Genesee Community College
Algebra 2 (MAT102-66) Syllabus
Spring 2018

Instructor Information

Ken Mead
Office location:
D395 Math Science Area, Building D, Main Campus
Office hours:
TR 9:30-10:10am and 12:10-12:45pm, W 2:00-4:30pm (some hours may be spent in D203)
585-343-0055 x 6381

Course Information

Course title:
Algebra 2
Course number:
MAT 102 - 66
Credit Hours:
Catalog description:
Topics include solving first degree inequalities, introduction to functions, linear equations in two variables and graphing, solving systems of two or three linear equations and inequalities, brief review of polynomial operations and factoring, algebraic fractions, variation, solving rational equations and proportions, rational exponents and radical expressions, complex numbers, solving radical equations, and four methods for solving quadratic equations, with emphasis on problem solving and applications throughout the course. Not open to students with credit in MAT 136 or higher. Prerequisite: MAT 092 or by placement.
Student Learning Outcomes:
The Genesee Community College Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this course are:
  1. Correctly translate and solve first-degree equations and inequalities.
  2. Given a relation, identify if it is a function. If so, find its domain and range, and then correctly evaluate the function given a value in its domain.*
  3. Given a linear equation, correctly graph it on a rectangular coordinate system.
  4. Find the equation of a line given one of the following: A point on the line and the slope of the line; Two points on the line; A point on the line and the equation of a line parallel or perpendicular to it
  5. Given a system of linear equations, correctly solve the system by graphing, substitution or the addition method.
  6. Given a system of inequalities, solve the system by the graphing method.
  7. Given two or more polynomials, correctly add, subtract, multiply or divide the expressions.
  8. Given two or more rational expressions, correctly add, subtract, multiply or divide the expressions.
  9. Given an equation involving rational expressions, correctly solve the equation.
  10. Given two or more radical expressions, add, subtract, multiply and divide the expressions and write the answer in simplest form.
  11. Given two complex numbers, add, subtract, multiply or divide the numbers and write the answer in the form a + bi.
  12. Given a quadratic equation, solve it by factoring, taking square roots, completing the square or using the quadratic formula.


Course Overview:

To be successful in this course, you need to have had a good deal of exposure to introductory algebra. You will be required to take one quiz approximately every four weeks, and there are no makeups. Upon taking the final examination, your lowest quiz grade will be dropped. These quizzes will contain anywhere from 15-20 questions, some of which will be multiple choice or short answer. You should be able to complete quizzes in anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes.

Many people choose to get a week or two ahead of schedule with their quizzes. For instance, you can take the first quiz during week three, study for the second quiz over the next two weeks, and take quiz two early in week five. A number of students have successfully completed this course with an "A" grade in eight weeks or less! I encourage you to do the same if you are so inclined.

Quizzes will be taken at a GCC testing center, in person, with paper and pen/pencil.

It is your responsibility to know the testing hours at your particular campus center.

There will be a final examination. You should plan on spending a minimum of two hours completing this comprehensive exam. More details will be provided later on in the semester. You may take the final exam early with permission from the instructor.

Textbooks and Materials

Required materials:
The only required purchase is Enhanced Webassign with the embedded Book.
  • WebAssign with embedded eBook (see for details). You have the choice between "Access to eBook and Homework", or just "Access to Homework". I recommend that you purchase the eBook bundled with Webassign (approximately $82.00 at
  • Any non-graphing calculator for use on quizzes and exams. Note: you may use a graphing calculator for homework and study, but not on exams. You may NOT use a cellphone calculator on tests.
Optional materials:
  • Intermediate Algebra - An Applied Approach - 9th Edition , Aufmann/Lockwood, Houghton Mifflin, ISBN: 113336540X. This textbook is included in electronic format when you purchase WebAssign with the eBook bundled.
  • Student's Solutions Manual to Accompany textbook, (Note: there may be solutions manuals available at the GCC library.)

Grading Criteria

Grading Policies:
Final grades are assigned according to the following scheme

Final grades are assigned according to the following scheme, with the final average rounded to the nearest integer (in %):

92 or higher = A, 90-91 = A-, 88-89 = B+, 82-87 = B, 80-81 = B-, 78-79 = C+, 72-77 = C, 70-71 = C-, 68-69 = D+, 62-67 = D, 60-61 = D-, 59 or less = F.

Grades will be weighted as follows:

  • Four quizzes (20% each - total 80%)
  • Online Homework grade (20%)
  • Final Exam (20%); Upon taking the final exam, this score replaces your lowest quiz grade.*

There will be a total of 4 quizzes during this semester. You must take the quizzes on or before the due date! These quizzes must be taken on the main campus in the testing center or at one of the campus centers. It is your responsibility to know the testing hours at each testing location! In certain situations where a student lives outside the Genesee region, a proctor may be identified to give exams. The responsibility of locating a proctor lies entirely with the student. For more information regarding proctoring requirements, please contact your instructor.

As a favor to my students, I will allow each of you to have a total of 4 "late passes" to use during the semester, One late pass = One day late (weekdays only), and, if you wish, you may use multiple passes on a single quiz. However, once you use up all your late passes, no more taking quizzes after the due date. This is not negotiable! Please do not ask for an exception!

* If you finish the semester with an average of 90% or better on your four quizzes and homework, you will be exempt from taking the final exam and will earn a grade of A in the course. If not, and unless notified otherwise, you'll be required to take the final exam during the final exam period. Upon taking the final exam, your lowest quiz grade gets dropped and replaced with the final exam grade. If you are required to take the final and don't, then your second lowest quiz grade gets dropped and replaced with a zero.

To summarize, you will be required to take at least four quizzes, approximately one every four weeks, at your local campus center or at the main campus. See syllabus supplement for hours and locations. It is YOUR responsibiltiy to know the testing hours of your testing site.

You will have online homework assignments that will be graded, and paper/pencil homework that will not.

The last day to withdraw with a grade of "W" is aligned with the middle of the semester plus one week (usually at the end of the ninth week during the fall and spring semesters).

Students Requiring Alternative Proctoring Arrangements

Who Qualifies?

You might find that the testing hours offered at your local campus center just don't mesh with your busy schedule. Or, you might live far from the nearest testing center. If either of these conditions fit, then by all means find yourself a proctor!

Finding a Proctor:

Your proctor should work at an educational facility or local library, and exams should be administered at the proctor's place of employment during regular business hours. We have had quite a bit of success with individuals volunteering from local school districts and, especially, local libraries. Please look into this!

The proctor's responsibilities include receiving tests from the instructor, administering the quizzes (approximately 60 minutes) and returning the quizzes to the instructor via U.S. Mail.

If you find an individual or institution willing to serve as your proctor for this course, please send me a message with the vital information about this individual: Name, Title, Mailing Address, Phone, FAX, email, place of employment, and when and where you plan to take your quizzes. You need to do this at least 8 business days before the due date for the first quiz!

Paid Proctoring:

If you are unable to locate a proctor, or otherwise cannot take your quizzes in a traditional proctored environment (including GCC's testing centers), you have the option of taking quizzes through a paid proctoring service. Currently, GCC partners with ProctorU for this purpose. The cost per quiz is approximately $20 for up to two hours, assuming the quiz is scheduled 72 hours or more in advance. There are strict hardware requirements in order to take quizzes in this environment. Please visit for details.

If you plan to use ProctorU for any of your quizzes, please let your instructor know at least two weeks prior to the date you plan to take the quiz. All costs associated with online proctoring services will be borne by the student.

Course Schedule

General Schedule

As mentioned above, course topics will be broken down into 4 evenly divided modules, each covering approximately 1/4 of the semester, or about 4 weeks each. Module 1 covers sections 1.1-1.5, 2.1-2.4, and 3.1-3.2. Module 2 covers sections 3.3-3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.5, and 5.1-5.3. Module 3 covers 5.4-5.8 and 6.1-6.5. Module 4 covers 6.6-6.7, 7.1-7.5 and 8.1-8.3.

Embedded in each module, there will be three (3) online homework assignments with due dates spaced evenly throughout. Each module will culminate with a quiz. All due dates will be posted inside blackboard at the beginning of the semester.

Syllabus Supplements

GCC Grading Policy
Classroom Policies
CAP Center:
GCC Library
Computer Labs
Internet Procedures
GCC Help Desk
Student Support
GCC Contact Info
Code of Conduct

Final Thoughts


The instructor reserves the right to make any reasonable and necessary modifications to the statements above. This document is subject to change.