Algebraic Fundamentals Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Durrett 105B

Office Hours

Wednesday 8:15-8:45 pm, other times by appointment

 

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

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-0314-LC9 Algebraic Fundamentals

Prerequisites

Corequisite: MATH 1314

Course Description

This course is designed as a corequisite, supplemental course for MATH 1314, College Algebra, whose area of study include applications of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions, and systems of equations using matrices. This course does not transfer and is not applicable toward any degree.  The course supports students in developing skills, strategies, and reasoning needed to succeed in mathematics, including communication and appropriate use of technology. Topics include the study of numeracy and the real number system; algebraic concepts, notation, and reasoning; quantitative relationships; mathematical models; and problem solving.

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, 1 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Supplies


All supplies as required by Math 1314 instructor plus the ones listed below:

  • MyMathLab code
  • 2 inch 3-ring binder that will hold the work of Math 0314 and Math 1314
  • Package of 8 dividers
  • Pencils, erasers, highlighter and notebook paper
  • 2 Blue Books

Student Performance

After successfully completing Math 0314, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the following topics as evaluated by the faculty in the department/program:

  1. Use the language of algebra.
  2. Simplify algebraic expressions.
  3. Solve and graph linear equations and inequalities.
  4. Solve quadratic equations.
  5. Create and solve mathematical models.
  6. Use appropriate algebra terminology.
  7. Work problems related to:  relations and functions, inequalities and equations, factoring polynomials, rational expressions, quadratics, complex numbers, graph linear and nonlinear equations and inequalities.

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 be ON TIME, PREPARED and READY TO WORK, and PARTICIPATE DURING CLASS in a positive manner.  Students are expected to read the syllabus and to sign and turn in a course contract before the first exam can be taken by the student.  Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to the following: the use of cellular phones, texting, making offensive remarks, talking, use of personal music systems, doing 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/.  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. 

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.  

Videos/Photos: Students must receive instructor consent before taking pictures or videos of the instructor's work or lessons.  

Guests/Children:  It is the policy of Amarillo College that only students enrolled in this course attend this course.  

Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism:  Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated in any math course at Amarillo College.  
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying from another student’s paper or using any unauthorized sources of information while taking an exam or quiz.  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 your instructor's office.   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

Math 0314 and Math 1314 are linked together and known as a co-requisite pairing.  Successful completion of both courses is essential.  One course cannot be dropped without dropping both which might have serious financial aid consequences.  There are no grade recovery options and no extra credit opportunities in this course. If you score below 70 on a major exam in the Math 1314 course, you will be required to spend at least one hour receiving help in the Math Outreach Center before you will be allowed to take the next exam. To earn credit, you must pass with a “C” or better average in both courses.  Each of the two classes will have course specific requirements; however, because Math 0314 and Math 1314 are fully integrated, major test grades from Math 1314, including the conditional final, will count in both course gradebooks.

COURSE COMPONENT

PERCENTAGES

GRADING SCALE

GRADE

Attendance

10%

90-90%

A

MyMathLab

10%

80-89%

B

Activities/Participation

10%

70-79%

C

Chapter Test grades

5 @ 14% each

70%

60-69%

D

 Conditional Final Exam (14%)*

 14%*

Below 60%

F

 *If your cumulative average is less than 70% at the time of the final, you will be required to take  the final which will replace your lowest chapter test score.

Attendance/Participation:  You should be on time for class, prepared for class, and actively participate and be on task in class daily.  Students will be allowed to miss one class without penalty.  Starting with the second absence, five points will be deducted from the starting attendance/participation grade of 100 for each absence. 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.  

Quizzes/MML:  Within the online MyMathLab system, you will be required to work with the adaptive learning system.  There will be quizzes and study plans online that align with the topics being covered.  Deadlines are set within the online system and will not be extended.

Activities/Participation: Group Activities will be completed during class time and cannot be made-up.  Students will collaborate together on projects that are relevant to the current topics being covered in Math 0314 and Math 1314.  Collaboration, discussion and communicating ideas are important for complete understanding of mathematical topics and are soft skills necessary for everyday life and career.

Attendance

Attendance:  Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  For specific attendance guidelines, see above under Grading Criteria.

It is your responsiblity to know the policies and procedures associated with absences in each of your classes.  Students who enrolled in fall 2007 or later are permitted to drop no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career.  This limit includes all transfer work at a Texas institution of higher education.

If for any reason you are unable to complete the six-hours of co-requisite coursework, the deadline for withdrawing from these courses is October 8, 2019.  Students now have to visit with the instructors and complete a withdrawal request form before being allowed to withdraw from a course.  It is the student's responsibility to obtain additional signatures and turn the form into the registrar once the instructors have signed it.  Deadline for letting me know you want to withdraw is 5:00pm on October 7.  If you stop attending class and your average drops below a 60 due to missed assignments and you do not officially withdraw from these courses by this deadline, you will receive an F in both courses.  Note:  Late withdrawals will NOT be granted under any circumstance.

Calendar

Tentative course calendar for Math 0314.  Any changes will be announced in class.

Week

Support Coursework for Math 1314 chapter/section

1

Orientation, Sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3

2

Section 1.4, Unit 1 Test, Section 2.1

3

Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, Unit 2 Test

4

Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4

5

Unit 3 Test, Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3

6

Section 4.4, 4.5, Unit 4 Test, Section 5.1

7

Section 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5

8

Unit 5 Test, Final Exam Review, Final Exam

Additional Information

Tutoring and Testing for Math students:

Amarillo College is committed to providing tutoring supports to all students.  The best tutoring resource is your teacher.  For additional Math assistance, the Outreach Center is open 6 days each week (hours below) and SmarThinking, an online tutoring support system (link on the left of your course Blackboard shell) is available 24-hours a day and 7 days a week.

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 8:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday Saturday
9:00am - 8:00pm 9:00am - 8:00pm
371-5088 371-5119


MATH TESTING CENTER RULES

  • Books can be placed in the bookshelf before you request a test; however, Amarillo College is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
  • An Amarillo College picture or virtual ID is required in order to take a test in the Math Lab. 
  • Once you have begun work on a test, 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 and Smart watch calculators are NOT allowed.
  • Cell phones must be turned off as not to disturb other students who are testing. If we see your cell phone or Smart watch out AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, while in the testing room, YOU WILL RECEIVE an "F" for the course!

Final note:   These co-requisite courses require team work.  We all must work together as a team to be successful.  My part is to work closely together with your Math 1314 instructor to build foundational skills to support materials presented in your Math 1314 class. Your job is to be in class every class period, participate, do your assignments on time, and study for your exams.  We are here to help you, and you can be here to help each other as well.  If you have a problem, please bring it to me or to the group, so that we can work together to solve it.  You can succeed in the co-requisite courses, Math 0314 and Math 1314, if you will make the commitment of effort and time. 

 It is of great benefit to gather fellow students’ phone numbers in the event you want to call them to discuss an assignment or just ask them a question.

 Name:____________________________Phone number ____________________________

 Name:____________________________Phone number ____________________________

 Name:____________________________Phone number ____________________________

 

Syllabus Created on:

08/22/19 8:13 AM

Last Edited on:

08/22/19 8:13 AM