Quantitative Reasoning/Contemporary Mathematics Fundamentals Syllabus for 2024-2025
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Moore County Campus, Room 139</p>

Office Hours

The hours listed below are YOUR TIME to come get support directly from the instructor. Please take advantage of this time to ask questions or discuss concerns. I have an open door policy – if my office door is open, please come in!

Monday: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 11:15 to noon

Thursday: 2:30 to 3 p.m.

The best way to reach me is through email or Blackboard message. I check email regularly and will usually respond same day or the next day Monday through Thursday. I may not check email consistently after 5 p.m., or on the weekends (including Friday), so if you email after 5 p.m. on Thursday, you can expect a response on Monday.

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. <strong>The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor. </strong>

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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-0332-LC20 Quantitative Reasoning/Contemporary Mathematics Fundamentals

Prerequisites

Corequisite: MATH 1332

Course Description

This course is designed as a corequisite, supplemental course for Math 1332, Contemporary Mathematics, whose areas of study include introductory treatments of sets and logic, financial mathematics, probability and statistics with appropriate applications.  Number sense, proportional reasoning, estimation, technology, and communication should be embedded throughout the course.  Additional topics may be covered.  This course is intended for Non-STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) majors. 

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, 1 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Thinking Mathematically with Integrated Review 7th Edition
 
Blitzer, Robert
Textbook ISBN-13: 9780134683713

We will use MyLabMath in this course, which has an online version of the textbook, so purchase of the hard copy textbook is optional.

Supplies

Please refer to the MATH-1332 syllabus for required supplies. Additional supplies for this course are:

  • 6-tab set of dividers
  • Standard index cards
  • Highlighters and/or colored pens/pencils

Student Performance

Your success is important to me.  A few skills you will need to succeed in this course and in life include:

  • A growth mindset
  • Strong time-management skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Study skills
  • The willingness to learn (are you coachable?)
  • A commitment to success

Objectives (Why are we here?) – After successfully completing Math 0332, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the following topics:

  • Apply the language and notation of sets.
  • Use the tools of logic to determine the validity of an argument or statement.
  • Solve problems in mathematics of finance.
  • Demonstrate fundamental probability techniques and apply those techniques to solve problems.
  • Interpret and analyze various representations of data.
  • Demonstrate the ability to choose and analyze mathematical models to solve problems from real-world settings, including, but not limited to, personal finance, health, literacy, and civic engagement.

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

You will be required to sign a course contract in MATH-1332 to ensure we are all on the same page regarding course expectations. That contract will also apply to MATH-0332.

Your Responsibilities as a Student: For us to have a positive experience, I expect the following:

  • Come to class ON TIME, PREPARED with homework completed and ready to turn in.
  • Participate in classroom discussion in a positive manner. Don’t be afraid to speak up and answer questions. We are all in this together!
  • Don’t be a distraction to your instructor or to other students. 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 (loud snoring?).

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.

Other Classroom Policies:

  • 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. This is a morning class - coffee is always welcome!
  • Video/Photos - Please do not record during lecture. I am not very photogenic. Photos are by permission only. I will photograph the whiteboard notes before I erase and post those to Blackboard for you to access after class. This is NOT a substitute for coming to class, but is made available in case you missed something in your notes.
  • 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. Does anyone still use a pager?
  • 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 (i.e., your cell phone) 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 or SMART WATCHES in the Testing Center. If we see your cell phone or smart watch out AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, while in the testing room, YOU WILL RECEIVE an "F" for the course! And yes, this will actually happen.

Grading Criteria

Attendance (10%):  You will receive an Attendance grade in this class. Each day you are present and on time, you will receive a grade of 100 for the day. You will be allowed to miss two class days without penalty.  Starting with the third absence, each missed class day will receive a grade of zero for the day. Tardies (more than 10 minutes late) will receive a grade of 50 for the day. More information regarding attendance is provided below.

Homework (15%):  Daily homework will consist of in-class assignments where students will work together on projects that are relevant to the current topics being covered in Math 0332 and Math 1332.  Collaboration, discussion and communicating ideas are important for complete understanding of mathematical topics and are soft skills necessary for everyday life and career. These activities will count as homework grades.

Notebook (5%):  To develop organizational and time management skills, you will be expected to maintain an organized 3-ring binder containing class notes, reviews and graded assignments for both MATH-1332 and MATH-0332. Periodic notebook checks will count as a grade. A grading rubric/table of contents will be provided.

Exams (50%): Because Math 0332 and Math 1332 are fully integrated, major exam grades from MATH-1332, including the final, will count in both course gradebooks. Please refer to the MATH-1332 syllabus for details regarding the exam grading policy.

Final Exam (20%):  A comprehensive final exam will be given in MATH-1332 in Week 8 and will count as the final exam for MATH-0332.  Please refer to the MATH-1332 syllabus for details regarding the exam grading policy. If the grade you make on the final exam is higher than your lowest regular exam grade, it will count for both the final exam grade and will replace your lowest exam grade.

Extra Credit: I may or may not provide extra credit opportunities depending on how I feel. Must be present to win.

Math 1332 and Math 0332 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 classes, which might have serious financial aid consequences.  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 the two courses are fully integrated, major test grades from this course, including the conditional final and the homework average, will count in both course gradebooks.

COURSE COMPONENT

PERCENTAGES

GRADING SCALE

GRADE

Attendance

10%

90-100%

A

Homework 

Notebook

Chapter Exams

15%

5%

50% (4@12.5% each)

80-89%

70-79%

B

C

Final Exam

20%

60-69%

Below 60%

D

F

 

Attendance

This is a fast-paced class and attendance is essential to be successful. We have a lot to cover in 8 short weeks and if you miss class just once, you will miss huge chunks of information. Please be on time, and prepared for class, adequately caffeinated, and ready to actively participate in class every day.  Please refer to the Attendance Grading Policy above for how absences and tardies will be scored. Sometimes I will pass around a sign-in sheet and sometimes I will take attendance in other ways. It is your responsibility to make sure you are counted present. Nonattendance will be recorded as an absence regardless of the reason. There are no excused absences in this course. If you are absent for any reason, you are responsible for catching up on deadlines, assignments and notes.

WITHDRAWAL: The last day to withdraw or drop this course is Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Please come visit with me and/or your advisor before dropping this course to understand the full consequences of dropping. You must complete a drop request form before being allowed to withdraw from a course. It is your responsibility to obtain the necessary signatures and turn the form into the registrar once the form has been signed. Please let me know you want to drop by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025. If you stop coming to class and your average drops below a 60 due to missed assignments and you do not officially drop the course by withdrawal date, you will receive an F for the course.  Note:  Late drops CANNOT be given under any circumstances.

Calendar

This schedule is subject to change at any time:

Week

Support Coursework for Math 1332 chapter/section

1

Intro, 2.1, 2.2

2

2.3 thru 2.5, 3.1 / Ch. 2 Review

3

3.2 thru 3.4, 3.7 / Ch. 3 Review

4

8.1 thru 8.5

5

8.6, 8.7,  Finance Project / Ch. 8 Review

6

11.1 thru 11.4, Ch 11 Review 

7

12.1 thru 12.4

8

Final Exam Review

Additional Information

TEAMWORK and HARD WORK: These co-requisite courses require team work.  We will work together as a team to be successful.  My goal is to present the material to you in an organized manner and to teach you the concepts. I will also work closely with your co-requisite course instructor, who will build foundational skills to help support the materials presented in our class. Your part is to come to class, do your homework and reviews, and go to tutoring or come to my office for help. This class is a lot of work! If you commit to making this class a priority in your life for 8 short weeks, you will most likely be successful. I look forward to working with you this semester!

Mandatory Tutoring:  If your grade in the MATH-1332 course falls below a 75 at any point during the 8 weeks, you will be required to complete one hour of tutoring before taking the next exam. If you make below a 70 on a chapter exam, you will receive a Tutoring for Success (TfS) page to be completed in a one-on-one setting with a tutor, or with me, signed and turned in with your next exam review to the testing center. The testing coordinator will have a list of those required to turn in the TfS sheet. Tutoring may be completed on campus in the MCC Success Center, in the Math Success Center on main campus in Amarillo, or online through the main campus Math Success Center.  Note that you will not be allowed to take the next exam until you complete the required tutoring. MCC Success Center hours are posted on my office door and outside the classroom door.

Syllabus Created on:

03/05/25 9:51 AM

Last Edited on:

03/05/25 1:19 PM