College Algebra Syllabus for 2020-2021
Return to Syllabus List

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-1314-012 College Algebra

Prerequisites

Prerequisite:Scores on a state-approved test indicating college-level math skills Corequisite: 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

MathLab student access kit purchased from the Amarillo College Bookstore.

Supplies

Students will need a graphing calculator for this course.  The recommended calculator is a Texas Instruments TI-84 or TI-84 Plus.  Note that no TI-89s or TI-Nspires will be permitted during exams.

Students need access to a computer with a reliable internet connection to complete online homework assignments and chapter exams and access to a printer to produce class notes and review worksheets.  Please note that this class requires a lot of printing!

As part of the course requirements, students will create a notebook with their lecture notes, and document all of their work on their homework, reviews, and exams.  At the end of the semester, this notebook willl need to be scanned into four PDF files (one each for lecture notes, homework, reviews, and exams).  To facilitate the scanning, students should use a THREE RING BINDER, *not* a spiral notebook (which does not lend itself to being fed through a copier/scanner).

 

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

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

1.    This is a difficult course! Online classes are not necessarily more difficult than in-class courses, but they require self discipline and motivation. You will be expected to learn the material by reading the textbook (or ebook on MyMathLab), watching the videos and finishing the homework and exams on MyMathLab

2.    This class demands a great deal of time. Online courses often take more time than in-class delivery courses. Please expect to spend at least 5-20 hours each week on this course.  If your other life commitments do not allow you this amount of time to spend on the course, you may want to choose another course or delivery method.

3.    Deadlines are your responsibility. Due dates are included in the weekly assignment which is posted on Blackboard every Monday morning.  Please note that NO extensions will be granted for the deadlines specified in the weekly assignments.

4.    Technical difficulties happen. If you experience problems, email me immediately.  I will do my best to assist you.  Please don't panic, I am here to work with you.  However, completing assignments and exams a few days ahead of time ensures that if you have any technical difficulties, we can take care of them before the due date to keep you on schedule.

5.  If a student makes below 70 on any major exam, the student will be required to spend one hour in the ORC before the student will be allowed to take the next exam.

6.    You are responsible for getting help when you need it.  On the MyMathLab website, there are power points, additional videos, and step by step tutorials you can access for each homework problem you complete.  Take advantage of it!  Amarillo residents may obtain free tutoring from the Academic Success Center (Math)  on the first floor of Durrett Hall in Room 104 on the Washington Street Campus.  Online tutoring is also available through Smartthinking.

 

ONLINE COMMUNICATION

Your online presence in the course will be established through online correspondence with me.  Through any venue, disrespectful language will not be tolerated.  Using foul language in emails or discussions will result in receiving a zero for that assignment and possible removal from the course.  You are expected to express yourself with courtesy and consideration at all times.  This attitude of respect also applies to the proctors for the midterm and final exams.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Students who fail to comply with the standards outlined in the syllabus and "Student Rights & Responsibilities" will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include but is not limited to: removal from the course, consultation with the department chair or other AC authority, or withdrawl from the course or college.

Scholastic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of the rules and regulations described in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook under Student Conduct and Responsibilities.  Consequences for cheating may include  receiving a zero for an assignment, permanent removal from the class, or failing the course.

Grading Criteria

Your course grade (90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, below 60 F) will be calculated using the following weights:

Grading Policy:	Percentages:	Grading Scale:	Grade:
Course Notebook	10%	90 - 100%	A
MML Homework (drop lowest 2 grades)	20%	80 - 89%	B
MML Exam Reviews (5 Reviews)	10%	70 - 79%	C
MML Exams (5 Exams)	60%	60 - 69%	D
Optional Final Exam (can replace lowest Exam grade)		below 60%	F

Attendance

Through distance learning, you will establish your presence online.  Assignments will be posted on Blackboard (and email sent) every Monday morning.  Course grades will be posted on Blackboard.  You will need to check your email and grades.  In addition, you will need to log into MyMathLab regularly to complete homework, reviews and exams.

Please note that NO extensions will be granted for the deadlines specified in the weekly assignments.

Calendar

Additional Information

NOTEBOOK

Students will need to create a structured Course Notebook.  The notebook must also contain four sections: 

1. Notes (your written version of the lecture notes provided on the videos)
2. Your "work" for MML homework
3. Your "work" for MML Exam Reviews
4. Your "work" for MML Exams

 At the end of the semester, the Course Notebook willl need to be scanned into four PDF files (one each for lecture notes, homework, reviews, and exams).  To facilitate the scanning, students should use a THREE RING BINDER, *not* a spiral notebook (which does not lend itself to being fed through a copier/scanner).

HOMEWORK 

As you work the MyMathLab homework, reviews and exam problems online, you must write down all the work necessary to complete these problems on notebook paper.  (Enter answers only into MML.)  Please start each assignment on a new page.  Clearly write the homework assignment number (HW 1, Review 1, Exam 1, ...)  on the title line at the top of the page.  Number each problem, write down the problem, show all work, and circle or box your answers. Construct detailed graphs by hand where necessary.  Skip a line between problems.  Your notebook grade will depend on how well you document your work from MyMathLab.  Carefully follow these guidelines, and show work for all problems.

 WEEKLY ROUTINE

1.)  Check Blackboard and/or your email every Monday morning for that week's assignment.

2.)  Watch the video lectures and take notes as if you were in a seated course.  File these notes in your notebook.  This should be completed before you start the homework on MyMathLab.

3.)  WORK THE MyMathLab HOMEWORK at   www.pearsonmylab.com. 

Before you are allowed to take the corresponding chapter exam, you must make at least 70% on each section of homework.

4.)  BUILD YOUR COURSE NOTEBOOK.  As you work the homework, reviews and exams on MyMathLab, carefully document each problem on notebook paper.  This means you should write the problem from MyMathLab on notebook paper, show all work necessary to complete the problem, and write down the answer.  Enter answers in MyMathLab to check for correctness. File your written work in your notebook.

5.)  TAKE ASSIGNED REVIEWS AND EXAMS on MyMathLab by the deadlines posted on MyMathLab.

GETTING STARTED WITH MYMATHLAB

 To access MyMathLab where your online homework is located, you will need the following information:

Student Access Code: This can be located inside the MyMathLab Student Access kit you purchased from the Amarillo College Bookstore.

Course ID: usnick89196

To register and enroll:

 

1. Go to www.pearsonmylab.com and click the Student button in the Register Area.

2. Follow the onscreen instructions to register and enroll.  Remember, if you received the My Math Lab kit with your textbook, you do not need to purchase access online.  Your student access code is included in the kit.  If you did not purchase the textbook with the kit included, you will need to purchase access online using a credit card.
3. During the registration process, you will enter an email address and password.  Use your AC email address.  Write your username and password down so you don’t forget them!  You are now ready to click on our course and you will see the course “homepage.”
4. The first time you get into our course, you will need to run the “Browser Check” found on that homepage to make sure you have what you need to view the content in your course on your computer.  Blue “checks” are good.  If you get any red “x’s”, just follow the onscreen instructions.  If you need help from the software publisher, their “help” number is 1-800-677-6337.
5. On the homepage, please also notice the links to “Pearson tutor services” and “How to Enter Answers”, which is a video that helps you learn how to put fractions, square roots, etc. into this software.  Both links are very helpful.
6. Now you are ready to access your online homework.  Inside the class, click “Do Homework” on the left side of the page, and begin!  Also note, you can view your homework grades under the button called “Gradebook.”

To get started after registering:

1.)  Go to www.pearsonmylab.com and click on "Sign In".
2.)  To work on assignments, click the “Homework” button, and choose the section you wish to complete.
3.) To access the textbook, click the “Chapter Contents” button, and choose the chapter and section you wish to view.
4.) 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.
5.) Under the “Homework” button, START YOUR FIRST HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT, “Orientation”

ADDITIONAL FREE RESOURCES FOR HELP

1.)  MyMathLab has videos, examples, and helps for solving the problem at the click of a button as you work your homework.
2.)  Free one-on-one tutoring at the Academic Success Center (Math). You will need your AC ID to sign in.

Hours:
Monday - Friday:  8AM - 8PM
Saturday:  9AM-8PM
Location:
Washington Street Campus
Durrett Hall (adjacent to Engineering Building)
Room 104

3.)  Free online Smarthinking tutoring on AC Online. This is available 24 hours a day. You will need to log on to AC Connect and navigate to the Smartthinking link to create an account.