected! Only by getting practice outside of class will you truly learn.

Grading:  Instead of a list of assignments, the gradebook will consist of a list of the skills you should be learning from this class (solving systems of 3 equations, graphing quadratics, etc.). Each quiz question will cover one specific skill; if you get it right, then you get a check next to that skill in the gradebook.  Over the course of the semester you should see a total of 3 quiz questions for every skill; the final exam will provide one more chance for each skill. Make-up quizzes may be possible during office hours by prior arrangement. At the end of the semester, your grade will be...
	• "A" if you have at least three checks in each skill.
	• "B" if you have at least two checks in each skill.
	• "C" if you have at least one check in each skill.
	• "F" if you are missing any skills.
Don't fall behind! If you miss a skill the first time it's tested, take that as a sign that you should study that skill in detail, get more practice, and ask for help during office hours.