Orientation Letter for Math 011

Welcome to Math 011  which serves two groups of students:

(1)   Students who are also enrolled in an mCAL Mediated Math 070

(2)   Students who are in need of a review or introduction to some of the basics of Intermediate Algebra.  This may include students who have successfully completed intermediate algebra in the past but have been away from math for a year or two and just need a refresher. Also students who qualify or test into Math 070 who don’t feel quite ready may use this as a preparatory course to get ready for Math 070 (or even students enrolled in a regular Math 070 lecture class).

This is an online course.  However, if you are able to come on campus during the open hours of the mCALMediated Math Facility, you will not need to have a computer at home and you will need very little technical knowledge.

More information about the hours, location, services, and rules of the mCAL Mediated Math Facilitywill be provided. Computers, individual help with the online software, tutoring, and general assistance with any part of the course are available in this facility.  Those of you enrolled in mCAL Mediated Math 070 will also receive computer/software instruction and assistance during the first few days of your Math 070 class.  Those of you who are purely distance learning students will also receive the above assistance via email, phone and special instructions delivered electronically.

Math 011 is a one unit class, graded credit/no credit, which will require approximately 54 hours of your time during the term. Consider this time well-spent.  To be successful in mathematics, students must learn to practice, be precise, persist when a topic is difficult, and get help when needed. Math 011 will provide you with the opportunity to improve these skills along with learning the course content.  You will have the opportunity to review materials online as many times as you need, as well as take quizzes online repeatedly until you pass (80% or better).

Instructions on getting started will be provided via this website the first day of the term. You will be allowed to log in to the actual course on the first day of the semester.  When you log in there will be instructions on how to proceed and tutorials available for learning how to use the software.  Just remember, the mCAL Mediated Math Facility is available to help you, especially when you feel totally lost and desperate.

The text needed for this course is the text required for the mCAL mediated math sections of Math 070: Academic Systems  Intermediate Algebra. It must be purchased from the COC bookstore (you will probably get "ripped off" if you purchase it in any other way). (Once the text has been opened, you cannot return it.)  It will provide you with an individualized verification number for your course software license. DO NOT ENTER THIS VERIFICATION NUMBER (even when prompted), UNTIL WE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. 

To find your way to the COC  Bookstore website, click here.

Course topics include:

1. Review: factoring, multiplication and division of polynomials, solving linear equations, operations on rational expressions and solving equations containing rational expressions, equations and graphs of lines, absolute value and inequalities
2. Rational exponents and radicals including radicals with different indices
3. Quadratic equations: solving by factoring, completing the square and the quadratic formula, discriminant, complex solutions
4. Functions and graphing: function notation, operations, domain and range, inverses, graphing quadratics, square root and absolute value functions. Finding the vertex of a parabola.
5. Exponential and logarithmic functions: graphs, properties, rules, solving equations, applications
6. Solving systems of equations. Non-linear equations and inequalities: solving and graphing.

7.  Upon student request, other topics that normally are covered in intermediate algebra (and will be covered in a Math 070 class) can be included (but not required for Math 011): matrices and determinants, sequences and series, counting techniques including permutations and combinations, additional word problems, more logarithm applications, binomial theorem, conic sections, more graphing. 

Feel free to contact me via email at any time.

Email:   cherie.choate@canyons.edu

Turn around time for emails:      24 hours during the week (during the term)

Weekends - variable

Office Phone:  661-362-3384

For my schedule and office hours during the semester click here

TLC phone (tutoring center):  661-362-3345

Please add these emails to your “safe lists” so that emails are not accidentally filtered into your Junk Mail/Bulk mail folders.

Look forward to a fun semester!  We really want to help you learn.  With multiple tries, some of the pressures of a regular math course should be alleviated.  But be ready to work – that’s how you succeed.  It is important to keep up with the course pace; this is where students have stumbled in the past.  Reminders and warnings will be sent to you; you must take them seriously.  When you are too far behind, you are in danger of being dropped from the class.  But you must know that we’ll be here for you, to help you every step of the way!