Mathematics for Business Decisions I Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Engineering 201D

Office Hours

Unless I am in a meeting, my office hours for Fall 2015 will be:

10:30 – 11:50 a.m. MW

1:30 – 2:00 p.m. MW

2:50 – 4:10 p.m. T

Other days and times by appointment are also fine. (For your convenience, making an appointment with me is always best. E-mail me, or call me, and we’ll set up a time!)

Additional Contacts:

Collin Witherspoon, Math, Science, & Engineering Department Chair

Office: ENGR-205B Phone: 371-5142 Email: ccwitherspoon@actx.edu

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-1324-001 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Finite Mathematics and Calculus with Applications, Ninth Edition. Authors: Margaret L. Lial, Raymond N. Greenwell, & Nathan P. Ritchey. Pearson Education Co.

NOTE: Washington Street Campus Bookstore: (806) 371 - 5304

Supplies

Finite Mathematics and Calculus with Applications, Ninth Edition. Authors: Margaret L. Lial, Raymond N. Greenwell, & Nathan P. Ritchey. Pearson Education Co.

Graphing Calculator: You

Student Performance

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

Recognize and solve linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, and their applications in the fields of business.
Recognize and graph functions.
Solve linear programming problems.
Use matrices to solve linear systems of equations.
Investigate facets of mathematics as applied to finance, management, and business.
Solve applied problems involving simple interest, compound interest, and annuities.

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

Math & Engineering Department Behavior Policy

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 the lecture; abusive, offensive, and/or disrespectful language or demeanor toward AC faculty, staff, students, and/or Amarillo College property.

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. Complaining about the pace will not result in less material being covered. :) Any student having trouble maintaining the pace should seek extra help from the instructor and / or a tutor.

Students who fail to comply with the standards outlined in the syllabus and/or AC’s Student Rights & Responsibilities document will be subject to disciplinary action which may include, but is not limited to: removal from the classroom; consultation with the Math & Engineering Department Chair and/or other AC authority; withdrawal from the course and/or Amarillo College.

Academic Dishonesty

Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism: Cheating/plagiarism/academic dishonesty, whether it is on homework assignments or on tests, cannot be tolerated in any math course at Amarillo College. A student who plagiarizes or cheats (or attempts to plagiarize or cheat) on any homework assignment or on any test in this course will receive an automatic “F” in the course. Such academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the illegal use of books, notes, calculators, cell phones, and/or copying. Cheating also includes helping, or attempting to help, other students to cheat on a test or homework assignment. Please refer to the “Student Rights and Responsibilities” document on AC’s website for more information on this issue, and feel free to ask me about any questions you have on any of these policies.
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. This grade will go on my permanent transcript and cannot be removed. Cheating includes the use of cell phone calculators, the illegal use of books, notes, cell phones, and copying. 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. Please Note: NO CELL PHONES in the Testing Room. If we see your cell phone out AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, while in the testing room, YOU WILL RECEIVE an "F" for the course!

Food/Drink Policy AND Cell Phone/Pager Policy:

It is the policy of the Mathematics & Engineering 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 computer labs.

It is the policy of the Mathematics & Engineering Department that cell phones and pagers should be turned off, or in silent mode, in the classrooms and in the computer labs. If you must have your cell phone on in class, due to a true emergency situation, please step out into the hallway immediately with your phone, without talking, to minimize the disruption to the class and/or to the other students.

Grading Criteria

Homework

Daily homework assignments will consist of online assignments. Online assignments will be submitted using MyMathLab and will be automatically graded on the website. Details on how to register and enroll in MyMathLab will be given in class and posted in Blackboard. Assignment deadlines will be indicated in MyMathLab with each homework set. Late homework will not be accepted in this course.

Portfolio

The portfolio will consist of completing written assignments covering the concepts we have discussed in lecture. Usually these problems will require a deeper understanding of the basic concepts and students must apply critical thinking skills. Portfolio assignments will be submitted in class and graded by the instructor. Detailed instructions on format for portfolio assignments will be given in class and posted in Blackboard. All portfolio problems must be worked in pencil only! Portfolio problems worked in ink will NOT be graded. Assignment deadlines will be announced as the material for that assignment is covered. Late portfolio assignments will not be accepted in this course.

Tests

There will be 4 major tests during the semester and a mandatory comprehensive final exam at the end of the semester.
Some tests will take place during class time, and other tests will be given outside of class time in the Math Testing Center located in Durrett 103, phone 371-5088. You must show an Amarillo College ID every time you take a test in the Math Testing Center. Hours: 7:30 a.m. -- 10:00 p.m. MTWR, 7:30 a.m. -- 8:00 p.m. Friday, and 9:00 a.m. -- 8:00 p.m. Saturday. Closed on Sunday.
In accordance with Mathematics & Engineering Department policy, students scoring below a 70 on any of the 4 major exams will be required to submit (with work shown) a paper copy of the completed review for that test. Submission of this review must be done within a time limit given by your instructor in order to take any subsequent exams.
If you know in advance that you will be gone during the dates assigned for one of the exams, it is YOUR responsibility to make arrangements with your instructor to take the exam EARLY in the Math Testing Center. Make-up tests will not be given in this course.
If you miss one of the 4 major tests, that grade will be replaced with the score you make on the final exam. This policy applies to one test only. If you miss more than one test, a grade of zero will be averaged for the other missed test(s).
If you do not miss any major exam during the semester (good for you!), the score you make on the mandatory final exam, if it is higher, will replace your lowest test grade.
Students testing through DisAbility Services are responsible for making arrangements with the instructor for each test taken over there.
Please refer to your “Lecture & Suggested Test Schedule” in your syllabus for approximate test starting dates and the final exam time. When we set up the major exam dates, we will make note of it on this schedule during class. Another reason class attendance is so important. :)

Final Examination:

The mandatory comprehensive final exam for this course will be given, in our regular classroom, on:

Math 1324 - 001: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (No late finals accepted!)

(Please note: This exam time, along with all the other final exam times, is listed on the AC Website with up-to-date final exam information.)

Grading Policy

The course average grades of A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), and F (below 60) will be calculated using the following percentages:

Your online homework average = 10%
Your 4 major test grades = 15% each = a total of 60%
Your portfolio grade = 15%
Your final exam grade = 15%

Extra credit work will not be given in this course.

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential to learn the material in any math class. It is during class that questions about homework, new assignments and announcements, and course content will be covered. Therefore, it is YOUR responsibility to attend class and to be on time. Nonattendance will be recorded as an absence and no differentiation will be made as to excused or unexcused absences. Students arriving more than 10 minutes late or leaving class early, prior to instructor dismissal, will be marked absent.
Students will be required to login to AC Connect on a regular basis to check your e-mail, course announcements, and grades. To get into AC Connect, use the website address: https://acconnect.actx.edu. Once you have logged in, you should see our class listed on your home page. If you need help logging into the site, contact AskAC at (806) 371-5000.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please remember that the last day to drop any 16-week class at AC during the Spring 2014 Semester is Thursday, April 24, 2014. This date is published in the school year calendar on the Amarillo College Website. 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

MATH 1324 - 001

MATH FOR BUSINESS DECISIONS I

Lecture and Suggested Test Schedule

Spring 2014

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. MW

NOTE: This schedule (including the Test Dates) is subject to numerous changes without advance notice, so you always need to come to class to stay informed of updates as they occur. ***I also post updated announcements in Blackboard, so please check it regularly to stay informed of what’s going on in class.

DATE	ASSIGNMENT	INFORMATION
Monday, January 20	No classes	Martin Luther King Holiday College Closed
Wednesday, January 22	Orientation, R.2
Monday, January 27	R.2, 1.1	Last Day to Receive 100% Refund
Wednesday, January 29	1.1
Monday, February 3	1.2
Wednesday, February 5	1.3 Census Day	Dropped course won’t appear on transcript (16-wk. classes only)
Monday, February 10	2.1	Last Day to Receive 70% Refund
Wednesday, February 12	2.2
Monday, February 17	Exam #1 Review, 3.1	Last Day to Receive 25% Refund
Wednesday, February 19	Exam #1	Exam #1 covers R.2, 1.1 - 2.2
Monday, February 24	3.2
Wednesday, February 26	3.3
Monday, March 3	Exam #2 Review, 4.1
Wednesday, March 5	Exam #2	Exam # 2 covers 3.1 - 3.3
Monday, March 10	No classes	Spring Break Holiday!
Wednesday, March 12	No classes	(Catch up on your sleep) :)
Monday, March 17	4.1
Wednesday, March 19	4.2
Monday, March 24	Exam #3 Review, R.6
Wednesday, March 26	Exam #3	Exam #3 covers 4.1 - 4.2
Monday, March 31	5.1
Wednesday, April 2	5.2
Monday, April 7	5.3
Wednesday, April 9	Exam #4 Review, 10.1
Monday, April 14	Exam #4	Exam #4 covers R.6, 5.1 - 5.3
Wednesday, April 16	10.1
Friday, April 18	No classes	Good Friday—College Closed
Monday, April 21	R.4
Wednesday, April 23	10.2
Thursday, April 24	*Last chance!*	Last Day to Drop a Class and receive a grade of “W”
Monday, April 28	R.3
Wednesday, April 30	10.3*	“*” indicates optional section(s)
Monday, May 5	Final Exam Review
Wednesday, May 7	Final Exam Review	Last regular class day for our class
Monday, May 12	No regular classes	Final Exams begin
Wednesday, May 14	9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.	Math for Business Decisions I Final Exam! (We’ll meet in this classroom for the final exam.)
Friday, May 16	1) High noon 2) 7:00 p.m.	1) Final Course Grades Due From Me To The Registrar’s Office 2) Commencement

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:

Contact your instructor to make an appointment for help.
Get free tutoring from the Outreach Center (Durrett Bldg., Room 104, 371-5119). You will need your Amarillo College ID card to sign in. Hours: 8:00 a.m. -- 8:00 p.m. MTWR, 8:00 a.m. -- 8:00 p.m. Friday, and 9:00 a.m. -- 8:00 p.m. Saturday. Closed on Sunday.
Get free one-on-one tutoring for other classes from Charlotte Goebel at 371-5432 (Lynn Library basement, office 011)
If you need help with AC Connect, you can contact the AC Help Center at 371-5000, or via email at AskAC@actx.edu.
Smarthinking is free online tutoring that Amarillo College makes available to currently enrolled students. Professional tutors are available for mathematics (basic math through Calculus, including Bilingual Math), Biology, Intro to Human A & P, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Accounting, Intro to Finance, Statistics, Spanish, and Writing. Tutoring is available up to 24/7.

With Smarthinking you can:

chat with a live tutor
submit your writing for any class and receive a critique in 24 hours
email a question and receive a reply from a tutor.

To get started:

Go to http://www.actx.edu and click on AC Connect on the left side of the screen.
Log into your account using your ACNetID and Password.
Click on one of your classes.
Click on the My Institution tab at the top right to navigate to the SMARTHINKING sign-in area.
On your first visit, Create an Account. The next time you use SMARTHINKING, just log on with your username and password.

**Please note that going to the Outreach Center is NOT a substitute for attending class! You must attend each class to begin learning the material and to avoid losing attendance points. The Outreach Center is designed to support your studying for tests, as the place to go to check your homework answers in my solution notebook, and to get clarification, outside of my office hours, of difficult concepts you have already seen in class.

A Final Note:

This course can be stressful for many students, primarily because of the volume of material we need to cover. (Let’s work on reducing everyone’s stress level in general.) I am here to help you, and you can be here to help each other as well. If you have a problem, please bring it to the group so that we can work together to solve it. You can succeed in Math for Business Decisions I if you will make the commitment of effort and time. :)

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on: