MA 109 is taught by several instructors in several sections. For office hours, meeting times, and contact information, please see the tables below.
It is very important to keep up with your class and to inform your instructor as early as possible of any problems or concerns. Many instructors have multiple hundreds of students, and so there may be delays or special requirements needed to handle what may appear to be simple problems. On the other hand our instructors are highly trained professionals and may be able to help you solve what seem like insurmountable challenges. In either case, the more time the instructor has to consider your case, the more likely you are to have a good result.
Instructors hold drop-in office hours at the times and places listed below. You can stop by to ask questions about the course material or structure. Most instructors also are available in the Mathskeller where you can ask them (or any other instructor present) for help in the course.
| Instructor | Office Location | Office Phone | Office Hours | Mathskeller hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Schmidt | jack.schmidt@uky.edu | POT 761 | (859) 257-1429 | by appointment | |
| Sara Ellis-Hebble | sara.ellis@uky.edu | POT 951 | (859) 257-6821 | by appointment | |
| Nicholas Nguyen | nicholas.nguyen@uky.edu | POT 705 | by appointment | ||
| Patrick Spencer | pkspen2@uky.edu | POT 951 | (859) 257-6821 | by appointment | |
| Nathan Druivenga | nathan.druivenga@uky.edu | POT 725 | (859) 257-4874 | by appointment | M 10:00-11:00, W 11:00 – 11:55, F 1:00 – 1:55 |
| Rob Denomme | radeno3@uky.edu | POT 937 | (859) 257-6818 | by appointment | |
| Amy Green | mrs.amy.green@uky.edu | POT 829 | (859) 257-6812 | by appointment | |
| Katherine Paullin | katherine.paullin@uky.edu | POT 729 | (859) 257-8836 | by appointment | |
| Kathy Effinger | kathy.effinger9@gmail.com | POT 957 | Tu 12:30-1:30, Th 11-12 |
Tu 11-12 | |
| Charlene Norman | cnorman12@live.com | POT 957 | by appointment | ||
| Lola Davidson | lola.davidson@uky.edu | POT 806 | W 12-1, F 11-12 |
M 1-2 | |
| Jared Antrobus | jantrobus@uky.edu | POT 722 | by appointment | ||
| Nandita Sahajpal | nandita.sahajpal@uky.edu | POT 906 | M, Th 11-12 | by appointment | Tu 11-12 |
Active, engaged class participation is required in all sections. Make sure you know when and where your class meets and make sure to bring appropriate materials to class (a way to view the textbook, a place to take notes, any calculator you want to practice using). Your active, engaged class participation is a major component of your final grade.
The rooms for your first three exams are also listed:
| Section | Instructor | Room | Time | Exam room | Final room |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Patrick Spencer | CP 208 | MWF 8:00am–8:50am | CP155 | CP153 |
| 002 | Sara Ellis-Hebble | CB 214 | MWF 9:00am–9:50am | CB102 | CB102 |
| 003 | Nicholas Nguyen | CB 122 | MWF 11:00am–11:50am | FB200 | FB200 |
| 004 | Nathan Druivenga | CB 234 | MWF 12:00pm–12:50pm | CB106 | CB106 |
| 005 | Katherine Paullin | CB 208 | MWF 1:00pm–1:50pm | CB118 | CB118 |
| 006 | Katherine Paullin | CB 214 | MWF 2:00pm–2:50pm | CB118 | CB118 |
| 007 | Rob Denomme | CB 114 | MWF 2:00pm–2:50pm | CB114 for exam 1, PEN209 for exam 2, BS116 for exam 3. |
CB114 |
| 008 | Nathan Druivenga | CB 234 | MWF 2:00pm–2:50pm | CB106 | CB106 |
| 009 | Charlene Norman | CB 208 | TuTh 8:00am–9:15am | KAS213 | KAS213 |
| 010 | Charlene Norman | CB 208 | TuTh 9:30am–10:45am | KAS213 | KAS213 |
| 011 | Jack Schmidt | CB 122 | TuTh 2:00pm–3:15pm | MEH | MEH |
| 012 | Jack Schmidt | CB 214 | TuTh 12:30pm–1:45pm | MEH | MEH |
| 013 | Kathy Effinger | CB 334 | TuTh 8:00am–9:15am | CB110 | CB110 |
| 014 | Amy Green | CB 334 | TuTh 9:30am–10:45am | CB122 | CB122 |
| 015 | Lola Davidson | CB 339 | MWF 8:00am–8:50am | CB106 | CB106 |
| 016 | Lola Davidson | CB 233 | MWF 9:00am–9:50am | CB118 | CB118 |
| 019 | Jared Antrobus | CB 333 | TuTh 8:00am–9:15am | MEH | MEH |
| 020 | Jared Antrobus | CB 333 | TuTh 9:30am–10:45am | MEH | MEH |
| 021 | Nandita Sahajpal | CB 215 | TuTh 12:30pm–1:45pm | MEH | MEH |
| 022 | Nandita Sahajpal | CB 244 | TuTh 2:00pm–3:15pm | MEH | MEH |
College Algebra covers selected topics in algebra, such as a review of grade school algebra, quadratic formula, systems of linear equations, introduction to functions and graphing. Please see this more detailed schedule with supporting lecture notes and worksheets. In particular, we will cover solving equations (linear, quadratic, power, radical, and absolute value equations, as well as equations mentioning the unknown only once), graphing on the Cartesian coordinate system (with special emphasis on lines, their slope, perpendicular and parallel lines), solving systems of equations (with substitution and elimination, both linear and non-linear), using technology (such as graphing calculators and numerical root finders), solving applied problems, inequalities, and general functions, with special emphasis on exponential, logarithmic, polynomial, and rational functions.
The 2015-2016 Bulletin describes the course as
Selected topics in algebra. Develops manipulative algebraic skills and mathematical reasoning required for further study in mathematics. Includes brief review of basic algebra, quadratic formula, systems of linear equations, introduction to functions and graphing. This course is not available for credit to persons who have received credit in any mathematics course of a higher number with the exceptions of MA 111, 112, 123, 162, 201 and 202. Credit not available on the basis of special examination. Prereq: Two years of high school algebra and a Math ACTE score of 21 or above or a Math SAT score of 510 or above; or MA 108R; or appropriate score on the math placement test or grade of C or better in MA 111.
Your final grade is a letter grade A, B, C, D, or E. It is computed from several components (as indicated in the table). Each exam is taken in the evening, and has a very strict absence and cheating policy (be careful not to get a zero on the exam). Homework is completed online and requires paying a significant fee ($60 to $150) with the textbook. The instructor score will measure active, engaged, in-class participation. It may be based on pre-class online quizzes, in-class activities or quizzes, or post-class online quizzes. Once the semester is over, including the final exam, your total points can be compared against the grading cutoffs table to find the matching letter grade. Any curve will be decided after the final exam is graded, but is unlikely to be significant barring unforeseen circumstances. A typical grade distribution is 20% of students assigned an A, 25% B, 20% C, 10% D, 10% E, and an additional 15% withdrawing. Grade distributions may change from semester to semester, but this provides a rough indicator of the difficulty students as a whole have with the course. Please note that the option to retake this course will be more limited in the future.
| Grading components | ||
|---|---|---|
| Points | % | Assessment |
| 100 | 18% | Exam 1 |
| 100 | 18% | Exam 2 |
| 100 | 18% | Exam 3 |
| 100 | 18% | Final Exam |
| 75 | 14% | Online Homework |
| 75 | 14% | Instructor Score |
| 550 | 100% | Total |
| Grading cutoffs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Minimum points | Minimum Percent | Grade |
| 495 | 90.0% | A |
| 440 | 80.0% | B |
| 385 | 70.0% | C |
| 330 | 60.0% | D |
| 0 | 0.0% | E |
The goal of this course is to prepare you to use the basic tools of algebra to manipulate both known and unknown numerical quantities. By succeeding in this course, you should be prepared to study elementary calculus (as presented in MA 123) as well as being able to understand and work with mathematical models in your other course work.
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
The textbook College Algebra, by Thomas W. Hungerford and Douglas J. Shaw is required. You may use the 4th or 5th edition of the book, but please keep in mind the requirement to have an access code for WebAssign (an additional $65 if not purchased with a 5th edition book, but it can be called Contemporary Precalculus by Hungerford and Shaw).
We use a customized ($50 cheaper) version of the original book, which is specifically published for the University of Kentucky and can be purchased at any UK bookstore (about $150). There is also an ebook version ($65 from WebAssign). The original and ebook versions are called Contemporary Precalculus.
If you purchase your textbook new at any UK bookstore, this will come bundled with the book. Otherwise you will need to purchase the access code from the homework website WebAssign for about $65. You can use WebAssign free until Wednesday, August 31 by logging into Canvas. It appears that Safari on a Mac computer cannot login. We recommend using Google Chrome. Once you purchase the access code, login as usual through Canvas and it will complete the registration.
Your instructor score is based on active, in-class participation. The way this is measured depends on which section you are in. You may want to see the submission guidelines for some details.
In the large sections, 001-014, you will need a “Reef Technologies iClicker subscription” for $15 per semester. They can be purchased from the UK bookstore, or directly from the phone app. If you don't have a device to view webpages on during class, then ask your instructor about other options. You'll need to register them on Canvas.
Students in the small sections, 015-022, do not need an iClicker. You may be asked to purchase 3x5 index cards (a dollar or two for the semester).
We will be using notes written for you as a complement/guide to the textbook in order to assist you throughout the course. We will also be using practice problems at the end of every set of notes that have been designed to get you practicing during lecture. These are available for free on our website (though you'd have to pay for printing if you wanted paper versions).
For part of the course you will need a graphing calculator. A standard choice is the TI-84 ($75 to $125). Most graphing calculators have the same basic functions, and you should be able to learn about your calculator by reading the manual.
Using the calculator during a test for any reason other than performing the required calculations (for example, to recall a previously stored formula) will be considered cheating. You may use any graphing calculator that is allowed by ACT. Note that you will not be allowed to use the calculator on a cell phone, or any other communication device. Furthermore, you may not use any calculator that has a computer algebra system (CAS) or a QWERTY keyboard. In particular, you may not use the TI-Nspire CAS, any TI-89, any TI-92, the HP 48GII, any HP 40G, any HP 49G, any HP 50G, the Casio Algebra fx 2.0, the Casio ClassPad 300, the Casio ClassPad 330, or any Casio CFX-9970G.
There are a number of important policies that can have a dramatic effect on your understanding and final grade in this course. These policies are intended to be uniform and simple, but if you have not read over them, they may have unexpected consequences.
See the Academic Calendar, the Common Hour Exam schedule, and the Final Exam schedule for Fall 2016.
| Wednesday, August 24 | First Day of Classes |
| Tuesday, August 30 | Last Day to Add |
| Monday, September 5 | Labor Day (no classes) |
| Wednesday, September 14 | Last Day to Drop |
| Wednesday, September 21 | Exam 1 (7:30pm – 9:30pm) |
| Wednesday, October 19 | Exam 2 (7:30pm – 9:30pm) |
| Friday, October 21 | Midterm grades |
| Tuesday, November 8 | Presidential Election Day (no classes) |
| Friday, November 11 | Last Day to Withdraw |
| Wednesday, November 16 | Exam 3 (7:30pm – 9:30pm) |
| Wednesday, November 23 to Friday, November 25 | Thanksgiving Break (no classes) |
| Friday, December 9 | Last Day of Classes |
| Thursday, December 15 | Final Exam (6:00pm - 8:00pm) |
Active, engaged, in-class participation is mandatory and forms a major portion of your final grade. You should be ready to work when class begins (for example: seated, notes and pencil ready, attention to the front, quiet at 8:00am if the class starts at 8:00am). You should not pack up or leave until class is over (for example: you should still be working at 8:49am if the class ends at 8:50am). If you have special circumstances, please contact your instructor before class begins so that they can excuse late arrivals or early departures. Unexcused late arrivals or early departures may result in significant reduction in participation grade for each day on which they occur.
An absence can only be excused if the instructor is notified within a week of the absence. The choice to excuse the absence is with the instructor, though excuses will be granted (given timely notification) according to University Senate Rule 5.2.4.2: namely (a) serious illness, (b) illness or death of a family member, (c) University related trips, (d) major religious holidays, (e) other reasons deemed reasonable by the instructor. In the case of (c) and (d) notification must be provided one week in advance. In all cases documentation may be requested to ensure the absence does meet policy. For (a) a University Health Services Tier 2 or Tier 3 excuse is required, or a similar note from a health care provider who will confirm that you are a patient and were seen on the indicated day. Documentation that cannot be verified may result in the absence not being excused.
Absences can affect three major types of grade, and the policies for how absences affect each grade differ: Homework extensions should be requested before the homework solutions are available. Homework is available many weeks in advance, so that absences of type (c) and (d) can usually be handled without recourse to a homework extension. Instructor score measures a continued commitment to engaged, active in-class participation, but also recognizes that with other a thousand students there may be a number of exceptional events. Unless your instructor announces otherwise (through canvas), the following policy applies: if the number of instructor score absence excuses requested by a student is 5 or fewer, then no documentation need be given (you may still want to send a simple email stating that you will be or were absent, but you do not need to expect a reply). If the number of absence excuses requested is 6 or more, then the standard policy regarding documentation applies (though the documentation shall be due one week after it is requested). In particular, keep documentation for excused absences, especially regarding chronic conditions of type (a) or (b). Absences for exams are quite serious. An unexcused exam absence results in 0 for the exam grade, which lowers your final grade by at least a letter grade. To allow for exceptional circumstances, there is a simple alternate exam sign-up available in your canvas course. We have a number of alternate times available to take each exam, and any request received before one week prior to the exam for one of those times will be automatically granted (excused). On the other hand last minute requests or requests that would require undue hardship are likely to be rejected (unexcused). Absences of type (a) and (b) should be reported within 24 hours of the exam to ensure that a reasonable accommodation can be found. Exam absences not reported within a week are automatically unexcused and result in a zero on the exam.
Homework must be submitted online at WebAssign, in the appropriate course as accessed from Canvas. WebAssign is a for-profit company that charges a fee to use their online homework. The student is responsible for paying this fee. The textbook at the UK Bookstore includes this fee (about $150 including both book and fee). The WebAssign website should also provide a link to purchase an online-only version of the textbook that also includes this fee (about $65 including both e-book and fee).
The homework due dates are listed in the course schedule. Homework assignments are always due at 11:59 pm. Please note that if you are having trouble with the website, you should contact WebAssign for help. There will be many homework sets throughout the semester. You can see the homework assignment due dates on the class schedule. Note that two of these assignments are due during Dead Week.
Exams must be taken at the specified times and locations, or an alternate exam must be approved by the instructor, using the form in canvas. You are expected to take the exam without notes, textbooks, online access, or communication with your peers. You may use a calculator approved for use on the ACT.
Instructor score may require submission of online quizzes (also on WebAssign) that may be due before class (“reading checks”), during class (“emporium style”), or after class (“daily quiz”). Sections 001 to 014 require the use of Reef Technologies iClicker which costss about $15 (and can be used on your smart phone, tablet, or laptop). Instructor score may also require taking a short in-class quiz at the beginning (“entrance slip”), middle (“pop quiz”), or end (“exit slip”). You may be expected to bring your own index card to turn in the quiz, especially in sections 015 to 022.
Please notify your instructor in advance if you need accommodations due to disability. Exam accommodations require one week notice to get everything in place. Most accommodations can be worked out (in broad strokes) with the disability resource center. They will provide you with a letter for your instructor that should make finding accommodations easy. You should still check with your instructor that everything looks fine (and arrange a private meeting if details need to discussed).
All assignments, exams, quizzes, projects, and exercises completed by students for this class should be the product of the personal efforts of the individual(s) whose name(s) appear on the corresponding assignment. Cheating or plagiarism is a serious offense and will not be tolerated. Any potential cheating case will be thoroughly investigated, and could lead to failure in the course or even to expulsion from the university. See Student Rights and Responsibilities in the University Senate Rules (Sections 6.3.1 and 6.3.2) for information on cheating, plagiarism, and penalties. A summary of recent changes to rules on cheating can be found at the academic ombud website.
Students are expected to be actively participating during class. Students are also expected not to distract others. If you arrive late, leave early, are distracted by your phone, or are otherwise not actively engaged with the class you may not receive credit for participating that day. If you are disrupting class, you may be asked to leave.
College Algebra is traditionally a very difficult class, and many of your classmates will be having a hard time adjusting both to the university and to the demands of the class. You are expected to treat your classmates with respect. It is reasonable to disagree, but you should express your disagreement respectfully. Personal attacks or statements denigrating another on the basis of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender or gender expression, age, national/regional origin or other such irrelevant factors are considered a severe disruption. Harassment will not be tolerated.
The following is a tentative course schedule. The homework assignments correspond to the lecture notes.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 22 | Aug 23 |
Aug 24
First Day of Classes
|
Aug 25 |
Aug 26
HW: Check-in
|
| Aug 29 |
Aug 30
Last Day to Add
HW: A bit of review
|
Aug 31 | Sep 1 |
Sep 2
HW: Solving Equations A
|
|
Sep 5
Labor Day
(no classes) |
Sep 6
HW: Solving Equations B
|
Sep 7
HW: Mini-Exam 1
|
Sep 8 |
Sep 9
HW: Solving Equations C
|
| Sep 12 |
Sep 13
HW: Solving Equations D
|
Sep 14
Last Day to Drop
|
Sep 15 |
Sep 16
HW: Cartesian coordinates A
|
| Sep 19 |
Sep 20
HW: Cartesian coordinates B
|
Sep 21
Exam 1 (7:30pm – 9:30pm)
|
Sep 22 | Sep 23 |
| Sep 26 |
Sep 27
HW: Systems A
|
Sep 28 | Sep 29 |
Sep 30
HW: Systems B
|
| Oct 3 |
Oct 4
HW: Systems C
|
Oct 5
HW: Mini-Exam 2
|
Oct 6 |
Oct 7
HW: Tech Wisely
|
| Oct 10 |
Oct 11
HW: Applied
|
Oct 12 | Oct 13 |
Oct 14
HW: Inequalities
|
| Oct 17 |
Oct 18
HW: Functions A
|
Oct 19
Exam 2 (7:30pm – 9:30pm)
|
Oct 20 |
Oct 21
Midterm grades
|
| Oct 24 |
Oct 25
HW: Functions B
|
Oct 26 | Oct 27 |
Oct 28
HW: Functions C
|
| Oct 31 |
Nov 1
HW: Functions D
|
Nov 2
HW: Mini-Exam 3
|
Nov 3 |
Nov 4
HW: Functions E
|
| Nov 7 |
Nov 8
Presidential Election Day
(no classes) HW: Functions F
|
Nov 9 | Nov 10 |
Nov 11
Last Day to Withdraw
HW: Exp/Log A
|
| Nov 14 |
Nov 15
HW: Exp/Log B
|
Nov 16
Exam 3 (7:30pm – 9:30pm)
|
Nov 17 | Nov 18 |
| Nov 21 |
Nov 22
HW: Exp/Log C
|
Nov 23
Thanksgiving Break
(no classes) |
Nov 24
Thanksgiving Break
(no classes) |
Nov 25
Thanksgiving Break
(no classes) |
| Nov 28 |
Nov 29
HW: Poly A
|
Nov 30
HW: Mini-Exam 4
|
Dec 1 |
Dec 2
HW: Poly B
|
| Dec 5 |
Dec 6
HW: Poly C
|
Dec 7 | Dec 8 |
Dec 9
Last Day of Classes
HW: Rational
|
| Dec 12 | Dec 13 | Dec 14 |
Dec 15
Final Exam (6:00pm - 8:00pm)
|
Dec 16 |
In addition to the lecture notes, the textbook and your instructor's office hours, you may find the following useful for studying:
The topics covered on each exam in MA 109 may change slightly from semester to semester. Thus, the exams which are linked to this page may cover different topics than the exams to be given this semester in MA 109.
| Spring 2016 | Exam 1 | Exam 2 | Exam 3 | Exam 4 |
| Key 1 | Key 2 | Key 3 | Key 4 | |
| Fall 2015 | Exam 1 | Exam 2 | Exam 3 | Exam 4 |
| Key 1 | Key 2 | Key 3 | Key 4 | |
| Explanation 1 | Explanation 2 | Explanation 3 | Explanation 4 (and another) | |
| Spring 2015 | Exam 1 | Exam 2 | Exam 3 | Exam 4 |
| Key 1 | Key 2 | Key 3 | Key 4 | |
| Fall 2014 | Exam 1 | Exam 2 | Exam 3 | Exam 4 |
| Key 1 | Key 2 | Key 3 | Key 4 | |
| Spring 2014 | Exam 1 | Exam 2 | Exam 3 | Exam 4 |
| Key 1 | Key 2 | Key 3 | Key 4 | |
| Fall 2013 | Exam 1 | Exam 2 | Exam 3 | Exam 4 |
| Key 1 | Key 2 | Key 3 | Key 4 | |
| Spring 2013 | Exam 1 | Exam 2 | Exam 3 | Exam 4 |
| Key 1 | Key 2 | Key 3 | Key 4 | |
| Fall 2012 | Exam 1 | Exam 2 | Exam 3 | Exam 4 |
| Key 1 | Key 2 | Key 3 | Key 4 | |
| Spring 2012 | Exam 1 | Exam 2 | Exam 3 | Exam 4 |
| Key 1 | Key 2 | Key 3 | Key 4 | |
| Fall 2011 | Exam 1 | Exam 2 | Exam 3 | Exam 4 |
| Key 1 | Key 2 | Key 3 | Key 4 | |
| Spring 2011 | Exam 1 | Exam 2 | Exam 3 | Exam 4 |
| Key 1 | Key 2 | Key 3 | Key 4 |
The Peer Tutoring Program offers FREE drop-in tutoring for many University of Kentucky (UK) core courses. Offering proactive assistance, the goal of the Peer Tutoring Program is to enhance students' academic experience as early and as often as possible. The Peer Tutoring Program provides a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for students to drop in, as they wish, to seek help on homework or exam prep, or simply to study within a group environment. Peer Tutors in The Study and The Study North are nationally certified, well-trained undergraduate students who have successfully completed the course for which they tutor at UK. This makes them a great resource for questions about a professor or course format in addition to questions pertaining to the subject
Peer tutoring is offered in two locations—The Study, on the third floor of the Complex Commons building in the Blanding-Kirwan Complex on south campus, and The Study North, on the first floor of Champions Court I/Jewel Hall (residence hall across from the Student Center) on north campus.