Math 140 - College Algebra

Shippensburg University - Fall 2025

  • Instructor: Paul Taylor
  • Phone: 477-1705
  • email: pttaylor (at) ship.edu
  • Lectures:
  • Section 1: MWF 12:00-12:50 in DHC312
    •
  • Office Hours: MCT281: M 1:00-2:00, T 9:30-10:30, W 1:00-2:00, R 9:30-10:30, F 1:00-2:00
  • Textbook: Precalculus 1 by David Lippman and Melissa Rasmussen (2nd edition). A pdf version of the textbook is provided free inside MyOpenMath.
    •
    COURSE GOALS
    The purpose of College Algebra is to provide mastery of the fundamental algebraic skills that you will need in precalculus or calculus. Specifically, our class has the following goals:
  • Students will create and interpret graphical representations of functions, including linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and rational functions
  • Students will manipulate and solve algebraic equations and inequalities involving linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and rational functions
  • Students will solve application problems involving linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and rational functions
    • MyOpenMath
    This course has an online component running through MyOpenMath. Homework problems and textbook links can be accessed here, as well as other resources such as videos. To sign up for MyOpenMath:
    Homework will be done online through MOM. You can redo online homework problems repeatedly until you get them all correct. You receive three attempts to do a specific problem, then you can start over with a similar problem.
    CALCULATORS
    All students are required to have a scientific calculator. An appropriate calculator for this class is the TI-30XS (it must have an LN button). Calculator phone apps can be used in class, but with NOT be allowed during exams.
    STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
  • Attend class every day, arrive on time.
  • Be attentive in class and ask any questions you have.
  • If there is a concept with which you need extra help, or if you find yourself falling behind, tell me about it. Come to office hours for extra help, or send me an email explaining your concerns. The sooner the better.
  • When working in class, stay on the task at hand and maintain a reasonable volume.
  • Be responsible for any material or announcements if you miss class.
    •
    GRADE WEIGHTING
    Your grade will be determined by your performance on exams, worksheets, and online homework    . These components carry weight as follows:
  • 30% - Online Homework
  • 30% - Worksheets
  • 30% - Midterm Exams (3 exams at 10% each)
  • 10% - Cumulative Final Exam
    •  Letter grades for the course will be determined according to the following scale:

    Letter Grade

    A

    A-

    B+

    B

    B-

    C+

    C

    D

    F

    Final Percent

    93 -100

    90-92

    87-89

    83-86

    80-82

    77-79

    70-76

    60-69

    less than 60

    ONLINE HOMEWORK
    As stated above, online homework is done through MOM. Homework will be assigned nearly every class and due on Wednesdays at 11:59pm. 
    WORKSHEETS
    Approximately once per week, part of the class time will be used to do a worksheet. Students may ask questions regarding their online homework during this time (which is due that night).
    MIDTERM EXAMS
    There will be three midterm exams. These exams will be closed book, but you will be allowed (and expected) to use your calculator. Each midterm exam is worth 10% of your course grade.
    Midterm 1 - September 19
    Midterm 2 - October 24
    Midterm 3 - November 21
    FINAL EXAM
    The final exam will be cumulative. As with the midterm exams, you will be allowed your calculator but no books or notes. The final exam is worth 10% of your course grade. In addition to counting for 10% of your total grade, your final score will replace any lower midterm exam scores.
    POLICY REGARDING MISSED WORK
    Homework: Homework can be attempted after the deadline using a "late pass" in MyOpenMath. 
    Worksheets: If you are going to miss a worksheet day, inform me beforehand as soon as possible. We will then be able to arrange for you to do it on your own time.
    Exams: If you are going to miss an exam, inform me beforehand as soon as possible and at least one week in advance. We will then be able to arrange an alternate test time or deadline. If an exam is missed without prior notification or with notification less than one week in advance, no make-up exams will be given under any circumstances. Your final exam score will be used for the missed midterm as per the policy described above in the Final Exam section.
    ACADEMIC DISHONESTY It is the policy of Shippensburg University to expect academic honesty. Students who commit breaches of academic honesty will be subject to the various sanctions outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog.
    TITLE IX Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and its faculty are committed to assuring a safe and productive educational environment for all students. In order to comply with the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the university’s commitment to offering supportive measures in accordance with the regulations issued under Title IX, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania requires faculty members to report incidents of sexual violence shared by students to the university's Title IX Coordinator, Dr. John Burnett [JABurnett@ship.edu] or [Title9@ship.edu]. The only exceptions to the faculty member's reporting obligation are when incidents of sexual violence are communicated by a student during a classroom discussion, in a writing assignment for a class, or as part of a university-approved research project. Faculty members are obligated to report sexual violence or any other abuse of a student who was, or is, a child (a person under 18 years of age) when the abuse allegedly occurred to the person designated in the university’ Protection and Supervision of Minors on Campus Policy.
    Information regarding the reporting of sexual violence and the resources that are available to victims of sexual violence are available on the Office of Human Resources website: https://www.ship.edu/about/offices/hr/title_ix_statement/
    Reports may be made to the following individuals:
    Dr. John Burnett - Title IX Coordinator - Office of Human Resources - Old Main 106-A - Ph: 717-477-1323 - Cell: 724-317-6415 - Fax: 717-477-4037 - JABurnett@ship.edu
    Nipa Browder - Deputy Title IX Coordinator - Office of Human Resources Office of Human Resources - Ph: 717-477-1124 - NBrowder@ship.edu
    John Stought - Deputy Title IX Coordinator - Accounts Payable - Ph: 717-477-1161 Ext. 3316 - JPStought@ship.edu
    OFFICE OF ACCESSIBLE RESOURCES Shippensburg University welcomes students with disabilities into all of the University's educational programs and strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible.  Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) to discuss specific needs.  OAR is located in Mowrey Hall 252 and can be reached by phone at (717) 477-1364 or via email at oar@ship.edu. The office�s website is www.ship.edu/oar.

    In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must provide documentation and participate in an intake meeting.  If the documentation supports your request, the Office of Accessibility Resources will provide you with an Accommodation Notification Form.  OAR encourages you to share your notification form with your instructors and discuss your accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must submit a request for a new notification form each semester that you request accommodations.

    Last modified: August 6, 2025
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