MTH 55 Orientation

Distance Education at Mendocino College

Spring 2010 MTH 55 Elementary Algebra (5 units)

Section 0831 Class Begins January 25, 2010

Course Description: This course will cover the topics of operations with real numbers, solution techniques of single-variable linear equations and inequalities, graphing linear equations in two variables, solving systems of linear equations, simplifying and combining polynomials, calculating roots and radicals, and solving quadratic equations. Students will: learn to solve applied problems using linear equations, use slope to graph two-variable linear equations, solve applied problems using two variables, and solve quadratic equations by factoring and using the Quadratic Formula.

Instructor: H. Ahders
Email: hahders@mendocino.edu
Textbook Information:

Introductory Algebra for College Students, 5th Edition, Bundled with MyMathLab, Blitzer.
Stand Alone MyMathLab Access Code (ISBN 0-13-14789-4X): Provides an electronic version of the textbook. Although this is a less expensive way to take the course, since everything needed to complete the course is online, the downside is that you must be online to study and complete assignments.

Estimated Time Per Week: Students can expect to spend approximately 15 to 20 hours per week reading, writing, and taking quizzes and participating in online class discussions.
Special Requirements:

PC or MAC- If you have any other computer configuration, call MyMathLab Product Support at 1-800-677-6337 to be sure yours will work in this course:
Operating system: PC – Windows XP or Windows Vista. Mac – Macintosh OS 10.4 or 10.5. Internet connection: Cable/DSL, T1, or other high-speed for multimedia content; 56k modem (minimum) for tutorials, homework, and testing.
Browsers and Plug-ins/Players: Windows XP – Firefox 2.0, Internet Explorer 6.0 or 7.0, Netscape Navigator 7.2. Windows Vista: Firefox 2.0 or Internet Explorer 7.0. Macintosh OS 10.4 – Firefox 2.0, Safari 2.0, or Netscape Navigator 7.2. Macintosh OS 10.5 – Safari 3.1. Install from the MyMathLab Installation Wizard online.
Pop-Up Blockers: To be able to access various features in the online content, you MUST disable any Pop-Up Blocker software (or hit Ctrl + the blocked link).
Calculator Policy –Basic calculators needed for lectures and to check homework, but no calculators are allowed on quizzes and tests.

CourseCompass Course: This course uses specialized math software, Course Compass. For information on orientation, you must email your instructor by Monday, 1/25 AND visit the online math page at http://www.mendocino.edu/tc/pg/4157/online_math.html