College Algebra Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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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

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

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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-1314-001 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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

Note:  The physical textbook for this course is optional.  Daily homework will be completed online using MyMathLab, where an electronic version of the text is accessible.  You may either purchase a student access kit from the book store, or you may purchase access to MyMathLab online.  The cost of MyMathLab is $99.95.

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.  Note that no TI-89s or TI-Nspires will be permitted during the midterm and final exams.

Students need access to a computer with a reliable internet connection to complete online homework assignments and access to a printer to produce class notes and other handouts.

Students need an official Amarillo College student ID to scan into class, to scan into the Outreach Center, and to present in the Math Testing Lab before each exam.

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:

1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions, including domain and range, operations, compositions, and inverses.
2. Recognize and apply polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions and solve related equations.
3. Apply graphing techniques.
4. Evaluate all roots of higher degree polynomial and rational functions.
5. Recognize, solve and apply systems of linear equations using matrices.

 

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 cell phones, texting, making offensive remarks, reading material not related to class, 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/.  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. 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 Plagiarism:  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 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!

Grading Criteria

Class Notes:  Students will be required to print notes and bring them to class each day.  These notes can be printed from Blackboard.  To access our class in Blackboard, go to www.actx.edu and click the AC Connect button.  (This is the AC portal.)  You will be prompted to log into Blackboard.   If you need help logging in, you may contact AskAC at 371-5000 or email the Help Desk at helpdesk-it@actx.edu.  After logging in, click on our College Algebra class.  On the left side of the screen, click the Class Notes menu option and print the notes for the week.  Students who do not bring notes to class will be deducted 2.5 attendance points for the day.  

Homework:  We will complete homework in two formats.  Online homework will be completed using MyMathLab and will be graded automatically.  Written homework consists of Focus Problem worksheets which will be submitted in class and graded by the instructor.  Expect to have an online MyMathLab homework assignment and 2 to 5 written Focus Problems assigned after each section covered in class.

Online Homework/MyMathLab Instructions:  To access MyMathLab where your online homework is located, log into our class in Blackboard (following the instructions given above.)  On the left side of the screen from our class homepage, click the MyMathLab menu option.  Follow the onscreen step by step instructions to get started with MyMathLab.  (Detailed instructions can be found in the “Additonal Information” section of the syllabus below.)

Written Focus Problem Instructions:  After each section covered in class, you will need to log into Blackboard and print the FOCUS problem worksheet for that section.  (Focus problems are located under the Focus menu option from our class homepage in Blackboard.)  All work should be written by hand and shown in the space provided on the Focus Problem pages to receive full credit.  Due dates will be set by the instructor in class, and late Focus Problems will not be accepted.  To compensate for this, the 3 lowest Focus Problem grades will be dropped.

Test Reviews:  Like the Focus Problems, the student is responsible for printing Chapter Review Worksheets from our class in Blackboard. (These are located under the Chapter Reviews menu option from our class homepage in Blackboard.) Reviews will be assigned before each major exam and will be turned in to the Math Lab prior to taking each exam.  Reviews will be graded by the instructor on a completion basis.  Students will get credit for each problem completed with work shown and will receive no credit for those left undone or not completed according to the stated directions.  Students will not be allowed to take an exam without first turning in a COMPLETED exam review including all necessary work.  Late reviews will not be accepted after the exam due date.

Exams:  Four major exams will be given and will be completed outside of class in the Math Testing Lab.  Students must show an Amarillo College ID and turn in an exam review before testing.  No late exams will be given, no matter the reason.  If you know in advance that you will be gone during the assigned exam dates, you MUST make arrangements with your instructor to take the exam early in the Math Lab.  At the end of the semester, your final exam grade will replace your lowest exam grade if it is higher.  All graded exams will be kept on file in the math department.

If you score below a 70 on an exam, you will be required to spend a minimum of 1 (one) hour receiving help in the Math Outreach Center (Durrett Room 104) before you will be allowed to take the next exam.  Documentation of your time spent in the ORC must be stapled to your completed review before you will be allowed to take your next exam.

Final Exam:  The final exam is comprehensive and will be taken by Thursday, October 13 before noon.

Grading Policy:	Percentages:	Grading Scale:	Grade:
Focus Problem Grade	10%	90 - 100%	A
Online Homework	10%	80 - 89%	B
Major Exams (4 @12.5% each)	50%	70 - 79%	C
Final	20%	60 - 69%	D
Exam Reviews	5%	below 60%	F
Attendance*	5%

*5 points will be deducted for each absence after the first.

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.  (Students will scan in with their student ID and will also be required to sign the daily attendance sheet.)  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 this class is Tuesday, October 4. You must notify me by 5PM on that day 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

Online Homework/MyMathLab Instructions:  To access myMathLab where your online homework is located, get to the Firefox or Google Chrome internet browser and follow the instructions below.  You will need your MyMathLab Student Access Code which is found in the red and white MyMathLab kit which is bundled with your new textbook OR you can purchase an access code online with a credit card during the registration process.  If funds are tight at the beginning of the semester, you may enroll with temporary access online which gives you two weeks of free myMathLab access after which you must enter an access code or buy one online.  Please tell your instructor right away if you need help purchasing a MyMathLab access code.  Help is available.

To Register and Enroll in MyMathLab:

1. Get into the Amarillo College website at www.actx.edu.  From the home page, click the AC Connect portal and login using your AC username and password.  Get into our blackboard course found in the upper central portion of that webpage.  Click MyMathLab from the main menu of our AC Connect Blackboard course. Click "Launch" and "continue". 
2. Follow the onscreen instructions to register and enroll.  Remember, if you received the My Math Lab kit with your textbook, you do not need to purchase access online.  Your MyMathLab 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.  If you have any problems with purchasing MyMathLab access, please talk with your instructor for creative solutions.  If funds are tight at the beginning of the semester, this is the area where you can click the words "Temporary Access" at the bottom of this web page and gain 14 days of free MyMathLab access after which you must pay or use a code to finish the rest of the semester.
3. 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.  You are now ready to click on our course which is “College Algebra Fall 2016" and you will see the course “Home Page.”
4. The first time you get into our course, you will need to click around the website to become familiar with all the helpful features. You might want to try to find the multimedia library, the homework assignments, and the grade book in MyMathLab.  Another helpful feature is the online e-textbook.  If you need help from the software publisher, their “help” number is 1-800-677-6337.
5. 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.
6. Now you are ready to access your online homework.  Click "Homework” on the Main Menu found at the left side of the page, and begin!  Also note, you can view your homework grades under the button called “Gradebook.”
7. An alternate way to do homework is to go to www.mymathlab.com on a Firefox or Google Chrome web browser.  This gets you straight into Pearson's MyMathLab software.  If you have an iPad, the Puffin browser works best for MyMathLab.  You can only do this alternate entry AFTER you have registered through our AC Blackboard course.
   
    

Math Testing Lab(Durrett 103)	Outreach Center (Durrett 104)
Monday - Thursday	Monday - Thursday
8:00am - 10:00pm	8:00am - 8:00pm
Friday	Friday
8:00am - 8:00pm	8:00 - 8:00pm
Saturday	Saturday
9:00am - 8:00pm	9:00am - 8:00pm
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 PHONE use of any kind is allowed 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!