Fall 2026
College Algebra
Instructor: Chesney Culver
Email: culvercb@lamarpa.edu
Phone: 409-984-6330
Office Hours: Online by appointment
Additional Contact Information: Please do not use Blackboard to message me. Instead, please email me from your LSCPA email with your class ID, MATH 1314-71D, in the subject line.
In-depth study and applications of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions, and systems of equations using matrices. Additional topics such as sequences, series, probability, and conics may be included.
Elementary Algebra, 2nd Edition, by Openstax, 2020.
This textbook is available for free under a Creative Commons license at:
https://openstax.org/details/books/college-algebra-2e
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
Reliable internet connection and a device to complete assignments and exams on. iPads are not recommended for this course due to frequent technical difficulties.
TSIA2 complete in Mathematics
1. Construct mathematical arguments using logical connectives and quantifiers.
2. Verify the correctness of an argument using propositional and predicate logic and truth tables.
3. Demonstrate the ability to solve problems using counting techniques and combinatorics in the context of discrete probability.
4. Solve problems involving recurrence relations and generating functions.
5. Use graphs and trees as tools to visualize and simplify situations.
6. Perform operations on discrete structures such as sets, functions, relations, and sequences.
7. Construct proofs using direct proof, proof by contraposition, proof by contradiction, proof by cases, and mathematical induction.
8. Apply algorithms and use definitions to solve problems to prove statements in elementary number theory.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will: Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions, including domain and range, operations, compositions, and inverses. Recognize and apply polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions and solve related equations. Apply graphing techniques. Evaluate all roots of higher degree polynomial and rational functions. Recognize, solve and apply systems of linear equations using matrices.
Please see the course Blackboard for a complete topic outline.
Please see the course Blackboard.
Please see the course Blackboard.
Let x represent your weighted average in the course.
|
Grade |
Range |
|
A |
x≥90 |
|
B |
80≤x<90 |
|
C |
70≤x<80 |
|
D |
60≤x<70 |
|
F |
x<60 |
Class Policies:
-No additional late work, extensions or make-up work will be accepted. Please do not ask.
-This syllabus is subject to change as needed throughout the semester. Any major changes will be accompanied by an announcement in class, via email, or posted on Blackboard.
-All relevant information about this course will be communicated to students using announcements posted on Blackboard. You will receive an email copy of each announcement but replies to those emails will not be monitored nor receive a response.
-Students should use their LSCPA email to communicate with the instructor; any communications from personal email accounts (gmail,yahoo,etc.) will be ignored.
-Students must use appropriate email etiquette when corresponding with the instructor; for example, complete sentences and a full subject line with your name and course name. Voice mail messages should be clearly spoken identifying students' name, course, and return phone number.
-Emails or messages determined by the instructor to be rude or disrespectful will not be responded to and will possibly be forwarded to the student’s department chair or program coordinator.
-Students may check their grades in their Blackboard gradebook. If the student wishes to discuss their grades, they may email the instructor and request an appointment to meet with the instructor or see the instructor during scheduled office hours. The instructor will not discuss any grades over email or phone calls.
-The instructor will not discuss a student’s grades with anyone besides the student unless the instructor is given permission by LSCPA officials to do so.
-Students are responsible for informing the instructor if they are unable to access any course materials. There will be no late work or credit given for assignments missed for this reason.
-If the instructor sees a need, she may require the quizzes and chapter tests be taken in a proctored environment. If this change occurs, the instructor will notify the students prior to the due dates.
Attendance (including that in online courses) will be taken into account when determining borderline grades.
My Open Math:
All graded assignments in this course will be administered on Blackboard using an open source assessment program provided by My Open Math. The schedule of availability and due dates for each assignment (Homeworks, Quizzes, Exams) is posted on Blackboard. If you have any questions about the schedule or due dates, please message your instructor for clarification. Time extensions and make-up work will not generally be available, so make sure that you are informed and be sure to check in regularly to ensure that you are aware of any possible changes and/or other necessary information.
Homework:
Each section of the text is accompanied by a graded homework practice assignment. Please refer to Blackboard for exact due dates. The average of your homework scores will count as 50% of your final grade.
Quizzes:
Each chapter of the text is accompanied by one or more graded quizzes. Please refer to Blackboard for exact due dates. The average of your quiz scores will count as 10% of your final grade.
Unit Exams:
There will be three unit exams scheduled at regular intervals throughout the semester. Each of the unit exams will count as 10% of your final grade.
Final Exam:There will be one comprehensive final exam that will count as 10% of your final grade.
Late Passes:
-Each student will be automatically given 10 late passes for the semester. You do not have to email the instructor in order to use a late pass. An explanation on how to use the late passes will be provided in the Course Intro Video.
-Late passes can be used for any assignment except the Final Exam. This includes homework, quizzes, and chapter tests. Students are responsible for planning and using their late passes in a way that is most beneficial to them. The instructor will not advise students on “best ways” to use late passes.
- Late passes cannot extend due dates for any assignment past the due date of the course final exam.
-Students should always strive to complete assignments on time. Late passes are a built-in accommodation for emergencies that occur in the semester. In the event a student has an emergent circumstance that prevents them from completing the coursework, and the work is more than the late passes can cover, they will need to contact LSCPA’s disabilities services coordinator. No additional accommodations will be made unless a student has a letter of accommodations from the disabilities services coordinator.
-Again, late passes are intended to be used sparingly and in the event of an emergency. Thus, students that do not use all their late passes will be granted extra credit for their remaining passes. Each late pass a student does not use will be converted to one point of extra credit on the final exam. For example, if a student uses 2 late passes and scores a 79 on their Final Exam, then their remaining 8 late passes will bring their Final Exam score up to an 87.
Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.