College Algebra for STEM Majors Syllabus for 2020-2021
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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-1414-003 College Algebra for STEM Majors

Prerequisites

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

Optional: College Algebra, 11th edition, by Michael Sullivan, Prentice Hall

Required: My Lab Math access code.

Note:  The physical textbook for this course is optional.  All homework will be completed online using MyMathLab, where an electronic version of the complete textbook is accessible.  You may pay for access to MyMathLab online using a credit card, or you may purchase a MyMathLab access kit from the Amarillo College Bookstore.

Supplies

Supplies

Computer and Printer:  In order to access and complete course work, students will need a reliable computer to use on a daily basis.  A printer is also necessary, as students will be required to print notes, labs, and other course materials.  A device with a camera (such as a cell phone, tablet, or laptop) will also be necessary for scanning and submitting written work. A device with a camera and microphone will be required for lecture.

Internet:  Students will need daily access to the internet to attend remote class/lab meetings, access lecture videos, and to complete online homework.

If your technology at home isn’t working or working well, we will have options to help you. The Underground will be open on Washington street and is following the CDC safety procedures to protect you, us, and everyone else. The Underground has the technology you need as well as the people who can help you log-in, learn how to operate Blackboard or other tools your professor will use. YOU CAN BE SUCCESSFUL! No matter what, AC will help you. Even if you don’t feel confident with your technology or technology skills, we can help you.

Calculator:  A graphing calculator is required for this course.  All classroom demonstrations will be done on the TI-84 Plus.  Other forms of Texas Instruments or Casio calculators will be permitted at the instructor's discretion.  However, the TI-89, TI-92, or TI-Nspire calculators may not be used during exams.

Graphing Calculator checkout:  Students unable to purchase a graphing calculator can apply to the Adult Students Program for the privilege of checking 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.  You must complete an application and be enrolled in a math class to receive this assistance.

Students who lose (due to accident / theft / any other mishap) or damage in any way a loaner graphing calculator will be required to replace the lost, stolen, or damaged calculator with a new TI-84 or TI-84 Plus graphing calculator.  Failure to do so will result in immediate action(s) taken by Amarillo College.

Textbook:  The textbook is not required for class, but students will have full access to the e-book on MyMathLab.

MyMathLab:  Students must have access to MyMathLab by purchasing the student access kit from the Amarillo College Bookstore. 

 

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 highter degree polynomial and rational functions.
5. Recognize, solve and apply systems of linear equations using matrices.

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:  Due to the COVID-19 situation, this class will meet remotely during our usual scheduled class time using Google Meet. Students are expected to log in to each class/lab meeting, complete class notes, watch lecture videos, and participate in remote lab groups Monday through Thursday each week.  Outside of class time, students will complete online homework using the MyMathLab website, finish/upload written lab assignments, and take written exams.   For a full discussion of appropriate behavior and student responsibilities, please refer to the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook htt;://sites.actx.edu/catalog/notices/.

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 another student’s paper, submitting another student's work for your own, or using any unauthorized sources of information while taking an exam.  Cheating also includes helping or attempting to help other students to cheat on an assignment or test.

Accelerated Pace:  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 ensure that these requirements are met. Any student having trouble maintaining the pace should seek extra help from the instructor and/or a tutor.

ADDITIONAL CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:

 

1.  BE ON TIME.
2.  BE PREPARED.
3.  NO DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR will be tolerated.
4.  SUBSTITUTE BEHAVIOR.  If a substitute should come in to teach the class, you are expected to be on your best behavior and treat him/her with the highest respect.  I would not send anyone in to teach who is not fully capable of doing so.

Grading Criteria

The final average will be computed based on the following percentage basis:

Completion Homework ........7.5%,   Graded Homework........10%,   Reviews........5%,           Attendance/Participation........7.5%        Exams (4 @ 12.5%).........50%,      Final Exam........20%

The final letter grades are assigned based on the following numerical result:

A ............90-100,   B............80-89,   C............70-79,   D............60-69,   F............59 and Below

Homework: Turning in all your homework is one of the best things you can do to improve your grade!  Expect to have written homework that will be assigned after each section is covered in class.  Your instructor will give you the due date for each assignment, sections completed in class will frequently be due at the beginning of the  next class meeting.  You may complete your homework early; however, LATE HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.   At the end of the semester two written homework grades will be dropped.

Written Homework:

1.  Expect to have homework assigned each day.  It will typically be turned in at the beginning of the next class period.  Late homework will not be accepted.  Late is defined to be anything turned in after the lecture for the class period has begun.

2.  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.  I will be the judge as to what is neat.  Just because you can read it doesn't mean that I can interpret it. You will write the directions for each class of problems as well and the problem number AND the original problem.

3.  Do not tear your paper out of a spiral and leave jagged edges.  Any assignment with jagged edges will not be accepted and will be recorded with a grade of zero.  We have scissors or a paper cutter you can use to trim the edges.

4.  If you have more than one page to turn in, the pages must be compliled into one single pdf document and submitted to our Google classroom under your student folder.

5.  Homework must be presented in an orderly manner with the problem running a single column down the left half of the page.  You may use the right half of the page for graphs, tables and drawings.  Any problem (excluding graphs) with work presented in anything except the first column will not receive credit.  Each line must contain only one equal sign, "=."   All final answers must be boxed or circled to receive credit.  any problem with the answer not circled or boxed in will not be graded.

6.  You will place your name in the top right corner of each page.  On the top line of the first page list the appropriate section of the homework assignment(for example Section 1.1) with the due date beside the section.  Any assignment without the proper heading will not be accepted and will be recorded with a grade of zero.

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to contact another student to find out the homework assignment for the following class.  You may e-mail me at maria.streater@actx.edu, but you take the chance that I may not retrieve the message before the due date.

and remember, LATE HOMEWORK IS NOT ACCEPTED.

Attendance/Participation: Due to COVID-19, attendance in lecture and extended class time will be required remotely. The first absence will result in no penalty.  After the first absence, five points will be deducted from the written assignment corresponding to the day the student misses.  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. Participation in group problem sessions during class extended time is necessary for satisfactory achievement. This will require that you have a device with a camera and microphone.

Exams:   Four major exams will be given and a comprehensive final.  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.  If you make below 70 on a major exam, a minimum of 1 (one) hour must be spent in the Outreach Center correcting your major exam or completing the test assignment. Due dates for corrections/test assignments will be provided throughout the semester.  Documentation of your time spent in the Outreach Center must be presented to me before the next major exam.

Final:  Under NO circumstances will the final be given late (i.e. No Make Ups)!  The final will be comprehensive and will be given on the following date as directed by the official Amarillo College Schedule:

I do not give extra credit work.

Free Help:  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. 
The following are a few ways to get FREE help outside of class:
1.  Your instructor is your first, BEST resource for help.  Feel free to come to office hours or make an appointment.
2. Free one-on-one tutoring at the Student Outreach Center in Durrett 104 is available.  You will need your AC ID to sign in.  Hours:  MTWRF 8am - 8pm, Sat 9am - 8pm, Sun closed.
4.Get free tutoring from Student Support Services (Library, 371-5420)
Using Blackboard to print class materials, get your grades, contact your instructor, find class announcements, etc.:    Students will be required to log in to Blackboard regularly to check the course announcements, calendar, e-mails, grades and print class handouts.  To access our course area in Blackboard:
1.  Go to https://acconnect.actx.edu and log in.  Your log in information is the same as your Web Advisor log in.  If you need help contact askAC at 371-5000 and they can lead you in the right direction.  You may also contact the STL helpdesk at 371-5992.
2.  Once you are logged in, click on our course
3.  Then you will see any links you will need on the left hand side of the screen.

Attendance

Attendance:  Due to COVID-19, attendance in lecture and lab will be required remotely. 

If you are absent for any reason, you are responsible for obtaining the assignments and notes.  Remember that the deadline for withdrawing from any class at AC for the Fall I, 2019 Semester is Tuesday, October 6, 2019. You must meet with me by 12 PM (noon) onTuesday, October 8, 2019 to drop the course 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.

Calendar

Additional Information

Blackboard:  Students will be required to login to Blackboard via the AC Connect portal on a regular basis to check e-mail, course announcements, grades, and course materials. To get into Blackboard, go to www.actx.edu and click the AC Connect portal.  Log in to Blackboard.  Once you have logged in, you should see our class listed on your home page. If you need help logging into the site, contact Ask AC at (806) 371-5000

Google Classroom:  Students will submit handwritten labs on Google Classroom.  Please download the free CamScanner app on your tablet or phone to convert pictures of your labs to pdf documents.  Instructions for joining Google Classroom will be provided the first week of class.

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:

1.)  Student Access Code: If you are new to this course and did not complete Math 2413 using this textbook and MyMathLab, you will need to purchase a student access code either by paying directly online or by purchasing the  MyMathLab kit from the AC Bookstore. 

Option:  You may also choose the "free 14 day access" option to register and get started on your assignments, and then update your account later.

Please Note:  If you completed Math 2413 using this textbook and MyMathLab, you will not need to pay any additional fees on MyMathLab for this semester.  Do not purchase another student access code!

2.)  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:
   • Select the "add a course" option if you have previously been enrolled in Math 2413 using this textbook and MyMathLab.
   • Or, Enter the access code that came with your textbook or was purchased separately from the bookstore.
   • Or, get 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 MyMathLab link at the left of the page in our course in Blackboard.
3.)  Click the SECOND link, "MyMathLab with Pearson e-text Course Home."
4.)  To work on assignments, click the “Homework” button, and choose the section you wish to complete.
5.) To access the textbook, click the “Chapter Contents” button, and choose the chapter and section you wish to view.
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.
7.) Under the “Homework” button, START YOUR FIRST HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT, “Orientation”

Additional FREE Resources for Help

COVID-19 UPDATE:  Tutoring will now be completed online.  You may access these services at https://www.actx.edu/successcenters/.

Or, join an ongoing Zoom Meeting: at  https://zoom.us/j/541139851.  Use the Meeting ID:  541 139 851

Outreach Tutoring Center Hours

Monday - Thursday

8:00am - 8:00pm

Friday

8:00am - 8:00pm

Saturday

9:00am - 8:00pm

371-5119

A Note from the Instructor:  At this point you may be feeling a little overwhelmed with the requirements of Math 1414.  Please note that we are all in this together, and my role as your instructor is to facilitate your efforts to reach your educational goals.  I am looking forward to working with each and every one of you this semester.