Calculus for Business & Social Sciences Syllabus for 2014-2015
Return to Syllabus List

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.

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-1325-004 Calculus for Business & Social Sciences

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: MATH 1324-minimum grade of C or Department Chair consent

Course Description

Study of limits and continuity; derivatives and integration as applied to business and the social sciences.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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

\ \

(The textbook is optional, however, MyMathLab is required.)

\ \

Washington Street Campus Bookstore:  (806)371-5304

Supplies

Calculator:  The recommended calculator for this course is the TI-84 plus. Note:  no TI-89's or TI-Nspires will be permitted during the midterm and final exams.

Computer:  Students need acces

Student Performance

1. Evaluate and interpret limits.
2. Recognize and determine continuity of functions.
3. Find derivatives of algebraic and trancendental functions.
4. Investigate various concepts including graphing and optimization.
5. Apply concepts of definite and indefinite integrals to management, economics, and business.

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

Academic Honesty:
Students are expected to behave in a manner that is supportive of the learning environment. For a full discussion of appropriate behavior and student responsibilities, please refer to the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook which can be accessed using the link above or through the AC Website http://www.actx.edu .

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. Any student caught cheating on a test will receive a grade of zero.

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 student having trouble maintaining the pace should seek extra help from the instructor and/or a tutor.

Communication:
Your presence in the course will be established through correspondence with me, completing online assignments by the given due dates, and your attendance at the midterm and final exam sessions. Through any venue, disrespectful language will not be tolerated. Using foul language in e-mails or verbal communications will result in possible removal from the course. You are expected to express yourself with courtesy and consideration at all times. This attitude of respect also applies to the proctors who will be administering your midterm and final.

Additional Expectations:
1.  Online classes are not necessarily more difficult than traditional courses, but they do require self-discipline and motivation. You will be expected to learn the material through reading the textbook, completing the notes provided in Blackboard, and finishing the homework and exams in MyMathLab. Your mastery of the course material will be assessed through the portfolio problems, the midterm exam, and the final exam.

2.  You need access to a computer with a reliable internet connection and a dependable printer to produce class notes, portfolio problems and access MyMath Lab. By signing up for an online course, you are communicating that you have access to such tools.

3.  This class demands a geat deal of study time. Online courses often take more time than traditional classes. Please expect to spend at least 5 - 20 hours each week on this course. If your other life commitments do not allow you this amount of time, you may want to choose another course or delivery method.

4.  Deadlines are your responsibility. Due dates are posted on the MyMathLab website and on the Blackboard class calendar. However, because this is an online class, I can tailor it to your individual needs without disrupting the flow of the course. If you need a deadline extension for an online assignment (up to 2 days), please don't hesitate to ask. No extensions are available, however, for the written midterm and final exams which must be taken in person by the given due date.

5.  Technical difficulties happen, if you are kicked out of an exam due to internet connection problems, e-mail me immediately. I will do my best to reset your exam in a timely manner. Please don't panic, I am here to work with you. However, completing online exams a few days ahead of time ensures that if you do encounter technical difficulties, we can take care of them before the due date.

6.  You are responsible for taking the written midterm and final exams in person. Amarillo residents will take them in the Math Testing Center on the Washington Street Campus. Non-Amarillo residents will be required to locate a proctor at a a local college, school, or public library and make an appointment for exams. Distant residents will also be required to submit their midterm and final notebooks by mail. I must receive these notebooks by the deadline posted on the calendar.

7.  You are responsible for getting help when you need it. On the MyMathLab website, there are PowerPoints, videos, and step by step tutorials you can access for each homework problem you complete. Take advantage of these resources. If you live in Amarillo or are close enough to travel to Amarillo, free tutoring is available in the Math Outreach Center on the Washington Street Campus. Locations of the Math Testing Lab and the Math Outreach Center are given below.

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

Math Outreach Center:
You will need your AC ID to sign in at the Outreach Center. 

Math Testing Lab Rules:

• Books may be placed on the bookshelf before you request a test. 
• 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!

Grading Criteria

Your course grade (90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, Below 60 F) will be calculated using the following weights.

Category	Drop	Weight
Online Homework	lowest 3	10%
Notebook	-----	10%
Portfolio Problems (submitted with notebook)	-----	10%
Online Exams	-----	40%
Written Midterm Exam (proctored)	-----	15%
Written Final Exam (proctored)	-----	15%

Notebook:
Students will be required to submit a structured notebook for a grade on the day of the midterm and final exams. The notebook must contain a typed coversheet with the student's name, instructor's name, class, and section number. The notebook must also contain five (5) dividers with the following labels:  Course Information (syllabus), Notes (printed from Blackboard), HW Log (to accompany the online homework from MyMathLab), Reviews (to contain the completed midterm and final exam review worksheets printed from Blackboard), and Portfolio (critical thinking application problems printed from Blackboard)

Notes:  Include all notes printed from Blackboard. For full credit, notes must be completely filled in. 

Homework:
Homework will be assigned in two forms: online and written. Online homework involves drill and practice problems to be completed using the MyMathLab website. Written homework will consist of completing class notes, and creating a log of written work that accompanies the online assignments. For the homework log, start each section of homework on a new page. Clearly label the assignment (ex. Section 11.1). Number each problem, write down the problem, show all work, and circle or box your answer. 

Reviews:
Complete the midterm and final reviews printed from Blackboard. For full credit, all work must be shown.

Portfolio Problems:
Portfolio problems will consist of completing written assignments covering the course concepts. Usually these problems require a deeper understanding of the basic concepts and students must apply critical thinking as well as communication skills. Portfolio assignments will be submitted as part of your course notebook. Detailed instructions on the format for portfolio assignments will be posted in Blackboard.

 

Attendance

This is an online course, so required "attendance" simply means logging into the course regularly, and completing assignments on time. Several times per week, you will need to log into Blackboard to obtain the week's assignments and print class notes. You will also need to check your e-mail, calendar, and grades.

To complete the course, you will be required to take the midterm and final exams in person. The midterm exam and the final exam will be completed by hand with pencil and paper. For Amarillo residents, these tests must be taken in the Math Testing Lab on the Washington Street Campus. For those who live outside of Amarillo, you will be required to take these exams at an approved testing site, such as a testing center at a local school or public library.

Please remember the deadline for dropping any 16-week course for the Spring 2015 Semester is Thursday, April 23. 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

MyMathLab:
 Details on how to register and enroll in MyMathLab will be posted in Blackboard. 

Weekly Routine:

1.  Check your AC e-mail account regularly for messages.

2. Login to Blackboard http://actx.blackboard.com at the beginning of each week. Navigate to the link "Course Content" for each week's folder.

3.  Read the Week's Checklist document. Here you will find information about what you need to complete for the week.

4.  Print and complete the notes from the week's folder. Fill in the blanks, work the problems, and complete the graphs. Obtain the information by reading the text. File these notes in your notebook. This should be completed before you start the homework in MyMathLab.

5.  Complete the homework assignment in MyMathLab. (Before you are allowed to take an online exam, you must score at least a 70% on all homework assignments for that section.) 

6.  Build your homework log as you work the homework in MyMathLab. Begin each assignment on a new sheet of paper labeled with the section number. Carefully document each problem on notebook paper. In other words, write the problem from MyMathLab on notebook paper, show all work necessary to get the correct answer, and indicate the answer by circling or boxing it. File your completed work in your notebook.

7.  Complete portfolio problems as assigned. File them in your notebook.

8.  Take any assigned exams on MyMathLab by the designated deadline. Take the written proctored midterm and final exams by the deadlines indicated on the calendar.

E-mail:
When e-mailing me, you may use the e-mail feature in Blackboard, or you may use the e-mail you check most often. Make sure you indicate MATH 1325-004 in the subject line. Once again, my e-mail address is mmdupuis@actx.edu

A Note from the Instructor:  
As you already know, success in a math class takes work, commitment, and perseverence. As your instructor, I am here to facilitate your efforts to reach your educational goals. I am looking forward to working with each and every one of you this semester. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need help.