Course Description
This ONLINE, non-credit course is designed for those who do not have the requisite skills for the first-year mathematics courses but have shown sufficient mathematical ability to warrant a one semester course to bridge the gap. This course will emphasize the study of the basic functions used in the sciences. Topics to be covered include linear, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Emphasis is placed on use of a graphing calculator.
Course Outline
The course will be delivered entirely online through the learning management system, Brightspace. Within the course site, you will access online lessons, course materials, and resources. Activities will consist of discussion forums and email. Tutorials, self-checks, and assignments are all available on Brightspace. An electronic text is included and in each unit you will be directed to read over the appropriate section in the text to do the problems included there. There are sample problems and solutions included. Short quizzes, worth 10% of your final grade, are included within each unit to help solidify your knowledge of the material.
Section 1: Algebra
Order of operations, working with fractions, exponents and roots, factoring, simultaneous equations, single variable word problems, two variable word problems
Section 2: Introduction to Functions
Describing functions, inputs and outputs, domain and range and composition, inverse functions, piecewise functions, transformations, symmetry
Section 3: Polynomial Functions
Roots and intercepts, linear functions, quadratic functions, cubic and higher order functions
Section 4: Other Functions
Exponential functions, logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions
Marks are assigned in this course for the following activities:
| Graded Item | Weight |
|---|---|
| Assignments | 50% |
| Quizzes | 10% |
| Midterm | 20% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Assignment details will be available within the course site. Quizzes and Assignments are linked within the associated units.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this course, you should:
- demonstrate improved algebra skills
- be familiar with the use of a scientific graphing calculator
- be familiar with various functions as listed in the course description
You will meet the objectives listed above through a combination of the following activities in this course:
- completion of a series of assignments in a timely manner
- completion of the quizzes
- completion of the final exam
Instructor
Mason MacDonald
Notes
Textbook and Course Materials
Beginning and Intermediate Algebra by Tyler Wallace - required chapters of this text are linked within the course units. This is a free text licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at http://wallace.ccfaculty.org/book/book.html.
Students will require a TI-83+, a TI-84 graphing calculator, or equivalent phone app. Alternatively, graphing programs are available for free online such as http://www.meta-calculator.com/
There will be additional required readings posted on the Brightspace site.
Please note that if you are a current Dalhousie student or going to be applying to Dalhousie University, you are to register for this course through Enrolment Services. Please contact Linda.Rovers@dal.ca or 902-893-6722.
If you are NOT a Dalhousie student and wish to register for this course, please contact extended.learning@dal.ca or call 902-893-6666 to register.