College Algebra Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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

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Course

MATH-1314-005 College Algebra

Prerequisites

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

Course Description

Study of quadratics; polynomial, rational, logarithmic and exponential functions; systems of equations; progressions, sequences and series; matrices and determinants.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

College Algebra, 5th edition by Robert Blitzer, Prentice Hall Publishing Company.

Supplies

You need to be able to access the Internet and you will need a graphing calculator. The recommended calculator for this course is a Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus. Other forms of Texas Instruments or Casio graphing calculators will also be permitted at

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 apply radical, absolute value, linear, quadratic, and rational equations
2. Recognize, solve, and apply inequalities
3. Recognize, solve, graph, and apply polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions
4. Explore functions, graphing techniques, operations of functions, composition of functions, and inverse functions.
5. Evaluate all real roots of higher degrees of polynomials
6. Recognize, solve, and apply systems of linear equations, including the use of matrices and matrix algebra
7. Identify sequences and series, and calculate the sum of a sequences.

Students 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

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. 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.

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.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board sets the topics that must be covered in order to receive credit for a course. The instructor sets the pace to ensure that these requirements are met. Any students having trouble maintaining the pace should seek extra help from the instructor and/or a tutor.

Scholastic dishonesty (cheating) of any kind will not be tolerated in this course. Knowingly or unknowingly 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 and that grade will not be dropped. Further action at a higher level may be sought if necessary. Scholastic dishonesty is clearly defined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities in the Student Conduct and Responsibilities section.

Grading Criteria

Your semester grade (90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, Below 60 F) will be determined as follows:

Be aware that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, prohibits instructors from disclosing information regarding grades over the phone, via email, or to a third party. Thus, if you need to discuss your grade with me, you must do so in person.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. If an absence occurs, the student is responsible for the information and assignments covered in class. Remember: no late homework will be accepted and no late tests will be given. Attendance will be taken during every class period.

Please remember the deadline for dropping a class at AC is 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.

Calendar

Additional Information

Homework
Homework problems will be assigned from each section once we have completed the section. The assigned problems will be posted on the AC Online website under Lessons. The homework is due at the beginning of the next class meeting unless stated otherwise. Questions regarding the assignments will be discussed at the beginning of the class period as time permits. If you have questions that are not covered in class, you are encouraged to meet with me during my office hours or at a prearranged time. Note that late homework will not be accepted! The four lowest homework grades will be dropped.

Major Exams
At least three exams will be given during the semester. Test dates will be announced at least one week in advance. Note that no makeup exams will be given! If a student misses an exam, the grade will be replaced with the final exam score. If the student does not miss any exams during the semester, the final exam grade, if higher, will replace the lowest major exam score. In the event of a take-home exam, absolutely no late work will be accepted.

Final Exam
In addition to the major exams, a comprehensive final exam will be given on Monday, May 7, 2012 from 10:30 - 12:30 p.m.