Online Intermediate Algebra

Bakersfield College                              Spring 2009                                  CRN 31995  

Professor: Rafael Espericueta                  Prof’s Email: mathprof@pacbell.net 

Text: There is no text for this course. Instead of a text, you’ll need to purchase access to the course from Content on Demand (your access will be good for a year, should you need that long to complete the course).  Go to the welcome letter to see how to purchase the access code.

IMPORTANT:  Make sure that Bakersfield College has your CURRENT email address.  Update your file to make sure about this, since otherwise you may miss email sent to the class. Note that you need to update your records - I can't do that for you!

Grading: Your grade will be computed as follows:

Chapter Section Quizzes: 30%
Chapter PostTests: 30%
Final Exam: 40%

The final exam must be proctored, and you must get at least 60% on your final exam to pass the course. 
To convert a percentage score to a letter grade, use the usual scheme, 90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D. 

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Week of 1/18	Semester Begins			Finish reading Chapter 1
Week of 1/25					Chapter 2 PostTest
Week of 2/1
Week of 2/8	Chapter 3 PostTest				Lincoln Bday
Week of 2/15	Washington Bday	Drop without 'W'
Week of 2/22	Chapter 4 PostTest
Week of 3/1				Chapter 5 PostTest
Week of 3/8
Week of 3/15	B	R	E	A	K
Week of 3/22	Chapter 6 PostTest
Week of 3/29					Drop with 'W'
Week of 4/5	Chapter 7 PostTest
Week of 4/12
Week of 4/19		Chapter 8 PostTest
Week of 4/26
Week of 5/3			Chapter 9 PostTest	Review	Review	Review
Week of 5/10	Final Exams				Semester Ends

Before taking the chapter test you should first work through each section in the chapter. To work though a section,

1. Read the section lesson, working along with "pencil in hand" as you read.
    Don't just read it, DO IT!

2. Solve the odd numbered practice problems for the section. Check your answers.

3. Take the chapter section quizzes. 

    You may redo the section quizzes for a better grade.

After completing the above process for each section of a chapter, you should take the chapter Exam.  You may also retake the chapter post-tests, if you think you can improve a previous score.

When you're ready to take the final exam, let me know.  You may take your final exam in the Math Lab, if you live near Bakersfield.  If you live far from Bakersfield, you must arrange for a proctor near you (usually students use testing centers at a college or university near where they reside).

Getting Help:  

I’m always available to answer questions via email.

Those of you who reside near Bakersfield  may also take advantage of unlimited free drop-in tutoring at the  Math Lab ( in SS 140 ), for from 8:30  to 7:20pm, Mondays through Thursdays, and from 8:30-12:20 on Fridays (during the Spring session).  I highly recommend that you avail yourself of this valuable resource!   I myself will be there on Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30 am.  Do drop by, so that all of your confusion may be transmuted to a profound clarity !    :-).

In order to finish the course by the official end-date of the Spring session, try to keep up with the following schedule. This schedule is only a guideline, not a rigid schedule.  Nonetheless, it's wise to stay ahead of schedule!   Only under unusual circumstances will you be able to extend your time for the course beyond the Spring semester (if you have a compelling need for an extension, please let me know ASAP).