College Algebra Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

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. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

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-1314-DC014 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 Resources Student 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

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required:  MyLab and Mastering Math Student Access Code by Pearson. 

Optional: Textbook
College Algebra 5th Edition
Author(s): Trigsted, Kirk
Textbook ISBN-13: 9780137913114

Supplies

Calculator:  You 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 permitted at the instructors discretion.  Note that TI-89s, TI-NSpires, and cell phone graphing calculator apps are not permitted in the Math Testing Center.

Internet:  You need access to reliable internet service to access the class on a daily basis.  (If your internet service is interrupted, it is also a good idea to have a back up plan for accessing the internet elsewhere so that you can complete your school work!)

Electronic Devices:  You will need a working laptop to complete online homework. 

Printing:  You will also need access to a reliable printer to produce class notes and other materials.  Computers and printers are available for student use in the Underground in the WARE Building on the Washington Street Campus or in the Math Academic Success Center in Durrett 104. 

Student Performance

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

1. A growth mindset
2. Strong time-management skills
3. Organizational skills
4. Study skills
5. Willingness to learn
6. Commitment to success

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

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

When you enter our classroom you are a member of our class family and should behave in a manner that is supportive of the learning environment. For a full discussion of appropriate behavior and student responsibilities, please refer to the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook which can be accessed using the link above or through the AC Website http://www.actx.edu .  Students who fail to comply with the standards outlined in the syllabus and/or Student Rights & Responsibilities will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include, but is not limited to a zero on an assignment or test, an F in the course, or permanent removal from the classroom.

Plagiarism and cheating cannot be tolerated in any math course at Amarillo College.  On the first day of class, you will 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, but is not limited to:  the use of a cell phone, notes, notecards, or books during an exam, copying work from another student, or leaving the classroom or Math Testing Center with a test or questions from a test.  Cheating also includes helping, or attempting to help, other students cheat on a test".  You will not be allowed to take your tests until this contract is signed and on file with your instructor.  Please Note:  NO CELL PHONES or smart watches may be used during an exam in class or in the Math Testing Lab.  If your phone and/or watch is out at any time for any reason during while in the Testing Room, you will receive an automatic "F" for the course.

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.

Videos/Photos:  Students should ask permission before taking pictures or videos of the instructor's work or lessons.

Guests/Children:    It is the policy of the Mathematics, Engineering, Drafting & Data Science Department that only students enrolled in this course may attend this course.

Grading Criteria

Grading Policy:  Your grade (90-100% A, 80-89% B, 70-79% C, 60-69% D, less than 60 F) will be determined using the following weights:

Exam Reviews..........5%
Online Homework (drop 2)..........7.5%                                                                                                      Checkpoints (drop 2)..........7.5%                                                                                                                  Exams (4 @ 10%)..........40%                                                                                                                  Midterm Exam..........20%
Comprehensive Final Exam..........20%

Online Homework:  All homework will be completed online using the MyMathLab website.  Help buttons will be available for each problem in MyMathLab, and you may rework problems multiple times until you get the correct answer.  You will be given sufficient time to complete the homework, therefore late homework will not be accepted. This is where your time management skills are important.The MyMathLab due dates will be posted on the class schedule and also on the MyMathLab website.  Though this homework will be submitted online, I strongly recommend that you keep an organized log of written work to accompany each homework assignment to better learn the process of solving problems. At the end of the semester, the two lowest MyMathLab grades will be dropped.  

Checkpoint Worksheets:  Checkpoint worksheets are found in Blackboard.  You will need to print these out.  These worksheets cover the highlights from each section and will help you prepare for your written exams.  These are graded and are to be turned in to the instructor the very next class meeting following when the content was covered

Exam Reviews:  Exam reviews are intended to help you prepare for exams.  Reviews for online exams are online and these are mandatory.   Reviews for the midterm and final exams are written and will be posted in Blackboard, these reviews are optional but strongly suggested.

Exams:  Four unit exams (online), one midterm exam (written) and one comprehensive final exam (written) will be given throughout the course.  Due dates for online exams are posted in MyMathLab and due dates for the midterm and final will be announced in class, and no late exams will be accepted.  If you know in advance that you will be gone during the assigned exam dates, you should make arrangements with your instructor to take the exam early.  At the end of the semester, your final exam grade will replace your lowest unit exam grade if it is higher.   

The midterm exam is to be given 10/20 - 10/22 and the final exam is to be given 12/15 - 12/17.  Your high school teacher will tell you the dates for the midterm and final exams.  Both of these exams have a 2 hour time limit.

Extra Credit/Late Work: Extra credit will not be given and late work is not accepted.

Attendance

Attendance:  It is important for you to be on time and prepared for class every day.  Missing class prohibits you from gaining the material you need to be successful in this class and hinders your ability to engage with your classmates.  Attendance will be taken every day according to the attendance policy at your high school.

The deadline to drop this course is December 1, 2025.  To complete the drop process, you must obtain several signatures, so do not wait until 12/1 to begin the process.  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

Additional Information

BLACKBOARD

Students should login to Blackboard via the AC Connect portal on a regular basis to check e-mail, course announcements, grades, and access 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

GETTING STARTED WITH MYMATHLAB

To register for MyMathLab, follow the instructions posted in Blackboard.

TUTORING, DURRETT HALL 104, 806-371-5119

We want you to succeed, so we have provided you with support systems to help you achieve your goals.  Free tutoring is available in the Math Academic Success Center in person on campus or virtually by Zoom.  To join an ongoing Zoom Meeting for tutoring, click the Tutoring Zoom link in Blackboard, or go to  https://zoom.us/j/541139851.  Use the Meeting ID:  541 139 851
In-Person and VirtualTutoring Hours:
   Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
   Saturday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
   Sunday: CLOSED

MATH TESTING, DURRETT HALL 103, 806-371-5088

Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm                                                                                                              Saturday:  9am - 6pm
Sunday: CLOSED
No tests will be given out less than 90 minutes before closing, and all tests will be collected 15 minutes before closing.