College Algebra Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

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

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Administrative Drop Policy

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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-1314-005 College Algebra

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 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

In-depth study and applications of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions, and systems of equations using matrices. Additional topics such as sequences, series, probability and conics may be included.

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, Eleventh Edition...Authors: Lial, Hornsby, Schneider, Daniels; Pearson Publishing Co.

Please purchase a MyMathLab Access Code regardless of whether you buy a hard copy of the textbook or use the electronic textbook in MyMathLab.

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

Supplies

1. Graphing Calculator:  You are required to bring your calculator to EVERY class.  A TI-84 Plus calculator is preferred and will be used by the instructor.  No calculators with logic or factoring capabilities are allowed (suc

   Student Performance

   Learning Objectives: 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:

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   1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions, including domain and range, operations, compositions, and inverses.
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   2. Recognize and apply polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions and solve related equations.
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   3. Apply graphing techniques.
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   4. Evaluate all roots of higher degree polynomial and rational functions.
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   5. Recognize, solve and apply systems of linear equations using matrices.
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   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

   Student Responsibilities:   Students are expected to behave in the classroom in a manner that is supportive of the learning environment.  Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to the following: the use of cellular phones, texting, making offensive remarks, reading newspapers, talking, use of personal music systems, doing homework or other personal projects during class time, or engaging in any other form of distraction. For a full discussion of appropriate behavior and student responsibilities, please refer to the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook http://sites.actx.edu/catalog/notices/.  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, copying from the homework solutions manual, or using any unauthorized sources of information while taking an exam or quiz. If the instructor or a Math Testing Lab staff member sees a cell phone out during any exam, the instructor will assume that student is cheating and the exam will be taken up and a grade of “F” will be received for the course. Students who fail to comply with the standards outlined in the syllabus and/or Student Rights & Responsibilities will be subject to disciplinary action. 

   Food/Drink: It is the policy of the Mathematics & Engineering Department that food and drink be allowed in the classroom setting, at the instructor’s discretion. Food and drink are not allowed in the computer labs or in classrooms when laptop computers are in use by the student. 

   Phones/Pagers: It is the policy of the Mathematics & Engineering Department that cell phones and pagers must be turned off or in silent mode in the classrooms and the computer labs.

   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.  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!

   Grading Criteria

   Homework:  Expect to have an online homework assignment and 2 to 5 written Focus Problems assigned after each section covered in class. Online homework problems may be attempted as many times as you wish in order to achieve the highest possible score and online “helps” are available at the click of a button if you desire assistance.  It is possible to get a “100” on every homework assignment if you start early enough and try each problem several times.  Online homework and Focus Problems may be completed and turned in early, but they may not be turned in late. 

   Online Homework/MyMathLab Instructions:  To access MyMathLab where your online homework is located, get online on your computer and go to www.mymathlab.com.  You will need our class’s Course ID which is martin09714 and your Student Access Code, which is found in the red and white MyMathLab kit.  You can also purchase an access code online with a credit card during the registration process.

   To Register and Enroll in MyMathLab:

   1. Go to www.mymathlab.com and click the Register button in the Students Area, or click MyMathLab from the main menu of our AC Connect Blackboard course.
   2. Follow the onscreen instructions to register and enroll.  Remember, if you received the My Math Lab kit with your textbook, you do not need to purchase access online.  Your student access code is included in the kit.  If you did not purchase the textbook with the kit included, you will need to purchase access online using a credit card.
   3. During the registration process, you will choose a username and password.  Consider using the same username and password you use for your AC Connect access and be sure to write it down so you don’t forget it.  You are now ready to click on our course which is College Algebra 1314-005--Fall 2014--10:30 a.m. MW   and you will see the course “homepage.”
   4. The first time you get into our course, you will need to run the “Browser Check” found on that homepage to make sure you have what you need to view the content in your course on your computer.  Blue “checks” are good.  If you get any red “x’s”, just follow the onscreen instructions.  If you need help from the software publisher, their “help” number is 1-800-677-6337.
   5. On the homepage, please also notice the links to “Pearson tutor services” and “How to Enter Answers”, which is a video that helps you learn how to put fractions, square roots, etc. into this software.  Both links are very helpful.
   6. Now you are ready to access your online homework.  Inside the College Algebra 1314-005--Fall 2014--10:30 a.m. MW class, click “Do Homework” on the left side of the page, and begin!  Also note, you can view your homework grades under the button called “Gradebook.”

   Focus Problem Instructions:  The Focus Problems will be available for you to download and print from our AC Connect 1314-005 course.  Look at the left side of the screen and click on the link entitled "Focus Problems."  Focus Problems will be assigned at the end of each section covered in class and are due at the beginning of the next class meeting after they have been assigned.  All work should be written by hand and shown in the space provided on the Focus Problem pages.  Please show all necessary steps to work the problem to get full credit.  Each Focus Problem is worth +2 points each and will be graded on a 1/2 point scale.  Late Focus Problems will not be accepted.  To compensate for this, the 3 lowest Focus Problem grades will be dropped.

   Other Student Resources to get help with your math homework assignments: 

   1. Your instructor is your first, BEST resource for help.  Feel free to come to my office hours or to make an appointment with me.
   2. MyMathLab has videos, examples, and helps for solving the problem at the click of a button as you work your homework.  Remember that the key is to start your homework assignment EARLY so that you have plenty of time to work each problem as many times as you want and need in order to get the highest possible grade.
   3. Free one-on-one tutoring is available at the Math OutReach Center (ORC) in Durrett 104. You will need your AC photo ID  to sign in.  OutReach Center Hours:  Mon. - Thurs. 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Sat. 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Closed on Sundays.  Phone: 371-5119.
   4. Free tutoring 24/7 for math (and other subjects) from Smarthinking Online Tutoring.  Available to access through the Amarillo College home page.

   Test Reviews:  The Test Reviews will be available for you to download and print from our AC Connect 1314-005 course.  Look at the left side of the screen and click on the link entitled "Test Reviews." (It is just below the "Focus Problems" link.)  Reviews will be assigned before each major exam and will be turned in to the Math Lab prior to taking each exam.  Reviews will be graded on a completion basis.  Students will get credit for each problem completed with work shown and will receive no credit for those left undone or not completed according to the stated directions.  Students will not be allowed to take an exam without first turning in a COMPLETED exam review including all necessary work.  Late reviews will not be accepted after the exam due date. 

   Exams:  Four major Chapter Exams will be given and will be completed outside of class in the Math Testing Lab.  Students must show an Amarillo College photo ID and turn in a completed exam review to the Math Testing Lab staff before being allowed to take an exam.  No late exams will be given, no matter the reason.  If you know in advance that you will be gone during the assigned exam dates, you MUST make arrangements with your instructor to take the exam early in the Math Lab.  At the end of the semester, your Final Exam grade will replace your lowest Chapter Exam grade if it is higher.  All graded exams will be kept on file in the Math Testing Center.  In accordance with Mathematics & Engineering Department policy, if you score below a "70" on any major exam, you will be required to spend at least ONE HOUR receiving help in the Math OutReach Center (Durrett Room 104) within one week after receiving your test grade  You will not be allowed to take the next exam until you have completed this tutoring time.  A document verifying time spent in the OutReach Center will be required by the Math Testing Lab staff before you will be allowed to take your next exam.

   Final Exam:  A comprehensive Final Exam will be given on the following date as directed by the official Amarillo College Final Exam Schedule (located on the AC Website):  

   **Section 1314-005, Monday, December 8th at 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in our regular classroom.**      

     

   Grading Policy:	Percentages:	Grading Scale:	Grade:
   Focus Problem Grade	10%	90 - 100%	A
   Online Homework	10%	80 - 89%	B
   Major Exams (4 @12.5% each)	50%	70 - 79%	C
   Final	20%	60 - 69%	D
   Exam Reviews	5%	below 60%	F
   Attendance	5%

    

   USING AC Connect/Blackboard TO PRINT CLASS MATERIALS, GET YOUR GRADES, CONTACT YOUR INSTRUCTOR, FIND CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS, etc.:   Students will be required to log in to AC Connect and access the online Blackboard course for this course regularly to check the course announcements, calendar, e-mail, grades, and print class handouts.  To access our course area in Blackboard:

   1. Go to https://acconnect.actx.edu and log in.  Your log in information is the same as your Web Advisor log in.  If you need help contact askAC at 371-5000 and they can lead you in the right direction.  You may also contact the CTL helpdesk at 371-5992.
   2. Once you are logged in to AC Connect, find  and click 2014FA College Algebra 1314-005 under your list of courses.
   3. Then, you will see our online course and the main menu is on the left hand side of the screen. 

   TEAMWORK: This class requires that we work together as a team. My part is to present the material to you in an organized manner and to teach you. I will have to go at a quick pace at the beginning of the semester because the harder material is toward the end of the semester. Your part is to come to class, do your homework and reviews, and come to tutoring or to my office for help.  If you have a problem, please bring it to the group so that we can work together to solve it.  You CAN succeed in College Algebra if you will make the commitment of effort and time.  :)

   Attendance

   Attendance:  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.  Students arriving more than 10 minutes late or leaving class early, prior to instructor dismissal, will be marked absent.

   Students are expected to attend each class with your calculator and your textbook.  If you are absent for any reason, YOU are responsible for obtaining the assignments.

   Your attendance grade will be recorded as follows for a 16-week class that meets two times per week:

   •  Perfect attendance = 100  (woo-hoo!)
   •  1 -- 3 absences = 90
   •  4 -- 5 absences = 75
   •  6 or more absences = 60

   **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, and to get clarification, outside of my office hours, for difficult concepts you have already seen in class.

   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:  Remember that the deadline for withdrawing from any class at AC for the Fall 2014 Semester is Tuesday, November 18, 2014. 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

   Calendar and Homework Assignments (subject to change at any time by your instructor)

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   Week 1	Introduction and Register for MML
   Week 2	Sections 1.3, 1.4
   Week 3	Sections 1.4, 1.5
   Week 4	Sections 1.6, 1.7
   Week 5	Chapter 1 Exam, Section 2.3
   Week 6	Sections 2.3, 2.7
   Week 7	Sections 2.8, Chapter 2 Exam
   Week 8	Sections 3.1, 3.2
   Week 9	Section 3.3, 3.4
   Week 10	Sections 3.5, Chapter 3 Exam
   Week 11	Sections 4.1, 4.2
   Week 12	Sections 4.3, 4.4
   Week 13	Section 4.5, Chapter 4 Exam
   Week 14	Sections 5.2, 5.3
   Week 15	Review for Final Exam
   Week 16	Final Exam

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   Additional Information

   Math Testing Lab (Durrett 103)	Outreach Center (Durrett 104)
   Monday - Thursday	Monday - Thursday
   7:30am - 10:00pm	8:00am - 8:00pm
   Friday	Friday
   7:30am - 8:00pm	8:00 - 8:00pm
   Saturday	Saturday
   9:00am - 8:00pm	9:00am - 8:00pm
   371-5088	371-5119

    

   MATH LAB RULES

   • Books may be placed on the bookshelf or in a hall locker before you request a test. Padlocks may be checked out in the Math Lab. 
   • An Amarillo College picture ID is required in order to take a test in the Math Lab. 
   • Once you have begun work on a test that is considered one attempt. You cannot leave the Math Lab and return to finish that test at a later time.
   • In the testing room, please do not sit by someone with the same colored test. All purses must be on the floor.
   • The Math Lab will not hand out a test less than one hour before closing time.
   • The Math Lab personnel will pick up your test five minutes prior to closing time.
   • The Math Lab hours are posted on the outside door,in this syllabus, and in the lab itself. 
   • Please come prepared. If you do not have a pencil, you may purchase one from the Math Lab for 25 cents.  Please bring exact change. Pens are not allowed on any test.
   • Childcare arrangements must be made prior to testing. Children may not accompany students into testing room or be left unattended anywhere on campus.
   • CELL PHONE CALCULATORS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
   • Cell phones must be turned off as not to disturb other students who are testing. 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!

   Syllabus Created on:

   11/30/-1 12:00 AM

   Last Edited on:

   11/30/-1 12:00 AM