Course Essentials

MiraCosta College | MATH 126S | Online | Course Number 3229 & 3230| 1/21/26 - 5/22/26

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 $40, please go to www.xyzhomework.com. Please use the code XYZS26 at the time of purchase. You can also purchase the pass from the MiraCosta College bookstore for about $54. 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, Fridays, and Sundays. 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, Quizzes, and Algebra Reviews in XYZ

📒 Homework, Quiz & Algebra Review Guidelines

All homework assignments, quizzes, and algebra reviews are assigned and submitted online through XYZ Homework, and accessed via Canvas.

📝 Please keep an organized notebook where you:

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

This notebook will be an important resource when reviewing for quizzes and exams.

📄 Always write out your work on paper and keep it organized — this will make it easier to check your reasoning and resubmit answers if needed.

📚 Homework Policy

Homework is designed as practice — not just something to complete for a grade, but as a tool to help you truly understand the material.

You may attempt each homework assignment as many times as needed before the deadline
You are allowed three submissions per problem
If your answer is still incorrect after three attempts, XYZ may generate a new version of the problem

Use feedback from each attempt to reflect, adjust, and learn.

📝 Quiz Policy

Quizzes are meant to check your understanding of the material covered so far and help you prepare for exams.

You have three attempts to complete each quiz
Each quiz must be completed in one sitting
⚠️ Clicking on a quiz counts as one attempt, even if no answers are submitted

✅ Be sure to start a quiz only when you are ready to finish and submit it.

🧠 Algebra Review (AR) Assignments — Support Portion of the Course

Algebra Reviews are a key part of Math 126S and are designed to help you strengthen the prerequisite algebra skills needed to be successful in Precalculus I.

Algebra Reviews are completed and submitted through XYZ Homework
These assignments focus on reviewing and reinforcing foundational algebra topics
Algebra Reviews are typically started during the week and due on Sundays

💡 Think of Algebra Reviews as built-in support — not extra busywork — to help you feel more confident and prepared as the course progresses.

⏰ Late Pass Policy

You may use up to 5 late passes throughout the semester on homework assignments or quizzes.

Each late pass extends the due date by 24 hours
Late passes must be applied within 24 hours after the original deadline
✅ There is no penalty for using a late pass

Use them wisely when life happens.

Prerequiste

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

Math 126S 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 for Success in Math 126S

Stay current with your work. Complete both the written and online homework for each lesson by the posted due dates.
Work consistently throughout the week. Be prepared to engage with homework and review materials on a regular basis (Monday–Sunday).
Keep pace with the course schedule. Staying on track helps build understanding and prevents concepts from piling up.
Use practice intentionally. Take advantage of practice opportunities and complete readings and videos in a timely manner.
Ask for help early. If you have questions or feel stuck, email me right away at lnakamura@miracosta.edu — don’t wait!
Attend my Happy Hours. These are a relaxed space to ask questions, review concepts, and get extra support.
Lean on your classmates. Reach out to your teammates — learning is better (and easier!) when you don’t do it alone.

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 5-unit (17-week) class requires about 13~14 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 13~14 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, 6~7 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, January 20.

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

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