Contemporary Mathematics Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

MATH-1332-003 Contemporary Mathematics

Prerequisites

<p>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</p>

Course Description

Logic; sets and counting; metric system; probability; statistics; geometry; math of finance; and exponential and logarithmic functions.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

TEXTBOOK: Thinking Mathematically, 6th ed. AUTHORS: Robert Blitzer, Pearson Prentice-Hall Publishing company. You will also need an access code for MyMathLab.

Supplies

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS: 

Students must have regular access to a computer with internet access, Firefox or Google Chrome web browser, the ability to print documents, and the ability to access the Amarillo College portal so that the blackboard course and email for this course can be easily accessible.

Students must have an Access Code for MyMathLab to take this course.  The Access Code is found in the red and white cardboard folder which is often bundled with the textbook if you purchase it new from the AC Bookstore.  If you did not get an Access Code with your textbook, you can purchase an access code online, but it is MUCH more expensive to purchase these separately than bundled together.

CALCULATOR: You will need a calculator for this course. The Amarillo College Mathematics Department recommends using a TI-83, 83 Plus, 84 or 84 Plus; however, if you already own a good scientific or graphing calculator with which you are familiar, you are not required to purchase a new one.

You may download a TI-84 calculator emulator to your phone or computer for free from wabbitemu.com or the app wabbitemu.  That will work well for this course.  However, because you cannot use your phone to take exams, you will want to borrow a TI-84 calculator from the Math Testing Lab when you come to take your exams.  They have a large set of calculators there available for you to use to take your exams.

Student Performance

PERFORMANCE/LEARNING OBJECTIVES:  After completing this course, the student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the following topics:

1. Apply the language and notation of sets. 
2. Use the tools of logic to determine the validity of an argument or statement.
3. Solve problems in mathematics of finance.
4. Demonstrate fundamental probability techniques and apply those techniques to solve problems. 
5. Interpret and analyze various representations of data.

Students 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

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY will not be tolerated in this class and will result in a zero for the exam or assignment involved.  For more information, please see the college’s academic dishonesty policy in the student handbook.  Cell phone use will not be allowed in any way during any exams for this course.  If a student attempts to use a cell phone during any exam, a zero will be given for that exam.  Further disciplinary action may be taken in accordance with the  provisions in the AC Student Rights and Responsibilities publication.

Make smart plans for handling problems with your computer or problems with AC Connect or Blackboard.

In previous semesters, students have experienced technical difficulties with their computers at various times.  This brought to my attention the need to prepare ahead of time for handing these types of situations.  Please execute the following instructions during the first week of this course:   

Make a back-up plan at the beginning of the semester.  Ask a family member, friend, or neighbor if they will agree to be your "back-up" computer plan should something go down on your computer and you need to finish an assignment right away.  You might not ever need to call them at all during the entire semester, but it is a good idea to have a back-up plan in place just in case you need it.

Pearson Higher Education is the publisher of our text and also of MyMathLab. You can go to the website http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com or you can call 1-800-677-6337 to get help with access code questions or support for the MyMathLab website.

Verify that your computer and internet connections meet minimum requirements for this course found in the "Let's Get Started" document found under the "Lessons" tab of your AC Connect Blackboard Online course.

If you have problems with your computer, you may use other computers such as those available at the Lynn Library Fourth Floor Learning Commons at Amarillo College or other library computers.  The Math Outreach Center in the Durrett Building Room 104 also has computers that you can use to do your online homework and tests.

If you have problems with the Amarillo College server (things like "system unavailable" or "password not accepted"), contact the tech support staff at Amarillo College.  The AC helpdesk phone # is 371-5000 and the web address is http://www.actx.edu/~disted/on/help/helpdesk.htm

If AC Connect/Blackboard goes down, you can still contact me through my e-mail slclowe@actx.edu .  You will also still be able to do your course work by typing www.mymathlab.com into your Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome browser's web address line.  It will take you straight to MyMathLab and you can continue working on your course work.  Mozilla is the browser which works best for MyMathLab on my computers.

If AC Connect/Blackboard is unavailable and it is at least one week into the semester, all due dates in MyMathLab and for your written exams will be as stated in the syllabus because you can still get to MyMathLab through www.mymathlab.com on the Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome internet browser.  Just get into an internet browser and type www.mymathlab.com into the web address bar and you will be into MyMathLab. 

 If you have questions about assignments, I'll be glad to answer those over e-mail. 

Expectations and Requirements for this course
Every online class is different; it makes sense to outline my policies and expectations so that each student is well informed as they begin the class as to what will be required of them.

1. Online classes require additional skills of the student. You will be expected to learn the material by utilizing the online resources in MyMathLab and by reading your textbook.  Students must take responsibility for their learning in this course and start assignments early (several days in advance of any due date) to give yourself time to comprehend the material and get help if needed before the due date arrives.   Students will need to be strong readers, able to read a math textbook, look at examples in the textbook and online, and be able to comprehend the mathematical concepts being covered in this course. 
    
2. You will need internet access for several hours each week. To use MyMathLab, you will need specific software that may not be available on all public computers, so I do not suggest using the computer at a public library for this course. You should plan to use either your personal computer or a computer at  Amarillo College . If you plan to use a computer at  Amarillo College , please keep in mind that the library may have limited hours on weekends or holidays and keeping up with the library's hours is your responsibility. By signing up for an online course, you are communicating that you have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection with the appropriate software.
    
3. This class demands a great deal of time. Online courses often take more time than in-class delivery courses. Please expect to spend at least 10-15 hours each week on this course. (This is for Fall and Spring semester courses; double this time commitment for Summer courses). If your other life commitments do not allow you this amount of time to spend on the course, you may want to choose another course or delivery method.
    
4. Deadlines are your responsibility. Due dates are given to you in the syllabus and in the assignment schedule and in MyMathLab. Online classes give you the freedom to complete your assignments at your own pace and in your own time. With this freedom comes responsibility.-- You are responsible for completing your assignments by the posted due dates regardless of other commitments you may have in your life beyond this class. Completing assignments a few days ahead of the due date is the best way to ensure that all your assignments are turned in on time.
    
5. Technical difficulties happen. Yes, they do, and usually at the worst possible times. Plan on it. If ever your internet connection is going to go out, it will happen the night you left the online test until the last minute. My best suggestion is to make a "back-up plan" at the beginning of the semester.  Ask a friend or neighbor at the beginning of the semester if you can use their computer in the unlikely event that you have an emergency and your internet connection is not working properly.  If you have technical difficulties while completing a test and exit out of the test before you complete it, the software will "lock" you out of that exam.  You will need to e-mail me so that I can go into the software and give you access again to that exam.  I can help you get back into your exam provided that you are not past the due date.  Remember, however, I will not be online at 11:30 p.m. on the due date. If technical difficulties prevent you from completing an online test on time, you will receive the amount of points that you had accumulated up to that time when technical difficulties prevented your finishing the test. Completing assignments a few days ahead of time ensures that if you have any technical difficulties, we can take care of them before the due date and your assignments will be completed on time.  To put it succinctly, start early on every assignment AND have a back-up plan in place.
    
6. You are responsible for asking for help when you need it. Waiting until a week before a big exam is too late.  You need to ask for help AS SOON AS YOU REALIZE that you are going to need some help to be successful in this course.  DO NOT WAIT.  ASK FOR HELP right away from your instructor.  There are many ways to get help in this class, but you are the only one that will know when you need help.  There are lots of resources available to help you succeed in this course, just ask and we can work together to answer questions and get you back on track to succeed in this course.
    
7. This course requires organization and a good study plan. Online courses take a lot of self-motivation and discipline. This will usually be easier if you develop a system (a weekly schedule or plan) for keeping up with your assignments in the course.  The easier part of the course is at the beginning.  Try to get as many 100's on your online homework as possible during the first several weeks of this course.  The hardest part is in the middle.  Getting lots of 100's at the beginning of this course will help you make it through the more difficult middle part.  The last part of this course gets a bit easier.  Do not allow yourself to get zeros on assignments at the beginning of this course.  It will really hurt you in the middle and last part of this course.  Organize yourself to make sure you get your assignments finished by the due date especially early in the semester.
    
8. Please do not ask for extra credit. If extra credit is offered, I will notify you by e-mail or by placing an announcement on the homepage and it will be made available to everyone in the class.  That is the only way to be fair to everyone in the course.  Don't expect extra credit to be offered, and please don't e-mail asking for extra credit. 
    
9. The same rules for a traditional classroom apply. You are expected to conduct yourself in this course according to the standards outlined in Student Rights and Responsibilities. Pay specific attention to the sections on plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Please also note that respect in every form toward your classmates, instructor, and Amarillo College personnel will be expected.

Course Policies continue in the "Let's Get Started" document found under the "Lessons" tab of your AC Connect/Blackboard Online course.  Please log in to AC Connect and get into your Online course through Blackboard, click on your Contemporary Math online course to find our course home page.  From there you can click the "Lessons" tab and find the documents and links you need for this course.  Please refer to the documents found there as part of the syllabus, policies and general information about the course.

Grading Criteria

LATE WORK:  I will drop 2 (of 12) Homework grades and 2 (of 12) online Test grades at the end of the semester.  I do this because I do not allow any makeup work or late submitted work.  These dropped grades are to be used in all situations involving missed assignments including ( but not limited to ): illness, family emergency, hospitalization, family illness, death of family member, technical difficulties, forgetting assignment, etc.  It is wise to "save" these dropped grades in each category for times in the semester when you REALLY need them.  You do not want to use these on your first two assignments.  Because of these dropped grades, you will not be given any extensions on any of the homework assignments or online tests. 

Paper exams may not be taken late for any reason.

Attendance

This course will be web-based. Lectures will be viewed at the online site called MyMathLab. Mastery of the material will be facilitated by reading the text, working through examples and solving homework problems online. One homework assignment and one weekly test will be given online each week.  Two Written Exams and a Final Exam must be proctored at Amarillo College or at another site agreed to by your instructor during this course. You must tell your instructor via e-mail within the first two weeks of the course as to the date and approximate time you wish to reserve for taking your two written and one final exam. Please choose a date and time from the following schedule and let me know via e-mail by the end of the second week.  There will be a reservation system set up and it is on a “first come first serve” basis.  The sooner you let me know your chosen testing dates and times, the more likely you are to get your chosen date and time.  If someone else in the class responds before you and there are no more testing slots on your chosen day, you will be forced to choose another testing date.  

Written Exam #1 Dates:  Sept 26^th – 30^th         Written Exam #2 Dates:  Oct 31^st – Nov 4^th  

Final Exam Dates:  December 7^th, 8,^th 9^th, 11^th, or   12^th

The Math Testing Lab is open from 8 am to 10 pm Monday-Thursday, 8 am to 8 pm on Friday, and 9 am to 8 pm on Saturday.   Their phone number is 371-5088 

I request that these three tests be proctored. If none of these dates are possible for you, please contact your instructor right away so that a possible solution can be worked out between you and your instructor. These testing issues must be all settled and scheduled by the second week of the semester.  This helps the testing center staff plan for the large numbers of tests being given on those dates.  If you need to take your tests in your home town and do not wish to travel to Amarillo to take these exams, you need to let your instructor know right away during the first week of the semester so that you can be given the instructions for how to make these arrangements and get them finalized by the second week of the semester.  If arrangements for out of town proctoring of tests is not made within the first two weeks of the semester, you forfeit the opportunity to test anywhere else except at the AC Math Testing Lab in Durrett 103 on the Washington Street Campus.

Attendance Policy: Since this is an online class, your attendance is achieved by logging into this course AT LEAST four times per week on different days of the week and by accomplishing homework, discussions, and tests before the due date for each assignment. Please stay current with your assignments and with class announcements.  You are responsible for logging into the online course to get your assignments and check messages.  You can reach the online course by going to the Amarillo College home page and click the AC Connect portal box found on the upper right of your screen.  You will use your regular Amarillo College username and password to get into this portal.  On the middle of this page you will find a section titled AC Connect Classes . Under that section, click on our course which is 2017FA Contemporary Mathematics I(MATH-1332-003) .  This action takes you into our course which is housed by a learning management system entitled Blackboard.  An alternative way to get to our course is to type    www.acconnect.com into your browser address bar, logging in and then clicking your AC course.  You can call 371-5000 for technical assistance.  Please respond promptly to e-mails and requests from your instructor. Due dates for assignments, quizzes, and exams will be strictly enforced. Homework and tests not completed by the due date will receive a grade of zero. It is easy to get behind in an online class so stay motivated and do not procrastinate. If for some reason you stop working on this course and decide that you do not have time because of other commitments, please remember to officially withdraw “W” from this course.  To officially withdraw "W", you must visit with your professor personally and obtain a signed "Withdrawal Approval Form".  This signed form must be taken to the Ask AC desk in the Student Services Building by  Tuesday, November 21^st, 2017.  This is the last date that you can withdraw “W” from this course this semester.

ADMINISTRATIVE DROP POLICY - Students who do not attend class by the census date for this course which is September 6th, 2017, will be administratively dropped from the course.  For an online course, class attendance is defined as completing homework, tests, discussions and other assigned communications by the due dates set in the course.

Calendar

Additional Information

Websites for this course:

www.actx.edu  takes you to Amarillo College's home page.  From there you will click the ACconnect box and log in.  From there you will find and click our course to get into the actual online course housed in Blackboard.

The course itself uses MyMathLab for delivery of the majority of the online instruction and content of the course.  It is important that the first time you access MyMathLab in this course, that you do it through your AC Connect /Blackboard Contemporary Math Online course.   If AC Connect goes down, however, you may still do your homework by using Mozilla Firefox and typing www.mymathlab.com into the browser's address bar.  You will then be able to get into MyMathLab and continue your course work and homework assignments as usual.

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.