College Algebra Syllabus MAT 101 Math Zone Hours Monday - Thursday 9am - 8pm Friday 9am - 5pm Sunday 12:30pm - 4:30pm mathzone@usm.edu What will I learn in this class? The catalog description of the course is "Functions and graphs, linear equations and inequalities, non-linear equations, including exponential and logarithmic equations". In short, -an introduction to the functions most commonly used to model mathematical behavior, as well as -the fundamental concepts necessary to use these functions. This class addresses the GEC objective "students will demonstrate fundamental skills and be able to model real world situations with linear and nonlinear functions and solve equations or inequalities related to those situations." How is this class taught? This course is taught using a variant of the emporium style instructional method. More precisely, classes will meet for a traditional lecture or problem-solving session one class period per week, and meet in the lab during other class periods. During the lecture, the instructor will review concepts and work problems, focusing on applications and concepts that students typically struggle with. During time in the lab, the course management system MyLabsPlus (via the website usm.mylabsplus.com) will be used to complete video lectures, homework, quizzes, and tests, while the instructor and lab assistants provide one-on-one assistance. In fact, during all hours that the Math Zone is open, both instructors and tutors are available to provide assistance and guidance. Required Course Materials Textbook: College Algebra w/mylabsplus 4th Ed (Beecher/Penna/Bittinger) 3rd USM Custom Ed. w/ MyLabsPlus ISBN: 9781256637660 Access Code: MyLabsPlus student access kit, available at the bookstore, online at usm.mylabsplus.com, or with a new text. Note: Free Access is available for the first 21 days of the course. Email: USM email account. Calculator: Any non-graphing calculator. TI-30XIIS is recommended. Contacting your instructor. Office Location: Math Zone Office Phone: Math Zone Office Hours: Monday Instructor Email: Math Zone Note: Each Instructor has additional hours in the Math Zone. These hours will be announced later. Important Dates. Last day to drop/add course. Tuesday, June 2, 2015 Last day to withdraw from course. Friday, July 10, 2015 Temporary access codes expire. Tuesday, June 16, 2015 Front Desk: 601-266-5824 Director/Coordinator: Corwin Stanford corwin.stanford@usm.edu 601-266-5768
College Algebra Syllabus MAT 101 Assessments Course assessments Attendance Notebook Checks MAT 101 Pre-Homework Post-Homework Post-Quizzes Unit Tests How will I be assessed? Attendance & Participation You will receive a participation grade for each lecture and class meeting in the lab. To earn a grade of 100%, you must attend for the entire class sessions and be alert and attentive. If you fail to meet this requirement, you will receive a grade of 0% for that class meeting. Laptops, cell phones, and any other electronic devices should be inactive and put away during class meetings. In addition, your grade for particiaption will include Notebook checks. Notebook checks performed during each lab period verify that the Course Notebook has been filled in for the relevant video lectures. Pre-Homework & Post-Homework. Before each lecture, a pre-homework is due. The Pre-Homework contains videos by the textbook author(s). You should fill out the Course Notebook while viewing the video lectures. The Post Homework is a longer assignment following the lecture, often with different topics or a different level of difficulty. Final Exam Post-Quizzes. Post-Quizzes are content quizzes to review the material. They are password-protected, and must be taken in the Math Zone. Pre-Homework Description: Video Lectures Short Problem Set Post-Homework Description: Longer Problem Set More difficult topics and/or problems Post-Quiz Description: Video Lectures Short Problem Set Test-like condition Settings: Unlimited attempts Save progress Tools available * View an example * Help me solve it Can work past due date for 50% credit (up to test date) Lecture Settings: Unlimited attempts Save progress Tools available * View an example * Help me solve it Can work past due date for 50% credit (up to test date) Settings: Three attempts Timed (30 minutes) 3-5 questions Password-protected *must take at Zone *no assistance (Due before the lecture) 5 Unit Tests (50%) (lowest unit test grade can be replaced by final exam) (Due at the same time) A 90% - 100% B 80% - 89% C 70% - 79% D 60% - 69% F 0% - 59% Participation (15%) (course notebook and attendance) Final Exam (20%) (cannot be test drop) Quizzes (5%) Homework (10%) (lowest two quizzes and two homework scores will be dropped)
What should I know, and what will I know? The bulletin prerequisite for this course is a subscore of 20 or higher on the mathematics portion of the ACT, or a grade of C or better in MAT 99 (Intermediate Algebra). Content prerequisites include proficiency in arithmetic (including combining fractions, order of operations, etc.), knowledge of rules for exponents and radicals, and exposure to solving quadratic equations by factoring (by trial and error or by grouping). The goal of the course is to provide a solid foundation of fundamental mathematics skills and to introduce (or reintroduce) students to functions commonly encountered in modeling real-world The following table provides a list of learning objectives for the course. More detailed objectives are posted at www.usm.edu/mathzone. Functions & Equations Linear Quadratic & Rational/Radical Polynomial Exponential & Logarithmic Identify functions, determine their domain & range, and identify symmetries. Graph linear functions and solve linear equations and inequalities. Solve equations involving quadratic, radical, or rational equations. Graph polynomial functions and analyze solutions to polynomial equations. Apply properties of exponential and logarithmic functions to solve equations. Select appropriate functions to model real-world Use linear functions to model real-world Use quadratic functions to model real-world Use polynomial functions to model real-world Use exponential and logarithmic functions to model real-world What should I do to be successful? Go to class. Classroom instruction is important, so avoid distractions while you re there. Other Resources Participate in class. Ask questions if you are confused and don't be afraid to respond to questions that are asked. Student Success Center Get to know your classmates. Offers tutoring through the Find times to work and study together. First Year Initiative (FYI) Establish a consistent schedule for your lab hours. http://www.usm.edu/success/ Whenever you enter or exit the Zone, write it down on the Weekly Lab McLemore Hall, Second Floor Requirements sheet that s on back of your weekly schedule. Phone: 601-266-5003 Work on your assignments early, and work often. Get help right away from the Math Zone staff with any problems you have. Focus on learning the concepts, not question types. It doesn t matter how high you score on your homework if you don t understand the material well enough to also pass your tests. Know when your instructor works in the Zone. In addition, get to know the tutors. Work ahead. Get slightly ahead to avoid missing due dates. Organize your work. Keep your video notes, class handouts, and homework scratch paper together and review them frequently. Print your homework assignments. If you are a pen and paper person, print it out, and bring it to the Zone. We will still provide tutoring, and you will still receive lab credit. After you ve finished, then enter it into MyLabsPlus, and rework any missed problems. Make good use of the video lectures. Unlike a traditional lecture, you can pause, rewind, and rewatch the video lectures as many times as you need to understand the material. Follow along with your video lecture notes, filling them out as you go. College Algebra MAT 101 Course Objectives
Preparing for your Test. Each test is password-protected and must be taken in the Math Zone. Unless other arrangements are necessary for your test, each test will occur during a normal class period (as indicated on the weekly schedule). Each test has an associated practice test which can be taken as many times as desired. To prepare for your test, complete any late assignments for the unit, and work the practice test until you obtain your desired score. At your test, fill out your scratch paper completely, Once your test is finished (but before it is submitted), call for a proctor pick up your scratch paper. Once your test is submitted, be sure to review any incorrect problems, as the test can only be reviewed at this point. If you notice any problems you missed due to syntax errors, let your instructor know promptly with a description of the problem. Testing Policies. During the test you must abide by the following testing policies: (1) You may not visit any website other than MyLabsPlus (and within MyLabsPlus, only your test) (2) You remain in the testing area for the duration of your test. What should I bring? Student ID A student ID is required for testing. Scientific Calculator Any non-graphing calculator. Pen or Pencil... and leave behind? Graphing Calculators & Calc. Lids Cell phones (or mobile devices) Notes or other paper(s) Bags or personal items Hats or headphones (3) No item from the list of items to leave behind should be brought into the testing area. A score of zero is given when a testing policy has been violated. Testing Policies Take a test for a scheduled absence before the due date. Fill out a test petition from the Math Zone desk or online at www.usm.edu/mathzone. Submit documentation to Student-Oriented Services. What if I want to retake a test? What if I need to reschedule a test? In the event of unscheduled, documented absences, a Petition for Alternative Test Date will need to be completed (available at the Math Zone desk) and submitted to the Math Zone Director. In addition, For an unscheduled, documented absence... documentation must be provided to the Office of Student- Oriented Services (R.C. Cook University Union - Room 221), indicating that the absence is documented and excused. These steps should be completed within two school days of the absence. Incomplete (no documentation submitted) or late petitions will not be accepted.in the event of scheduled absences or conflicts, the student should contact the Math Zone Coordinator to schedule an alternative date prior to the due date for the course. Retakes of tests will not be rescheduled. In the event of scheduled absences or conflicts, the student should contact the Math Zone Coordinator to schedule an alternative date prior to the due date for the course. However, again, retakes of tests will not be rescheduled. One test retake over the course of the semester is allowed. Students wishing to use their test retake must have completed a practice test for the associated unit with a score of 70% before a second attempt is allowed. In addition, they should proceed to the "Test Retake" tab in their MyLabsPlus course for specific instructions just prior to the test. Students failing to follow these instructions will not receive credit for their second attempt. Students must register online for a test appointment, and the test retake must be taken on the scheduled date. Test retakes will occur about one week after the first attempt (the schedule is posted on www.usm.edu/mathzone). One Test Retake for Unit tests 70% on Practice Test Required. 4
ODA Policy If a student has a disability that qualifies under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations, he/she should contact the Office for Disability Accommodations (ODA) for information on appropriate policies and procedures. Disabilities covered by ADA may include learning, psychiatric, physical disabilities, or chronic health disorders. Students can contact ODA if they are not certain whether a medical condition/disability qualifies. Address: The University of Southern Mississippi Office for Disability Accommodations 118 College Drive # 8586 Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001 Voice Telephone: (601) 266-5024 or (228) 214-3232 Fax: (601) 266-6035 Individuals with hearing impairments can contact ODA using the Mississippi Relay Service at 1-800-582-2233 (TTY) or email Suzy Hebert at Suzanne.Hebert@usm.edu. Make-up Policy The makeup policy for tests is covered in the section of the syllabus devoted to testing. Homeworks & Quizzes: All other make-ups (homework, quizzes, etc.) will be handled by your instructor. Only serious, verifiable circumstances will be considered, and documentation must be provided. If homework assignments are not completed on time for reasons other than unscheduled, documented absences, problems can be worked for 50% credit up until the date of the test on the associated unit. Missed quizzes (for reasons other than unscheduled, documented absences) cannot be made up. Academic Honesty Policy The following is taken from the Undergraduate Bulletin: When cheating is discovered, the faculty member may give the student an F on the work involved or in the course. If further disciplinary action is deemed appropriate, the student should be reported to the dean of students. In addition to being a violation of academic honesty, cheating violates the Code of Student Conduct and may be grounds for probation, suspension or expulsion. In particular, any instance of cheating cannot be replaced by a second attempt. Lab Policy The following policies concern use of the Math Zone. Violating the rules listed below may result in one or more of the following: loss of lab attendance credit, being asked to leave the Zone, and/or a zero on an assignment or assignments. 1. Only students in eligible MAT courses may enter the Math Zone. Friends, private tutors, etc. must find other premises (e.g. the library). 2. You are expected to be respectful of others. 3. Food, drinks, or tobacco products are not allowed. 4. Cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices should be inactive while working in the Math Zone. 5. You are expected to be actively working on mathematics while in the Math Zone, not visiting other websites or working on assignments for other classes. 5 What should I do to be successful? Use your time in class effectively. Sit near the front, avoid distractions, and participate. Ask questions if confused and don't be afraid to respond to questions that are asked. Learn the exact definitions of all new terms the first time they appear, so that misunderstandings do not prevent you from answering questions. Use your time in the lab effectively. Get help right away from the Math Zone staff with any problems you have. Organize your work; Keep video notes/class handouts/homework scratch paper together. Also, when working problems, model the same step-by-step, organized work as your instructor. Other Resources Student Success Center Offers tutoring through the First Year Initiative (FYI) http://www.usm.edu/success/ McLemore Hall, Second Floor Phone: 601-266-5003 Adequately prepare for the tests. Finish any remaining homework from the unit, and work the practice test until you get a score you would be happy with. On the test, read the problem carefully twice and then read the last sentence of the problem one more time Outside of the class and lab... Get to know your classmates and find times to work and study together. Establish a consistent schedule for completeing homework and studying for the course. Time management is especially crucial for math and science courses as they require more time than many other subjects Use study tools / tutors / online resources responsibly!! It doesn t matter how high you score on your homework if you cannot complete problems independently. Any resource can be misused... be sure to consistently check that you can work problems without assistance. Additional Tips: If you are a pen and paper person, print out your homework assignments, and bring it to the Zone. We will still provide tutoring; after you ve finished, enter the problems into MyLabsPlus, and rework any missed problems. Make good use of the video lectures. Unlike a traditional lecture, you can pause, rewind, and rewatch the video lectures as many times as you need.
Getting Started Syllabus Yes login: w****** password: usmmlppw, unless you changed it If you do not remember it, click the "Forgot Password" and a link to reset your password will be sent to your eagles email address. Unlock a computer. login: student password: student Open a Browser. website: usm.mylabsplus.com Have you taken a course in the Math Zone before? No login: w****** (your student ID) password: usmmlppw Open the Course. Once you have logged in, you should see a course list. No Do you have an access code? No Have you taken this course before? Yes Click "Temporary Access" Clicking the "Temporary Access" tab in your MyLabsPlus course will display a temporary access code. Yes Enter Access Code Click on "Course Home" to enter code. Begin Work. You are now free to begin exploring your course and starting your assignments. Use the toolbar on the left side of the page to navigate, and look at the course homepage for an overview of your schedule and your grades.