Course Essentials

MiraCosta College | MATH 126 | Online | Course Number 3802 & 3804| 8/18/25 - 12/18/25

Course Description

This course covers advanced algebra topics including functions and their properties. Topics include linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions and their applications, graphs of functions, inverse functions, and systems of equations and inequalities.

REQUIRED MATERIALS AND MINDSET

XYZ-Homework. This course uses online homework through XYZ Homework. The only required material is the XYZ Homework Openstax Pass. Please read the XYZ Homework Student Getting Started Guide for Openstax and the information on the next page. The pass will give you access to the XYZ Homework website, where you will submit your homework and quizzes and access the electronic textbook and videos. To purchase the pass for $30, please go to www.xyzhomework.com. Please use the code XYZF25 at the time of purchase. You can also purchase the pass from the MiraCosta College bookstore for about $40. You will have a two-week ‘grace’ period before you have to purchase access to XYZ Homework. You do not need to have a hard copy of the textbook for this online course unless you desire to. If you wish to have a hard copy of the textbook, you may order Intermediate Algebra by OpenStax, ISBN-10 1938168348. You may go to https://openstax.org/subjects/math and view the PreCalculus e-textbook online or download the PDF for free.

Computer/tablet with internet access and webcam. Since this course is fully online, you must have internet access. You will be submitting assignments mostly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Having a webcam to see me in my Virtual Office (Zoom) will also be nice.

You may use a basic, scientific, or graphing calculator on some exams in this course. However, calculators that perform symbolic differentiation or integration (such as the TI-89 or CAS calculators) are not permitted.
A calculator is a mandatory requirement for the course. To make things easier, I’ve provided both scientific and graphing calculator emulators in Canvas under the “Modules” section, so you don’t need to purchase one.
If you prefer to purchase your own, I highly recommend the TI-30Xa Solar for scientific calculations and the TI-83 or TI-84 for graphing.
🚫 Reminder: Not all exams will allow calculator use — be sure to check the instructions for each exam carefully.
Determination, positive attitude, hard work, and desire to succeed! No need for translations here.

Information on homework and quizzes in XYZ

📒 Homework & Quiz Guidelines

All homework assignments and quizzes are located in Canvas.

📝 Please keep an organized notebook where you:

Write out all homework and quiz problems in order
Show all steps and use correct algebraic notation

This notebook will be a valuable resource when reviewing for quizzes and exams.

✅ You must submit correct answers to receive credit.
📄 Always write out your work on paper and keep it organized—this will make it easier to resubmit answers if needed.

📚 Homework Policy

You can attempt each homework assignment as many times as you like before the deadline.

You are allowed three submissions per problem.
If your answer is still incorrect after three tries, you may receive a new version of that problem.

📝 Quiz Policy

You have three chances to take each quiz in one sitting on XYZ Homework.

⚠️ Important: Clicking on a quiz counts as one attempt, even if you do not answer any questions.
✅ Be sure to open the quiz only when you’re ready to complete and submit it.

⏰ Late Pass Policy

You may use a total of 5 late passes throughout the semester on homework assignments or quizzes.

🔄 Each late pass will extend the due date by 24 hours.
🕒 You must select the late pass within 24 hours after the original due date.
✅ There is no penalty for using a late pass.

Prerequiste

Knowledge, skills, and abilities at the intermediate algebra level as determined by the math placement process.

Math 126 Course Student Learning Outcome

For a given set of problems the student will demonstrate quantitative reasoning by developing a problem-solving strategy, performing appropriate analysis and computation, and critically assessing the meaning of the conclusion or outcome.

Core Competencies

Intellectual and practical skills, including quantitative literacy and problem solving, will be practiced extensively across the curriculum in the context of progressively more challenging problems, projects, and standards for performance.

Tips on how to be successful in this class:

Complete the current lesson's written and online homework by due dates listed
Be prepared to turn in homework everyday, Monday through Friday
Keep pace with the posted due dates to aid with deeper understanding
Engage in practice opportunities and read in a timely manner
Email me right away at lnakamura@miracosta.edu if you have any questions or get 'stuck' on a problem
Attend my Happy Hours
Reach out to your teammates!

Time commitment

Studying Math: The State of California accreditation standard requires that 1 unit of Academic Credit represents a minimum of 48 total hours of student work. More info from the State of California can be found (see pages 10 and 11) by clicking this link. A 4-unit (17-week) class requires about 12~13 hours a week: attending class (and/or watching videos or reading materials for an online class), re-reading, completing homework, reviewing, etc. A 4-unit, 6-week class requires approximately 32 hours a week.

You can expect to spend at least 20~32 hours per week in this class. In a typical week this semester, you can expect to spend 2 hours reading, 3~4 hours watching videos, 5~6 hours working on XYZ Homework, and 1~2 hours completing other assignments, such as participation, extra credit, going over the practice exams, etc. There will be assignments due almost every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You will be allowed to work ahead. Also, I plan to open the course a few days early, although I may not be checking my emails until the starting day, June 10.

Do not allow yourself to fall behind in your work. Catching up before a test is an extremely difficult task!!

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