Amarillo College Logo

Mathematics for Business Decisions I Syllabus for 2011-2012
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Instructor

Penelope Davies (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

padavies@actx.edu

Phone

<p>806-371-5901</p>

Office Location

Engineering Hall  E205

Office Hours

MTWR:  9:00 am - 9:30 pm, other times by appointment

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.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

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-1324-003 Mathematics for Business Decisions I

Prerequisites

MATH 0303-minimum grade of C, an Accuplacer score of 75, a THEA score of 270 or an equivalent score on a state-approved test

Course Description

Study of matrices; linear programming; quadratics; exponential and logarithmic functions; rational and other relations, functions and their graphs; finance; probability.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Lial, Hungerford, Holcomb, Mathematics with Applications, Tenth Edition.
\ Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2011.

Supplies

\ Access to Internet, graphing calculator, blue-line graph paper, straight edge, pencils, blue book, and college-ruled notebook paper.  The recommended calculator for this course is a Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus.   You must have your

Student Performance

After completing this course, the student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the following topics as evaluated by the faculty in the department/program:

  1. Recognize, solve, and graph linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic and rational equations and their applications in the fields of business.
  2. Solve linear programming problems using both graphing methods and the simplex method.
  3. Investigate facets of mathematics as applied to finance, management, and business.
  4. Solve applied problems involving simple interest, compound interest, and annuities.
  5. Investigate and apply sets and set operations.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of probability.

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

\

\ SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY:  Scholastic dishonesty (cheating) of any kind will not be tolerated in this course.  Cheating is defined in Webster’s College Dictionary as “taking an examination in a dishonest way, as by having improper access to answers.”  Improper access includes, but is not limited to, copying from another student’s paper and using unauthorized sources of information while taking a test.  Participating in scholastic dishonesty will result in a non replaceable grade of zero on the assignment or exam involved.  Thus, if you are caught cheating on an exam, a grade of zero will be assigned with no chance of the final exam replacing that grade.  Further action at a higher level may be sought if necessary.  Scholastic dishonesty is clearly defined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities.

\

\ 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 device noises, talking during lecture, abusive, offensive, or disrespectful language and/or demeanor 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 state of Texas sets the requirements; therefore, this course will move at a 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 Rights & Responsibilities” will be subject to disciplinary action which may include but is not limited to:  removal from the classroom, consultation with department chair and/or other AC authority, withdrawal from the course and/or the college.

\
\

\ FOOD/DRINK: It is the policy of the Mathematics and Engineering Department that food and drink be allowed in the classroom setting, at the instructor’s discretion, but food and drink are not allowed in the Computer Labs.

\

\ PHONE/PAGERS: It is the policy of the Mathematics and Engineering Department that cell phones and pagers must be turned off or in silent mode in the classrooms and the Computer Labs.  Cell phones should NOT be visible during class.

\
\

\ ADDITIONAL CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:

\
\
    \
  1. \ BE ON TIME: Students need to be on time to every class meeting.  It is distracting and disrespectful to the class when you arrive late.  If you must be late, please take the seat nearest to the door.  If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will be counted absent.   
    2. \
  2. \ BE PREPARED: Students need to have all homework completed and ready to discuss when class begins as well as have read the section that will be covered in class that day before lecture.  Lecture should not be the first time to see new information. 
    3. \
  3. \ NO DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR will be tolerated.  Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:  cell phones (ringing or text messaging) and beepers, abusive language and/or behavior, talking while instructor is lecturing, sleeping, leaving class early, arriving late, and getting up during lecture to go to the trashcan or restroom.
    4. \
  4. \ SUBSTITUTE BEHAVIOR:  If a substitute should come in to teach the class, you are expected to be on your best behavior and treat him/her with the highest respect.    I would not send anyone in to teach who is not fully capable of doing so.
    5. \
\

Grading Criteria

\

\ The final grades of A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), and F (below 60) will be computed as follows:

\
\
    \
  1. \ Homework/Quizzes                         20%
    2. \
  2. \ Exams (3@20% each)                    60%
    3. \
  3. \ Final Exam                                       20%
    4. \
\

\ Homework: Expect to have homework every day in this course!  Homework will be assigned from the book and will be graded on a point scale.  Your daily homework score is determined by the number of problems you attempted to work following the guidelines outlined below, not the number of problems you worked correctly.  Your final homework score will be determined by dividing the number of problems you received credit for by 90% of the total number of problems assigned for the semester.  Turning in all your homework is one of the best things you can do to improve your grade! 

\

\ Quizzes:  There will be "pop" tests (quizzes) given periodically over the prior lecture and/or homework.  At the end of the semester, I will drop your two lowest "pop" tests grades to allow for sick days or "My dog ate my homework and I was not able to study" days.  Use these days wisely.

\

\ The homework/quiz average will be determined by the average of the homework score and the "pop" tests.

\

\ Homework that does not meet the requirements below will be recorded as a grade of a zero.

\
    \
  1. \ It must be turned in at the BEGINNING of the class period (before I start class). Late homework will not be accepted.
    2. \
  2. \ The assignment should be completed in PENCIL on white 8.5 x 11 inch paper or graph paper.  It must be NEAT and LEGIBLE.
    3. \
  3. \ Do not tear your paper out of a spiral and leave jagged edges. Any assignment with jagged edges will not be accepted and be recorded with a grade of zero.
    4. \
  4. \ If you have more than one page to turn in, the pages must be STAPLED together. Multiple pages that are held together by a paperclip, folded corner, spit, gum, etc. will not be accepted and only the first page will be graded.
    5. \
  5. \ Homework must be presented in an orderly manner with the problem running down the page with answers circled. Do not work a problem across the page in one line. Any algebraic answer not circled or “boxed” in will not be graded.
    6. \
  6. \ You will place your name in the top left corner of each page. Under your name place the course name and number (Math 1324).  In the top right corner, write your instructor's name.  On the top line, list the appropriate section number of the homework assignment (Section 2.3). Any assignment without the proper heading will have points deducted.
    7. \
\

\ If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to find the homework assignment and complete it.  Remember, LATE HOMEWORK IS NOT ACCEPTED.

\

\ Written homework is graded on a completion basis.  You will receive credit for each problem you have completed following the guidelines above and will receive no credit for those left undone or not completed according to the guidelines.

\
\

\ EXAMS:  There will be three major exams and a comprehensive final taken in class.  Test dates will be announced in class.  No make-up exams will be given, no matter the reason for missing the exam (sick, work, funeral, etc…).  To compensate for this, you may replace one missed exam grade with the grade you make on the final exam.  If you do not miss any chapter exams during the semester, I will replace your lowest chapter exam grade with the grade you make on the final, provided the grade on the final is higher than the lowest chapter exam grade. 

\
\

\  If you know ahead of time that you will be missing an exam, you may schedule to take the exam early.  Only under an extenuating, verifiable circumstance and at the discretion of the instructor will a make-up exam be given. 

\
\

\ FINAL EXAMINATION: The final exam is comprehensive and taken in class.  If the final is higher than your lowest chapter exam grade, it will replace that one grade as well as count as your final exam grade.  The final exam for this course will be given on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm.

\

\ LATE WORK:  No late work will be accepted and no late exams will be given.

\

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary to be successful in this course and will be taken at every class period.  It is your responsibility to make sure that you have marked yourself present for each class.  If you are absent for any reason, you are responsible for all make-up work and notes.  Please find a friend to get your notes from, as I do not make copies of my personal lecture notes.  Nonattendance will be recorded as an absence, and no differentiation will be made as to excused or unexcused absences.  You will be rewarded for perfect attendance, not only because you will receive the instruction you need to do the assignment, but you will also have two points added to your final average.

Perfect attendance:  2 points added to final average

1-2 absences:  no change in final average

3 absences:  1 point deducted from final average

4+ absences:  3 points deducted from final average

 Please remember the deadline for dropping a class at AC is Thursday, April 19, 2012. If you stop attending class and your average drops below a 60 due to missed assignments and you do not officially drop the course by this deadline, you will receive an F for the course.  Note:  Late drops will NOT be given under any circumstance.

Calendar

Tentative Schedule for Math 1324. 

This schedule is subject to change by the instructor at any time.

Week

Sections Covered

1

Syllabus, 3.3

2

3.3, 6.2

3

6.3, 7.1, 7.2

4

 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5

5

 Review, Exam I

6

3.1, 1.7

7

3.4, 3.5

8

3.6, 3.7, 4.1

9

Spring Break

10

 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4

11

Review, Exam II

12

5.1, 5.2

13

5.3, 5.4

14

Review, Exam III

15

 8.1, 8.2

16

17

8.3, Review for Final Exam

Final Exam

Additional Information

\

\ FREE HELP: If you feel yourself getting behind in class or having problems with certain concepts covered, get help immediately.  It is YOUR responsibility to get help outside of class.  The following are a few ways to get FREE help outside of class:

\
\
    \
  1. \ Your instructor is your first and best resource for any help.  Contact your instructor during their office hours or make an appointment.
    2. \
  2. \ Get free tutoring from the Outreach Center (Engineering Rm 104)
    3. \
  3. \ Get free tutoring 24/7 from Smarthinking Online Tutoring.  Available on the AC Online homepage under "Institutional Resources"
    4. \
\

\ Additional Contacts:

\

\ Dr. Kathryn Wetzel, Department Chair, 371-5097, kcwetzel@actx.edu

\

\ Gina Garrett, Administrative Clerk, 371-5158, ggarrett@actx.edu

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM