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Beginning Algebra Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information

Instructor

Gretta Johnson (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

gvjohnson@actx.edu

Phone

<p>(806) 371-5096</p>

Office Location

Durrett 205A

Office Hours

MTWR 9:00-9:25 am, other times by appointment

 

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-0302-014 Beginning Algebra

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: MATH 0301-minimum grade of C, Accuplacer score of 41, THEA score of 180 or an equivalent score on a state approved test

Course Description

Operations with real numbers with an introduction to the complex number system; exponents and polynomials; operations with algebraic expressions, linear equations in one and two variables; linear inequalities in one variable; basic geometry; introductory graphing; systems on linear equations in two variables; factoring polynomials; applications.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Elayn Martin-Gay, Beginning Algebra, Sixth Edition, Pearson; ISBN: 978-0-321-78491-9

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May purchase mymathlab code only and use e-book.

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Supplies

Required Materials

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  • Textbook (may use Online-book) and Mymathlab code.
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  • 3 Ring Notebook
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  • Bl

    Student Performance

    Student Performance/Learning Outcomes

    After studying the material presented in this course, you will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the Mathematics Department.
    • Apply the four arithmetic operations using the order of operations on signed numbers.
    • Demonstrate a basic understanding of imaginary numbers.
    • Apply the rules for exponents to simplify expressions.
    • Apply the arithmetic operations with polynomials and work with the many applications of polynomials.
    • Apply the four arithmetic operations using the order of operations on algebraic expressions.
    • Algebraically solve linear equations in one variable.
    • Graph linear equations in two variables using ordered pairs and intercepts, and using the slope-intercept method.
    • Solve systems of linear equations in two variables using methods of graphing, substitution and addition.
    • Demonstrate a basic understanding of geometry applications.
    • Understand and apply factoring to binomials, trinomials, and four-term polynomials.
    • Apply algebraic skills to solve equations from various types of stated problems, then state the solution in a complete sentence. 

    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

    SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY:  Scholastic dishonesty (cheating) will not be tolerated in this course and will result in a zero on the assignment or exam involved and may result in you being denied access to this course.  Further action may be sought if necessary.  Scholastic dishonesty is clearly defined in the Student Rights and Responsibilites.  You are expected to conduct yourself in this course according to the standards outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilites.

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    BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS: You will be expected to follow proper online etiquette in discussion postings, chats and emails.  In order to receive credit for a course, all material listed on the syllabus must be covered.  The instructor sets the pace to ensure that these requirements are met. 

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    PHONE/PAGER:  It is the policy of the Mathematics Department that cell phones and pagers must be turned off or in silent mode in the Math Testing Center.  Cell phones may not be visible during testing at all.

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    Food/Drink and Cell Phone Policy

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    Food and drink are allowed in the Outreach Center.Drinks only are allowed in the Math Testing Center. Cell phones should be turned off, or in silent mode in the classrooms, Outreach Center, and Math Testing Center. Graphing calculators and cell phone calculators may not be used at any time.  MP3 players or any other device requiring headphones are not allowed in the Math Testing Center Center.

    Grading Criteria

    Grading Criteria:

    Your grade will be determined as follows:

    Homework                             10%
    Online Chapter Tests  50%
    Midterm  20%
    Final     20%

      All deadlines are listed in the Semester Schedule.

    Chapter Tests--There will be 6 chapter tests which will be taken online.  You are not allowed to use notes, homework, or the textbook while taking any Online Chapter Test.  You are allowed 2 attempts on each Online Chapter Test.  Both attempts must be completed before the due date. There will be no makeup tests allowed. Any test not taken by the due date will receive a grade of zero.

    Midterm and Final--You will be required to take a Midterm and a Final in the Math Testing Center on the Amarillo College Washington Street Campus or other preapproved site.  The Midterm will cover all the material in Chapters 1-3.  The Final is comprehensive.  Two attempts are allowed.  Deadlines are published for both the Midterm and the Final on the Semester Schedule. 

    You must present an Amarillo College ID to the Math Testing Center personnel in order to take the Midterm and Final.  You must bring a pencil and can use a basic function/scientific calculator on the Midterm and the Final.  You may NOT use a cell phone calculator nor have a cell phone out while taking tests in the Math Testing Center. You are responsible to read and follow the Math Testing Center rules stated below.

    Students who live further than 60 miles from the Amarillo Washington Street Campus have the option of taking the Midterm and Final with a proctor at a local educational institution.  You must contact Gretta Johnson and make this request to test off-campus by the 3rd day of class in order to have this option.  Please fill out a  proctor form (found in AC Connect on left side of home page of the class) for the tests that will be taken at another site.

    Course Notebook - You will keep a course notebook. You may turn in a course notebook at the midterm for the first check and at the final for the final check.  If the criteria is met from the course “notebook information” provided on AC connect, your lowest chapter test grade may be dropped. The Midterm and Final cannot be dropped.  Be sure to print the information from the “Notebook” link on the left in AC Connect.

    • Grades will be given as follows:
      A    90-100
      B    80-89
      C    70-79
      D    60-69
      F    Below 60 (Unsatisfactory)
    • A grade of "F" will be earned as follows:
      • You complete the course with an overall average below 60.
      • You do not complete the course and so not drop the course in time to receive a grade of "W" and do not meet the requirements listed below for a grade of "I"(incomplete).
      • You receive an "I" (Incomplete) after signing an Incomplete contract, but so not satisfy the conditions for removal by the agreed-upon date.
      • You violate the cheating and plagiarism policy.
    • Incomplete:
      • A grade of "I" (Incomplete) is not generally given in developmental math courses. Any exceptions will be made by your instructor on an individual basis, and only for extreme circumstances.
      • A grade of "I" (Incomplete) will be possible only if the student has at most the Final Exam and one Chapter test to complete. If the instructor agrees to give the student an incomplete, the student must sign a contract that specifies the requirements for changing the temporary grade of "I" to the letter grade earned by the student. The student will have a maximum of three months from the date the contract is signed to fulfill these requirements. If the student has not met those requirements by the end of the three months, the grade of "I" will automatically be changed to an "F". 
    • Withdrawal:
      • You will receive a "W" for a withdrawal/drop if the withdrawal is initiated before the deadline stated in AC Connect. 

     

    Attendance

    General Attendance Policy

    Regular attendance online is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  While this class does not meet in a classroom, you must log in at least 4 times a week and participate online in the course with daily deadlines.  You must also have the ability to be on the Amarillo College Campus at least two times to take a midterm and a final.

    Calendar

     

    Welcome Module – due Tuesday March 22

            Post on discussion board –read directions    (Reply to 2 other posts)

      Module 1    

     

    Homework Sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3,

     

    Due March 24

    Homework Sections 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6 

    Due March 26

    Homework Sections 1.7, 1.8 Chapter 1 Review 

    Due March 28

    Chapter 1 Test

    Due March 29

     

    Module 2    

     Homework Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3

     

    Due March 31

     

     Homework Sections 2.4, 2.5,  Chapter 2 Review

    Due April 2

    Chapter 2 Test

    Due April 4

     

    Module 3

     

    Homework Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 

     

    Due April 7

    Homework Sections 3.4, 3.5, Chapter 3 Review

     

    Due April 10

    Chapter 3 Test

    Due April 11

    Midterm Review – online

    MIDTERM EXAM – in person The MIDTERM exam will be available  beginning Monday, April 11 through Saturday,  April 16  in the Math Testing Center  on the Washington Street Campus.

    1st attempt Due April 13

     

    2nd attempt if needed  Due April 16

    (See the syllabus for the Testing Center hours of operation.)

     

    Module 4

         Homework Sections 4.1, 4.2 

    Due  April 19

         Homework Sections 4.3, Chapter 4 Review

     

    Due April 24

    Chapter 4 Test

    Due April 25

     

    Module 5

          Homework Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3

     

    Due April 28

          Homework Sections 5.4, 5.5, 5.6

    Chapter 5 Review 

     

                   

    Due May 1

    Last Day to Drop is  May 3

    Chapter 5 Test

    Due May 2

     

    Module 6

         Homework Sections  6.1, 6.2, 6.3 

     

    Due May 4

     

    Homework Sections 6.4, 6.5, Chapter 6 Review

     

       

      Due May 7

     

     

    Chapter 6 Test

    Due May 9

    Final        Review for Final Exam – download                         from AC Connect

    FINAL EXAM- in person  The final exam is comprehensive! It will be available to take 2 times beginning May 7 until Tuesday May 11, 9:00 pm.

     

    First attempt due by May 9

     

    The final is due by Wednesday, May 11 at  9 p.m.   It is to be taken in the Math Testing Center at Amarillo College.

     

     

     No late work accepted.  All Online Tests may be taken 2 times by 11:59 pm on or before the due date.  The Midterm and the Final will be taken in the Math Testing Center, Durrett 103  on Amarillo Washington Street Campus

    Additional Information

    Math Testing Center  Durrett 103

    		 Outreach Center  Durrett 104
    Monday - Thursday Monday - Thursday
    7:30am - 10:00pm 8:00am - 8:00pm
    Friday Friday
    7:30am - 8:00pm 8:00am - 8:00pm
    Saturday Saturday
    9:00am  -8:00pm 9:00am - 8:00pm
    371-5088 371-5119

     

    MATH TESTING CENTER RULES

     

    • Books can be placed in the bookshelf before you request a test but Amarillo College is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
    • To request a test fill out a “Test Request” slip.
    • Basic Mathematics 0301 and Beginning Algebra 0302 students may take all of their tests twice.  Intermediate Algebra 0303 students take their test once.
    • All tests must be taken in order. Once a test is taken, you may not go back and take (or re-take) a previous test.
    • An Amarillo College picture ID is required in order to take or view any test in the Math Testing Center. 
    • No scratch paper or notecards are allowed for testing. You may use the backside of the test to show your extra work.  Once you have begun work on a test that is considered one attempt. You cannot leave the Math Testing Center and return to finish that test at a later time.
    • In the Math Testing room, please do not sit by someone with the same colored test. All purses must be on the floor.
    • The Math Testing Center will not hand out a test less than one hour before closing time. The Math Testing Center personnel will pick up your test five minutes prior to closing.
    • Tests may not be taken out of the Math Testing Center.
    • The Math Testing Center hours are posted on the outside door, in this syllabus, on AC Connect, and in the Math Testing Center. 
    • Please come prepared. If you do not have a pencil, you may purchase one from the Math Testing Center 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 and out of sight  in the testing room.
    • Students can log in to AC Connect to get their test results.

     

    NOTE:

    Beginning Algebra students (0302) may use scientific calculators with no graphing capabilities

    Syllabus Created on:

    11/30/-1 12:00 AM

    Last Edited on:

    11/30/-1 12:00 AM