Course Description
(Revised 05/15/08)

Disclaimer:  The information given here regarding Exam Requirements, Homework Requirements, Course Content and Course Evaluation is tentative and therefore intended as advisory only.  The official requirements will be given on the course syllabus, which will be available to you when you receive access to the Class Website (see below).

Course Number:

Math 10, Sections 6452 and 6454

Course Name:

College Algebra

Instructor:

Michael McJilton

Email Address:

mmcjilton@collegeofthedesert.edu

Class Password:

Request Username & Password
Note: Usernames and passwords are generally not available until one week before the start of the semester.

Class Website:

http://desertonline.net/classes/math10/mmcjilton/
Note: Classes are generally not available for login until the first day of the semester.


Course Description:

This course focuses on solving problems using linear, quadratic and exponential models with an introduction to the concept of a function. Topics include solving and graphing linear, quadratic and exponential equations, systems of linear equations, rational exponents, root equations, quadratic inequalities, circles and applications.

Prerequisites:

Math 40 - Intermediate Algebra with a grade of "C" or better.

Textbooks & Other Required Materials:

  1. College Algebra, by Rockswold, Prentice Hall, ISBN-13: 9780321290076.
    You may purchase this from the College of the Desert Bookstore, or directly from the publisher.
     
  2. Access to the Course Compass (http://www.coursecompass.com/) web site.  This access comes with the text with the ISBN listed above, if the text is purchased new.  If your text is used, you must purchase access to Course Compass.  This costs approximately $50.00.  Please note that Course Compass contains a full online version of the text.
     
  3. Scientific/Graphing Calculator.

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Other:

General Description:

This 16 week online course includes in-depth explorations of intermediate algebra topics and is equivalent to College of the Desert's Math 10 classes offered in the traditional classroom. The course is designed to help you acquire algebra skills in order to satisfy college level mathematics competencies.

For the majority of students at this math level, a traditional course in College Algebra (Math 10) would provide a more complete learning experience than this online course. This is true because, the dynamics of personal interactions in the classroom environment between students/students and students/instructor are important to the learning process. This online course is primarily meant to serve those students who are otherwise unable to take the course in a classroom setting.  

Since this class is online, you will have the opportunity to work on assignments whenever you desire within the due dates. However, keep in mind that the same class taught in the traditional setting requires 4 hours of in-class participation and a minimum of 8 hours of study and homework time outside of class per week. This means that the average online math student will need to spend a minimum of 12 hours on the computer per week (a minimum of 1.5 hours per day, seven days a week) learning Math 10 topics.  Your study skills, attitude, aptitude, and motivation will determine the amount of time you need to spend.  Do not be surprised if you're spending 25 or more hours on this class each week.  Many students grossly underestimate the amount of time that this online Math 10 course requires and therefore drop or fail.

Math 10 online IS NOT EASIER then traditional Math 10 courses, NOR IS IT LESS TIME CONSUMING. In fact, IT IS MORE DIFFICULT since students in this online class do not have the direct benefit of lectures and discussions to the same extent that students in traditional classes do.  The difficulty level of this online course is the cause for a higher percentage drop-out and failure rates.  Therefore, if you are not both dedicated and disciplined, you will have a difficult time finding success in this class.


Course Content Organization:

This course will cover most of the first 8 chapters of the text.  This amounts to approximately 45 sections of the text. The topics will be covered in the same order in which they are presented in the text, with one exception.  The Review Chapter will have its sections interspersed within the remaining sections when the review would be helpful.  Similar math topics are clustered together to comprise of approximately 30 homework assignments and there will be two assignments due each week.  You will be able to access lectures, complete assignments, and interact with me, tutors and other students via your computer at home or in the Math/Science Study Center (Math Building, Room 4). 


Exam Requirements:

In addition to working online, you will be required to go to the Math/Science Center (Math Building Room 4) on the College of the Desert campus to take all exams.  These proctored exams will be online and there will be 5 mandatory exams including the Final. YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER FOR THE LAB IN ORDER TO TAKE EXAMS.  However, if you want to take advantage of the excellent math tutoring services then you need to sign up for Math 97 or Math 98. You'll find these courses listed in the College of the Desert Class Schedule.

At this time, I do not allow exams to be proctored in any place other than the COD main campus.  If you are unable to take your exams at this location, you will need to drop this class and try to enroll in another of the online sections at COD.


Homework Requirements:

Homework assignments will be due on Tuesdays and on Fridays, by 11:55 PM each day.  Any assignment not submitted by the time it is due is late and will not be accepted.  There are no extensions on assignments. 


Course Evaluation and Grading Policies:

·         50% = Exams (There will be 4 exams--all to be taken in the campus Math Labs)

·         25% = Final Exam (Comprehensive--to be taken in the campus Math Labs)

·         25% = Assignments (This includes the MyMathLab Study Plan and both online and offline homework) 


Minimum System Requirements:

For this course, you will be using MyMathLab/MathXL through the CourseCompass platform.  Take note that while CourseCompass does support the use of Mac computers and browsers other than Internet Explorer, you will be primarily working in MyMathLab, and therefore will need access to a PC with Internet Explorer.  Please verify that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for this course.

System Requirements:

 

Operating Systems

Browsers

PC

Windows 2000

Internet Explorer 6.0/7.0

Windows XP

Windows Vista

Mac & Linux

All

Not Supported**

* If you have earlier versions of these browsers, you can download a newer version from the appropriate manufacturer's website:

**In order to use MyMathLab to complete the required homework, you must use a computer with a Windows operating system.

AOL and AT&T Yahoo users: You cannot view CourseCompass using the AOL or AT&T Yahoo browsers. You can, however, use AOL or AT&T Yahoo as your Internet Service Provider to access the Internet, then open either the Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator browser within AOL or AT&T Yahoo to access CourseCompass.

Firefox and Safari users: Although the platform upon which CourseCompass is built (Blackboard 6.2.3.23) has not been certified by Blackboard for use with Firefox and Safari browsers, a subset of CourseCompass features have been tested with and do support these browsers for the operating systems shown.

Connection speed
CourseCompass requires an Internet connection with a minimum connection speed of 28.8 kbps (kilobits per second). The faster your connection speed, the faster you will be able to view this site and some of your course's content. If you are experiencing slow download times, you may need a faster connection. If you are accessing CourseCompass from a campus computer, contact your school's technology department.

Browser settings: cookies and Javascript options
CourseCompass uses both cookies and JavaScript technology. Both of these features must be turned on in your browser, and are usually turned on by default. See your browser Help for instructions on how to view or change these browser options.

Additional software
To use multimedia material provided with some courses, you may also need to download and install additional software. If you're uncertain whether you'll need these resources, you can open your course and see what it requires. Note that some plug-ins are not supported by Internet Explorer V5.5 SP2 or higher.

  • MyMathLab Installation Wizard - Needed to install plug-ins (such as MathXL® Player, InterAct Math plug-in, the TestGen plug-in appropriate for your course and more) specific to your MyMathLab course. The MyMathLab Installation Wizard is typically found in a course announcement or as a course menu button.
  • Adobe® Reader® - Needed to view online CourseCompass guides and other PDF documents.
  • Apple® QuickTime® - Needed to view full-screen video and streamed media, or hear audio files in any of 30 audio, video, and image formats, including Flash.
  • Java Plug-in - Needed to view the Virtual Classroom and Chat sessions in CourseCompass.
  • Macromedia® Flash - Needed to improve viewing of high-fidelity web sites.
  • Macromedia Shockwave® - Needed to run animations in some courses.
  • RealNetworks® RealOne Player - Needed to hear music or watch streamed media animations in some courses.
  • TestGen Plug-in - Needed to view and take online TestGen tests in CourseCompass.


How to Contact Me:

Professor

Michael McJilton

Office

Diesel Mechanics (DM), Room E

Office Hours

Posted on my office door or on my College of the Desert website (listed below)

Office Phone

(760) 776 - 7314

Math Office Fax

(760) 773 - 2569

Email

mmcjilton@collegeofthedesert.edu

Website

http://faculty.collegeofthedesert.edu/mmcjilton

I will typically be in my office during regular posted office hours if you want to speak to me by phone or come in for a visit. However, most communication will commonly be via email. Also, in addition to my regularly scheduled office hours, I will gladly meet with you by appointment.

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