MATH2101 – College Algebra

COURSE PREVIEW AND SYLLABUS

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides a survey of college-level algebra for non-STEM majors. The primary topics involve understanding and applying key properties of common functions including linear, polynomial (including those representing conic sections), rational, exponential, and logarithmic. Additional topics include designing and solving systems of linear equations, observing and understanding patterns represented by sequences and series, and an introduction to using mathematics as a tool for deductive reasoning. Each topic will be motivated by and applied to historical and/or practical applications. The course is designed to equip the Learner with an understanding of, appreciation for, and ability to confidently use the language of algebra as a tool in transformative learning and leadership.

COURSE FACULTY

Jeffrey R. Christianson, Ph.D.

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: Foundations of Algebra

College Algebra (1.1 – 1.6, 2.1 – 2.7)

Problem Set #1

Module Assessment #1

Journal Question #1

What is algebra and why is it useful? Upon successful completion of this module, the Learner will be able to define and explain the importance of algebra and will demonstrate both practical proficiency with and a worldview-informed understanding of fundamental concepts of high-school-level arithmetic and algebra including real and complex numbers, the Cartesian coordinate system, exponents, radicals, basic operations on polynomial and rational expressions, linear and quadratic equations, and linear and absolute value inequalities.

Module 2: Functions

College Algebra (3.1 – 3.7, 4.1)

Problem Set #2

Module Assessment #2

What are functions and why are they useful? Upon successful completion of this module, the Learner will be able to define, explain the importance of, and demonstrate practical proficiency with functions and their properties including notation, domain and range, average rates of change, composition, transformation, and inverse. The specific examples of linear and absolute value functions will be examined more closely.

Module 3: Polynomial Functions

College Algebra (5.1 – 5.4)

The Dance of Number (14.1 – 14.3)

Problem Set #3

Module Assessment #3

What are polynomial functions and why are they useful? Upon successful completion of this module, the Learner will be able to define, explain the importance of, and demonstrate practical proficiency with polynomial functions and their properties including defining characteristics, zeros, end behavior, and divisibility.

Module 4: Rational Functions and Finding Zeros of Polynomial Functions

College Algebra (5.5 – 5.8)

Problem Set #4

Module Assessment #4

Journal Question #2

What is the meaning and relevance of zeros of polynomial and rational functions? Upon successful completion of this module, the Learner will be able to explain the importance of and demonstrate proficiency investigating zeros of and graphing polynomial and rational functions using the Remainder, Factor, Rational Zero, and Conjugate Pairs theorems.

Module 5: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

College Algebra (6.1 – 6.6)

The Dance of Number (12.1 – 12.5)

Problem Set #5

Module Assessment #5

What are exponential and logarithmic functions and why are they useful? Upon successful completion of this module, the Learner will be able to define, explain the importance of, and demonstrate practical proficiency with the number e and exponential and logarithmic functions and their properties including their graphical nature and algebraic operations.

Module 6: Systems of Equations and Inequalities

College Algebra (7.1 – 7.4)

Problem Set #6

Module Assessment #6

What are systems of equations and why are they useful? Upon successful completion of this module, the Learner will be able to define, explain the importance of, and demonstrate practical proficiency with setting up, evaluating solvability, and solving systems of linear and quadratic equations and inequalities using methods such as substitution, addition, and elimination.

Module 7: Matrices and Solving Linear Systems of Equations

College Algebra (7.5 – 7.8)

Problem Set #7

Module Assessment #7

Journal Question #3

What are matrices and why are they useful? Upon successful completion of this module, the Learner will be able to define, explain the importance of, and demonstrate practical proficiency with matrices, matrix operations including addition, subtraction, and multiplication, and representing systems of linear equations as matrices and solving them using Gaussian elimination, matrix inversion, and Cramer’s Rule.

Module 8: Conic Sections

College Algebra (8.1 – 8.4)

The Dance of Number (13.8)

Problem Set #8

Module Assessment #8

What are conic sections and why are they useful? Upon successful completion of this module, the Learner will be able to define, explain the importance of, and demonstrate practical proficiency with equations, graphs, and properties of circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas.

Module 9: Sequences and Series

College Algebra (9.1 – 9.4)

Problem Set #9

Module Assessment #9

What are sequences and series and why are they useful? Upon successful completion of this module, the Learner will be able to define, explain the importance of, and demonstrate practical proficiency with arithmetic and geometric sequences and series, including writing and using recursive and explicit formulae and finding sums of finite and convergent infinite series.

Module 10: Mathematical Reasoning

The Dance of Number (13.1 – 13.3, 13.9)

Problem Set #10

Module Assessment #10

Journal Question #4

Course Assessment

What is mathematical reasoning and why is it useful? Upon successful completion of this module, the Learner will be able to explain the place and limitations of reasoning in mathematics and demonstrate practical proficiency with basic methods of direct and indirect proofs.

COURSE RESOURCES

1. Abramson, Jay et al. College Algebra (Houston, TX: OpenStax, 2017), ISBN: 1938168380, https://openstax.org/books/college-algebra/pages/1-introduction-to-prerequisites, Free Online (open source, hard copy retail: $52), sections as specified for each module.

2. Nickel, James D. The Dance of Number: Dance Moves – Mastering Algebra and Mathematical Reasoning, Part 2, Volume 2 (Wenatchee, WA: Sound Mind Press, 2018), ISBN 9780999105474, Retail: $55), sections as specified. [Available to rent from the Agathon Research Library]

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLOs)

Demonstrate an intuitive understanding of the language of algebra (VLO 1, 2, BPCO 1).
Apply this understanding to define and solve practical problems (VLO 2, 3, BPCO 2, APCO 1).
Analyze mathematical reasoning and thought within the context of worldview considerations (VLO 4, 5, BPCO 3, 4, APCO 2, 3).

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs)

Bachelor’s Program Competency Outcomes (BPCOs)

To prepare Learners for roles in transformative education teaching and service.
To provide Learners a foundation for effective individual and organizational leadership in diverse environments.
To ensure Learners demonstrate worldview foundation for empowering people and building communities.
To help Learners formulate a Biblical approach to transformative learning and leadership.

Associate’s Program Competency Outcomes (APCOs)

To prepare Learners for specialized undergrad study in transformative education theory and in leadership strategies.
To provide Learners key worldview foundations for critical thinking and study.
To provide Learners with practical experience germane to their transformative learning and leadership.

VYRSITY LEARNING OUTCOMES (VLOs)

1. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Research – Learners will demonstrate ability to think critically, solve problems, and conduct interdisciplinary research at a level appropriate to their program.

2. Personal Growth – Learners will understand how learning is related to personal growth, and will be challenged to grow in their thinking, communication, conduct, and engagement with others.

3. Skills Development – Learners will advance in skills related to their area of learning, demonstrating a level of competency appropriate to their program.

4. Social Responsibility – Learners will appreciate the diversity in and value of others as designed by our Creator, and will grow in willingness and capability to serve others.

5. Worldview Applications – Learners will become capable at thinking from a worldview perspective and will understand the relationship of description and prescription, so that they can ground their actions in sound principles.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING RUBRIC (1000 POINTS)

Module Assessments (50 points each x 10) 500 Points (Multiple Choice + Short Answer)

Journals (50 points each x 4) 200 Points (Essays)

Problem Sets (5 points each x 10) 50 Points (Completion)

Course Assessment 250 Points (Multiple Choice + Short Answer)

Problem sets are assigned for each module and are essential to achieving CLOs 1-2. Answers to each problem in the problem set will be provided so that the Learner may self-assess his or her understanding prior to taking a graded assessment. As such, it is highly recommended that the Learner thoroughly work through each problem set using available resources (course textbook, lecture material, mentor, etc.) prior to looking up the answers and grading the problem set. After self-grading, any incorrect answers should then be thoroughly investigated until the correct understanding and answer is achieved. Problems sets are then submitted and graded for completion.

Module and Course Assessments are the graded components of the course that will evaluate the Learner’s progress in achieving CLOs 1-2. Each assessment will have a time limit for completion that reflects minimal time required to answer all questions if CLOs 1-2 have been achieved. Each question will be multiple choice, but most questions require work to be shown. In this case, the Learner must write down the key computation(s) required to answer the question. Immediately following the exam, a copy of this work (e.g., scan or picture) must be uploaded to ELUX for review. Uploaded work should reflect the answers that were selected, in which case the points reserved for showing work will be assigned at the same percentage as the percentage of correct answers selected on the assessment (for example, if 80% of the multiple-choice questions were answered correctly and 15 points are reserved for showing work, then 12 of those 15 points will be credited).

Competency Assessments are the graded components of the course that will evaluate the Learner’s progress in achieving CLO 3. Each one will consist of a journal question that will require the Learner to analyze the course material from the perspective of his or her worldview. The first submitted response should be a critical analysis with a coherent written structure. In most cases, at least one subsequent response based on mentor feedback or questions will also be required. Points will be assigned based on all submitted responses.

GRADING SCALE

91-100% A

81-90% B

71-80% C

61-70% D

0-60% F

CARNEGIE UNIT EQUIVALENT

Total Hours of Module Content: 20 hours

Total Hours of Reading Content: 40 hours

Total Hours of Minor Assessments: 30 hours

Total Hours of Major Assessment: 30 hours

Total Hours of Competency Assessment: 15 hours

Equivalent of 3 Credit Hour (135 hours of total course time)

POLICIES

Course Duration Policy

Learners may complete the course in as few as four weeks and in as many as sixteen weeks from the date of enrollment.

Writing Style Policy

All written assessments must follow the style guide appropriate for each course subject as listed below:

PHIL/HUMA/HIST/LANG – Chicago Style (The Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers, Seventeenth Edition)
EDUC/SCIE/MATH/PSYC – APA Style (The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition)
ENGL – MLA Style (MLA Handbook, Ninth Edition)

Standard of Intellectual Honesty

By enrolling in a Vyrsity degree program, Learners commit that they will not give or receive aid in any work that is to be used by the professor as the basis of grading, and that, and will do their part to ensure that other Learners uphold Vyrsity’s Standards of Intellectual Honesty.

The Vyrsity faculty manifests its confidence in the honor of its Learners by refraining from proctoring examinations and from taking unusual and unreasonable precautions to prevent intellectual dishonesty.

While the Vyrsity faculty alone has the right and obligation to determine academic requirements, Learners and faculty collaborate to establish the conditions for learning that is worthy of the worldview that Vyrsity represents.

Intellectual dishonesty includes but is not limited to:

Copying from another’s work or allowing another to copy from one’s own work
Representing as one’s own work the work of another
Other forms of plagiarism.
Unpermitted collaboration or provision of aid on an academic assignment
Using the same paper or other coursework too satisfy the requirements of more than one course or degree

The standard penalty for a first offense may include a failing grade for the course in which the violation occurred. Repeated offenses may include academic suspension or dismissal.

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– Start Anytime

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– From $34/Credit Hour

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