College Algebra for STEM Majors 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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Course

MATH-1414-013 College Algebra for STEM Majors

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

(4 sem hrs; 4 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

College Algebra, 9th edition, by Michael Sullivan, Prentice Hall

Supplies

You will need a TI 83 or IT 84 (or plus) graphing calculator for this course.

You will need access to a working computer with internet access and a printer. There are student computers located in the AC Library and the Math Outreach Tutorin

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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• \ Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions, including domain and range, operations, compositions, and inverses.
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• \ Recognize and apply polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions and solve related equations.
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• \ Apply graphing techniques.
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• \ Evaluate all roots of highter degree polynomial and rational functions.
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• \ Recognize, solve and apply systems of linear equations using matrices.
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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.

\ You will be required to sign and date a Course Contract, and return it to me, before you can take any exams. As stated in this contract, knowingly or unknowingly participating in scholastic dishonesty will result in an automatic "F" in the course. 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.

\ Note that CELL PHONES are not allowed in the Testing Room. If your cell phone is out AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, while in the testing room, you will receive an "F" for the course.

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:

A&P denotes "Attendance and Participation".  You are expected to be an engaged partipant in this class.  This includes answering questions, offering possible solutions to problems, volunteering to work problems and pointing out errors made by the instructor!

All grades will be posted on BlackBoard under My Grades. 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 or check online.

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.

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 will be assigned from each section once we have completed the section. The homework problems will be posted here:  http://cs.actx.edu/~usnick/math1414/. 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.

The homework must be done in pencil. Anything that is wrong or needs to be corrected must be cleanly erased. Do not write, doodle, or perform mathematical calculations in the margins. Homework must be neat and legible. I will be the judge as to what is neat and legible. Do not tear your paper out of a spiral and leave jagged edges. Any assignment with jagged edges will not be accepted and will be recorded with a grade of zero.

Homework must be presented in an orderly manner with the problem running in a single column down the left half of the page. You use the right half of the page for graphs and drawings. Any problem (excluding graphs) with work presented in anything except the first column will not receive credit.

You are strongly encouraged to go to the Outreach Center if you feel you need extra help beyond meeting with me outside of class, or if you just want a place where you can do your homework and get help if you need it. The Outreach Center is located in Durrett Room 104.

Homework assignments can be found here:  http://cs.actx.edu/~usnick/math1414

Major Exams
Five exams will be given during the semester. Note that no makeup exams will be given. If a student misses an exam, the grade will be replaced with the final exam grade. If the student does not miss any exams during the semester, the final exam grade, if higher, will replace the lowest major exam grade. In the event of a take-home exam, absolutely no late work will be accepted.

You will be required to spend at least 1 hour in the Outreach Center if you score below a 70 on any major exam. This requirement must be fulfilled 2 days before the next exam. If you fail to meet this requirement, you will not be allowed to take the next exam. You can spend this time going over your previous exam, doing homework, or preparing for the next exam. The Outreach Center is located in Durrett Room 104.

Final Exam
A comprehensive final exam will be given as specified in the final exam schedule.