College Algebra Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Course Information

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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-DC004 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

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

 

Supplies

Graphing Calculator:  A TI-84 Plus calculator is preferred.  Students unable to afford the purchase of a graphing calculator can apply to check one out for the semester.  Bring a copy of your schedule to the Adult Students Program, Student Services Center, Room 130, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. No sharing of calculators is allowed.

Access to a working computer with internet access and a printer.  You may use the computers on the 2^nd floor of the AC Library or the computers in the Student Outreach Center in ENGR 104.  This enables your access to our class AC Online Course homepage and your access to the online homework found at www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com.

Student Performance

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

Students are expected to behave in a manner that is supportive of the learning environment. For a full discussion of appropriate behavior and studentresponsibilities, please refer to the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook.  Students who fail to comply with the standards outlined in the syllabus and/or AC’s Student Rights & Responsibilities will be subject to disciplinary action which may include, but is not limited to: removal from the classroom, consultation with the Math & Engineering Department Chair and/or other AC authority, withdrawal from the course and/or Amarillo College.

Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying from another student’s paper, using unauthorized sources of information on any assignment, turning in work that is not your own (copied from the solution manual, having someone else do your work, etc.), and allowing someone to cheat. Any student who cheats will receive a grade of zero for that assignment (grade may NOT be dropped or replaced) and/or other disciplinary action as described in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

Grading Criteria

Homework: Homework will be assigned using MyMathLab.  No late work will be accepted, so complete all assignments on time.  I will drop TWO grades and the remaining will count as 10% of your average.  Written FOCUS problems will be assigned and graded by your high school teacher.  I will drop TWO and the remaninig will count as 10% of your average.

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:

AC Username & Password: This is given to you when you registerd for the course. You can contact AC tech services to get this information if needed.

Student Access Code: The student access code can be found in the MyMathLab kit you purchased.
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 My Math Lab link at the left of the page in our course in Blackboard.
3.  Click the SECOND link, "MyLab and Mastering Course Home."
4.  To work on assignments, click the “Assignments” button and all your assignments will be displayed with their assignment dates directly to the left.
5. To access the textbook, click the “MyLab Math Pearson eText” button in your blackboard.

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.

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, Oct. 14 through Wednesday, Oct. 16.  The final exam will be in written form and will be taken at your high school:  Monday, Dec. 16 through Wednesday, Dec. 18.  

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 from 8am - 10pm Monday - Thursday; 8am-8pm Friday; 9am-8pm Saturday.  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.

Other Information:  Before you ask, I do not give extra credit.  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board sets the topics that must be covered in order to receive credit for a course. The instructor sets the pace to meet these requirements. Any student having trouble maintaining the pace should seek extra help from the instructor and/or a tutor.

Grading Criteria/Scale:

Reviews	5%
FOCUS - drop 2	10%
Online Homework - drop 2	10%
Tests	35%
Midterm	20%
Final	20%

Attendance

Attendance:  Remember that the deadline for withdrawing from this class is Nov. 26.  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

Resources:  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:

1. Contact your instructor during office hours or make an appointment.
2. Get free tutoring from the Outreach Center (Engineering Rm 104)
3. Get free tutoring from Student Support Services (Rm 305 of library; 371-5420)
4. Get free tutoring 24/7 from Smarthinking Online Tutoring.  Available on the AC Online homepage under "Institutional Resources".

Additional Contacts:  

Penelope Davies, Department Chair, 371-5901

Vicky Barker, Staff Assistant, 371-5158