College Algebra for STEM Majors Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

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Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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

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.

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-1414-002 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 4 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

College Algebra, Tenth Edition...Author: Michael Sullivan; Pearson Publishing Co.

 You may purchase your text bundled with or without a Mymathlab access code. You will need mymathlab to complete your homework.

Supplies

• Graphing Calculator:  You are required to bring your calculator to EVERY class.  A TI-83, 83 Plus, 84, or 84 Plus calculator is preferred and will be used by the instructor.  No calculators with logic or factoring capabilities are allowed (TI-89, nspire).  Students unable to purchase a graphing calculator can apply to the Adult Students Program (Student Services Center, Room 130) for the privilege of checking one out for the semester. No sharing of calculators is allowed and a cell phone calculator will not be permitted in the testing lab.
• Access to a working computer with internet access and a printer.  There are student computers located in the AC Library  and in the Math Outreach Center for student use.  This enables you to access the course in Blackboard and print the REQUIRED class notes which I will post under the Lessons tab.
• Amarillo College student I.D. (for testing and tutoring)
• Basic supplies such as pencils,  a 2” three ring notebook binder, blue lined notebook paper and graph paper, erasers, straight edge, colorful pencils or highlighters

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 read the syllabus and to sign and turn in a course contract before the first exam can be taken by the student.  Students are expected to behave in the classroom in a manner that is supportive of a positive learning environment.  Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to the following: the use of cell phones, texting, making offensive remarks, reading newspapers, 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. If the instructor or a Math Testing Lab staff person sees a cell phone out during any exam, that student is assumed to be cheating and the exam will be taken up and a grade of “F” will be received for the course. Students who fail to comply with the standards outlined in the syllabus and/or Student Rights & Responsibilities will be subject to disciplinary action. 

Food/Drink: It is the policy of the Mathematics & Engineering Department that food and drink be allowed in the classroom setting, at the instructor’s discretion. Food and drink are not allowed in the computer labs or in classrooms when laptop computers are in use by the student. 

Phones/Pagers: It is the policy of the Mathematics & Engineering Department that cell phones and pagers must be turned off or in silent mode in the classrooms and the computer labs.

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!

Students in Math 1414 are expected to BE ONTIME,  BE PREPARED with homework done and class notes already printed, and PARTICIPATE IN CLASS in a positive manner.  If ever a substitute teacher comes to teach the class, students are expected to treat that teacher with the highest respect and behavior. 

Grading Criteria

 

Homework:  Expect to have written homework assigned after each section covered in class. Your instructor will give you the due date for each assignment.  Most assignments will be due at the beginning of the next class period, however there will be periodic exceptions to that norm.  You may complete and turn in homework early.  Late homework will not be accepted.  Late is defined as anything turned in after the start of the class period.  Two written homework grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.  Turning in ALL your homework is one of the best things you can do to improve your grade.

Written Homework Grading Policies: 

1. Homework must be done in PENCIL only.  A grade of zero may be given if homework is done in anything except pencil. 
2. Homework must be neat and legible with problems worked in a SINGLE COLUMN running down the left half of the page.  The right half of the page may be used for graphs, tables, and drawings.  The back side of the paper may not be used.  Each line must contain only one equal sign, “=”.  All final answers must be boxed or circled. 
3. A proper heading is required on each page consisting of your name, Math 1414, the date, and the section number for this assignment.
4. Homework must be turned in at the beginning of the class period.
5. When turning in the homework papers, fold them in half lengthwise to create a long narrow column and be sure that you fold them in such a way that YOUR NAME is showing at the top of the outside folded page.  This enables me to quickly see whose paper it is when I am returning them to you after grading.
6. If you are absent, you are still expected to do your homework assignment.  It is your responsibility to contact a fellow student to get the class notes, learn the material, and be able to do the homework assignment and turn it in on time for the next class period.  You may want to get a fellow class member’s phone number right now to help in this situation: _______________________________ .

Other Student Resources to get help with your math homework assignments: 

1. Your instructor is your first, BEST resource for help.  Feel free to come to office hours or make an appointment.
2. Free one-on-one tutoring is available at the math Outreach Center in Durrett 104. You will need your AC ID  to sign in.  Outreach Center hours are MTWThF 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-8pm, closed Sundays. 
3. Get free tutoring from Student Support Services in the Library.  Call 371-5420 for more information.

Exams:  Five major exams will be given and a comprehensive Final. 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. It is the policy of the Math Department that no late exams are given.  If you know in advance that you will be missing an exam, you may schedule to take the exam early.  If you miss a major exam, the grade on your final exam will be used to replace the missing grade.  If you miss more than one exam, the second and following missed exams will be recorded 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 exam grade.  If you make below a 70 on an exam, a minimum of 1 (one) hour must be spend in the Outreach Center correcting your major exam, working on your homework, or studying for your next major exam.  Documentation of your time spent in the Outreach Center must be presented to me before the next major exam. 

Final Exam:  A comprehensive Final Exam will be given       

Grading Policy:	Percentages:	Grading Scale:	Grade:
My Mathlab	5%	90 - 100%	A
Written Homework	10%	80 - 89%	B
Major Exams (5 @ 12% each)	60%	70 - 79%	C
Final Exam	20%	60 - 69%	D
Notebook Grade (Midterm)	5%	below 60%	F

 

USING AC Connect/Blackboard  Students will be required to log in to AC Connect and access the online Blackboard course regularly to  check the course announcements, calendar, e-mail, and to see grades.  To access our course area in Blackboard:

1. Go to www.actx.edu.  Click the AC Connect Portal link found on the left side of the main menu bar.  Your login 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  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 “Lessons” to print class notes.  You may click “My Grades”, “Send E-mail”, “Announcements”, or “Calendar” to perform those functions also from this main menu.

 

Attendance

Attendance:  Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend each class period 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.

Students are expected to attend class with their printed class notes and calculator.  If at ANY TIME you are having trouble printing your class notes before you come to class, please see your instructor immediately for help.  Attendance with printed class notes is extremely important to your success in this course.

If you are absent for any reason, YOU are responsible for obtaining the assignments and notes from a fellow student in this class.  Remember that the deadline for withdrawing from this class at AC for the Spring 2016 Semester is April 21st. 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

Math Testing Lab(Durrett 103)	Outreach Center (Durrett 104)
Monday - Thursday	Monday - Thursday
7:30am - 10:00pm	8:00am - 8:00pm
Friday	Friday
7:30am - 8:00pm	8:00 - 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!