Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences Syllabus for 2021-2022
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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

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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.

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Course

MATH-1324-006 Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences

Prerequisites

Prerequisite:Scores on a state-approved test indicating college-level math skills Corequisite: MATH 0324

Course Description

The application of common algebraic functions, including polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and rational, to problems in business, economics, and the social sciences are addressed.  The applications include mathematics of finance, including simple and compound interest and annuities; systems of linear equations; matrices; linear programming; and probability, including expected value.

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

Required: MyMathLab access code

Optional: Finite Mathematics and Calculus with Applications, 11th Edition
Authors:  Margaret L. Lial, Raymond N. Greenwell, and Nathan P Ritchey
(Pearson Education Publishers)

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

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.

Internet:  Students will need daily access to the internet to access lecture videos and to complete online assignments.

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.

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

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

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 withdrawal 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.

COMMUNICATION IN THE COURSE

Your presence in the course will be established through correspondence with me, completion of online assignments, and your attendance at the midterm and final exam sessions.  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.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

1.   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 through reading the textbook, completing the notes provided on Blackboard through AC Connect, and finishing the homework and exams on MyMathLab

2.    You need access to a computer with a reliable internet connection and a dependable printer to produce class notes.  By signing up for an online course, you are communicating that you have access to such tools.

3.    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.

4.    Deadlines are your responsibility. Due dates are posted on the MyMathLab website and on the  calendar at the end of this syllabus.  However, because this is an online course, I can tailor it to your individual needs without disrupting the flow of the course.  If you need a deadline extension for online assignments (up to 2 days), please don't hesitate to ask.  No extensions are available for  exams.

5.    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  will ensure that if you have any technical difficulties, we can take care of them before the due date to keep you on schedule.

6.    You are responsible for getting help when you need it.  On the MyMathLab website, there are power points, 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 on the Washington Street Campus.  Online tutoring is also available through Smartthinking and I am available to you for any questions you may have.

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.

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:

Category	Weight
Online HW Average *Drop the lowest two	10%
Skill Check Quiz Average	5%
Written Homework	10%
Online Reviews	5%
Online Exams (4 total)	40%
Midterm Exam	15%
Final Exam	15%

Attendance

This is an online course, so required "attendance" means logging into the course regularly and completing assignments. You will need to log into Blackboard everyday through the AC Connect link on the college website to obtain the assignments and print class notes.  You will also need to check your email, calendar, and grades regularly. 

The following assignments must be completed by Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at noon, in order to be considered Present in the course. Failure to complete all assignments by this date may lead to an administrative drop from the course.

• Sign and submit the course contract
• How to Use MyMathLab online homework assignment
• Chapter 1 Skills Check Quiz in MyMathLab
• Introduction Homework

Students should plan on spending significant time each week on this course. This time commitment is not an exaggeration. Actual amounts will vary depending on weekly assignments, topic complexity, and prior experience with the subject matter.

 

Please note that no extensions will be granted for exams.

Calendar

Additional Information

Homework

Homework will be assigned in two formats: written and online. Online homework involves drill and practice problems to be completed using the MyMathLab website.  Written homework will consist of completing class assignments and submitting your work online in a pdf format.

 

Written homework will be posted in Blackboard, completed by hand and then submitted online. Commonly, you will have a list of problems from an attached file. You will then provide a comprehensive and complete solution for each problem. Upload your solutions to our Google Classroom as PDF file. (You may need to convert your file format) . Your solution may be handwritten, BUT it must be legible.

Online Exams

Four major exams will be given via MyMathLab. Before you are allowed to take the chapter(s) exam, you must achieve at least 70% on all homework assignments for that chapter OR  achieve at least a 70% on the exam review. Each exam gas a time limit of 2 hours.  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 a second missed exam will be recorded as a zero.

In Person Exams

The written midterm and final exams are taken in person.  Amarillo residents will take them in the Math Testing Lab on the Washington Street Campus.  Non-Amarillo residents will be required to locate a proctor at a local college, school, or library and make an appointment for the exams. Proctors must be approved and appropriate paperwork must be completed prior to the exam.

Weekly Routine

1.)  LOG IN  TO BLACKBOARD (through the AC Connect portal) at the beginning of each week.  Navigate to the link for each week's folder on the menu at the left of the page. 
2.)  READ the Week's Activities document.  Here you will find information about what you need to complete for the week. 
3.)  PRINT AND COMPLETE THE NOTES from the week's folder in Blackboard.  Fill in the blanks, work the problems, and complete the graphs.  Obtain the information by reading the text and watching the example videos.  File these notes in your notebook.  This should be completed before you start the homework on MyMathLab.
4.)  WORK THE MyMathLab HOMEWORK through Blackboard or at www.pearsonmylab.com. Before you are allowed to take the chapter exam, you must achieve at least 70% on all homework assignments for that chapter and complete the exam review. 
5.) COMPLETE CHAPTER Written Homework as assigned.
6.)  COMPLETE REVIEWS as assigned.
7.)  TAKE ASSIGNED EXAMS on MyMathLab by the deadlines posted on MyMathLab.  (Take written midterm and final exams in person )

 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:

Student Access Code: If you chose to purchase a new textbook, the student access code can be found in the MyMathLab kit wrapped with your textbook. If you chose not to purchase the textbook, you can buy the access code online with a credit card  during the registration process.

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.
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:
   • Enter the access code that came with your textbook or was purchased separately from the bookstore.
   • Or, Buy access using a credit card or PayPal account.
   • 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." This is where you can review previously submitted assignments by clicking on Gradebook or Review.
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

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.

3. Free Blackboard Collaborate offered through the Academic Success Center-Math. These are live one on one sessions that can target your specific needs. They are by appointment ONLY.