SEMESTER: Fall 2012 PROFESSOR: Ron Page
COURSE: MATH 121 – CRN 90962 E-MAIL ADDRESS:
TITLE: Basic Techniques of Applied Calculus I
COURSE ID page83926
ONLINE COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Don’t enroll in the course unless you have access, on a regular basis, to a fast, reliable computer. Please review hardware and software requirements below. Also, be aware that former students have mentioned that this course will require more independent effort, than some other online courses. A successful student spends a minimum of 3 hours a week on the computer and is extremely disciplined.
Hardware and Software:
To successfully complete this online course, you will be required to meet the minimum hardware and software requirements. View Hardware and Software Requirements.
Internet Browser:
You must use a supported Internet browser in order to successfully work in Blackboard, the online course management system for this course. To see a list of supported Internet browsers, click here.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a course designed for students intending to major in business, natural science or social science. It does not fulfill a mathematics requirement for students majoring in mathematics, chemistry, physics or engineering. This course combines the study of algebra, analytic geometry, and calculus using numerical, graphical, and analytical methods to analyze calculus problems encountered in real world applications. Topics include limits, derivatives, and integrals of algebraic, exponential and logarithmic functions. Also covered are functions of several variables, partial derivatives, and optimization of multivariable functions. Applications of calculus include curve sketching, optimization, and areas under curves. Analytical reading and problem solving are required for success in this course.
COURSE MATERIALS
The following course materials may be purchased at the campus San Diego Miramar College Bookstore or online.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK (Purchase your book as soon as possible to be ready for the first day of class)
Calculus for Business, Economics, Life Sciences, and Social Sciences, 12 edition; by Barnett, Ziegler, Byleen; Pearson Hall 2011 (ISBN: 978-0-558-73827-3)
REQUIRED MEDIA
CourseCompass software (free with new book). Can be purchased with credit card on CourseCompass.com
REQUIRED
Graphing calculator. Suggestion: Texas Instruments (TI-84) or better
TEXTBOOK COVERAGE and TEST BONUS
A 5% bonus will be applied to your test score if you take the chapter test any day within a 4 day period. The test becomes available on a Friday morning and then closes 4 days later, on a Monday evening.
OPEN CLOSE TEST for CHAPTER
9/7 9/10 Ch. 3 (Ch. 1 and Ch. 2 for your review)
10/4 10/08 Ch. 4
11/2 11/05 Ch. 5
12/7 12/10 Ch. 6
12/13 12/13 FINAL (Final scheduled ON CAMPUS Thursday evening of Week 16)
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. MyMathLab/Mastering (CourseCompass) will serve as your tutorial, quiz and test source. You can access MyLab by going to Blackboard Learn>Course Homepage>MyLab or by the URL of MyMathLab.com. Use Internet Explorer as your Browser. First time users of MyLab will have to follow the steps listed on the Homepage. You will need to enter the "Course ID Number", listed above in red, the first time you access this course. This ID Number is unique to your online Math 121 course at Miramar College. If you experience any problems in the process or have difficulty with MyLab please call Pearson Support at 1-888-677-6337. Keep this phone number handy for any difficulties during the semester.
2. Read each chapter completely before starting the assignments in either your textbook or MyLab. For your information, Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 are review chapters and worth no points. If you have been away from math for several years, I recommend using these chapters as a review.
3. After reviewing the textbook, I strongly suggest that you work in MyLab. Go to MyLab, login and explore the navigation tabs on the left of the screen. You will primarily use Study Plan (aka Homework problems), Quizzes/Tests and Multimedia Library. I highly recommend the videos in Multimedia Library (the videos work better on larger monitors). Use this material in MyLab along with your textbook to prepare yourself for the quizzes and tests. Important Note: you will NOT be using the Homework set of problems in MyLab, instead you will use the Study Plan set of problem for homework. They work better for this class.
4. Class-work, whether it is doing the Study Plan problems and/or using the textbook, is a very important part of your success in this course. Failing to keep up with your class-work can be an undisciplined student's downfall. Most students having difficulties are not doing their class-work, so I strongly recommended that you set a regularly scheduled time to work on this course.
5. Your grade in the course will consist of four (4) MyLab chapter tests, eight (8) MyLab quizzes, homework (Study Plan problems) and a final. There are two (2) quizzes for each chapter and one (1) test. You can take the quizzes any time you wish during the semester and for up to 5 times, but you will need to achieve at least 70% on one of the quizzes to proceed to the next level. The chapter test (or following quiz) will be flagged until you successfully complete the preceding quiz. I suggest that you re-take each quiz until you score 100%, possibly during the last weeks of the semester as a review. Each retake will generate different problems. For your information, the Sample Tests (pre/post versions) in MyLab are for your review and worth no points. I strongly recommend taking the Sample Post Test as practice before you attempt the chapter test. Remember you can take the chapter test only once.
6. The final exam will have 30 questions taken from all four (4) chapters, which are chapters 3-6. It will be scheduled for Thursday evening of week 16 and will be your only required campus meeting. Please clear your schedule for that on-campus meeting.
7. An Incomplete grade may be granted in this class when a student’s work is nearly complete (all but final exam taken) and some unforeseen circumstance arises that prevents the student from finishing his/her work for the course. The final decision on whether to grant an incomplete grade will be based on several factors. If you are requesting an Incomplete to be given to you for this course, you must contact me.
8. As a check to see if you have read this syllabus, please post in the Student Introduction of Blackboard Learn a short introduction 'bio' and include a tasteful digital picture of yourself (my picture is on http://sdccdonline.net/infoPages.cfm). Your Student Introduction grade is worth 20 pts. Intro + 20 pts. Picture. I will assign points for the ‘Student Introductions’ at the end of the first week.
GRADING POLICY
All grading in the course will use this scale: 92-100%=A, 82-91%=B, 70-81%=C, 60-69%=D, and 0-59%=F. You can always check your grade on MyLab using the ‘Gradebook’ Navigation Bar. A reminder to review each quiz or test immediately after taking it for possible computer grading errors and notify me as soon as possible if any are found!
CHAPTER TESTS
Four (4) chapter tests will be administered through MyLab. Each Chapter Test will have 25 problems and a time limit of 110 to 120 minutes. Tests can be taken only once. They are available between specific dates and are open for four (4) days. If you miss a test, you will have to contact me before it can be re-opened. You will lose 5% of your score if the test is re-opened. In addition, you will also need to inform me of your plan for catching-up.
As a bonus for staying on schedule, I will add 5% to your score if you take the test within the four day period (note: you have to take the test before it closes). The 5% bonus will be added to your total test score the day after the test closes.
CHAPTER QUIZZES
Eight (8) chapter quizzes will be administered through MyLab. Each Chapter quiz will have 10 problems and no time limit. You can take the quiz up to 5 times to improve your score, but you must achieve a score of 70 % or better to progress. The quizzes (as well as the Study Plan Problems) are designed to prepare you for the chapter tests. For your information, the “a” Quiz (Quiz 1a, Quiz 2a, etc.) is the only Quiz with no prerequisite (70% or better).
FINAL EXAMINATION
One (1) Final Examination will be administered through MyLab. The Final Examination will have 30 problems, a time limit of 200 minutes and is comprehensive covering Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6.
One final note on grades: At the end of the semester, I will assign 10 points for every 50 Study Plan problems worked correctly (chapters 3-6 only), for a maximum total of 100 points. So you understand, one hundred points are enough to change your grade by one letter. This is your Homework grade! For your information, there are 1100 points possible in the class, the breakdown: Introduction-40, Quizzes-240, Tests-300, Final-420 and Homework-100.
TESTING PROCEDURE
When you are ready to take a test or quiz go to MyLab and click on TAKE A TEST. If the test or quiz is flagged then make sure you have successfully passed (70% or better) the preceding quiz.
THE PLACe/INVEST LAB
Individual tutoring is available free of charge at The PLACe/Invest Lab in room D-106. The tutoring service is available Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. If you would like further information or have questions contact The PLACe/Invest Lab by telephone (619) 388 - 7852.
DISABLED STUDENTS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should contact me by email or telephone as soon as possible. Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) department can assist you in identifying appropriate accommodation to meet your needs. If you would like further information or have questions contact a DSPS counselor by telephone (619) 388 - 7312.
DROP POLICY
A student will be dropped for the reasons listed below.
CourseCompass REGISTRATION
Students will be dropped without warning if they fail to register with CourseCompass under the Course ID of page83926 by the end of the first week of the semester.
Test and Quizzes
Students will be dropped without warning if they fall behind (not meeting the availability dates) on two or more chapter tests. Students will not be allowed to take more than one test a week! Make every effort to stay on schedule! It is the student’s responsibility to drop a class in which they are no longer participating. Students who remain enrolled in a class beyond the published withdrawal deadline, as stated in the class schedule, will receive an evaluative letter grade in this class.
KEYS TO SUCCESS IN AN ONLINE COURSE
Below are comments from former, successful students:
“The program that you are operating on, MyLab is a very, very good and easily understandable one. At the beginning I was very nervous at trying Calculus online, to be honest I was scared out of my mind!!! So I started browsing the application and found helpful tools most notably, the study plans and the sample tests!!!!
I tackle the study plans first. Once I am secure with my progress I do the quizzes & I retake it until I am happy with the outcome. Once the quizzes are finished I start on the sample tests. I normally do 4 sample tests before doing the actual exam. Without these helpful tutorials I would be completely lost!!! If I am stuck on a problem there is a tutorial for ‘show me how to solve’ with a video too!”
“I don't use any short cut but hard work. I read the textbook thoroughly, take the practice quizzes and tests as many times as it takes to make sure I understand everything, and then take the test when I am mentally and physically prepared. Most importantly, I don't allow myself to procrastinate, even if that means sometimes I will have to stay up very late to finish the task on the date it is supposed to be done.”
SOME THOUGHTS ON AN ONLINE 16-WEEK COURSE AND MY PHILOSOPHY ON MATH EDUCATION
There are plusses and minuses to an online course, as there are with many things in life. A few plusses: you don’t have to attend class on campus; you can work on the class at a time that is convenience with your schedule; and finally, many students believe that online is the easier way to take a course. The first two plusses are certainly true, but the last one is most definitely not true!
If you have taken an online class before then you know what I am referring to. Online classes and in particular math online classes are the more difficult road to travel. I am not trying to frighten you away from the class, but to enlighten you about your journey. If you read the comments above, you can see the successful students made a commitment, spent the time and did well in the class.
I don’t know your background in mathematics, but I assume that you have taken the prerequisite classes. I also don’t know how you personally feel about learning this new topic in mathematics, but I would suggest that you embrace the challenge. Either you can decide to learn a new and challenging topic or you can close your mind and just get by, or even worse, drop or fail the class. You have to decide which path you are going to take, but being successful in a challenging undertaking is a very rewarding experience. So don’t waste this opportunity to be successful. I hope your semester goes well and you have an enlightened and rewarding experience!