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.

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

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Administrative Drop Policy

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Student Withdrawal Procedures

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Course

MATH-1414-003 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

Basics:  Blue-lined notebook paper (8.5" x 11") or blue-lined graph paper - 4 or 5 squares per inch or engineering graph paper, stapler, a straight edge, pencils, erasers, a highlighter in your favorite color.  You

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 highter 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

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 htt;://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 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, Sciences & 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,Sciences & 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 Plagiariam:  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 returned to 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!

\ ADDITIONAL CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
\ 1.  BE ON TIME.
\ 2.  BE PREPARED.
\ 3.  NO DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR will be tolerated.
\ 4.  SUBSTITUTE BEHAVIOR.  If a substitute should come in to teach the class, you are expected to be on your best behavior and treat him/her with the highest respect.  I would not send anyone in to teach who is not fully capable of doing so.

Grading Criteria

The final average will be computed based on the following percentage basis: Homework ........20%, Exams..…......60%, Final Exam........20%

The final letter grades are assigned based on the following numerical result:

A ............90-100,   B............80-89,   C............70-79,   D............60-69,   F............59 and Below

Homework:  Expect to have written homework and online homework from MML that will be assigned after each section is covered in class.  You may complete your homework early; however, LATE HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.  At the end of the semester, two online homework grades will be dropped and two written homework grades will be dropped.  Turning in all your homework is one of the best things you can do to improve your grade!

Written Homework:

1.  Expect to have homework assigned each day.  It must be turned in at the beginning of the class period.  Late homework will not be accepted.  Late is defined to be anything turned in after the start of the class period.

2.  Homework must be done in pencil.  Anything that is wrong or needs to be corrected must be clearly erased.  Don't 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.  Just because you can read it doesn't mean that I can interpret it.

3.  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.  We have scissors or a paper cutter you can use to trim the edges.

4.  If you have more than one page to turn in, the pages must be stapled together in the top left corner.  Multiple pages that are not stapled or held together by a paper clip, folded corner, etc. will not be accepted and will be recorded with a grade of zero.  You must staple multiple pages together.

5.  Homework must be presented in an orderly manner with the problem running a single column down the left half of the page.  You may use the right half of the page for graphs, tables and drawings.  Any problem (excluding graphs) with work presented in anything except the first column will not receive credit.  Each line must contain only one equal sign, "=."   All final answers must be boxed or circled to receive credit.  Any problem with the answer not circled or boxed in will not be graded.

6.  At the top of the first page, you will place your name, your class, and your instructor's name. On the top line of the page, put the assignment name including section number.  Any assignment without the proper heading will not be accepted and will be recorded with a grade of zero. 

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to contact another student to find out the homework assignment for the following class.

and remember, LATE HOMEWORK IS NOT ACCEPTED.

Exams:   Five major exams will be given and a comprehensive final.  If you miss a major exam, the grade on your final exam will be used to replace the missing grade.  I do not offer make-up exams.  If you know ahead of time that you will be missing an exam, you may schedule to take the exam early.  If you miss more than one exam (remember the first missed one is replaced by your grade on the final exam) a second missed exam will be recoreded as a zero.  If you do not miss any exam and your final exam grade is higher than your lowest test score, I will replace the lowest test score with your final test grade.  Major exams will be administered in class (in which case they must be completed by the end of class) or in the testing center.  In an effort to increase retention in mathematics courses, any student who scores below a 70 on any test must complete test corrections before taking the next test. 

Final:  Under NO circumstances will the final be given late (i.e. No Make Ups)!  The final will be comprehensive.

I do not give extra credit work.

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. 
The following are a few ways to get FREE help outside of class:
1. Your instructor is your first, BEST resource for help.  Feel free to come to office hours or make an appointment.
2. Free one-on-one tutoring at the Student Outreach Center in Durrett 104 is available.  You will need your AC ID to sign in.  Hours:  MTWR 8am - 8pm, Fri 8am - 8pm, Sat 9am - 8pm, Sun closed.
3. Get free tutoring from Student Support Services (Library, 371-5420)
 

Using Blackboard to print class materials, get your grades, contact your instructor, find class announcements, etc.:    Students will be required to log in to Blackboard regularly to check the course announcements, calendar, e-mails, 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 STL helpdesk at 371-5992.
2.  Once you are logged in, click on our course
3.  Then you will see any links you will need on the left hand side of the screen.

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.

If you are absent for any reason, you are responsible for obtaining the assignments and notes.  Remember that the deadline for withdrawing from any class at AC for the Spring 2014-2015  Semester is Thursday, April 23, 2015.  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

Additional Contacts:  Mr. Collin Witherspoon, Department Chair (806) 371-5142;  Michelle Boillat, Staff Assistant (806) 371-5158.