College Algebra Syllabus for 2022-2023
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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.

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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-1314-LC4 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 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

Tech Supported

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

You will also need access to a working camera and/or scanner.

Supplies

Students 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 no TI-89s or TI-Nspires will be permitted.  You may download a free calculator emulator for 90 days to use at https://education.ti.com/en/downloads/trial-software.

Students need access to a computer with a reliable internet connection to complete online homework assignments and access to a printer to produce class notes.

Students will also need the ability to scan documents and upload to Blackboard.  Instructions on how to scan your notes to a PDF using your phone are posted in Blackboard.

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

Class Days:  This class is "tech-supported" and will meet remotely using Zoom Monday & Wednesdays fron 5:30 - 8:15.  To access the meeting, please go to the link provided in Blackboard & emailed to you. 

Student Responsibilities:   Students are expected to be ON TIME, PREPARED with guided notes printed out ready to use.  Students should participate in class in a positive manner.  Using foul language in emails or discussions will not be tolerated and may result in possible removal from the course.  You are expected to express yourself with courtesy and consideration at all times.  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. 

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. 

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.  

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. Students that cheat, or attempt to cheat, on any test will receive an automatic “F” in the course.  This grade will go on your permanent transcript and cannot be removed.  Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the illegal use of books, notes, cell phones, copying or leaving the Math Testing Center with a test or questions from a test. Cheating also includes helping, or attempting to help, other students to cheat on a test regardless of the testing venue.

Grading Criteria

Lecture Notes:  Prior to attending class each day, students will need to print out the guided notes from Blackboard.  Upon completion of each unit of notes, students will be required to upload their notes to Blackboard for a grade.  Due dates are posted below in the calendar, and in your Blackboard calendar, late work is not accepted.  Instructions on how to turn in completed class notes will be given in class.  Students who have made photo copies of another students notes will not receive credit.  Grading will be as follows:  fully completed notes on note pages (100); notes on notebook paper (75); incomplete notes (50); late submission, no notes or blank notes (0).  Notes should be uploaded as a single pdf file.  Ten points will be deducted if multiple files are uploaded.     

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.  Due dates will be posted on the MyMathLab website and in your Blackboard calendar.  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.

Unit Test Reviews:  Reviews are posted with each unit before the unit exam.  Each review functions as a practice exam. If you struggle on the review you will struggle on the exam. Make sure you get help either in class from myself, Ms. Holmes or you may visit the Academic Sussess Center for Math.

Exams:  Four written unit exams will be given.  Due dates are posted on the class calendar below and in your Blackboard calendar. All tests will be taken in the Math Testing Center, Washington Street Campus, Durrett-Suite 103. If you score below a 70 on any unit exam, you will be required to complete 1 hour of tutoring in the Math Academic Success Center (https://www.actx.edu/successcenters/).  Students will be unable to access upcoming exams until tutoring is complete.  Due dates for tutoring are included on the course schedule available in blackboard.  Exams are to be taken individually, no "team testing."  See the section on "cheating and plagiarism" for consequences of cheating (team testing).

Unit Test Retakes: Are not allowed, but if your grade on your final exam is higher than your lowest unit test score I will drop the low test score and replace it with the final exam grade. This drop and replace policy will only be done for one test.

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

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:

Attendance

Attendance:  Attendance will be taken every day at varying times during class.  To get counted as present, you must attend class the entire time we are meeting and participate in the chat.  Your chat responses will be how I take attendance.  You are allowed to miss one day without penalty.  For every absence after the first, 5 points will be deducted for your attendance grade.

The deadline to drop this course is October 4, 2022.  To complete the drop process, you must submit your drop form to me for my signature by 5pm on October 3.  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

COVID-19 UPDATE:  Tutoring may be completed in the Academic Success Center for Math in person on campus (Durrett Hall Room 104) or virtually by Zoom.  Find more information at https://www.actx.edu/successcenters/.

To join an ongoing Zoom Meeting for tutoring, go to  https://zoom.us/j/541139851.  Use the Meeting ID:  541 139 851

Math Testing Center

Washington Street Campus
Durrett - Suite 103
Phone: (806) 371-5088

* Please note: Check with your instructor about 
early closings and holidays. No tests will be 
given with less than 1.5 hours before closing.

Hours

Monday:        8AM - 10PM
Tuesday:        8AM - 10PM 
Wednesday:  8AM - 10PM
Thursday:      8AM - 10PM
Friday:           8AM - 8PM
Saturdays:     9AM - 8PM