The document is a comprehensive syllabus for MAT 117 Algebra 1B, covering course structure, facilitator contact information, grading criteria, and assignments over nine weeks. It details topics such as polynomials, rational expressions, quadratic equations, and features assessments and participation requirements for each week. Students are encouraged to utilize the provided online resources and adhere to university policies throughout the course.

1. Course Syllabus
MAT 117 Algebra 1B
Course Start Date: 4/11/2011
Course End Date: 6/6/2011
Please print a copy of this syllabus for handy
reference.Whenever there is a question about what assignments
are due, please remember this syllabus is considered the ruling
document.
Copyright
Copyright ©2009 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
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trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or
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trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies. Use of these marks is not intended to imply
endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation.

2. Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix© editorial
standards and practices.
Facilitator Information
Richard T. Lynch[email protected] (University of Phoenix)
[email protected] (Personal)
302-593-4393 (EST)
Facilitator Availability
I am available from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Time on most days,
but I attempt to reserve Sunday for my family. During the week,
I am online most of the time during that 9 a.m.-9 p.m. time
frame.
On Saturdays, I tend to be online in the morning only. If these
times are not convenient for you, please let me know. I will be
happy to accommodate your schedule, if possible. I provide you
with these times to make it easier to communicate with me, and
not to limit our contact.
I want you to know that, should you need to contact me outside
these time frames, you should not hesitate to do so.
For emergencies, when you are not able to gain access to
messages on the Online Learning System (OLS), please send a
message to my personal email address. In the event a third party
needs to contact me, please direct them to my contact
information listed under "facilitator information." No third
party should use your login credentials to gain access to the
classroom.
Where to Go to

3. Class
Main: This is the main forum for the class and is
where discussion is conducted. It has read-and-write access for
everyone.
Chat-Room: This is a read-and-write access forum. It is
designed as a place to discuss issues not related to the course
content. This is the forum to which we will send our bios.
Course-Materials: This is a read-only forum, which means you
can read messages here but cannot send any. This is where I
will post the course syllabus and materials.
Individual Forum: You will see one forum with your name on it.
This is a private forum, shared only by you and me, the
facilitator. Your classmates will not have access to this forum.
This is where I will post your feedback. You can also ask
questions here. However, if you have general questions about
instructions of assignments, please post those in the Main
forum, since other students may benefit by that exchange as
well.
Policies
For class policies, please see the Policies link on the left side of
the Materials page for the course on eCampus. Faculty and
students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and
adhering to all policies contained within that link. University
policies are subject to change so please be sure to read them at
the beginning of each class as it may have changed since your
last class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the
modality in which you attend class. If you have recently
changed modalities it is important you read the policies
governing your current class modality.
Technical Support

4. Technical Support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Call 1-877-832-4867, or use the e-mail support form.
Answers to the most common issues are found in the Knowledge
Base by clicking Help, found at the top of every student Web
site.
Feedback
Each week, I will provide grades or scores and comments on
your assignments. I will send feedback to your Individual
forum.
Grading Formula
Points
Grade
95+
A
90-94
A-
87-89
B+
84-86
B
80-83
B-
77-79
C+
74-76
C
70-73
C-
67-69
D+

5. 64-66
D
60-63
D-
<59
F
Course Description
See eCampus.
Course Topics & Objectives
See eCampus.
Course Materials
See eCampus.
Point Values for Course
Assignments
ASSIGNMENTS
Points
Individual (100%)
Week 1 Check Point, Discussion Questions, Participation
50, 10, 10 Total 70
Week 2 Check Point, Concept Check, Quiz
50, 5, 60 Total 115
Week 3 Check Point, Discussion Questions, Participation
50, 10, 10 Total 70
Week 4 Check Point, Concept Check, Quiz
50, 5, 60 Total 115
Week 5 Check Point, Discussion Questions, Participation
50, 10, 10 Total 70
Week 6 Check Point, Concept Check, Quiz

6. 50, 5, 60 Total 115
Week 7 Check Point, Discussion Questions, Participation
50, 10, 10 Total 70
Week 8 Check Point, Concept Check, Quiz
50, 5, 60 Total 115
Week 9 Capstone Discussion Question, Participation, Final
Exam
10,10, 240 Total 260
Total
1000
Week One
WEEK 1 - TOPIC 1: POLYNOMIALS
Objectives
· Simplify algebraic expressions involving exponents.
· Perform mathematical operations involving polynomials.
· Evaluate a polynomial for a given value of the variable.
· Perform mathematical operations using scientific notation.
Assessment
· DQ 1 and 2
· Participation
· CheckPoint: Polynomials
Weekly Reminders
Discussion Questions
Discussion question responses will count towards the class
participation requirement.

7. Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your
class participation score.
Summary of Week 1 Deliverables
Assignment
Location
Due
Discussion Question 1Main Forum
Day 2
Discussion Question 2Main Forum
Day 4
Checkpoint
MyMathLab
Day 5
Participation
Main Forum
Day 7

8. Week One Assignment Description
Polynomials
· Simplify algebraic expressions involving exponents.
· Perform mathematical operations involving polynomials.
· Evaluate a polynomial for a given value of the variable.
· Perform mathematical operations using scientific notation.
Course Assignments
1. Course Preparation
· Read the course description and objectives.
· Read the instructor’s biography and post your own.
2. Readings and Activities
· Read Appendix A.
· Read Appendix B.
· Read Ch. 4 & 5 of Introductory and Intermediate Algebra.
· Review the Equation Editor tutorial
athttp://corptrain.phoenix.edu/EEGT/EEGT-01-INTRO.asp
· Review the How to Answer Questions tutorial to learn how to
use MyMathLab®. Enter MyMathLab® by clicking the link
provided under the Week One Materials section of your student
website.
3. CheckPoint: Polynomials
· Complete the Week One CheckPoint in MyMathLab®. This
activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts

9. introduced in Ch. 4.
4. Discussion Questions
· When rewriting an exponential expression with a negative
exponent and a positive base to an expression containing only a
positive exponent, does the sign of the base change?
Demonstrate with an example.
· Is this equation correct: (x y)3 = x y3 ? Explain why. If it is
correct, how can you prove this? If it is incorrect, what should
be done to make it right?
Week Two
WEEK 2 - TOPIC 1: FACTORING POLYNOMIALS
Objectives
· Factor various types of polynomials using an appropriate
method.
· Use factoring to solve quadratic equations.
Assessment
· Week Two Concept Check
Post to Assignment forum:50-word response to the following:
How do you determine if a polynomial is the difference of two
squares?
· CheckPoint: Factoring Polynomials
· Assignment: Simplifying Polynomials (Quiz)
Weekly Reminders
Summary of Week 2 Deliverables
Assignment

10. Location
Due
Week 2 Concept Check
AssignmentForum
Day 5
CheckpointMyMathLab
Day 5
Week 2 Quiz
MyMathLab
Day 7
Week Two Assignment Descriptions
Factoring Polynomials

11. Factor various types of polynomials using an
appropriate method.
Use factoring to solve quadratic equations.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Exercise: Week Two Concept Check
Due Date: Day 5 [Assignment forum]
Post a 50-word response to the following: How do you
determine if a polynomial is the difference of two squares?
2. CheckPoint: Factoring Polynomials
Resource: MyMathLab®
Due Date: Day 5 [MyMathLab®]
Complete the Week Two CheckPoint in MyMathLab®.
This activity provides the opportunity to apply concepts
introduced in Ch. 5.
3. Assignment: Simplifying and Factoring Polynomials
Resources: MyMathLab®
Due Date: Day 7 [MyMathLab®].
Complete the Week Two Quiz in MyMathLab®. Submit
your assignment in MyMathLab®.
Week Three
WEEK 3 - TOPIC 1: RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS

12. Objectives
· Simplify rational expressions.
· Perform mathematical operations involving rational
expressions.
Assessment
· DQ 1 and 2
· Participation
· Check Point: Simplifying Rational Expressions
Weekly Reminders
Discussion Questions
Discussion question responses will count towards the class
participation requirement.
Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your
class participation score.
Summary of Week 3 Deliverables
Assignment
Location
Due
Discussion Question 1Main Forum
Day 2
Discussion Question 2Main Forum
Day 4
Checkpoint
MyMathLab
Day 5
Participation
Main Forum

13. Day 7
Week Three Assignment Description
Rational Expressions
· Simplify rational expressions.
· Perform mathematical operations involving rational
expressions.
Course Assignments
1. Readings
· Read Ch. 6 of Introductory and Intermediate Algebra.
2. CheckPoint: Simplifying Rational Expressions

14. · Complete the Week Three CheckPoint in MyMathLab®. This
activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts
introduced in Sections 6.1–6.6 in Ch. 6.
3. Discussion Questions
· How is doing operations—adding, subtracting, multiplying,
and dividing—with rational expressions similar to or different
from doing operations with fractions?
Can understanding how to work with one kind of problem help
understand how to work another type?
When might you use this skill in real life?
· Why is (3x + 5) (x - 2) + (2x - 3) (x - 2) not in factored form?
What is the correct final factored form? What is this factoring
method called?
Week Four
WEEK 4 - TOPIC 1: RATIONAL EQUATIONS
Objectives
· Solve rational equations.
Assessment
· Week Four Concept Check
Post a 50-word response to the following: When solving a
rational equation, why is it necessary to perform a check?
· Check Point: Solving Rational Equations
· Assignment: Rational Equations (Quiz)
Weekly Reminders
Summary of Week 4 Deliverables

15. Assignment
Location
Due
Week 4 Concept Check
AssignmentForum
Day 5
CheckpointMyMathLab
Day 5
Week 4 Quiz
MyMathLab
Day 7

16. Week Four Assignment Descriptions
Rational Equations
Solve rational equations.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Exercise: Week Four Concept Check
Due Date: Day 5 [AssignmentForum]
Post a 50-word response to the following: When solving
a rational equation, why is it necessary to perform a check?
2. CheckPoint: Solving Rational Equations
Resource: MyMathLab®
Due Date: Day 5 [MyMathLab®]
Complete the Week Four CheckPoint in MyMathLab®.
This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts
introduced in sections 6.7-6.9 of Ch. 6.
3. Assignment: Rational Expressions and Equations
Due Date: Day 7 [MyMathLab®]
Complete the Week Four Assignment in MyMathLab®.
This assignment assesses content learned in Ch. 6.
Week Five
Objectives
· Simplify radical expressions.

17. · Perform mathematical operations involving radical
expressions.
· Discuss the laws of exponents.
Assessment
· DQ 1 and 2
· Participation
· Check Point: Radical Expressions
Weekly Reminders
Discussion Questions
Discussion question responses will count towards the class
participation requirement.
Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your
class participation score.
Summary of Week 5 Deliverables
Assignment
Location
Due
Discussion Question 1Main Forum
Day 2
Discussion Question 2Main Forum
Day 4
Checkpoint
MyMathLab
Day 5
Participation
Main Forum
Day 7

18. Week Five Assignment Descriptions
Radical Expressions
· Simplify radical expressions.
· Perform mathematical operations involving radical
expressions.
· Discuss the laws of exponents.
Course Assignments
1. Readings
· Read Ch. 10 of Introductory and Intermediate Algebra.
2. CheckPoint: Radical Expressions
· Complete the Week Five CheckPoint in MyMathLab®. This

19. activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts
introduced in sections 10.1–10.5 of Ch. 10.
3. Discussion Questions
· When solving a rational equation what is the first step we
must always take? Illustrate with an example how you clear the
rational equation of fractions. Consider participating by
reviewing the examples of your classmates and commenting on
whether they are correct and why.
· In your own words, what are radical expressions? What is the
process we follow when adding, subtracting, multiplying, and
dividing rational expressions? In your answer, demonstrate the
process for each one with your own example.
Week Six
WEEK 6 - TOPIC 1: RADICAL EQUATIONS
Objectives
· Solve equations involving radicals.
Assessment
· Week Six Concept Check
Post a 50-word response to the following: What is the
Pythagorean theorem? How is it used?
· Check Point: Radical Equations
· Assignment: Working with Radicals (Quiz)
Weekly Reminders
Summary of Week 6 Deliverables

20. Assignment
Location
Due
Week 6 Concept Check
AssignmentForum
Day 5
CheckpointMyMathLab
Day 5
Week 6 Quiz
MyMathLab
Day 7
Week Six Assignment Descriptions

21. Radical Equations
Solve equations involving radicals.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Exercise: Week Six Concept Check
Due Date: Day 5 [AssignmentForum]
Post a 50-word response to the following: What is the
Pythagorean theorem? How is it used?
2. CheckPoint: Radical Equations
Resource: MyMathLab®
Due Date: Day 5 [MyMathLab®]
Complete the Week Six CheckPoint in MyMathLab®.
This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts
introduced in sections 10.6-10.8 of Ch. 10.
3. Assignment: Working with Radicals
Due Date: Day 7 [MyMathLab®]
Complete the Week Six Assignment: Ch. 10 Quiz in
MyMathLab®. This assignment assesses content learned in Ch.
10.
Week Seven
WEEK 7 - TOPIC 1: QUADRATIC EQUATIONS
Objectives

22. · Solve quadratic equations.
Assessment
· DQ 1 and 2
· Participation
· Check Point: Solving Quadratic Equations
Weekly Reminders
Discussion Questions
Discussion question responses will count towards the class
participation requirement.
Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your
class participation score.
Summary of Week 7 Deliverables
Assignment
Location
Due
Discussion Question 1Main Forum
Day 2
Discussion Question 2Main Forum
Day 4
Checkpoint
MyMathLab
Day 5
Participation
Main Forum
Day 7

23. Week Seven Assignment Descriptions
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
· Solve quadratic equations.
Course Assignments
1. Readings
· Read Ch. 11 of Introductory and Intermediate Algebra.
2. CheckPoint: Solving Quadratic Equations
· Complete the Week Seven CheckPoint in MyMathLab®. This
activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts
introduced in sections 11.1–11.4 of Ch. 11.
3. Discussion Questions
· Quadratic equations may be solved by graphing, using the

24. quadratic formula, completing the square, and factoring. What
are the pros and cons of each of these methods? When might
each method be most appropriate? Which method do you prefer?
Explain why.
· From your reading in section 10.6, describe a step-by-step
process to solve radical equations. List each step and provide an
explanation of how to complete each step with an example.
Week Eight
WEEK 8 - TOPIC 1: GRAPHING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS
Objectives
· Graph quadratic equations.
Assessment
· Week Eight Concept Check
Post a response to the following: If you are looking at a graph
of a quadratic equation, how do you determine where the
solutions are?
· Check Point: Graphing Quadratic Equations
· Assignment: Graph Quadratics (Quiz)
Weekly Reminders
Summary of Week 8 Deliverables
Assignment
Location
Due
Week 8 Concept Check
AssignmentForum
Day 5
CheckpointMyMathLab

25. Day 5
Week 8 Quiz
MyMathLab
Day 7
Week Eight Assignment Description
Graphing Quadratic Equations
Graph quadratic equations.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Exercise: Week Eight Concept Check

26. Due Date: Day 5 [AssignmentForum]
Post a response to the following: If you are looking at a
graph of a quadratic equation, how do you determine where the
solutions are?
2. CheckPoint: Graphing Quadratic Equations
Resource: MyMathLab®
Due Date: Day 5 [MyMathLab®]
Complete the Week Eight CheckPoint in MyMathLab®.
This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts
introduced in sections 11.5-11.7 of Ch.11.
3. Assignment: Solving and Graphing Quadratic Equations
Due Date: Day 7 [MyMathLab®]
Complete the Week Eight Assignment: Ch. 11 Quiz in
MyMathLab®. This assignment assesses content learned in Ch.
11.
Week Nine
WEEK 9 - TOPIC 1: APPLYING ADVANCED ALGEBRA
CONCEPTS
Objectives
· Apply advanced algebra concepts to solve mathematical
problems.
Assessment
· Capstone Discussion Question

27. · Participation
· Final Exam
Weekly Reminders
Discussion Questions
Discussion question responses will count towards the class
participation requirement.
Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your
class participation score.
Summary of Week 9 Deliverables
Assignment
Location
Due
Participation Main Forum
Day 7
Capstone Discussion Question
Main Forum
Day 3
Final Exam
MyMathLab
Day 7

28. Week Nine Assignment Description
Applying Advanced Algebra Concepts
Apply advanced algebra concepts to solve mathematical
problems.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Capstone Discussion Question
Due Date: Day 3 [Main forum]
Post a response to the following: Has the content in this
course allowed you to think of math as a useful tool? If so,
how? What concepts investigated in this course can apply to
your personal and professional life? In what ways did you use
MyMathLab® or the Center for Mathematic Excellence for extra
support?
2. Final Exam
Resources: Appendix A and MyMathLab®

29. Due Date: Day 7 [MyMathLab®]
Complete the Week Nine Final