College Algebra Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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-1314-008 College Algebra

Prerequisites

Scores on a state-approved test indicating college-level math skills or concurrent enrollment in Math 0314.

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 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:

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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

College Algebra, Twelfth Edition
Authors:  Lial, Hornsby, Schneider, Daniels
(Pearson Education Publishers)

Note:  The physical textbook for this course is optional.  Daily homework will be completed online using MyMathLab, where an electronic version of the text is accessible.  Please purchase a student access kit from the book store.

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 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 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 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.

    

GREAT REASONS TO CONTACT YOUR PEERS OUTSIDE OF CLASS

For what circumstances should you contact your peers outside of class?

1. To ask for any missed notes

2. To ask for any missed assignment dates

3. To recommend meeting up to study

4. To confirm statements made in class

CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR OUTSIDE OF CLASS

For what circumstances should you contact your professor outside of class?

1. To inform your professor of an absence and insure them you will gather the missing material from a peer. Medical absences are very important for your instructor to be aware of.

2. If you feel there has been an error in the gradebook, mymathlab, or an error in given information.

3. To arrange meeting during office hours or to schedule an early exam.

Proper Email Format:

Please use the format below when email your instructor.

Dear Instructor Mitchell,
This is where you will put your questions or information you wish to relay over to your instructor. Please refrain from any "text" language or unprofessional language. When emailing, you should uphold the highest professionalism since all emails can be permanently saved.

Sincerely,
First and Last Name
MATH 1314-008

Grading Criteria

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

 

Notebook Grade:  The notebook grade will be graded on the following.

 

(10pts) Title Page Title Page: Blank paper with the following displayed large and clear.

First and Last Name

MATH 1314-008

College Algebra

Instructor: J. Mitchell

(10pts) Divider 1 Syllabus: Syllabus and course contract located within this divider.

(20ps) 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 the Class Notes menu option and print the notes for the week.  Students who do not bring notes to class will be deducted 2.5 attendance points for the day. 

(20 pts) Divider 3 Focus: All focus problems assigned placed in order and completed whether completed on time or not.

(20pts) Divider 4 MyMathLab: Blue lined loose paper with section number as the title on top left and work shown accordingly down the page and numbered. You must have record of all work for all MathLab assignments in a neat and orderly fashion. Each page needs to have a title showing which MyMathLab assignment the work below belongs to. This is important to keep in the odd chance your math lab gets deleted. You can also print off your online assignments and show work on the printed pages and receive this credit.

(20pts) Divider 5 Exams Reviews: All reviews 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.

Attendance: 5 points will be deducted for each absence after the first two.

Focus Problem:  After each section covered in class, you will need to log into Blackboard and print the FOCUS problem worksheet for that section.  (Focus problems are located under the Focus menu option from our class homepage in Blackboard.)  All work should be written by hand and shown in the space provided on the Focus Problem pages to receive full credit. Due dates will be set by the instructor in class, and late Focus Problems will not be accepted.  Focus problems are due at the beginning of class.  Your punctuality to class will be reflected in your Focus problem grade.   To compensate for sick days or other emergencies that arise when you must miss class, the 2 lowest Focus Problem grades will be dropped. NO FOCUS PROBLEM WILL BE ACCEPTED LATE.

Online Homework:  Online homework is located on the MyMathLab website at www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com.  Once you register and enroll, you will be required to complete multiple assignments per week.  Online homework is due each week on the designated and scheduled dates.

Test Reviews:  Like the Focus Problems, the student is responsible for printing Chapter Review Worksheets from our class in Blackboard. (These are located under the Chapter Reviews menu option from our class homepage in Blackboard.) 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 by the instructor on a completion basis.  Students will get credit for each problem completed with work shown and will receive no credit for those left undone 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.

Major 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 minimum of 1 (one) hour receiving help in the Math Outreach Center (Durrett Room 104) while completing an assignment before you will be allowed to take the next exam.  Documentation of your time spent in the ORC must be stapled to your completed assignment given to you by the outreach center before you will be allowed to take your next exam.

Final Exam:  The final exam is comprehensive and must be taken and completed by
Wednesday, October 16 by 3:15pm.

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 8. 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

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: The student access code can be found in the MyMathLab kit you purchased from the Amarillo College Bookstore.
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:
   • Enter the access code found within the student access kit from the AC bookstore.
   • Or, Buy access using a credit card or PayPal account.
   • Or, get 14 days free 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”

 

Free Help:  If you feel yourself getting behind in class or having problems with certain concepts covered, get help immediately.  It is YOUR responsibility to get help outside of class.

The following are a few ways to get FREE help outside of class:

1. Contact your instructor to make an appointment for help.
2. Get free tutoring from the Outreach Center (Durr 104, 371-5119).  You will need your AC ID to sign in.  
   Hours:    Monday through Friday  8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Sunday closed
3. If you need help with AC Connect, you can contact the AC Help Center at 371-5000, or via email at askac@actx.edu.

 

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.