Day(s) and Time(s): 8:30-9:50 a.m. T-R Section 402 Zip 21768 MATH_1513_402_21768_201320
8:00-9:20 a.m. M-W, West Campus Science & Math Bldg. Room 124
Instructor: Susan M. L. “Suzy” Oliver
Office: No office, but leave mail in I-106 ACS at the West Campus
Office Hrs: By appointment, but I will usually stay after class briefly
Cell Phone: 918-231-4963 (Please call 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
E-mail: susan.oliver3@ tulsacc.edu
TO CONTACT THE DIVISION OFFICE:
Division Name: Math and Sciences
Division Associate Dean: Dr. Elmer Godeny
Office: S 160
Office Phone: (918) 595-8193
PREREQUISITES FOR THIS COURSE
Two years of high school Algebra and appropriate CPT or ACT score, or the completion of MTH 0123 or MTH 0105 with a grade of “C” or better.
NEXT COURSE(S) IN SEQUENCE
MTH 1613, MTH 1715, MTH 2193, MTH 2513, MTH 2523, MTH 2553 ??
Textbooks & supplemental Material
We will be using the following textbook through Course Compass/MyMathLab online:
College Algebra Enhanced with Graphing Utilities, 6th ed. by Sullivan, Sullivan, 2013.
You are NOT required to purchase a hard copy of this textbook (an eBook copy is provided when you buy the code for the MyMathLab software) but some students may want to purchase it for reference away from the computer, and I have noticed that those students who own a hardcopy textbook more often make a better grade.
MyMathLab Software Component
The Access code for MyMathLab is the required element for you to gain access to the textbook (eBook version), homework and some at home tests. The access code can be purchased at the TCC West Bookstore or through pearsonmylab.com. To Register in Pearson, you create an account then enter my Pearson ID: oliver16187 and then your code that you purchased. Almost all homework will be through MyMathLab, so check it regularly.
Graphing calculators are required for this class. The TI-84 is what I will be using in class. You may use any calculator other than a CAS (for example, you may NOT use the TI-Inspire CAS although the TI-Inspire is fine, but remember that it is very different from the TI-84, and there will not be sufficient class time to address how to solve a certain type of problem on numerous types of calculators). I expect you to always have your calculator with you to use during note taking and on the exams.
COMMUNICATION
Many times during the semester it will be necessary for me to communicate with you at times other than regularly scheduled class time. Every student now has an Outlook email address through TCC’s Office 365 at www.outlook.com/tulsacc.edu ; for more info see http://www.tulsacc.edu/about-tcc/information-technology-services/office-365-e-mail-students . Your e-mail address is (unless you have a common name in which case it might have a digit after your last name; mine is [email protected]). Your password is the same as in the old MyTCC Mail System. You need to check your e-mail daily. If you want, you can forward this email account to a mail-handling program such as Outlook or to another email account that you check frequently; for instructions, call the Help Desk at 918-595-2000. Also call them for help on your password if you are new to TCC or if you forgot your password.
I do not have office hours. I can usually stay after class for at least a few minutes. You are welcome to call, text, or email me to get an appointment, or we can set up a Skype session or email work back and forth so that I can help you. I really don’t mind your calling at reasonable hours. If you email me, it would be best to also text me since I get over a hundred junk emails per day, and your email might get overlooked.
Teaching Methods
The teaching methods used in this course will be in the lecture format. Students will be given some time in class to ask questions about assignments. Class feedback, participation, and questions are expected from all students.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
After completion of College Algebra, the student should be able to:
1. Apply analytical reasoning and problem solving techniques to mathematical situations.
2. Identify and work with functions.
3. Graph linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, rational, absolute value.
4. Logarithmic and piece-wise defined functions.
5. Understand and use exponential and logarithmic functions.
6. Graph circles, parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas in the Cartesian coordinate system.
7. Solve systems of equations using matrices.
8. Use matrix operations to solve mathematical problems.
9. Solve problems involving sequences, series, and the Binomial Theorem.
GRADES
Grades for this course will be earned using the following:
· Midterm Exam (1) 250 points
· Comprehensive Final Exam (1) 250 points
· Chapter Tests (top 4 of 6) 100 points each 400 points
· Homework Average 100 points
Total 1000 points
Grades will be calculated based on the following scale:
Grading SCALE: 89.5% - 100% = a
79.5% - 89.4% = B
69.5% - 79.4% = C
59.5% - 69.4% = D
Below 59.5% = F
You may take the quizzes as many times as you want prior to the time that it is due. I strongly suggest taking it the first time by Tuesday night before it’s due so that you can ask questions during class on Wednesday.
If you take the Midterm or Final Practice prior to the Exam, and you make higher on the Practice, I will add (practice – exam)/3 points to that test grade. For example: If you make a 70 on the Midterm, but you made a 100 on the Practice, I will add (100-70)/3 = 10 points to the midterm so I will record an 80 for the midterm grade. You can repeat the Practice as many times as you want, but I won’t count any taken after the exam. In addition, I will add another point to the exam grade if you take the first Practice so that there is a full class period before the exam so that you can ask questions during that class period.
You can see your weighted average in Pearson; however, Pearson will not show your grade after dropping the 2 lowest quiz grades, and it does NOT show a zero for missed assignments and exams until I go in and manually tell it to. You can check this by seeing if it shows zeroes for missed work. If you have missed work, your grade might be lower than shown in Pearson. I had trouble last semester getting BlackBoard to show a weighted average. Neither Pearson nor BlackBoard would drop the two lowest quiz grades until I manually did it in BlackBoard at the end of the semester. If you want to know exactly what your grade is WITH the dropped quizzes, you will have to calculate that yourself until the end of the semester; although dropping grades to see how you are doing is a dangerous policy because students usually do better on the earlier chapters. You want to save those dropped grades for the later chapters or for when you are unable to complete a quiz. Do NOT pay any attention to the grade in BlackBoard called TOTAL, and do NOT divide that grade to try to calculate your overall grade. I am not sure yet if I will post grades in BlackBoard prior to the Final, but they will definitely be in Pearson.
MAKE-UP and late assignments POLICY
Homework will be assigned for each class period. It will be due the following Sunday at midnight, although I will set up Pearson to accept it until 7 am the following morning without penalty. If there is a problem with any server between midnight and 7 am though, I will not accept late work. I strongly suggest that you do most of the homework prior to midnight to record something other than a zero. Then if you want to stay up late working more, that’s fine. No homework will be accepted past that time. Zeros will be recorded for homework or quizzes turned in after the due date. There are no exceptions for the Midterm and Final Exams unless you have a doctor’s statement that you were too ill to attend class or a funeral brochure of a loved one who passed away, in which case you need to attempt to notify me in advance that you will not be attending the exam. A routine dental appointment is not considered a valid excuse to miss the midterm or final. You must be present to take both proctored exams; they may not be taken away from school like the quizzes are.
Attendance
Regular class attendance is a must in order to be successful in any course. Students are held responsible for all material covered during their absence and any changes made in the assignment schedule. If you miss several classes in a row without contacting the instructor, the instructor has the right, but not an obligation, to withdraw you from the class.
INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT
Each student is responsible for being aware of the information contained in the TCC Catalog, TCC Student Handbook, TCC Student Code of Conduct Policy Handbook, and semester information listed in the Class Schedule.
DROPPING A CLASS, AUDIT, AND INCOMPLETE GRADES
IF YOU DETERMINE THAT YOU WILL NOT BE COMPLETING THE COURSE, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO OFFICIALLY WITHDRAW FROM THE COURSE. THE LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITH A “W” OR CHANGE TO AUDIT IS Friday, April 12, 2013 . AFTER
THAT, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GRADE EARNED BASED ON YOUR WORK FOR THE SEMESTER. TO RECEIVE CONSIDERATION FOR A CHANGE TO AUDIT OR AN INCOMPLETE GRADE, THE STUDENT MUST HAVE A PASSING GRADE. STUDENTS WITH A FAILING GRADE MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR A CHANGE TO AUDIT OR AN INCOMPLETE GRADE.
LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES
Reading, writing, math, and computer learning support services are available. There is a full-time math tutor located in TLC, also know as the computer pit. The tutor’s name is Theresa Thompson and her office hours are 8:00-5:00, but might be less on Fridays. There is also usually someone there during the evening to assist you should you need extra assistance at other times than the instructor’s office hours.
Inclement Weather and class cancellation policy
When severe winter weather hits, you may assume that TCC will be open for classes unless it is announced otherwise on television and radio stations. TCC does not automatically close if Tulsa Public Schools close.
If I decide individually to cancel class because of inclement weather or other unexpected reasons, I will contact you. I will be using TCC e-mail to post an announcement of this type. If you do not have access to the Internet from home please inform me how I can relay this information to you.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY OR MISCONDUCT
Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not condoned nor tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community College system. Academic dishonesty is behavior in which a deliberately fraudulent misrepresentation is employed in an attempt to gain undeserved intellectual credit, either for oneself or for another. Academic misconduct is behavior that results in intellectual advantage obtained by violating specific standard, but without deliberate intent or use of fraudulent means. The student should review the relevant sections of the TCC Student Code of Conduct Policy Handbook.
COMPUTER SERVICES ACCEPTABLE USE
Access to computing resources is a privilege granted to all TCC faculty, staff, and students. Use of TCC computing resources is limited to purposes related to the College’s mission of education, research, and community service. Student use of technology is governed by the Computer Services Acceptable Use Statements/Standards found in the TCC Student Code of Conduct Policy Handbook. These handbooks may be obtained by contacting any office of Student Activities or Dean of Student Services. Note that BlackBoard will undergo regular maintenance every Wednesday early morning from 12:15 a.m. to 1:15 a.m. BlackBoard might be inaccessible for all or part of that time.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
You are expected to behave in an adult-like fashion. Please turn all cell phones off or to silent during the class period. No calls should be taken during class except in extreme emergencies. If you have a pending emergency please notify the instructor at the beginning of class. Please clean up after yourself. Do not leave trash in the classrooms.
CLASSROOM EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
For any emergency, the instructor will direct students. Students should not leave the classroom during an emergency or call for emergency services unless asked to do so by the instructor.
ALARMS
· When a continuous fire alarm sounds, the instructor will evacuate all students to a designated area outside the building.
· When an intermittent tornado alarm sounds, the instructor will direct students toward designated rooms in the lower, inside part of the building.
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
· In a medical emergency, the instructor will remain in the classroom with the students. The instructor will call for proper assistance or ask another student to do so. STUDENTS SHOULD NOT ACT WITHOUT A REQUEST FROM THE INSTRUCTOR TO DO SO.
· At the beginning of the semester, the instructor should designate 2 or 3 students who will be given more specific instructions on how to handle the situation if the instructor is the person with the medical emergency.