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Syllabus
Penn State University—World Campus
Math 004: Intermediate Algebra
(3 credits): Algebraic expressions; linear, absolute value Equations and inequalities; lines; systems of linear equations; integral exponents; polynomials; factoring. This course may not be used to satisfy the basic minimum requirements for graduation in any Baccalaureate degree program.
Prerequisite: Basic arithmetic skills or satisfactory performance on the mathematics proficiency examination, Students who do not meet the prerequisite may have great difficulty in the course.
Overview | Objectives | Materials | Technical Requirements | Online Proctored Exam | Tutor.com | Assessment and Grades | Course Schedule | Academic Integrity | Accomodating Disabilities | Additional Policies
Overview
This course covers algebraic expressions; linear, absolute value equations and inequalities; lines; systems of linear equations; integral exponents; polynomials and factoring. Please note that this course may not be used to satisfy the basic minimum requirements for graduation in any baccalaureate degree program.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of MATH 004, the student should be able to:
Unit 1 Numbers and Expressions
- Simplify numerical expressions.
- Perform arithmetic operations with real numbers.
- Apply properties of real numbers to simplify expressions.
- Evaluate basic exponential expressions.
- Simplify and evaluate basic algebraic expressions.
Unit 2 Linear Equations and Inequalities
- Solve first-degree equations.
- Use equations to solve word problems.
- Solve equations involving fractions or decimals.
- Solve basic word problems involving discount and selling price, simple interest, and mixtures.
- Solve inequalities, and write solution sets in interval notation.
- Solve inequalities involving fractions or decimals.
- Solve compound inequalities.
- Use inequalities to solve word problems.
- Solve equations and inequalities that involve absolute value.
Unit 3 Lines and Graphing
- Determine the slope of a line, and use slope to graph lines.
- Determine the point-slope equation of a line.
- Determine the slope-intercept equation of a line.
- Find equations for parallel or perpendicular lines.
- Find and graph solutions for linear equations in two variables.
- Graph linear equations by finding the x and y intercept.
- Graph lines passing through the origin, vertical lines, and horizontal lines.
- Use the distance formula.
- Solve systems of linear equations by graphing and substitution
Unit 4 Polynomials
- Add, subtract, and multiply polynomials.
- Divide monomials.
- Factor out the greatest common factor.
- Factor by grouping.
- Factor the difference of two squares and the sum or difference of two cubes.
- Factor trinomials by trial-and-error and the four-step method.
- Solve polynomial equations by factoring.
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.Technical Requirements
One of the benefits of being a registered Penn State student is that you are eligible to receive educational discounts on many software titles. If you are interested in learning more about purchasing software through our affiliate vendor, please visit the Technology and Software page.
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
|---|---|
| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Online Proctored Exam
In this class you will take your tests remotely and they will be proctored by a service called Examity®. Review the Student Quick-Guide, which is available in the modules tab, for instructions on how to use Examity®. Please log in as soon as possible to set up your profile. You will not be able to schedule exams until your profile is complete.
Examity® system requirements are:
- Desktop computer or laptop (not tablet)
- Webcam and microphone (built-in or external)—test your webcam at www.testmycam.com
- Connection to network with sufficient internet speed: at least 2 Mbps download speed and 2 Mbps upload—test internet speed at www.speedtest.net
- Operating systems: Windows XP–Windows 10, Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion)–10.11 (El Capitan)
- Browser with pop-up blocker disabled: Google Chrome v39 or later, Mozilla Firefox v34 or later, Internet Explorer v8 or later, Microsoft Edge, Apple Safari v6 or later
If you have any questions or concerns, contact Examity’s technical support team 24/7 via email at support@examity.com or phone at (855) 392-6489.
Getting Started with Tutor.com
- Launch Tutor.com by clicking the Tutor.com link in the Course Navigation Menu.
- Select the topic you are studying from the drop-down menu.
- From the subject drop-down menu, select your course.
- Ask your tutor a question in the text box. If you're working with a document, such as a rough draft of a writing assignment, you can upload the file here as well.
- Once you have made these selections, click Get a Tutor, and a tutor will be assigned to you within two minutes.
- You will then enter a virtual classroom with your tutor. Here, the interactive whiteboard and chat feature will be available. You will be able to talk with your tutor and use the tools. File sharing will be available for you and your tutor to review a document at the same time.
- After your session, please fill out the post-session survey to offer feedback on your experience.
- For a more detailed overview of Tutor.com, please view the How It Works video or read the “How It Works” guide (provide link to document). If you have any questions or need additional help logging in, please contact studentsupport@tutor.com.
Course Requirements and Grading
| Assessment | Point Value | Total |
|---|---|---|
| ALEKS Pie Mastery Goals | 4 at 10 points each | 40 points |
| ALEKS Cumulative Assessments | 4 at 10 points each | 40 points |
| ALEKS Time Goals | Best 6 of 7 | 60 points |
| ALEKS Topics Set |
|
370 points |
| ALEKS Review Quizzes | 2 at 20 points each | 40 points |
| Canvas Proctored Exams |
|
450 points |
| Total 1000 points | ||
| Practice Exams | 25 points extra credits for the midterm and the final | 50 points |
Grading Scale
| Grade | % Score |
|---|---|
| A | 93–100 |
| A- | 89.5–92.9 |
| B+ | 87.0–89.4 |
| B | 83.0–86.9 |
| B- | 79.5–82.9 |
| C+ | 77.0–79.4 |
| C | 69.5–76.9 |
| D | 59.5–69.4 |
| F | 0.0–59.4 |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
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Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please go to the Graduation Information on the My Penn State Online Student Portal.
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
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 own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has resources for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contacts for disability services at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the SDR website.
In order to apply for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability resources office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation based on the documentation guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability resources office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
Counseling and Psychological Services
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.