Intermediate Algebra Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Hereford Off Campus 123

Office Hours

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

MATH-0303-013 Intermediate Algebra

Prerequisites

Math 0302-minimum grade of C, Accuplacer score of 63, THEA score of 230, an equivalent score on a state-approved test or department chair consent

Course Description

A study of relations and functions; inequalities; factoring; polynomials, rational expressions; quadratics with an introduction to complex numbers; exponential and logarithmic functions; determinants and matrices; sequences and series.

(This is a developmental course. It does not meet elective or graduation requirements.)

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Robert Blitzer,Intermediate Algebra for College Students, Fifth Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall

Supplies

\ Blue-line graph paper – 4 or 5 squares per inch
\ Blue-line notebook paper, pencils, erasers, a ruler or straightedge

\ Skill Drill booklet to be purchased in the AC Bookstore or

Student Performance

PREREQUISITES:
You should be enrolled in Math 0303 due to one or more of the following:

A THEA test score of 230 to 269;
An Accuplacer (computer alternative to THEA) placement test score of 63 to 74;
A score of 17 to 22 on the Amarillo College Math Placement Test;
Completion of Math 0302 with a minimum grade of “C”;

A student’s desire to begin his/her math education in this course despite a higher test score

ARE YOU IN THE RIGHT CLASS?
If you are concerned that you have been placed in the wrong course, please see your instructor or the Mathematics and Engineering Department Chairperson as soon as possible! If you need to move to a different course, the move should be made during the first week of class as additional charges may be incurred later.

COURSE LENGTH: 16 weeks: 3 hours of lecture/week and 1 hour of lab/week OR
8 weeks: 5 ½ hours of lecture/week and 1 hour of lab/week

COURSE CREDIT: Cannot be applied toward any associate degree.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:

Lecture/Lab: You will attend a structured lecture 4 days, 2 days, or one day a week depending on which class you are attending. Tests will be taken in the Testing Centeroutside of class time.
DVD’sare available in the AC-Hereford Campus Learning Center. Picture ID is needed to view materials
Test Review Problemsare located in 3-ring binders located in the NW corner of the Hereford Campus Learning Center. These are available for use on campus or copies can be made at 10 cents/page.
Tutoring assistanceis available, at no charge on a limited basis, in the Hereford Campus Learning Center (457-4404) or Student Outreach Center, Engineering Building Room 104,Washington Street Campus (WSC) ( 371-5119)
MyMathLabis a resource for instruction and includes numerous examples. It is available in the Hereford Campus Learning Center and NEW book purchases have the code for home use.

Please– GET HELP at the first sign of a problem. Talk to your instructor, talk to a tutor, talk to someone in your class. Don’t wait until a little problem has become a big problem.

GRAPHING CALCULATOR CHECKOUT:

Students unable to afford the purchase of a graphing calculator can apply to the Adult Students Program for the privilege of checking one out for the semester. Students that a) receive a PELL grant or b) receive public assistance services are eligible as long as calculators are available. These calculators are awarded on a “first come, first serve” basis. If you do not meet the above criteria but cannot afford to purchase your own, you may discuss your situation with the Adult Students Program. Exceptions will be made in some cases.
Students who lose (due to accident / theft / any other mishap) or damage in any way a loaner graphing calculator will be required to replace the lost, stolen, or damaged calculator with a new TI-83 or TI-83 Plus graphing calculator. Failure to do so will result in immediate action(s) taken by Amarillo College.
Bring a copy of your schedule to the Adult Students Program, Student Services Center, Room 130, WSC, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. (You must be enrolled in a math class to receive this assistance.) You must also complete an application.

STUDENT PERFORMANCE / LEARNING OUTCOMES

After studying the material presented in this course, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the Mathematics Department.

Demonstrate a basic understanding of sets, relations and functions
Understand and apply factoring to binomials, trinomials and four-term polynomials.
Apply arithmetic operations using order of operation on rational expressions and radical expressions
Algebraically evaluate and graph linear inequalities in one variable
Algebraically evaluate linear equations in one variable
Evaluate quadratic equations by various methods.
Understand and apply mathematical concepts to application problems

COURSE OUTLINE:
This course consists of 6 chapter tests and a final exam.

Chapter 1 Algebra, Mathematical Models, and Problem Solving (Section 4.1 will appear on Chapter 1 Test)

Chapter 2: Functions and Linear

Chapter 5: Polynomials, Polynomial Functions, and Factoring

Chapter 6: Rational expressions, Functions, and Equations

Chapter 7: Radicals, Radical Functions, and Rational Exponents

Chapter 8: Quadratic Equations and Functions

Looking Ahead to College Algebra

Chapter 3 Matrix Row Operations and Determinants

Chapter 9 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Chapter 11 General, Arithmetic, and Geometric Sequences and Series

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

\ BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS / CLASSROOM GROUND RULES:
\ Students are expected to behave in the classroom in a manner that is supportive of the learning environment. Behaviors that are not supportive include, but are not limited to: tardiness/leaving early; electronic devices noises; talking during lectures; abusive, offensive, or disrespectful language; abusive, offensive, or disrespectful conduct toward AC faculty, staff, students and/or property.
\
\ In order to receive credit for a course, all material listed on the syllabus must be covered. The instructor sets the pace to ensure that these requirements are met. Complaining about the pace will not result in less material being covered.
\
\ Students who fail to comply with the standards outlined in the syllabus and/or “Student’s Rights & Responsibilities” will be subject to disciplinary action which may include, but is not limited to: removal from the classroom; consultation with the Mathematics and Engineering Department Chair and/or other AC authority; withdrawal from the course and/or the college.
\
\ FOOD / DRINK POLICY AND CELL PHONE / PAGER POLICY:
\ It is the policy of the Mathematics Department that food and drink may be allowed in the classroom setting, at the instructor’s discretion, but food and drink are not allowed at any time in the Learning Center or Testing Center. Students may have food and drink in the Student Lounge (Room 122) but must police the area upon departure

\ It is the responsibility of each student to police the area he occupies of litter, food and drink containers, and any spills that have occurred before leaving the classroom.

\
\ It is the policy of the Mathematics Department that cell phones and pagers should be turned off, or in silent mode, in the classrooms, the Learning Center, and Testing Center. In the Testing Center, all cell phones must be turned off or in silent mode as a courtesy to other students who are testing. Cell phones should remain in purses, pockets, or clips. At no time should a cell phone be out and/or visible. Cell phone calculators may not be used. Headphones, IPODS, and any device requiring headphones are not allowed in the Testing Center.
\

Grading Criteria

POLICY ON CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated in any math course at Amarillo College.
On the first day of class, you will be required to sign and date a Course Contract. Included in the contract is the following statement: "I fully understand that if I cheat or attempt to cheat, on any test I will receive an automatic “F” in the course. The grade will go on my permanent transcript and cannot be removed. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the illegal use of books, notes, cell phones, copying, or the use of cell phone calculators. Cheating also includes helping, or attempting to help, other students to cheat on a test."
You will not be allowed to take your tests until this contract is signed and on file with your instructor.

TESTING:
All tests, including the final exam, will be taken in the Testing Center (Room 103) and may be taken during Testing Center hours. Tests are to be taken outside of class lecture time with a given deadline. Students in Intermediate Algebra may use graphing calculators.
Please note: No tests will be given out less than one hour before the Testing Center closing time. You must present an Amarillo College Student I.D. every time you test in the Testing Center. The Testing Center staff will retain your I.D. while you take your test and it will be returned to you when you turn in your test.
A. Chapter Tests

The tests over each chapter must be completed by deadlines set by your instructor. These test due dates will be set by your instructor. The tests will be graded by your instructor. The grade will generally be available no less than two days after the test is taken. All of your tests are stored in the Learning Center during the semester. Approved staff will be available so that you may review a test you have already taken any time the Learning Center is open. You must present an Amarillo College Student I.D. every time you review a test in the Learning Center. The staff will retain your I.D. while you review your test and it will be returned to you when you turn in your test. Please note: Under no circumstances may a student take any test or questions from a test out of the Learning Center.
Each chapter test may be taken onlyone time. Tests must be taken in sequence.
Each test that is not taken by an instructor’s deadline will result in a loss of 5 points per day, excluding days the Testing Center is closed. The only exception to this policy will be if the student has an emergency. Written verification of extenuating, verifiable circumstances will be required.

B. Skill Drills

Once instruction has begun and homework has been assigned, 5 minute skill drills will be administered at the beginning of every class period of previous homework. It will be important to be to class on time so as not to miss the skill drills.
During the course of the semester, there will be a total of 128 points available on skill drills. A student’s skill drill grade will be the total points accumulated over the course of the semester. The highest score given will be 100 even if a student acquires over 100 points.
If a student’s skill drill grade is higher than his/her lowest chapter test grade, the skill drill grade will replace that test grade when calculating the student’s final average.
There will be no make-up skill drills for any reason.

C. Final Exam

A comprehensive final exam will be given after all chapter tests are completed.
Final exams will be graded by your instructor.
The final exam must be taken by the date set by your instructor
Unlike chapter tests, there is no provision for the late penalty deduction of 5 points per day. You must complete the final exam by the assigned due date and time as specified by your instructor. This deadline is independent of the date of closing of the Testing Center. Remember, the final exam score counts twice.

Please note: Your assigned deadline for the final is set by your instructor.

TUTORING:

1. Tutoring assistance is available, at no charge on a limited basis, in the Hereford Campus Learning Center (457-4404) or Student Outreach Center located in the Engineering Building Room 104, WSC (371-5119).

2. Posted office hours and appointments with your instructor may be used for extra instruction.

HOMEWORK:

A homework assignment will usually be given at the end of each class. This assignment is due, fully completed, at the beginning of the next class and is not to be worked on while instruction is being given. The policy of the department is NO LATE HOMEWORK. (See #2) Late homework for any section(s) will only be accepted with written verification from a physician of a lengthy illness and/or approval by the instructor. Nevertheless, homework may be turned in early to the instructor if the student is going to be absent. The homework will be checked for completion by the grader and will be returned to you during the next class meeting.
Your final homework grade will be determined by dividing the number of problems you received credit for by 90% of the total number problems assigned for the semester (see copy of grade card provided on the Homework Assignment Sheet). Your daily homework grade is assigned according to the number of problems you attempted to work following the guidelines outlined on the Homework Assignment Sheet, not the number of problems you worked correctly. This grade will carry the same weight as one chapter test grade.

Turning in all of your homework is one of the best things you can do to improve your grade!

Please read carefully your Homework Assignment Sheet for instructions on the correct format for all homework assignments. Correct headings are required. You must write the problem down, show all of your work, and give a final, circled answer to receive credit for working a homework problem. (See Homework Assignment Sheet for example.)
Only odd-numbered problems will be assigned throughout the semester. Students should check their answers with those provided in the back of the textbook for accuracy.

ACCESSING AC Online
You may access AC Online by going to: www.actx.edu then use the AC Online tab. (For access to AC Online, students must first go to the WebAdvisor tab to obtain a password.)

ACOL is used to: *view course announcements *print a copy of the syllabus *view your assignments

*view the course schedule *view your grades

Please note:

Your final letter grade for this course will appear on WebAdvisor, not on AC Online.

Be aware that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (as amended) does not permit instructors, staff, or the Testing Center to disclose information regarding grades over the phone, via email, or to a third party. Therefore, if students need to discuss their grades, they must do so in person.

GRADING POLICY:

You may at any time check your test grades in this course by accessing the Internet and logging on to AC Online. You may also check with your instructor.
Homework and Skill Drill grades will be recorded on the student’s official grade card. It is recommended that each student maintain his/her own records on the copy of the grade card provided in the Homework Assignment Sheet.
Your grade for this course will be determined by averaging:
The six chapter test grades used for averaging (each chapter test counts once).
If a student’s skill drill grade is higher than his/her lowest chapter test grade, the skill drill grade will replace that test grade when calculating the student’s final average.
Homework average for semester (counts once).
Skill Drill grade for semester (counts once on its own and could also count as a replacement chapter test grade. See “B” above).
The final exam grade (counts twice).
Mean = [six chapter test grades + Homework average + Skill Drill grade + 2 (Final exam grade)] / 10.
Attendance: possible +/- of points to final average (see General Attendance Policy, page 6).

4. Three times during the semester, students will be able to easily calculate their current course average by using the checkpoint system included on the homework assignment sheet. Students are strongly encouraged to record all grades throughout the semester to see how they are progressing.

5.     . Grades will be given as follows:
        A   90-100
        B   80-89
        C   70-79
        D   60-69
        F   Below 60 (Unsatisfactory)

6. A grade of “F” will be earned as follows:

You complete the course with an overall average below 60.
You do not complete the course and do not drop the course in time to receive a grade of “W” and do not meet the requirements listed below for a grade of “I” (Incomplete).
You receive an “I” (Incomplete) after signing an Incomplete contract, but do not satisfy the conditions for removal by the agreed upon date.
You violate the cheating and plagiarism policy.

1. Incomplete:

A grade of “I” (Incomplete) is not generally given in developmental math courses. Any exceptions will be made by your instructor on an individual basis and only for extreme circumstances.

· A grade of “I” (Incomplete) will be possible only if the student has at most the Final Exam and one Chapter Test to complete. If the instructor agrees to give the student an Incomplete, the student must sign a contract that specifies the requirements for changing the temporary grade of “I” to the letter grade earned by the student. The student will have a maximum of three months from the date the contract is signed to fulfill these requirements. If the student has not met those requirements by the end of the three months, the grade of “I” will automatically be changed to a grade of “F”.

2. Withdrawal: You will receive a “W” for a withdrawal/drop if the withdrawal is initiated before the deadline stated in the AC Program/Course Guide.

**Please note the following deadline for withdrawals.**
6 week classes – Summer I – June 22, 2011; Summer II – Wednesday, August 3, 2011
8 week classes – Midsummer Term – Monday, July 18, 2011.

Attendance

GENERAL ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class and be on time for daily attendance check. Nonattendance will be recorded as an absence and no differentiation will be made as to excused or unexcused absences. Leaving class early or prior to dismissal time will be counted as an absence. You will be rewarded for perfect attendance, not only because you will receive the instruction you need to do the assignments, but you will also have two points added to your final average.

8 week classes

Classes meet 4 times a week
Perfect attendance: 2 points added to final average
1 - 3 absences: no change in final average
4 or 5 absences: 1 point deducted from final average
6+ absences: 3 points deducted from final average

These points definitely could result in a letter grade difference. A failing grade may cause you to be placed on academic probation or suspension according to the provisions of the college catalog. They may also affect admission to another college if you seek a transfer. A total of 3 weeks or more of absences will be considered excessive and failure to make satisfactory progress. These standards will be used in reporting to any agency that supports any student financially and requires satisfactory progress as measured by attendance (the Veterans Administration, for example). If you quit attending and do not officially drop the course by the official drop date, a grade of “F” will be given.

Calendar

Chapter 1 Algebra, Mathematical Models, and Problem Solving (Section 4.1 will appear on Chapter 1 Test)

Chapter 2: Functions and Linear

Chapter 5: Polynomials, Polynomial Functions, and Factoring

Chapter 6: Rational expressions, Functions, and Equations

Chapter 7: Radicals, Radical Functions, and Rational Exponents

Chapter 8: Quadratic Equations and Functions

Looking Ahead to College Algebra

Chapter 3 Matrix Row Operations and Determinants

Chapter 9 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Chapter 11 General, Arithmetic, and Geometric Sequences and Series

Note: These “Looking Ahead” topics will be discussed in class. Student will be responsible for homework, though no skill drills will be administered. These topics will appear on the Final exam.

FINAL: COMPREHENSIVE

TESTING:
All tests, including the final exam, will be taken in the Testing Center (Room 103) and may be taken during Testing Center hours. Tests are to be taken outside of class lecture time with a given deadline. Students in Intermediate Algebra may use graphing calculators.

FINAL EXAM

A comprehensive final exam will be given after all chapter tests are completed.
Final exams will be graded by your instructor.
The final exam must be taken by the date set by your instructor
Unlike chapter tests, there is no provision for the late penalty deduction of 5 points per day. You must complete the final exam by the assigned due date and time as specified by your instructor. This deadline is independent of the date of closing of the Testing Center. Remember, the final exam score counts twice.

Please note: Your assigned deadline for the final is set by your instructor

MATH 0303 INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA

SUGGESTED LECTURE AND TEST SUMMER SCHEDULE

8 WEEK

WEEK	DATES	ASSIGNMENTS	TESTS	ASSIGNED/DUE
1	6/6-6/9	Orientation, 1.1-4.1
2	6/13-6/16	1.6-2.5	Test 1
3	6/20-6/23	5.1-5.4	Test 2
4	6/27-6/30	5.5-6.2	Test 5
5	7/5-7/7	6.3-7.4	Test 6
6	7/11-7/14	7.5-8.3	Test 7
7	7/18-7/21	3.4- 11.3	Test 8 Ch 3,9,11 on Final only
8	7/25-7/28	Final Review FINAL	FINAL

Additional Information

\ The Testing Center (Room 103)

\ HOURS AS POSTED ON TESTING CENTER

\ No test will be handed out an hour before closing!

\ The Learning Center (Room 120) is open the following hours:

\ Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 9:45 p.m.

\ Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

\ Saturday To be posted

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on: