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.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

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-1414-008 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

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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

Supplies

Supplies: college ruled spiral for note taking 120+ pages, graph paper, pencils, erasers, a highlighter. You can get free graph paper at http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/lite/.  

Graphing Calculator: TI-83, TI-83 Plus, TI-84, or TI-84 Plus.  You are required to have a calculator in class every day. The Math Department policy is that no TI-89's, TI-92's or TI-Nspire calculators may be used on tests. 

Graphing Calculator Checkout: Students unable to purchase a graphing calculator can check out a Ti-84 Plus. You must provide your student ID. Students who lose (due to accident / theft / any other mishap) or damage in any way a loaner graphing calculator will be required to replace the lost, stolen, or damaged calculator with a TI-84 or TI-84 Plus graphing calculator or the student will have a $120 fee placed on the obligation list.

Access: to a working computer with internet access. There are student computers located in the PD Library, Amarillo College Library and the Math Outreach Tutoring Center for student use.  This enables you to access the course in Blackboard.

Amarillo College student I.D. (for testing and tutoring).

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 highter 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 cellular phones, texting, making offensive remarks, reading books, 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 htt;://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 sees a cell phone out during any exam, the instructor will assume that student is 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 Palo Duro High School that food and drink are not allowed in the classrooms at any time.

Phones/Pagers:  It is the policy of Palo Duro High School that cell phones and electronic devises must be turned off or in silent mode in the classrooms.

Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism:  Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. 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.

ADDITIONAL CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
1.  BE ON TIME.
2.  BE PREPARED.
3.  NO DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR will be tolerated.

Grading Criteria

The final average will be computed based on the following percentage basis: 

Homework/Quizzes ........20%

Exams.............................60%

Final Exam......................20%

 

The final letter grades are assigned based on the following numerical result:

A ............90-100  

B.............80-89 

C.............70-79  

D.............60-69, 

F.............59 and Below

 

 

Written Homework:

1.  Expect to have homework assigned for each section.Late homework will not be accepted. 

2.  Homework must be done in pencil.  Anything that is wrong or needs to be corrected must be clearly erased.  Don't write, doodle, or perform mathematical calculations in the margins.  Homework must be neat and legible.

3.  Homework must be presented in an orderly manner with the problem running down the page. Final answers must be boxed or circled to receive credit. 

4. Expect to have written homework assigned for each section.  At the end of the semester, two homework grades will be dropped and two quiz grades will be dropped.  Turning in all your homework is one of the best things you can do to improve your grade!

LATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

 

 

Exams:  

Five major exams will be given.  If you are going to miss a major exam, arrangements need to be made prior to the exam date. Failure to make arrangements on a planned absents will result in an exam grade of a zero. I do not offer make-up exams.  If you know ahead of time that you will be missing an exam, you may schedule to take the exam early.  If you miss an exam the exam will be recorded as a zero.  The lowest test score will be replaced with your final test grade if higher.

Monday, December 12^th  through Wednesday, December 14^th   

The final exams will have a 2 hours time limit. 

NO EXTRA CREDIT WORK WILL BE GIVEN.

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. 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, calendar, 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

Remember that the deadline for withdrawing from any class at AC for the Fall 2016 Semester is Tuesday, November 22.  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

Collin Witherspoon, Department Chair (806)371-5142 

Michelle Boillat, Executive Secretary (806) 371-5158.