College Algebra for STEM Majors Syllabus for 2015-2016
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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

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-1414-004 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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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 4 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

College Algebra, 10th edition, by Michael Sullivan, Prentice Hall

Purchase your textbook bundled with a MyMathLab Access Code or purchase just the MyMathLab Access Code.

Supplies

Graphing Calculator:  TI-83, TI-83 Plus, TI-84, or TI-84 Plus.  You are required to bring your calculator everyday.  The Department policy is that no TI-89's, TI-92's or TI-Nspire calculators may be used on tests

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

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

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, 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 http://sites.actx.edu/catalog/notices/.

Students who fail to comply with the standards outlined in the syllabus and/or Student Rights & Responsibilities will be subject to disciplinary action.

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:

Grading Policy	Percentages	Grading Scale	Grade
MML Homework	10%	90-100%	A
Core Problems	10%	80-89%	B
Exams	60%	70-79%	C
Final Exam	20%	60-69%	D
		59 and Below	F

HOMEWORK

Expect to have written homework and online homework from MyMathLab 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.

Written Homework:  Core Problems

Students will be required to print Core Problems from Blackboard for each section covered in class.  Students must complete each problem in pencil, showing all necessary work, and submit them for a grade on a weekly basis.  Core problems are due at the beginning of class.  No late core problems will be accepted.

Online Homework:  MyMathLab

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

Course ID: cornell67447

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 ($95.70) 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 (cornell67447)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 STEM College Algebra Spring 2016

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, “Introduction to MyMathLab”

EXAMS

Five major exams will be given and a comprehensive final exam.  No make-up exams are allowed.  If you miss a major exam, the grade on your final exam will be used to replace the missing grade.  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 Math Testing Lab.  In an effort to increase retention in mathematics courses, any student who scores below a 70 on any test must come to the instructor's office and go over the exam and spend a minimum of 1 hour tutoring in the OutReach Center before taking the next test. 

Final:  Under NO circumstances will the final be given late.  The final will be comprehensive and will be given Tuesday, May 10 from 10:30am-12:30pm in our regular classroom.

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. MyMathLab has videos, examples, and helps for solving the problem at the click of a button as you work your online homework.  Remember that the key is to start your homework assignment EARLY so that you have plenty of time to work each problem as many times as possible to get the highest grade.
3. 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.
4.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, 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 Spring 2014 Semester is Thursday, April 21, 2016.  You must notify me by 5PM on 4/21/16 in order to process your drop in time.  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 Bolliat, Administrative Assistant (806) 371-5158.