College Algebra for STEM Majors Syllabus for 2018-2019
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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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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-1414-006 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

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:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact 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

(4 sem hrs; 4 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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

My Math Lab Access Kit/e-textbook is optional.

No assignment will be in My Math Lab for the entire course. All homework and exams are required to be in details and with step by step methods of neat and legible hand written copies. 

Supplies

Loose blue-lined notebook paper (8.5" by 11"), pencils, erasers, straight edge, five dividers and one three ring binder (1"-1.5" recommended).

Dividers Labeled: Syllabus, Notes, Focus, MyMathLab, Exams & Reviews

Students will need a graphing calculator for this course.  The recommended calculator is a Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus.  Other forms of Texas Instruments or Casio graphing calculators will be permitted at the instructors discretion.  Note that no TI-89s or TI-Nspires will be permitted during the midterm and final exams.

Students need access to a computer with a reliable internet connection to complete online homework assignments and access to a printer to produce class notes and other handouts.

Students need an official Amarillo College student ID to scan into class, to scan into the Outreach Center, and to present in the Math Testing Lab before each exam.

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.

The following Developmental Math topics will be imbedded in this College Algebra/STEM course:  Factoring; Rules for Exponents; Factor expansion:  distribution, foil, conjugates; Completing the Square; Complex Numbers; Rational Numbers:  operations; and other topics as needed.

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 proctor sees a cell phone out during any exam, the proctor 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.

Grading Criteria

Grading Policy	Percentages	Grading Scale	Grade
Notebook & Labs	5%	90 - 100%	A
Written Homework	5%	80 - 89%	B
Quizzes	10%	70 - 79%	C
Major Exams (4 @15% each)	60%	60 - 69%	D
Final Exam	20%	below 60%	F

 

Notebook Grade:  The notebook grade will be graded on the following.
(5pts) Title Page Title Page: labeled according to heading requirements, hole punched and located at the first page within the binder.
(5pts) Divider 1 Syllabus: Syllabus and course contract located within this divider.
(40ps) Divider 2 Notes: All notes placed in order, and completely copied behind this divider.
Students will be required to print notes and bring them to class each day.  These notes can be printed from Blackboard.  To access our class in Blackboard, go to www.actx.edu and click the AC Connect button.  (This is the AC portal.)  You will be prompted to log into Blackboard.   If you need help logging in, you may contact AskAC at 371-5000 or email the Help Desk at helpdesk-it@actx.edu.  After logging in, click on our College Algebra class.  On the left side of the screen, click Content and print the class notes.
(5pts) Divider 3 Written Homework: Blue lined loose paper with section number as the title and work shown accordingly down the page and numbered. You must have the correct heading at the top of each page.
First and Last Name
MATH 1414-005
Mitchell
(40 pts) Divider 4 Labs & Quizzes: All lab problems and quizzes assigned should be placed in order and completed whether completed on time or not. Graded Quizzes placed in order, before lab problems.
(5pts) Divider 5 Exams: All  exams placed in order behind this divider. If a test was failed, once the Outreach Center has returned your recovery assignment to me, I will give to you to put within this section as well.

Lab Problems:  After each section covered in class, you will be assigned Lab problems which you are to print. The majority of the lab assignments will be completed collaboratively in class. All work should be written by hand and shown in the space provided on the Lab Problem pages to receive full credit when placed in your notebook.  Your punctuality to class will be reflected in your Lab problem grade.

Written Homework:

1.  Expect to have homework each day.  It must be turned in at the beginning of the class period.  Late homework will not be accepted.  Late is defined to be anything turned in after the start of the class period.

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. Write the number to the written homework problem directly to the left of the red line on the left margin. Homework must be neat and legible.  I will be the judge as to what is neat.  Just because you can read it doesn't mean that I can interpret it.

3.  Do not tear your paper out of a spiral and leave jagged edges.  Any assignment with jagged edges will not be accepted and will be recorded with a grade of zero.  We have scissors or a paper cutter you can use to trim the edges.

4.  Each section will be turned in separately. Do NOT staple them all together. If you have more than one page to turn in for a single section, the pages must be stapled together in the top left corner.  Multiple pages for a sing section that are not stapled will not be accepted and will be recorded with a grade of zero.  You must staple multiple pages of a sing section together.

5.  Homework must be presented in an orderly manner with the problem running a single column down the left half of the page.  You may use the right half of the page for graphs, tables and drawings.  Any problem (excluding graphs) with work presented in anything except the first column will not receive credit.  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 to receive credit.  Any problem with the answer not circled or boxed in will not be graded.

6.  You will place your name in the top right corner of each page.  On the top line of each page list the appropriate section of the homework assignment(for example Section 1.1). Notice the "Section" is not abbreviated and the date must be in a standard format.  Each assignment will need to have the heading in the top right corner as demonstrated below:

First and Last Name
Math 1414-005
Mitchell   

Any assignment without the proper heading will not be accepted and will be recorded with a grade of zero.

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 j0353042@actx.edu, but you take the chance that I may not retrieve the message before the due date.

and remember, LATE HOMEWORK IS NOT ACCEPTED.

Quizzes: Quizzes will be assigned and due in class on a regular basis. You must be present to take the quiz. At the end of the semester, I will drop your two lowest quiz grades to allow for unforeseen circumstances.  Use these drop grades wisely. Quiz dates will not be announced.

Major Exams:  Four major exams will be given and will be completed throughout the course. A possible 2-3 exam will be completed outside of class in the Math Testing Lab.  Students must show an Amarillo College ID in order to take the scheduled exam. No late exams will be given, no matter the reason.  If you know in advance that you will be gone during the assigned exam dates, you MUST make arrangements with your instructor to take the exam early in the Math Lab.  At the end of the semester, your final exam grade will replace your lowest exam grade if it is higher.  If you make below 70 on a major exam, a minimum of 1 (one) hour must be spent in the Outreach Center correcting your major exam. Due dates for corrections will be provided throughout the semester.  Documentation of your time spent in the Outreach Center must be presented to me before the next major exam.

Final Exam:  The final exam is comprehensive and will be
given on Thursday October 11th at 5:30 pm.

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.  Students who miss the daily roll call or leave early without permission will be marked absent for the day.

If you are absent for any reason, YOU are responsible for obtaining the assignments and notes.  Remember that the deadline for withdrawing from this class is Tuesday, October 2. You must notify me by 5PM on that day in order to process your drop in time.  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
8:00am - 10:00pm	8:00am - 8:00pm
Friday	Friday
8:00am - 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!

Instructor Request:  Students, please do not take pictures or video during class without first obtaining permission from me.  Thanks in advance for your cooperation.