College Algebra Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Engineering 201D

Office Hours

MTWR 8:15-9AM

(Other times are available 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-1314-LC41 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

Required:  Back to Basics College Algebra Notebook purchased from the AC Bookstore.

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, nspire).  
  • Course Notebook (as explained under textbook)
  • Pencils
  • Graph Paper & College Ruled Notebook Paper
  • Stapler
  • Amarillo College student I.D. (for testing and tutoring)
  • Optional - Colored Pens/Pencils for Note Taking

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 be ON TIME, PREPARED with homework completed and ready to turn in, 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 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/.  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.  

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 the Mathematics & Engineering Department 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

Homework:  Expect to have a written homework assignment after each section covered in class. Instructions on formatting and turning in the written homework are included in the course notebook.  The two lowest homework grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Focus Problem Instructions:  The Focus Problems are included in the course notebook.  Focus Problems will be assigned at the end of each section covered in class and are due at the beginning of the class meeting assigned by the instructor.  All work should be written in pencil and shown in the space provided on the Focus Problem pages.  Please show all necessary steps to work the problem to get full credit.  Focus Problems are graded right or wrong with no partial credit given.  To compensate for this, students may submit a Second Attempt for a low Focus grade to possibly receive a higher score.  Detailed Focus problem instructions are included in the course notebook.  Late Focus Problems will not be accepted.  The two lowest Focus Problem grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.

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 the office hours or make an appointment with your instructor.
  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.
  3. Smarthinking online tutoring has qualified instructors available to assist you online.  There is a registration link in Blackboard.

Test Reviews:  Reviews will be assigned before each major exam and will be turned in to the Math Testing Center prior to taking each exam.  Reviews will be graded on a completion basis.  Students will get credit for each problem done in pencil and 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:  Five exams will be given and completed in the Math Testing Center outside of class time. No late exams will be given, no matter the reason.  The Math Testing Center rules are included at the end of the syllabus.  Students must show an Amarillo College ID and turn in an exam review before testing.  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 Testing Center.  At the end of the semester, if you miss an exam or score low on an exam you may replaced the score with the grade you make on the final exam.  All graded exams will be kept on file in your instructor's office. If you score below a 70 on an exam, 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.

Final Exam:  The final exam is optional under certain conditions.  Students may opt out of taking the comprehensive final exam if they have not missed any unit exams AND have an overall average greater than a 70.  If a student misses a unit exam, they will be required to take the comprehensive final exam to replace the missed exam grade.  Students with overall averages less than a 70 will be required to take the comprehensive final exam and the final will replace the lowest unit exam grade if it is higher.         

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 allowed to miss one class day without penalty.  Starting with the second absence, five points will be deducted from the starting attendance/participation grade of 100 for each absence.  It is the responsibility of the student to sign the attendance sheet.  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.

Math 1314 and Math 0314 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 extra credit opportunities in this course.  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.

Grading Policy:

Percentages:

Grading Scale:

Grade:

Focus Problem Grade (drop two)

10%

90 - 100%

A

Homework (drop two)

10%

80 - 89%

B

Unit Exams (5 @14% each)

70%

70 - 79%

C

Attendance/Participation

5%

60 - 69%

D

Exam Reviews

5%

below 60%

F

 Conditional Final        *14%               

*If my cumulative average is less than 70% at the time of the final or if I missed a unit exam, I will be required to take the final which will replace my lowest unit test score.

TEAMWORK: These co-requisite courses require team work.  We will all work together as a team to be successful.  My part is to present the material to you in an organized manner and to teach you.  My part is to also work closely together with your Math 0314 instructor who will build foundational skills to help support the materials presented in our Math 1314 class.  Your part is to come to class, do your homework, focus problems, 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. The deadline for dropping this course is December 11, 2019. 

Students now have to visit with the instructor and complete a drop 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 instructor has signed it.  Deadline for letting me know you want to drop is 12PM NOON on December 11, 2019.  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.  Note:  Late drops will NOT be given under any circumstance.

Calendar

Calendar and Homework Assignments (subject to change at any time by your instructor)

Week 1:  Orientation, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3

Week 2:  1.4, Unit 1 Test, 2.1, 2.2

Week 3:  2.3, 2.4, Unit 2 Test, 3.1

Week 4:  3.2, 3.3, 3.4, Unit 3 Test

Week 5:  4.1, 4.2, 4.3

Week 6:  4.4, 4.5. Unit 4 Test, 5.1

Week 7:  5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, Unit 5 Test

Week 8:  Final Review, Conditional Final Exam

Additional Information

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 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 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!

Syllabus Created on:

10/17/19 12:50 PM

Last Edited on:

10/17/19 12:50 PM