Calculus for Business & Social Sciences 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-1325-MCC1 Calculus for Business & Social Sciences

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: MATH 1314 or 1414 College Algebra or MATH 1324 Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences

Course Description

This course is the basic study of limits and continuity, differentiation, optimization and graphing, and integration of elementary functions, with emphasis on applications in business, economics, and social sciences.  This course is not a substitute for MATH 2313 or 2413, Calculus I.

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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Supplies

• Access to an internet-enabled computer, laptop or tablet.
• Access Code for MyLabMath (purchase from the online bookstore)
• Graphing Calculator:  A TI-84 series calculator is preferred and will be used by the instructor in class.  No calculators with logic or factoring capabilities are allowed (TI-89, TI-nspire) in the Testing Center.  Note:  TI-83 calculators do not have enough functionality for this course.
• Internet access (It is good to have a backup plan)
• 3-ring binder with dividers
• Printed notes, exam reviews and other course documents from Blackboard – Visit the front desk if you need help accessing your student copying/printing account.
• Pencils
• Graph Paper & College Ruled Notebook Paper
• Amarillo College student I.D. (for testing and tutoring)
• Optional – Stapler, index cards, highlighters, colored pens/pencils (NO RED!)

Student Performance

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

You will be required to sign a course contract to ensure we are all on the same page regarding course expectations.

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.
• 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

Daily Homework: 
Daily homework assignments will consist of online assignments. Online assignments will be submitted using MyLab Math and will be automatically graded on the website.  Details on how to register and enroll in MyMathLab will be given in class.  Assignment deadlines will be indicated in MyMathLab with each homework set.

In order to compensate for life situations, I will allow for a week's extension on homework once, with the exception of the last set of homework. If you need extra time, you must let me know by messaging me through Blackboard or via email.

Reviews:
Every exam has a review to complete that must be printed from Blackboard.  In order to take an exam, you must turn in a completed exam review before you take the exam.

Exams:
Up to four (4) major exams will be given during the semester in class. Make-up exams will not be given. If an exam is missed, the grade will be replaced with the score you make on the final exam. This policy applies to one exam only. If you miss more than one exam, a grade of zero will be averaged for the other missed exams. If you do not miss any exam during the semester, the grade on the mandatory final exam, if higher, will replace the lowest major exam grade.

Final Exam:
The mandatory final exam will be due by Thursday, December 18, 2025, in class.  The final exam may also replace a low exam grade, contingent on the details listed in the Exams section above. 

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

Homework......................................15%
Reviews............................................5%
Tests...............................................60%
Final Exam......................................20%

Extra credit may be given at the discretion of the instructor. Must be present to win.

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.  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 December 10, 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. December 9, 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

Additional Information

TEAMWORK and HARD WORK: Math courses require team work.  We will all 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. Your part is to come to class, do the homework and reviews, ask questions, and go to the Success Center 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!

Mandatory Tutoring:  If your grade in the 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. Tutoring may be completed on campus in the MCC Student 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.

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 access course materials. It is highly recommended to make it a habit to login DAILY. 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:  
     1. Log in to our class in Blackboard.
     2. Click the MyMathLab link, and click "Open Pearson" or "Open MyLab and Mastering."
     3. Create your Pearson account or log into a previously existing account.
     4. Select any available access option, if asked.
          » Enter a prepaid access code that came from the bookstore.
          » OR Buy instant access using a credit card or PayPal.
          » OR Select "Get temporary access without payment for 14 days."
     4. Select "Go to my course."
     5. Select this course from My Courses.

To sign in later:
     1.  Select MyMathLab from the Content section of our course in Blackboard.
     2.  Click "Go to Course Home."
OR:
     1. Go to https://mlm.pearson.com
     2. Sign in with the same Pearson account you used before.
     3. Select this course from My Courses.