College Algebra for STEM Majors Syllabus for 2018-2019
Return to Syllabus List

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-DC002 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

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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

Please purchase your textbook bundled with a MyMathLab Access Code.

Supplies

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 calculator with symbolic manipulation capabilities (such as the TI-89) 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 chapter exams and access to a printer to print course materials when necessary.

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 highter 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 htt;://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.

Policy on Cheating and Plagiariam:  Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated in any math course at Amarillo College.  Cheating includes the use of cell phones, cell phone calculators, the illegal use of books, notes, other electronic devices or computers, and copying.  Cheating also includes helping, or attempting to help, other students to cheat on a test.

ADDITIONAL CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
1.  BE ON TIME.
2.  BE PREPARED.
3.  NO DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR will be tolerated.

Grading Criteria

The final average will be computed based on the following percentage basis: 

Written Homework ........10%, MML Homework........10%, Exams........40%, Midterm Exam.......20%, Final Exam........20%

The final letter grades are assigned based on the following numerical result:

A ............90-100,   B............80-89,   C............70-79,   D............60-69,   F............59 and Below

 

Homework:  Homework will be assigned in two formats: written and online. Online homework involves drill and practice problems to be completed using the MyMathLab website.  Written homework will be submitted to your high school facilitator for grading according to his/her schedule and format.  No late homework will be accepted.

Exams:   Four major exams will be given via MyMathLab.   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) a second missed exam 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.

Midterm and Final Exams: The midterm will be in written form and will be taken at your high school: Monday, March 4 through Wednesday, March 6.  The final exam will be in written form and will be taken at your high school:  Monday, May 6 through Wednesday, May 8.  Both midterm and final exams will have a 2 hour time limit.  The final exam is comprehensive.

If needed, the midterm and/or final exam can be taken on the AC campus, at the Math Testing Center.  The Math Testing Center is in Durrett Hall room 103 and is open MTWR 8AM - 10PM, F 8AM-8PM, and Sa 10AM-8PM.  This must be scheduled and coordinated with your AC instructor and high school teacher at least 2 weeks in advance and an official AC ID is required.  You must arrive at least 2 hours before closing time in the Math Testing Center, due to the 2 hour time limit.

I do not give extra credit work.

 

Weekly Routine

1.)  LOG IN  TO BLACKBOARD (through the AC Connect portal) at the beginning of each week.  Check email and grades.

2.)  ATTEND CLASS at your high school of enrollment.  Participate in lecture and complete notes required by your high school facilitator.

3.)  READ the textbook for additional information.

3.)  WORK THE MyMathLab HOMEWORK at www.pearsonmylab.com. Before you are allowed to take the chapter exam, you must achieve at least 70% on all homework assignments for that section. 

4.)  COMPLETE WRITTEN HOMEWORK.   This will be submitted to your high school facilitator for grading. 

5.)  TAKE ASSIGNED EXAMS on MyMathLab by the deadlines posted on MyMathLab.  (Take written midterm and final exams in person on weeks 8 and 16 respectively.)

 

 Getting Started with MyMathLab 

 To access MyMathLab where your online homework is located, first log into our course in Blackboard.   You will need the following information:

Student Access Code: You will need to purchase a student access code either in a MyMathLab kit purchased from the AC Bookstore, or you can buy the access code online with a credit card during the registration process.   

Email Address: Use the address you check most often.

To register and enroll

1. Log into your Blackboard course.  Click the MyMathLab link at the left of the page.

   Tip: If you have previously linked your Blackboard and Pearson accounts, you are taken directly to the Pearson payment page. Go to step 4.

2. Review the license agreement and privacy policy and click I Accept.

    If you are prompted to enter a course ID, cancel the procedure and return to step 1.

3. To link your Blackboard and Pearson accounts, enter your Pearson account username and password.

   If you do not have a Pearson account, click Create and follow the instructions.

4. Select an access option:
   • Select the "add a course" option if you have previously been enrolled in Math 1414 using this textbook and MyMathLab.
   • Or, Enter the access code that came with your textbook or was purchased separately from the bookstore.
   • Or, Buy the access code using a credit card or PayPal account.
   • Or, get temporary access by clicking the link near the bottom of the page.  You will be able to update your account by making a payment at a later time.

5. From the You’re Done page, click Go to My Courses.

   You'll also get a confirmation email.

To get started after registering:

1.)  Log into Blackboard by clicking the AC Connect button at the college website www.actx.edu. 
2.)  Click the MyMathLab link at the left of the page in our course in Blackboard.
3.)  Click the SECOND link, "MyMathLab with Pearson e-text Course Home."
4.)  To work on assignments, click the “Homework” button, and choose the section you wish to complete.
5.) To access the textbook, click the “Chapter Contents” button, and choose the chapter and section you wish to view.
6.) To view a power point presentation of a particular section, click the “Multimedia Library” button, and choose the chapter and section you wish to view or print.
7.) Under the “Homework” button, START YOUR FIRST HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT, “Orientation”

 

Other Information:

1.  When you send emails from the Ask My Instructor button on a problem in MyMathLab, it generates an email that is sent with the reply email address as the email address you used when setting up your account.  To view/edit this, click on Account at the top left corner of the page and enter your login name and password.
2.  In general, you get 4 attempts on each problem.  The following equal 1 attempt.
      a.  Entering an incorrect answer on a short answer or numeric problem 3 times.
      b.  Entering an incorrect answer on a multiple choice problem 1-2 times depending on the number of answer choices.
      c.  Using the Help Me Solve This button. (View an Example does not use an attempt.)
3.  After each attempt, you will be presented with the correct answer and the Submit Answer button will become Similar Exercise (until 4 attempts have been used).  To get another attempt on your problem, click on Similar Exerciese and a similar problem (same problem, different numbers) will appear.
4.  You can print your assignments, work on them away from the computer, and then return to enter the answers.  On each problem, there is a button that will open a popup and ask if you want to print that page or the entire assignment.
5.  You do not have to "save" any work.  Once you click on Submit answer and see either a green check mark or a red box with hints, the answers are saved.
6.  If you open a homework assignment and see a green check next to a problem, you have received full credit for that problem.  A red X means you have attempted the problem, but have not received any credit.  If you have both a green check and a red X, you have received partial credit.
7.  Be VERY careful when entering an answer.  There are instructions written in blue below most problems, if you do not enter the answer in the specified format or with the requested rounding, the answer will be considered incorrect.  Recall that entering an incorrect answer three times is one attempt.

 

Additional FREE Resources for Help

1.)  Your AC instructor and your high school facilitator are your first and BEST resources for help.  Feel free to come to office hours or make an appointment.
2.)  Free one-on-one tutoring at the Student Math Outreach Center in Durrett 104 of the Washington Street Campus is available.  You will need your AC ID to sign in.  Hours:  M-F 8AM-8PM, Sat. 9AM-8PM, Sun. closed.
3.)  If you are not on campus and it is an emergency, then you may sign up for free using your student email by searching "EasyMath College" in the app stores or text "Math" to 71441 from 8AM-8PM M-F and 9AM-8PM on Saturday.
4.)  MyMathLab has videos, examples, and helps for solving the problem at the click of a button as you work your homework.

Attendance

Attendance:  Remember that the deadline for withdrawing from this class is Wednesday, April 17.  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.  Discuss your situation with your high school teacher, parents and/or counselor, then have your high school teacher email in the request to withdraw.

Calendar

Additional Information

Additional Contacts: Penelope Davies, Department Chair (806)371-5901, Vicky Barker, Staff Assistant (806) 371-5158.