Mathematics 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-1324-004 Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 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

\N

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.

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. Finite Mathematics and Calculus with Applications, Ninth Edition. Authors: Margaret L. Lial, Raymond N. Greenwell, & Nathan P. Ritchey.  Pearson Education Co.
\
2. 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:  the use of cell phones; texting; reading newspapers; use of personal music systems; doing homework or other personal projects during class time; playing games on laptops, phones, or tablets; 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 are listed below.  Assignment deadlines will be indicated in MyMathLab with each homework set.  Late homework will not be accepted in this course.

   Online Homework/MyMathLab Instructions: 

   To Register and Enroll in MyMathLab:

   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 2015SP Math for Business Decisions I 1324-004 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.  Click MyMathLab from the main menu of our AC Connect Blackboard course.
   4. Follow the onscreen instructions to register and enroll.  Remember, if you received the red and white 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.
   5. 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.  If you are repeating the course and using the same textbook, you MUST use the same username and password you used with the last course.
   6. The first time you get into our course, you will need to run the “Browser Check” found in your MyMathLab list 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.
   7. 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.
   8. After the initial registration, you can access our MyMathLab course either by going through our AC Connect class or by going straight to http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com.
   9. Now you are ready to access your online homework.  Inside our MyMathLab class, click “Homework” on the left side of the page, and begin!  Also note, you can view your homework grades under the button called “Gradebook.”

   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 on the portfolio sheet itself!  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.  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 get a minimum of ONE HOUR of tutoring in the Math OutReach Center (ORC) in Durrett 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.  OutReach Center 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.
   • 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 finalize 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 - 004:  Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.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:

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

   Extra credit work will not be given in this course.

   Attendance

   \
   1. 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.
   \
   2. 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 2015 Semester is Thursday, April 23, 2015.  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 - 004

   MATH FOR BUSINESS DECISIONS I

   Lecture and Suggested Test Schedule

   Spring 2015

   5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.  TR

   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 19	No classes	Martin Luther King Holiday College Closed
   Tuesday, January 20	Orientation, 1.2
   Thursday, January 22	1.2, 1.3
   Monday, January 26		Last Day to Receive 100% Refund
   Tuesday, January 27	1.3
   Thursday, January 29	2.1
   Tuesday, February 3	2.2
   Thursday, February 5	Exam #1 Review, 3.1
   Monday, February 9		Last Day to Receive 70% Refund
   Tuesday, February 10	Exam #1	Exam #1 covers 1.2 - 2.2
   Thursday, February 12	3.2
   Monday, February 16		Last Day to Receive 25% Refund
   Tuesday, February 17	3.3
   Thursday, February 19	4.1
   Tuesday, February 24	4.2
   Thursday, February 26	Exam #2 Review, R.6
   Tuesday, March 3	Exam #2	Exam #2 covers 3.1 - 4.2
   Thursday, March 5	5.1
   Tuesday, March 10	5.2
   Thursday, March 12	5.3
   Tuesday, March 17	No Classes	Spring Break Holiday
   Thursday, March 19	No Classes	College Closed
   Tuesday, March 24	Exam #3 Review, 10.1
   Thursday, March 26	Exam #3	Exam #3 covers R.6, 5.1 - 5.3
   Tuesday, March 31	10.1, R.4
   Thursday, April 2	10.2
   Friday, April 3	No Classes	Good Friday Holiday—Campus Closed
   Tuesday, April 7	10.3
   Thursday, April 9	10.4
   Tuesday, April 14	10.5
   Thursday, April 16	10.5, 7.3
   Tuesday, April 21	Exam #4 Review
   Thursday, April 23	7.4, *Last chance!*	*Last Day to Drop a Class and receive a grade of "W"*
   Tuesday, April 28	Exam #4	Exam #4 covers R.4, 10.1 - 10.5
   Thursday, April 30	8.5
   Tuesday, May 5	Final Exam Review
   Thursday, May 7	Final Exam Review	Last regular class day for our class
   Thursday, May 14	5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.	Math for Business & Social Sciences Final Exam!  (We’ll meet in this classroom for the final exam.)
   Friday, May 15	High noon	Final Course Grades Due From Me To The Registrar’s Office
   Friday, May 15	7:00 p.m.	Commencement

   Additional Information

   \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \

   \ Math Testing Lab (Durrett 103) \	Outreach Center (Durrett 104)
   Monday - Thursday	Monday - Thursday
   7:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.	8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
   Friday	Friday
   7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.	8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
   Saturday	Saturday
   9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
   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!
   \
   \ \

   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:

   \ \
   \
   1. Contact your instructor to make an appointment for help.
   \
   2. Get free tutoring from the Math OutReach Center (ORC) in Durrett Bldg., Room 104, 371-5119.  You will need your Amarillo College ID card every time you sign in.
   \
   3. Get free one-on-one tutoring for other classes from Charlotte Goebel at 371-5432 (Lynn Library basement, office 011)
   \
   4. If you need help with AC Connect, you can contact the AC Help Center at 371-5000, or via email at AskAC@actx.edu. 
   \
   5. 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 so that you can do the online homework.  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.

   \ \

    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:

   11/30/-1 12:00 AM