Main Content
Syllabus
MATH 4
Intermediate Algebra (3) 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 | ALEKS | Course Requirements and Grading | 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 4, the student should be able to:
Module 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.
Module 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.
Module 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
Module 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.
- Properties of exponents.
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.
Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Requirements
| 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. |
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| 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
Honorlock will proctor your exams this semester. Honorlock is an online proctoring service that allows you to take your exam from the comfort of your home. You DO NOT need to create an account or schedule an appointment in advance. Honorlock is available 24/7, and all that is required is a computer, a working webcam/microphone, your ID, and a stable internet connection.
To get started, you will need Google Chrome and download the Honorlock Chrome Extension. Mobile devices, including iPads, tablets, and cell phones are not supported by Honorlock at this time. You will need a working webcam, microphone, and laptop or desktop computer. The webcam and microphone can be integrated or external USB devices.
When you are ready to complete your assessment, log into Canvas, go to your course, and click on your exam. Clicking "Launch Proctoring" will begin the Honorlock authentication process, where you will take a picture of yourself, show your ID, and complete a scan of your room. Honorlock will be recording your exam session through your webcam, microphone, and recording your screen. Honorlock also has an integrity algorithm that can detect search-engine use, so please do not attempt to search for answers, even if it's on a secondary device.
Honorlock support is available 24/7/365. If you encounter any issues, you may contact them through live chat on the support page or within the exam itself. Some guides you should review include:
- Student Tutorial: How to Use Honorlock (video, 2m, 31s),
- Honorlock Minimum System Requirements (MSRs),
- Install the Honorlock Extension,
- Student FAQ,
- Honorlock Knowledge Base, and
- Honorlock: User Support Information
Good luck!
Getting Started with Tutor.com
Tutor.com is a 24/7 tutoring service that provides students with assistance in coursework, test preparation, research, writing, and more for various subjects. The tutors are subject-matter experts, and each student will have personalized one-on-one sessions with them. Students can schedule their own tutoring appointments to engage in interactive sessions that include a whiteboard and chat feature. The service can be utilized on any device that has Internet access. Students are encouraged to use the service throughout the semester.
You can access this service by selecting Tutor.com from your course navigation menu. Here you fill out a questionnaire and begin your tutoring session.
- 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 Access Tutor.com at Penn State World Campus video, or read the "How It Works" guide. If you have any questions or need additional help logging in, please contact studentsupport@tutor.com.
ALEKS
ALEKS stands for Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces. It's “a Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learnng systems.” Throughout the semester, students will work in the ALEKS Math 4 space to learn the topics, access additional resources, and complete assessments. More details will be discussed in the “ALEKS Details” module.
Note: Request assistance from ALEKS Customer Support if you have ALEKS registration/system issues or questions at any point during the semester. You may reach ALEKS Support via Email, Phone or Live Chat.
Course Requirements and Grading
| Assessment | Point Value | Total |
|---|---|---|
| ALEKS Progress Goals |
Progress Goal - 1 (10 pts) Progress Goal - 2 (10 pts) Progress Goal - 3 (10 pts) Progress Goal - 4 (10 pts) | 40 points |
| ALEKS Unit Quizzes |
ALEKS Unit Quiz 1 (10 pts) ALEKS Unit Quiz 2 (10 pts) ALEKS Unit Quiz 3 (10 pts) ALEKS Unit Quiz 4 (10 pts) | 40 points |
| ALEKS Topics Set |
| 370 points |
| ALEKS Review Quizzes |
ALEKS Midterm Review Quiz (20 pts) ALEKS Final Exam Review Quiz (20 pts) | 40 points |
| Honorlock Proctored Exams in Canvas |
| 450 points |
| Total 940 points | ||
| Extra Credit: Syllabus Review Quiz | 10 points extra credits for taking the Syllabus Review Quiz | 10 points |
| Extra Credit: Honorlock Practice Quiz | 10 points extra credits for taking the Honorlock Practice Quiz | 10 points |
| Extra Credit: Practice Exams | 25 points extra credits for the midterm and the final | 50 points |
| Extra Credit: Discussions | 5 points extra credits for participating in each of the four discussions | 20 points |
The instructor may announce additional opportunities for extra credit in the course.
| 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.
If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
Course Schedule
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
- Course length: 15 weeks
The schedule below outlines the topics we will be covering in this course, along with the associated time frames and activities. Unless otherwise noted, activities are due by the end of the unit.
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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 refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.
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 an office for students with disabilities, including World Campus. The Disabilities and Accommodations section of the Chaiken Center for Student Success website provides World Campus students with information regarding how to request accommodations, documentation guidelines and eligibility, and appeals and complaints. For additional information, please visit the University's Student Disability Resources website.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability services 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.
Military
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Privacy Notice
In order to protect your privacy, course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant or college administrator may be provided access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. World Campus technical staff may also be given access in order to resolve technical support issues.
Student Responsibilities and Conduct
- Students are responsible for online course content, taking notes, obtaining other materials provided by the instructor, taking tests (if applicable), and completing assignments as scheduled by the instructor. As a general rule, students should plan on logging into the course at least three times per week and spending at least three hours per course credit per week on the course, e.g., if the course is three credits, the student should plan on spending at least 9-12 hours per week on the course, just as they would in a residence course.
- Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their grades.
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Students must contact their instructor (and teammates when working on any collaborative learning assignments) as soon as possible if they anticipate missing long periods of online time due to events such as chronic illnesses, death in the family, business travel, or other appropriate events. The instructor will determine the minimal log on time and participation required in order to meet course responsibilities. In the event of other unforeseen conflicts, the instructor and student will arrive at a solution together.
- Requests for taking exams or submitting assignments after the due dates require documentation of events such as illness, family emergency, or a business-sanctioned activity.
- Conflicts with dates on which examinations or assignments are scheduled must be discussed with the instructor or TA prior to the date of the examination or assignment.
- Students are responsible for following appropriate netiquette (network etiquette) when communicating with their instructor and classmates. For reference, see the Academic Success Kit.
- Behaviors that disrupt other students’ learning are not acceptable and will be addressed by the instructor.
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For severe and chronic problems with student disruptive behavior, the following will be applied for resolution:
- Senate Committee on Student Life policy on managing classroom disruptions: Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
- Penn State Values.
Report Bias
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage.