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-H 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, 10th edition, by Michael Sullivan, Prentice Hall (REQUIRED)

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. 

Graphing Calculator checkout:  Students unable to purchase a graphing calculator can apply to the Adult Students Program for the privilege of checking one out for the semester.  Bring a copy of your schedule to the Adult Students Program, Student Services Center, Room 130 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  You must complete an application and be enrolled in a math class to receive this assistance.

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 new TI-84 or TI-84 Plus graphing calculator.  Failure to do so will result in immediate action(s) taken by Amarillo College.

Access to a working computer with internet access and a printer.  There are student computers located in the AC Library and the Math Outreach Tutoring Center for student use.  This enables you to access the course in Blackboard among other things.

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. Determine all roots of high 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 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 sees a cell phone out during any exam, the instructor has the right to assume the student is cheating in which case 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, Sciences & 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,Sciences & 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 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:

 

Grade Type	Percentage
Homework	20%
Project	10%
Exams	50%
Final Exam	20%

Percentage Range	Letter Grade
90%-100%	A
80%-89%	B
70%-79%	C
60%-69%	D
Less Than 60%	F

Note on Grading Scale: final averages will be rounded to follow above scaling.

Homework:  Expect to have written homework assigned after each section is covered in class. Homework grades will be determined 50% by correctness and 50% by completion. You may complete your homework early; however, late homework will not be accepted.  At the end of the semester, your two lowest homework grades will be dropped.  

 

Homework Guidlines:

1.  Expect to have homework assigned after the completion of each section in lecture.  It must be turned in at the beginning of the class period on due date.  Late homework will not be accepted.  

2.  Homework must be done in legibly.  Anything that is wrong or needs to be corrected should be erased, not scribbled out.  Don't write, doodle, or perform mathematical calculations in the margins.  

3.  Do not tear your paper out of a spiral and leave jagged edges. 

4.  If you have more than one page to turn in, the pages should be stapled together in the top left corner.  

5.  Homework must be presented in an orderly manner. Each line of calculations should make mathematical sense.   All final answers must be clearly identified.  

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to contact another student to find out the homework assignment for the following class.  You may e-mail me at tsroper@actx.edu, but you take the chance that I may not receive the message before the due date.

Project: There will be one project that will be assigned towards the beginning of the semester and due towards the end of the semester. Details will be given in class.

Exams:  Five major exams will be given along with a comprehensive final.  If you miss a major exam, the grade on your final exam will be used to replace the missing grade.  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 more than one exam (remember the first missed one is replaced by your grade on the final exam) all other 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 test grade.  Major exams will be administered in the testing center.  In an effort to increase retention in mathematics courses, any student who scores below a 70 on a major exam will be required to spend a minimum of 1 hour tutoring in the Outreach Center before taking the next test. 

I do not give extra credit work.

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 tutoring at the Student Outreach Center in Durrett 104 is available.  You will need your AC ID to sign in.  
3.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

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. 

If you are absent for any reason, you are responsible for obtaining the assignments and notes. 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 the drop deadline, you will receive an F for the course. The drop deadline for Spring 2017 is Friday, April 21.

Calendar

Additional Information

Additional Contact: 

Penelope Davies, Department Chair (806) 371-5326.