CATALOG DESCRIPTION: College Algebra I (3 semester hours). Quadratic equations; equations in quadratic form; word problems, graphing; algebraic fractions; negative and rational exponents; radicals.

PREREQUISITES: Math 004 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics proficiency examination. Students who do not meet the prerequisite may have great difficulty in the course.

TEXT BOOK: Intermediate Algebra for College Students, 8th edition, by Jerome E. Kaufmann and Karen L. Schwitters, published by Thomson, Brooks/Cole.

COURSE WEBSITE:  Math 21
DEPARTMENT WEBSITE:  http://www.math.psu.edu/ug/

EXAMINATIONS: Two 75-minute evening examinations will be given during the semester and a comprehensive final examination will be given during the final examination period. NO books, notes, or calculators may be used on the examinations. You must bring your University ID card to all exams. The examinations will be given from 6:30 to 7:45 PM on the following dates:

Rooms for the examinations will be announced by your instructor at a later date.

MAKEUP EXAMINATIONS: If you have a conflict with either of the midterm examinations, please contact your instructor to make arrangements for a makeup examination. Only students with official University conflicts, or a valid, documented excuse, such as illness, will be permitted to schedule a makeup examination. Personal business such as travel, employment, weddings, graduations, or attendance at public events such as concerts, sporting events, etc. are not valid excuses. Students are responsible for requesting permission from the instructor at least three days before the regularly scheduled examination.

FINAL EXAMINATION: The date and time of the final examination will be announced later. The final examination will be scheduled on any day during the final examination period. Do not plan to leave University Park until after Friday, August 15, 2008.

DEFERRED GRADES: Students who are unable to complete the course because of illness or emergency may be granted a deferred grade which will allow the student to complete the course within the first six weeks of the following semester. Note that deferred grades are limited to those students who can verify and document a valid reason for not being able to take the final examination. For more information, see DF grade.

COURSE GRADES: Grades will be assigned on the basis of 450 points, distributed as follows:

Final course grades will be assigned as follows:

NOTE: Your grade will be based EXCLUSIVELY on the midterm examinations, homework and/or quizzes and final examination. There is no extra-credit work.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University's Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students' dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.

Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is no limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, […], facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with academic work of other students. […] A student charged with academic dishonesty will be given oral or written notice of the charge by the instructor. If students believe that they have been falsely accused, they should seek redress through informal discussions with the instructor, the department head, dean or campus executive officer. If the instructor believes that the infraction is sufficiently serious to warrant the referral of the case to Judicial Affairs, or if the instructor will award a final grade of F in the course because of the infraction, the student and instructor will be afforded formal due process procedures.

From Policies and Rules, Student Guide to the University Policy 49-20.

Based on the University's Faculty Senate Policy 49-20, a range of academic sanctions may be taken against a student who engages in academic dishonesty.  Please see the Eberly College of Science Academic Integrity homepage for additional information and procedures.

QUESTIONS, PROBLEMS, OR COMMENTS: If you have questions or concerns about the course, please consult your instructor first. If further guidance is needed, you may contact the course coordinator whose address is given below.

Course Coordinator

LECTURE-BY-LECTURE BREAKDOWN