College Algebra for STEM Majors Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

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-1414-001 College Algebra for STEM Majors

Prerequisites

Scores on a state-approved test indicating college-level math skills or concurrent enrollment in Math 0315

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

(4 sem hrs; 4 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

MyLab Math for College Algebra 11th Edition

Author(s): Sullivan, Michael

Textbook ISBN-13: 9780135240816

textbook OPTIONAL

My Math Lab Access Kit/e-textbook is REQUIRED

Supplies

Access to online work is necessary to complete assignments in this course.

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: Notes, Labs, MML HW, Reviews, Tests

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 allowed such as the Ti-83 or Ti-84 silver edition. Note that no TI-89s or TI-Nspires will be used in this course. So instruction on how to use the calculator will be using a Ti-83 or Ti-84

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 Underground if they choose to access the internet on campus.

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/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 virtual meetings 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 out of place, 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.  

Students who fail to comply with the standards outlined in the syllabus and/or Student Rights & Responsibilities will be subject to disciplinary action.

 

Proper Emailing 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 1414-Section #

Grading Criteria

 

Grading Policy	Percentages
MML Homework & Reviews	15%
Written Labs	15%
Module Exams (Exams are never curved)	50% (4 @12.5% each)
Final Exam	20%
Notebook Credit	+10 points One Major Exam

 

Grading Scale	Grade
89.5 - 100%	A
79.5 - 89.4%	B
69.5 - 79.4%	C
59.5 - 69.4%	D
below 59.4%	F

 

Homework (MML & Written):

1.  Expect to have homework each day. Late homework will not be accepted.  Late is defined to be anything turned in after the due date and time. You are given several days to complete assignments. For no reason will you be allowed to submit late homework assignments.

2.  All online homework must be worked in according to written homework standards. Homework must be done in pencil.  Anything that is wrong or needs to be corrected must be clearly erased.  Don't write, doodle, or perform mathematical calculations in the margins.  Homework must be neat and legible. If you use colored pens when working, please make sure to use white-out when making corrections.

3.  Do not tear your paper out of a spiral and leave jagged edges. You are allowed to print the HW assignment off and work on the side of the page.

4.  If you have more than one page for a single assignment, you must label the following pages.

5.  Homework must be presented in an orderly manner with the problem running a single column down the left half of the page.  Each line must contain only one equal sign, "=."   All final answers must be boxed or circled to receive credit.

6.  You will place your name in the top right corner of each page. On the top line of each page list the appropriate section of the MML assignment (for example Section 1.1). Notice the "Section" is not abbreviated.
Each assignment and Lab will need to have the heading in the top right corner as demonstrated below:

First Last
MATH 1414
Mitchell

7. Homework will be checked weekly if not daily.

It is your responsibility to complete the homework assignment by the due date. 
Remember, LATE HOMEWORK IS NOT ACCEPTED.                    

Enrolling in the Course:

1. Login to your Blackboard course.
2. Click on MyMathLab Links in the menu on the left side of the screen.
3. Click on MyMathLab with Pearson eText Course Home and accept the Licensing Agreement.
4.  If you have a Pearson account, enter your username and password.  If you have never used a Pearson MyLab and Mastering product, click on Create to enter information to create your account.

1. Make sure you enter an email address that you check often.
2. Please, use YOUR name as you are registered for school.

5. If you have used MyMathLab with this textbook and this Pearson account previously, you should see a page indicating that you are done.
6. If you have not used MyMathLab with this textbook before, you have three options.

1. To use an access code that came packaged with your textbook or bought as a stand alone folder, click on Access Code.
2. To use a credit card or PayPal account to buy the access code, click on the box with the current publisher's price.
3. To get temporary access while you wait for financial aid, payday, etc., click on Get temporary access without payment for 14 days at the bottom of the screen.

Course Homepage Menu:

1. To work on an assignment, click on Homework, the assignment name and then on question.
2. Each homework problem will usually have some of the following buttons to the right of the problem:  Help me solve This, View an Example, Video, Animation, Textbook, Connect to a Tutor, Ask My Instructor, Print, Study Plan, Tools for Success, Multimedia Library and HTML eBook.  Each of these are further explained under your course content in Blackboard.

Other Information:

1. In general, you get 3 attempts on each problem.  The following equal 1 attempt.

1. Entering an incorrect answer on a short answer or numeric problem 3 times.
2. Entering an incorrect answer on a multiple choice problem 1-2 times depending on the number of answer choices.
3. Using the Help Me Solve This button. (View an Example does not use an attempt.)

2. After each attempt, you will be presented with the correct answer and the Submit Answer button will become Similar Exercise (until 3 attempts have been used).  To get another attempt on your problem, click on Similar Exercise and a similar problem (same problem, different numbers) will appear.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Labs:  

After each section covered, you will be assigned Lab problems which you are to print. All work should be written by hand, in pencil, and shown in the space provided, as instructed, to receive full credit. Your punctuality to working through this course everyday will effect your lab grades.

You must show the appropriate process in solving each problem as demonstrated in the notes. You will be deducted for following the process and correct format for each and every problem.

LATE LABS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

Labs will be turned into the drop box provided on your ac connect blackboard course. Every due date and time is shown next to the lab assignment.

Major Exams:  

Four major exams will be given and will be completed throughout the course. Exams will be completed online but each student must submit written work for the exam by the posted due date and time in the drop box provided on ac connect blackboard. The written proof of the exam is worth 30% of the exam grade.

Exams are made available the first day of class so no late exams will be given, no matter the reason.  No extensions.

If you make below 70 on a major exam you must schedule a meeting with your instuctor. Please email your instructor the time and date you would like to set up a virtual meeting to work through what steps can be taken to prevent this from occurring again in order to secure your success in the course.

Final Exam:

At the end of the semester, your final exam grade will replace your lowest exam grade if it is higher. The final exam is comprehensive and must be completed by  Thursday July 2nd by 11:59 pm. The students written proof of each problem must also be submitted by that time in the drop box provided on the ac connect blackboard course.

Notebook Credit: 
Notebook Credit:  Keeping a well structured notebook is the "extra credit" for this course but will be highly encouraged daily. Should you choose to keep an organized notebook, this is the criteria.

You will receive up to ten extra points on your lowest exam.

(0.5 pt) Title Page : A blank page at the beginning of your notebook labeled according to heading requirements below, hole punched and located at the first page within the binder. This is the very first thing I should see.

First and Last Name
MATH 1414-SECTION #
Mitchell

(4 pts) Divider 1 "Notes": All notes placed in order, and completely copied behind this divider. Notes must be taken on blank printer paper and labeled as instructor demonstrates daily.

(1 pt) Divider 2 "Labs":  All labs worked in class and outside of class place behind this divider in order.

(4 pts) Divider 3 " MML HW" : Blue lined loose paper, blank paper or printed assignments with section number as the title and work shown accordingly down the page and numbered. Orderly work show off to the side of printed assignments is acceptable. This will be checked weekly if not daily.

(0.5 pts) Divider 4 "Reviews": All reviewing material can be placed here.

(0.5 pt) Divider 5 "Tests": All Test written work placed here.

 

To submit your notebook, you can send a short video to your instructor using the Seesaw app. This will be discussed and encourage throughout the course.

Attendance

Attendance:  Regular attendance is encouraged for every virtual meeting for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend the virtual meeting.

Dropping the course: In order to drop the course after the census date of Monday June 1^st. , you will need to obtain a signed drop request form from your instructor. Remember that the deadline for withdrawing from this class is Thursday June 25^th . 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.

Administrative Drop: Since this is a virtual course, attendance is measured not only by logging into the course but by completing assignments. During the first week of class, you have 9 assignments due. If you do not complete 4 out of the 9 assignments BY THE DUE DATES you WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE COURSE.

Calendar

Additional Information

	Outreach Center (Durrett 104)
	371-5119

 

 

Instructor Request:  Students, please do not take pictures or video during class without first obtaining permission from me.  Thanks in advance for your cooperation.