College Algebra Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

MATH-1314-009 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

College Algebra, Eleventh Edition
Authors:  Lial, Hornsby, Schneider, Daniels
(Pearson Education Publishers)

Note:  The textbook for this course is optional.  All homework will be completed online using MyMathLab, where an electronic version of the text is accessible.  If you purchase a new book from the Amarillo College bookstore, it will come with a MyMathLab kit containing a free access code.  If you choose not to purchase the book, you will need to pay for access to MyMathLab, which is $95.70.

 

Supplies

Students will need a graphing calculator for this course.  The recommended calculator is a Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus.  Other forms of Texas Instruments or Casio graphing calculators will be permitted at the instructors discretion.  No

Student Performance

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 DISHONESTY

Students who fail to comply with the standards outlined in the syllabus and "Student Rights & Responsibilities" will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include but is not limited to: removal from the course, consultation with the department chair or other AC authority, or withdrawl from the course or college.

Scholastic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of the rules and regulations described in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook under Student Conduct and Responsibilities.  Consequences for cheating may include  receiving a zero for an assignment, permanent removal from the class, or failing the course.

COMMUNICATION IN THE COURSE

Your presence in the course will be established through correspondence with me, public discussions with other students in the course, and your attendance at the midterm and final exam sessions.  Through any venue, disrespectful language will not be tolerated.  Using foul language in emails or discussions will result in receiving a zero for that assignment and 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 for the midterm and final exams.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

1.    This is a difficult course! Online classes are not necessarily more difficult than in-class courses, but they require self discipline and motivation. You will be expected to learn the material through reading the textbook, completing the notes provided on AC Connect, and finishing the homework, quizzes, and exams on MyMathLab

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

3.    This class demands a great deal of time. Online courses often take more time than in-class delivery courses. 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 to spend on the course, you may want to choose another course or delivery method.

4.    Deadlines are your responsibility. Due dates are posted on the MyMathLab website and in the class in Blackboard (through the AC Connect Portal).  However, because this is an online course, I can tailor it to your individual needs without disrupting the flow of the course.  If you need a deadline extension for online assignments (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 absolute due date.

5.    Technical difficulties happen. If you experience problems, email me immediately.  I will do my best to assist you.  Please don't panic, I am here to work with you.  However, completing assignments and exams a few days ahead of time ensures that if you have any technical difficulties, we can take care of them before the due date to keep you on schedule.

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

7.    You are responsible for getting help when you need it.  On the MyMathLab website, there are power points, videos, and step by step tutorials you can access for each homework problem you complete.  Take advantage of it!  Amarillo residents may obtain free tutoring from the Math Outreach Center on the first floor of Durrett Hall on the Washington Street Campus.  Online tutoring is also available through Smartthinking.

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
MyMathLab Homework Average	lowest 2 assignments	10%
MyMathLab Quiz Average	lowest 2 assignments	10%
Notebook Average (notebook submitted at midterm and final exams)	-----	10%
Online Exams (4 total)	-----	40%
Written Midterm Exam (taken in person)	-----	15%
Written Final Exam (taken in person)	-----	15%

 

Attendance

This is an online course, so required "attendance" simply means logging into the course regularly.  Several times per week, you will need to log into AC Connect to obtain the week's assignments and print class notes.  You will also need to check your email, 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 a public library.

*The written Midterm Exam must be taken in person between Monday, June 29 and Thursday, July 2 by 10PM.
**The written Final Exam must be taken in person between Monday, July 27 and Thursday, July 30 by 10PM.

 

 

Calendar

Additional Information

Homework

Homework will be assigned in two formats: written and online. Online homework involves drill and practice problems to be completed using the MyMathLab website.  Written homework will consist of completing class notes, creating a log of written work that accompanies the online assignments, and building a notebook for submission at the midterm and final exam sessions.

 

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 dividers with the following labels: Syllabus, Notes (printed from AC Connect), Homework (to accompay the online HW from MyMathLab), Quizzes (to accompany the online quizzes from MyMathLab), and Reviews (to contain the midterm and final exam review worksheets.)

Include all notes printed from AC Connect in order.  For full credit, notes must be completely filled in.  For the homework log, please start each section of homework on a new page.  Clearly write the section number on the title line at the top of the page.  Number each problem, write down the problem, show all work, and circle or box your answers. Similarly structure the quiz section of your notebook.  Start each quiz on a new page, write the section number at the top of the page, and document all work for the quiz just how you did for the HW section. For the Review section, include the completed midterm and final exam review worksheets printed from AC Connect.

 Weekly Routine

1.)  LOG IN  TO BLACKBOARD (via the AC Connect portal at www.actx.edu) at the beginning of each week.  Navigate to the link for each week's folder on the menu at the left of the page. 
2.)  READ the Week's Activities document.  Here you will find information about what you need to complete for the week. 
3.)  PRINT AND COMPLETE THE NOTES from the week's folder in AC Connect.  Fill in the blanks, work the problems, and complete the graphs.  Obtain the information by reading the textbook or the e-text book from MyMathLab.  File these notes in your notebook.  This should be completed before you start the homework on MyMathLab.
4.)  WORK THE MyMathLab HOMEWORK at www.pearsonmylab.com. Before you are allowed to take the corresponding quiz, you must make at least 70% on the HW. 
5.)  BUILD YOUR HW LOG.  As you work the homework on MyMathLab, carefully document each problem on notebook paper.  This means you should write the problem from MyMathLab on notebook paper, show all work necessary to complete the problem, and write down the answer.  Enter answers in MyMathLab to check for correctness. File your written work in your notebook.
7.)  TAKE ASSIGNED QUIZZES at www.pearsonmylab.com.  Remember that you will not even have access to the quiz until you make at least 70% on the corresponding section of HW.  Record the problem, the work, and the answer on notebook paper for the Quiz section of your notebook.
6.)  TAKE ASSIGNED REVIEWS AND EXAMS on MyMathLab by the deadlines posted on MyMathLab.

 Getting Started with MyMathLab 

 To access MyMathLab where your online homework is located, go to www.pearsonmylab.com. You will need the following information:

Course ID: cornell64944

Student Access Code: If you chose to purchase a new textbook, the student access code can be found in the MyMathLab kit wrapped with your textbook. If you chose not to purchase the textbook, you can buy the access code online with a credit card ($95.20) during the registration process.

Email Address: Use the address you check most often.

To register and enroll:

1.) Go to www.pearsonmylab.comand click the "Register" button in the Students Area.
2.) Choose “Get Access to a New Course” on the next screen.
3.) Enter the Course ID (cornell64944)and click “Find Course.”
4.) If you received the MyMathLab kit with your textbook, click the “Access Code” button. Remember that your student access code is included in the kit. If you choose not to purchase the hard copy of the textbook, click the “Buy Now” button. You will need a credit card to purchase the access code.
5.) Follow the step by step instructions to register and enroll. During the registration process, you will design a username and password. Consider using the same username and password you use for AC Connect.

To log in:

1.) After registration is complete, log in to the course from the homepage, www.pearsonmylab.com, using the new username and password you designed. 
2.) Enter the class by clicking Online College Algebra Summer 2015

To get started after logging in:

1.) To work on assignments, click the “Homework” button, and choose the section you wish to complete.
2.) To access the textbook, click the “Chapter Contents” button, and choose the chapter and section you wish to view.
3.) To view a power point presentation of a particular section, click the “Multimedia Library” button, and choose the chapter and section you wish to view or print.
4.) Under the “Homework” button, START YOUR FIRST HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT, “MML Orientation”

Additional FREE Resources for Help

1.)  MyMathLab has videos, examples, and helps for solving the problem at the click of a button as you work your homework.
2.)  Free one-on-one tutoring at the Student Outreach Center. You will need your AC ID to sign in.

Hours:
Monday - Friday:  8AM - 8PM
Saturday:  9AM-8PM

Location:
Washington Street Campus
Durrett Hall (adjacent to Engineering Building)
Room 104

3.)  Free online Smarthinking tutoring on AC Online. This is available 24 hours a day. You will need to log on to AC Connect and navigate to the Smartthinking link to create an account.