Fall 2025
College Algebra
College Algebra (MATH 1314-3B1) CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Face-to-face PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: A score of 950 or above on the TSI-Assessment placement test or a “C” or better in TMTH 0375 COURSE DESCRIPTION In-depth study and applications of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions, and systems of equations using matrices. Additional topics such as sequences, series, probability, and conics may be included. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions, including domain and range, operations, compositions, and inverses. 2. Recognize and apply polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions and solve related equations. 3. Apply graphing techniques. 4. Evaluate all roots of higher degree polynomial and rational functions. 5. Recognize, solve, and apply systems of linear equations using matrices. Core Objectives 1. Critical Thinking Skills: To include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information. 2. Communication Skills: To include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication. 3. Empirical and Quantitative Skills: To include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions. INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Daniel Dove Email: dadove@lit.edu Office Phone: 409-247-5017 Office Location: TC 112 A Office Hours: M: 8:30 – 9:30 T: 8:30 -9:30, 12:00 -2:00 W: 8:30 -9:30 R: 8:30 – 9:30, 12:00 – 1:00 F: 11:00 -2:00 REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS 1. College Algebra, by Sullivan, 12th edition with MyLabMath Access (18 week). You will access this material on the first day through Blackboard. 2. Calculator of your choice, but no phones or computers as calculators. A Scientific calculator is necessary, but you can upgrade to a graphing calculator if you wish. ATTENDANCE POLICY Attendance is mandatory and will count as a homework assignment grade. The grade will be determined by the number of days attended divided by total class days times 100%. If you must miss class, you are still responsible for any covered missed material. It is suggested that if you must miss class that you get a copy of a classmate’s notes and/or visit your instructor during office hours. Exams will also be given in class on the days listed in the syllabus unless changed via announcements in class and through Blackboard. DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process by the specified drop date as listed on the Academic Calendar. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. STUDENT EXPECTED TIME REQUIREMENT For every hour in class (or unit of credit), students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit-hour class, students should prepare to allocate approximately six to nine hours per week outside of class in a 16- week session OR approximately twelve to eighteen hours in an 8-week session. Online/Hybrid students should expect to spend at least as much time in this course as in the traditional, face-to-face class. COURSE CALENDAR (Dates and assignments subject to change with notice) Week Assignment Due Date (all assignments due by 11:59pm on due date) Aug. 25 -Aug. 29 Orientation/Review: Basic Concepts of Algebra 1.1 Linear Equations 1.2 Quadratic Equations Sep. 1 Labor Day Holiday, no classes Sep. 2 – Sep. 6 1.3 Complex numbers; Quadratic Equations in the Complex Number System 1.4 Radical Equations; Equations Quadratic in Form; Factorable Equations Sep. 8 – Sep. 12 1.5 Solving Inequalities 1.6 Equations and Inequalities Involving Absolute Value Sep. 15-Sep. 19 2.1 Distance and Midpoint Formulas 2.2 Graphs of Equations in Two Variables; Intercepts; Symmetry Chapter 1 Test Wednesday, Sep. 17 All Chapter 1 Assignments due Monday, Sep. 15 Sep. 22 – Sep. 26 2.3 Lines 3.1 Functions Sep. 29 – Oct. 3 3.2 Graph of a Functions 3.3 Properties of Functions Oct. 6 – Oct 10 3.4 Libraries of Functions; Piecewise-Defined Functions 3.5 Graphing Techniques Oct. 13 -Oct 17 4.1 Linear Functions and Their Properties Chapter 2/3 Test Wednesday, Oct. 15 All Chapter 2 and 3 Assignments due Monday, Oct. 13 Oct. 20 – Oct 24 4.3 Quadratic Functions and Their Properties 5.1 Polynomial Functions and Models Oct 27 – Oct 31 5.5 Real Zeros of Polynomial Functions 5.6 Complex Zeros of; Fundamental Theorem of Algebra Nov. 3 – Nov. 7 5.7 Complex Zeros 6.1 Composite Functions Nov. 10 – Nov. 14 6.2 One-to-One Functions; Inverse Functions Chapter 4/5 Test Wednesday, Nov. 12 All Chapter 4 and 5 Assignments due Monday, Nov. 10 Nov. 17 - Nov. 21 6.3 Exponential Functions 6.4 Logarithmic Functions 6.5 Properties of Logarithmic Functions Core Assignment Due Nov. 25 Nov. 24 - Nov. 30 6.6 Logarithmic and Exponential Equations 6.7 Applications 8.2 Systems of Linear Equations; Matrices Nov 26, 27, 28 Thanksgiving Holiday, no classes Dec. 1 - Dec 5 Chapter 6/8 Test Monday, Dec. 1 All Chapter 6 and 8 Assignments due Monday, Dec. 1 Dec. 3 Final Exam (Day and Time may change !) Dec. 3 COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Tests 60% • Assignments 20% • Core Assignment 20% GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F LIT does not use +/- grading scales ACADEMIC DISHONESTY Students found to be committing academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, or collusion) may receive disciplinary action. Students need to familiarize themselves with the institution’s Academic Dishonesty Policy available in the Student Catalog & Handbook at http://catalog.lit.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=80#academic-dishonesty. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum-computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses. STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION Instructor Expectations from Students: ➢ Weekly email communication regarding assignment and upcoming test due dates ➢ Response to email within 24 hours Sunday through Thursday, or within 48 hours Friday and Saturday. ➢ Flexible office hour/ virtual help when needed. ➢ Weekly grade updates Instructor Expectations of Students: ➢ Seek help from instructor early and often, do not wait until the last minute! ➢ The student will be expected to have access to the internet and their own computer. ➢ On exams, all of your work should be completely your own. You are allowed scratch paper, a pencil, and your calculator. Any other materials allowed on the test are at instructor’s discretion and will be announced in advance of the exam. On the Core Assignment, no AI may be used and all work should be your own. Any evidence of cheating could result in a zero on that particular exam or the Core Assignment. Repeated offenses will cause you to fail the course. ➢ If you must miss an exam, make prior arrangements to take it early or schedule a make-up date at instructors’ convenience (must notify instructor within a day of due date to schedule the makeup unless you provide documentation of an emergency like a doctor’s note, hospital release, etc.) Otherwise, you will earn a zero on the missed exam! ➢ When sending emails identify yourself with class and section. Course Expectations