Instructional Methodology:

Classroom Section: This course is taught in the classroom primarily as a lecture/discussion course.

Prerequisites: MATD 0414, MATD 0424, MATD 0444, NCBM 0214, NCBM 0224, or NCBM 0244; with a grade of C or higher. Or a satisfactory score on the TSI Mathematics Assessment or completion of TSI requirements in mathematics. Students who are TSI Complete in Math based on completion of NCBM 0185, NCBM 0142, MATD 0385, MATD 0342 or MATD 0485 are NOT eligible for College Algebra for Precalculus.

Required Materials 

ALEKS: We will use ALEKS for accessing your textbook and online homework.

Calculator: A scientific or business calculator is required (Has log or ln key). If a student cannot purchase one, calculators are available from the library.  Graphing calculators are not required, but you will use graphing technology in most sections of the book.  Graphing calculators are also available in the library.  Most ACC faculty are familiar with the TI family of graphing calculators. Hence, TI calculators are highly recommended for student use.  Other calculator brands can also be used.  Your instructor will determine the extent of calculator use in your class section. Faculty cannot require a graphing calculator.

Other Technology: Access to a webcam and microphone are required for this course. Eligible students can check out required technology at https://www.austincc.edu/students/student-technology-services

Course Calendar

Note: Schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement. 

Important Dates

Last day to withdraw: April 27th, 2026.

Holidays: January 19th, 2026 (MLK Day)

                  March 16th-22nd, 2026 (Spring Break)

       (Please note these are the ONLY holidays this semester.)

Making Time to Learn

We learn math by thinking about and working on mathematical problems, which takes time. Practice is crucial in a math course. To ensure that you have adequate time, set aside 8-12 hours per week outside of class time to practice and study for this course.  Ask for help immediately when something isn’t clear. 

Grades

Grade Components

Tests: 80%

Quizzes: 10%

ALEKS Homework: 10%

Grading Scale

A: 90% - 100%

B: 80% – 89%

C: 70% – 79%

D: 60% – 69%

F: < 60%

Where can I find my grades?

Grades will be posted in Blackboard.

What will we do in this class?

Tests: All 4 tests, including the comprehensive final, are proctored and given during class. The test schedule is posted in the syllabus course calendar. You must show detailed work for each problem in order to earn partial/full credit. You are allowed to use a scientific or graphing calculator when taking your test. However, you must show detailed work for each problem in order to receive full credit. If you cannot purchase one, calculators are available from Student Technology Services or the campus Library.

ALEKS Homework:

There are online ALEKS homework assignments corresponding to each section of the course. You can find your ALEKS homework assignments by logging into ALEKS from the “Course Materials Spring 2026” folder in Blackboard. Once you are in ALEKS, click on the Menu icon in the upper left-hand corner and select Assignments. Practice problems mostly reference questions in our textbook.

Weekly Quizzes:

Every week, a take-home quiz will be assigned and posted in the “Quizzes” folder on Blackboard. Quizzes must be completed by hand (no typed submissions) and submitted by the due dates.

You may complete the quiz by:

• Printing the PDF and writing your answers directly on it,
• Writing on the PDF using an iPad or tablet, or
• Handwriting your own version of the quiz, ensuring that you copy each problem exactly as written and maintain the same problem layout per page.

Your completed quiz must be submitted as a single PDF file. You may use the Files app (iPhone/iPad) or the Google Drive app (Android) to scan and combine your pages into one document. Multiple files will not be accepted. Quizzes will be graded based on completion and correctness. To receive partial or full credit, you must show clear and detailed work for each problem. If little or no work is shown, you will receive no credit for that question. Quizzes are due every Sunday of the week they are assigned.

Written Homework:

I will not collect the written homework for a grade. However, you are encouraged to attempt these questions to get additional practice of the concepts in each section, so you can do well on your exams.

If you get a failing quiz grade, you may complete and submit to me all the written homework questions for the sections covered in the quiz for an increase in your quiz grade. In order for the grade increase to happen, you must show detailed work for all listed homework problems, follow an appropriate process, and obtain the correct answer.

• If your original quiz grade is below 70%, I will increase your quiz grade to a 70%.
• If your quiz grade is above 70%, I will give you a letter grade increase to your quiz grade.

Due Dates for Aleks Homework and Weekly Quizzes:

The weekly quiz and Aleks homework are due by 11:59 PM Sunday each week. Quizzes will not be accepted late.  Quizzes not received by the due date will receive a grade of 0.

What happens if I miss something?

Dropped Grade Policy: Exam grades and quizzes will not be dropped, and no re-tests are allowed in this course. At the end of the semester, I will drop the lowest 3 ALEKS homework assignments. No test grades will be dropped but you have an opportunity to replace your lowest test grade with your final exam.

Late Work Policy:

• ALEKS Homework can be completed late with the 10% penalty until 1 week after the original due date. After the week of grace, ALEKS assignments will close and any ALEKS homework assignments not started will receive a grade of 0.
• Quizzes cannot be turned in late.

Missed Exam Policy: Make Up exams will not be given, but your Final can replace one low or missing test

Attendance/Class Participation Expectations and Policy: Regular and punctual class attendance is mandatory. If attendance (3 or more absences) or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw the student from the class but makes no promise to do so. If a student is absent for collectively more than 60% of class time, they will be counted absent that day.

Student Expectations:

1. Attend all scheduled class meetings. Arrive on time to class and stay for the duration of the class meeting.

2. Participate during class time and spend time outside of class working on homework and quizzes.

3. Be prepared to engage in group work with your classmates during class.

4. Complete your take-home quiz and ALEKS homework on time and weekly.

Instructor Expectations:

1. Respond to student emails within 24 hours of receiving them, Monday to Friday. Emails received after 5:00 PM on Friday may be answered on Monday.

2. Prompt grading and return of assignments and exams.

3. Create a classroom environment where all students feel welcomed and encouraged to learn, participate, and interact with each other and instructor.

What AI Resources are allowed?

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) Policy: Generative AI (GAI) is a useful tool for exploration and learning. Use of GAI on unproctored work such as homework and independent learning is permitted, but caution is advised as not to become dependent on it. The purpose of assessments is to demonstrate what students are able to do independently. In this course, GAI includes Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) and any electronic tools that solve problems for students. Violations to GAI use policies are considered scholastic dishonesty and will be handled according to established departmental and college procedures. GAI may not be used on major assessments other than in cases where permissions are explicitly stated.

This is a First Day™ class. The cost of required course materials, including an online version of the textbook and ALEKS, has been added to your tuition and fees bill.   

Textbook: College Algebra & Trigonometry, 2nd Edition by Miller & Gerken. McGraw-Hill (ALEKS software) ISBN: 9781260260441 (hardcover), 9781264248841 (spiral bound), or 9781264248667 (ebook)  

Course Content

Course Description

Credit Hours: 4, Contact Hours: 4

MATH 1414 – College Algebra for Precalculus (4-4-0). A course for students planning to take Precalculus (MATH 2412) and Calculus (MATH 2413). Content includes the rational, real, and complex number systems; the study of functions including polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions and related equations; inequalities; sequences and series; systems of linear equations using matrices.

Course Rationale

This course is designed to teach students the functional approach to mathematical relationships that they will need for a calculus sequence. Other courses, such as MATH 1314, MATH 1332, or MATH 1342 are more appropriate to meet a general mathematics requirement.  Check with your degree plan as to what math course your college requires.

Note: Students who have a degree requirement for College Algebra but are not planning to take Precalculus should take College Algebra MATH 1314.

Course Objectives

Functions: 

• Use and interpret functional notation. 
• Find the domain of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions. 
• Find a symbolic representation of the sum, difference, product, quotient, and composition of two functions.
• Evaluate the sum, difference, product, quotient, and composition of two functions at a given value of the respective domain for functions represented symbolically, graphically, and numerically.
• Find the inverse of a function represented symbolically, graphically, or numerically. 
• Interpret the graphs of functions.
• Recognize and evaluate arithmetic/geometric sequences and series.

Graphing functions: 

• Sketch the graphs of the following functions: Lines, x2, x3, x1/2, 1/x, 1/x2, |x|, factored polynomials of degree 3 or more, ax, logax, and rigid transformations of these functions. 
• Describe the short run and end behavior of polynomial and rational functions.
• Approximate the zeros of a function from its graph.
• Solve an inequality involving a function from its graph.
• Graph a piece-wise defined function.

Symbolic Adeptness: 

• Solve polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic equations symbolically.
• Solve equations involving radicals symbolically.
• Solve equations with rational exponents symbolically.
• Solve equations with negative exponents symbolically.
• Solve polynomial and rational inequalities symbolically. 
• Use the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra and the Conjugate Zeros Theorem to find zeros of polynomials of degree three or greater. 
• Find the vertex of a parabola written in standard form by using the formula  h = -b/2a.
• Perform algebraic operations on complex numbers (addition, subtraction and multiplication).
• Convert an exponential equation to logarithmic form, and a logarithmic equation to exponential form.
• Solve Exponential and Logarithmic equations symbolically.
• Evaluate exponential and logarithmic functions using the change of base formula and a calculator.
• Use the properties of logarithms to expand a logarithmic expression, and to write an expanded logarithmic expression as a single logarithm.
• Solve a system of linear equations using Gaussian elimination.
• Perform algebraic operations on matrices, including addition, scalar multiplication, matrix multiplication.
• Find the determinant of a matrix and apply Cramer’s Rule.

Applications 

• Recognize and use applications of linear functions. 
• Recognize and use applications of quadratic functions, including falling object problems and extrema problems.
• Recognize and use applications of exponential and logarithmic functions, including exponential growth and decay, doubling time, and half-life problems.
• Recognize and use applications of systems of linear equations. 

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of properties of functions, which include domain and range, operations, compositions, and inverses.
2. Recognize and apply polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions and solve related equations.
3. Apply graphical, symbolic and numeric techniques.
4. Evaluate all roots of higher degree polynomial and rational functions.
5. Recognize, solve and apply systems of linear equations using matrices.
6. Perform algebraic operations on matrices, evaluate the determinant and apply Cramer’s Rule
7. Recognize and evaluate arithmetic/geometric sequences and series.

General Education Competencies

1. Communication Skills: Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral, and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
2. Critical Thinking: Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.
3. Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Apply mathematical, logical, and scientific principles and methods through the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.