Intermediate Algebra Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

MATH-0303-018 Intermediate Algebra

Prerequisites

<p>Prerequisite: Math 0302-minimum grade of C, TSI Math score of 344 or an equivalent score on a state-approved test or department chair consent</p>

Course Description

A study of relations and functions, inequalities, algebraic expressions and equations (absolute value, polynomial, radical, rational), with a special emphasis on linear and quadratic expressions and equations.

Graphing calculator required.

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, 1 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Elayn Martin-Gay, Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, Sixth Edition, Pearson; ISBN:9780134193090.

MyMathLab Code (required)

Supplies

Materials Required
MyMathLab Code(required)/Textbook (optional) Blue lined graph paper - 4 or 5 squares per inch Blue lined notebook paper,pencils, erasers, a ruler or straightedge Graphing Calculator,(TI-83/TI-84 will be used by instructor. No Calculators with Logic or factoring Capabilities; i.e. TI-89.)	Amarillo College student I.D. (for testing and tutoring) Internet Access 3 ring binder Dividers (5) Access to printer(printer available in the Outreach Center with purchase of a pre-paid copy card

Student Performance

Student Performance/Learning Outcomes

After studying the material presented in this course, you will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the Mathematics Department.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will:

• Define, represent, and perform operations on real and complex numbers.
• Recognize, understand, and analyze features of a function.
• Recognize and use algebraic (field) properties, concepts, procedures (including factoring), and evaluate absolute value, polynomial, radical, and rational expressions.
• Identify and solve absolute value, polynomial, radical, and rational equations.
• Identify and solve absolute value and linear inequalities.
• Model, interpret and justify mathematical ideas and concepts using multiple representations.
• Connect and use multiple strands of mathematics in situations and problems, as well as in the study of other disciplines. 

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

Behavioral Expectations/Classroom Ground Rules

Students are expected to behave in the online environment the same way as in a traditional classroom.  In order to receive credit for a course, all material listed on the syllabus must be covered.  The instructor sets the pace to ensure that these requirements are met. Complaining about the pace will not result in less material being covered. If you fail to comply with the standards outlined in the syllabus and/or “Student’s Rights & Responsibilities” you will be subject to disciplinary action which may include, but is not limited to: removal from the classroom; consultation with the Mathematics and Engineering Department Chair and/or other AC authority; withdrawal from the course and/or the college.    You are expected to behave in the  Math Testing Center and the Outreach Center in a manner that is supportive of the learning environment.

Academic Honesty and Integrity

Unethical conduct during this class will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action.  It is considered “cheating” if you use any app that does the math work for you or gives you the answers when testing, or when completing any assignments for this class.  It will become apparent during the course of the class if you have been using inappropriate technology to complete assignments at home.  You are only cheating yourself if you cheat on the work at home.  This class is set up so that 50% of your grade comes from the midterm and final exams that are taken in a proctored/testing center setting.  It will be highly unlikely that you  will be able to pass without passing these two exams.  I hope you will proceed through the class with honesty and integrity.

Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism

Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated in any math course at Amarillo College.  

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.

  Food/Drink and Cell Phone Policy

Food and drinks are allowed in the Outreach Center . Only drinks are allowed in the math testing room. Cell phones should be turned off, or in silent mode in the Outreach Center and the Math Testing Center. Cell phone calculators may not be used at any time. Any devices requiring headphones are not allowed in the Math Testing Center testing room.

Grading Criteria

Testing

There will be 5 chapter tests that will be taken online.  Each chapter test will have a posted time limit and must be completed within that time frame. There will also be a midterm exam and a comprehensive final exam.  These two tests must be taken in the Math Testing Center on the Washington Street Campus or at an approved testing site with a test proctor.  The Math Testing Center is located in Durrett Hall, Room 103.  If you live more than 60 miles from Amarillo College and would like to test at a pre-approved site other than Washington Street, you must contact and make arrangements with the instructor immediately.  You will be responsible for finding a suitable proctor and for any proctoring fee incurred at any other institution or testing facility.  A suitable proctor is a person not related to you in any way, not an employer or employee and preferably at an educational institution or library.  Forms must be completed, signed and on file well in advance of the dates set for the midterm and final exams.  Therefore, forms must be on file with the instructor by Wednesday, November 8, 2017. You must present an Amarillo College photo I.D. each time you test in the Math Testing Center.  The only materials allowed in the Math Testing Center will be your pencil, straight edge, calculator and purses.  No scratch paper will be needed; there will be plenty of room to work on your test.  There will be no time limit for the midterm exam or the final exam, but each must be completed 5 minutes before the math lab closes for the day.

Due Dates

All due dates are published on the Semester Schedule.  If a test is not taken by the due date, you will receive a grade of zero.  There will be NO MAKE UP tests.

The FINAL EXAM is comprehensive and will be due by 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2017!

To view your current course grades:

• Go to www.actx.edu, click on AC Connect then log in.
• Click on your course.
• Click on My Grades on the menu to the left.

To view your Final course grades:

• Go to www.actx.edu, click on AC Connect then log in.
• Scroll down to Self Service on bottom right of the page, and click on Current Student.
• Under current student, click on Academic Profile and then Grades.

Be aware that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (as amended) does not permit instructors or the Math Testing Center to disclose information regarding grades over the phone, via email, or to a third party. Therefore, if you need to discuss your grades, you must do so in person.

 

Homework

 

• An online homework assignment will be assigned in MyMathLab for each section of the book covered. Weekly homework assignments are due fully completed by 11:59 p.m. each Sunday night. Assignments will not be accessible or accepted after the 11:59 p.m. deadline each week.
• The problems assigned in the MyMathLab program should be worked on notebook paper(or graph paper as needed) just as if you were copying and working problems from the textbook,  and kept in order in your notebook with each section labeled in the top right corner of the page. The problems assigned are similar to problems in the textbook and to the test problems. You are required to do the assignments in MyMathLab. You will need to practice using the toolbar before you attempt the assignments in MyMathLab. You need to be competent in entering your answers. You may continue to work on an assignment to make a better grade up until the due date for the assignment.  You must register for MyMathlab through the link on the course homepage.  When registering, enter the Access Code in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. You will not need a Course I.D. since the course in MyMathLab has been linked with the course in AC Connect. After you have registered through our course in AC Connect, you will also be able to access MyMathLab by going directly to the Pearson website:  www.mymathlab.com.  It is possible if you took Beginning or Intermediate Algebra at Amarillo College during the previous year, you may not be required to purchase a new code.  You will know this when you first try to register through the class.

 Homework Notebook

• The homework notebook will be turned in when you come to take your final exam. (If you are taking your final at a location other than Amarillo, you will need to mail your notebook to me and it must be in my hands no later than Wednesday, Decembe 13th.)
• The homework notebook must be a 3-ring binder with dividers.
• Your notebook will include a minimum of the following:
  • Title Page
  • Dividers (labeled with what can be found behind the divider as set forth below)
  • Syllabus/Orientation Pages, “Let’s Get Started) These will go behind a divider labeled Syllabus/Orientation
  • Semester Schedule (This will go behind a divider labeled Semester Schedule)
  • Lecture  Notes (These will go behind a divider labeled Lecture Notes.)
  • Homework assignments (All assignments done on paper will go behind a divider labeled Homework.)
  • Chapter test review work ( The chapter test reviews, done on paper,  will go behind the divider labeled, Chapter Test Reviews.)
• Homework assignments should be:
  • On lined notebook or graphing paper as needed.
  • Completed in pencil .
  • Started on a new page for each section with the section title in the top right corner.
  • Organized running down the page, with up to two columns of work (not across the page in one line).
  • With answers circled
• Your notebook grade, along with your discussions will count as your "Participation Grade".  This grade can and will replace your lowest chapter test grade.

Grading Policy

• Your grade for this course will be determined by averaging:
  • Five chapter test grades - Total of 40% of final average ( Each test counts for 8% of final grade.)
  • Homework Average - 10% of final average
  • Midterm Exam - 25% of final average
  • Final Exam - 25% of final average
• Grades will be given as follows:
  • A 90-100
  • B 80-89
  • C 70-79
  • D 60-69
  • F Below 60 (Unsatisfactory)
• A grade of “F” will be earned as follows:
  • You complete the course with an overall average below 60.
  • You do not complete the course and do not drop the course in time to receive a grade of “W” and do not meet the requirements listed below for a grade of “I” (Incomplete).
  • You receive an “I” (Incomplete) after signing an Incomplete contract, but do not satisfy the conditions for removal by the agreed-upon date.
  • You violate the cheating and plagiarism policy.
• Incomplete
  • A grade of “I” (Incomplete) is not generally given in developmental math courses.  Any exceptions will be made by your instructor on an individual basis and only for extreme circumstances.
  •  A grade of “I” (Incomplete) will be possible only if you have no more than the Final Exam and one Chapter Test to complete.  If the instructor agrees to give you an Incomplete, you must sign a contract that specifies the requirements for changing the temporary grade of “I” to the letter grade earned by the student.  You will have a maximum of three months from the date the contract is signed to fulfill these requirements.  If you do not met these requirements by the end of the three months, the grade of “I” will automatically be changed to a grade of “F”.
• Withdrawal
  • Students who wish to withdraw from a class must consult with their instructor first.  Students may either communicate via email or meet face-to-face with their instructor to begin the withdrawal process.  If the instructor and the student both agree that withdrawal is the appropriate course of action, then the instructor will initiate a withdrawal case for the student in the Retention Alert System (AC Connect). You will receive a “W” for a withdrawal/drop if the withdrawal is initiated with the instructor prior to  the deadline stated in AC Connect under Self Service-Academic profile- “Important Course Section Dates. Students will receive confirmation that their withdrawal request has been completed.  The registrar’s Office will process the withdrawal and notify both the student and the instructor via AC email. "**Please note the following deadline for withdrawal of this class is Tuesday, October 3, 2017.*  You will not be able to withdraw from this course after this date for any reason. 

Attendance

 General Attendance Policy

Although on campus attendance is not required, students enrolled in this online class are required to post discussions, check e-mails and do homework.  Students should expect to spend a minimum of 12 – 15 hours per week for this class.

Calendar

Additional Information

Math Testing Center	Outreach Center
Monday - Thursday	Monday - Thursday
8:00am - 10:00pm last test will be handed out at 9:00pm	8:00am - 8:00pm
Friday	Friday
8:00am - 8:00pm Last test will be handed out at 7:00pm	8:00 - 8:00pm
Saturday	Saturday
9:00am - 8:00pm Last test will be handed out at 7:00pm	9:00am - 8:00pm
371-5088	371-5119

MATH TESTING CENTER RULES

• Books may be placed on the bookshelf before you request a test.
• To request a test, fill out a “Test Request” form.
• All tests must be taken in order. Once a test is taken, you may not go back and take or retake a previous test.
• An Amarillo College picture ID is required in order to take or view any test in the Math Testing Center. 
• No scratch paper or notecards are allowed for testing. You may use the back of the test to show your extra work.  Once you have begun work on a test that is considered one attempt. You cannot leave the Math Testing Center 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 Testing Center will not hand out a test less than one hour before closing time.
• The Math Testing Center personnel will pick up your test five minutes prior to closing time.
• Students can log in to AC Online to get their test results.
• Tests may not be taken out of the lab.
• The Math Testing Center hours are posted on the outside door,in this syllabus, on AC Online, and in the lab itself. 
• Please come prepared. If you do not have a pencil, you may purchase one from the Math Testing Center 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 you 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 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! 

 

EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS COURSE

1.  Online classes are not necessarily more difficult than in-class courses, but they require additional skills of the student.  You will be expected to learn the material by utilizing the resources available to you and by reading your textbook.  Help is available to you when you need it in a variety of forms.  You will also be required to use two different sites to complete your work (AC Connect and MyMathLab).  You will need to be a strong reader and have a very high reading comprehension level.

2.  You will need internet access.  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.  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 12 - 15 hours each week on this course.  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 semester schedule.  Online classes give you the freedom to complete your assignments at your own pace and in your own time.  With this freedom comes responsibility and 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.  We all make choices in life.  If your life demands that you not complete an online test or homework, then a consequence of that choice is a zero for that exam or homework assignment.  Completing assignments a few days ahead of the due date is the best way to ensure that all your assignments are completed and submitted on time.

5.  Technical difficulties happen.  Yes, technical difficulties happen, and usually at the worst possible times.  Plan on it.  If every your internet connection is going to go out, it will happen the night you waited until the last minute to take your test.  If you have technical difficulties while completing a test, I can help you.  However, I will not be online at 11:00 p.m. on the due date.  Please CALL ME, TEXT ME or send me a REMIND text immediately when the problem occurs and it is quite possible I can help immediately and you can complete your test right away.

6.  This course requires organization and a good study plan.  STAY ON SCHEDULE!

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for ALL the information in the Syllabus and ALL DUE DATES!