College Algebra Syllabus for 2018-2019
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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.
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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.

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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-1314-045 College Algebra

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

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required:   College Algebra, Twelfth  Edition...Authors: Lial, Hornsby, Schneider, Daniels; Pearson Publishing Co.

Optional :  MyMathLab Student Access Code.

Supplies

• Graphing Calculator:  You are required to bring your calculator to EVERY class.  A TI-84 Plus calculator is preferred and will be used by the instructor.  No calculators with logic or factoring capabilities are allowed (TI-89,Inspire).  Students unable to purchase a graphing calculator can apply to the Adult Students Program for the privilege of checking one out for the semester. No sharing of calculators is allowed and a cell phone calculator will not be permitted.
• Access to a working computer with internet access and a printer.  There are student computers located in the Math Outreach Center and AC Library for student use.  This enables you to access the course in Blackboard.
• Amarillo College student I.D. (for testing and tutoring)
• Notebook paper, pencils, erasers, a ruler or straightedge
• 3 ring binder and dividers

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.

NOTE:  The following Developmental Math topics will be imbedded in this College Algebra course:  Fractions; Factoring; Rules for Exponents; Factor expansion:  distribution, foil, conjugates; Order of Operations; Radical and Complex Numbers; Completing the Square; 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 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 the Mathematics & 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 & 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 Plagiarism:  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 on file in the Math Lab.   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!

Grading Criteria

Focus Problem Instructions:  The Focus Problems will be available for you to print from AC Connect.  Focus Problems will be assigned at the end of each section covered in class and are due at the beginning of the next class meeting after they have been assigned. All work should be written by hand and shown in the space provided on the Focus Problem pages.  Please show all necessary steps to work the problem to get full credit.  Each Focus Problem is worth +2 points each and will be graded on a 1/2 point scale.  Late Focus Problems will not be accepted.  To compensate for this, the 3 lowest Focus Problem grades will be dropped.

Written Homework: 

Homework:  1.  Expect to have written homework assigned each day.  Your daily homework score will be determined by completion of the entire assignment following the guidelines outlined below.  It must be turned in at the beginning 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.  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.  If you have more than one page to turn in, the pages must be stapled together in the top left corner.  Multiple pages that are not stapled or held together by a paper clip, folded corner, etc. will not be accepted and will be recorded with a grade of zero.  You must staple multiple pages together.

5.  Homework must be presented in an orderly manner with the problems running down a single column on 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.  Under your name place the course name, number, and section.  In the top left corner of each page list the appropriate section of the homework assignment (for example Section 1.3) and

place the due date underneath.  Notice the word, “Section,” is not abbreviated and the date must be in a standard format.  Any assignment without the proper heading will not be accepted and will be recorded with a grade of zero.

7.  If you are absent, it is your responsibility to contact another student to find out the homework assignment for the following class.  You may call and leave a message on my phone, 371-5901, or e-mail me at padavies@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.  

Notebook:

1. The notebook must be a 3-ring binder with dividers.  Notebooks must be brought to class each class period and will be checked periodically by the instructor.
2. Dividers:  syllabus, class notes, focus problems, written homework, and chapter reviews.
3. Your notebook will include a minimum of the following:  Title Page, Dividers, Syllabus, Class notes, Written homework, and chapter test reviews.  

Test Reviews:  Reviews will be assigned before each major exam and will be turned in to the Math Lab prior to taking each exam.  Reviews will be graded on a completion basis.  Students will get credit for each problem completed with work shown and will receive no credit for those left undone, those with no work shown, or not completed according to the stated directions.  Students will not be allowed to take an exam without first turning in a COMPLETED exam review including all necessary work.  Late reviews will not be accepted after the exam due date.

Exams:  Four major exams will be given and will be completed outside of class in the Math Testing Lab.  Students must show an Amarillo College ID and turn in an exam review before testing.  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.  All graded exams will be kept on file in the math department. If you score below a 70 on an exam, you will be required to spend a certain amount of time (as decided by your instructor) receiving help in the Math Outreach Center before you will be allowed to take the next exam.

Final Exam:  The comprehensive final exam will be given on the following date as directed by the official Amarillo College Schedule:  Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. in our regular classroom.        

Extra Credit: Extra credit will not be given.

Attendance:  You should be on time for class, prepared for class, and actively participate and be on task in class daily.  Students will be given a “100”  for each day that they are present in class and a “0”  for each day that they are absent.  The average of the above scores will comprise the attendance grade.   It is the responsibility of the student to sign the attendance sheet daily.  Nonattendance will be recorded as an absence, and no differentiation will be made as to excused or unexcused absences.

Students arriving more than 10 minutes late or leaving class early,  prior to instructor dismissal, will be marked absent.  Students not engaged in class, though physically there, will be marked absent.  Texting, working on homework in class, sleeping, talking while instructor is talking, and other disruptive behavior will get you counted absent.

Grading Policy:	Percentages:	Grading Scale:	Grade:
Focus Problem Grade	10%	90 - 100%	A
Written Homework & Notebook	10%	80 - 89%	B
Major Exams (4 @12.5% each)	50%	70 - 79%	C
Final	20%	60 - 69%	D
Exam Reviews	5%	below 60%	F
Attendance	5%

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-mail, 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 CTL 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. 

Other Student Resources to get help with your math homework assignments: 

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. You will need your AC ID  to sign in.  Hours: Mon-Fri 8am – 8pm, Sat 9am - 8pm, Sun closed.

TEAMWORK: This class requires that we work together as a team. My part is to present the material to you in an organized manner and to teach you. I will have to go at a quick pace at the beginning of the semester because the harder material is toward the end of the semester. Your part is to come to class, do your homework and reviews, and come to tutoring or to my office for help. I look forward to working together this semester!

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 arriving more than 10 minutes late or leaving class early,  prior to instructor dismissal, will be marked absent.

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 at AC for the Fall I, 2018 Semester is Tuesday, October 2, 2018. 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 Hereford	Outreach Center (Durrett 104) Amarillo
Monday - Thursday	Monday - Thursday
8:00am - 6:00pm (lunch 1pm - 2pm)	8:00am - 8:00pm
Friday	Friday
8:00am - 5:00pm (lunch 1pm - 2pm)	8:00 - 8:00pm
Saturday	Saturday
1:00pm - 5:00pm	9:00am - 8:00pm
379-2700	371-5119

MATH TESTING CENTER RULES

• Books can be placed in the bookshelf before you request a test but Amarillo College is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
• 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 and in this syllabus.
• 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 PHONES and NO SMART WATCHES may be visible 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!