Math 121- Online College Algebra Syllabus Spring 2015 Instructor: Michael Azlin Office: Hume 218 Office Hours: M/W: 10:00 11:30am, T/Th: 9:00 10:30am, or by appt (Note: No W/Th hours during test weeks) Email: mwazlin@olemiss.edu SOFTWARE (REQUIRED) Software (including an ebook) for this course will be provided. There is a hardcover textbook for those who may want to purchase: College Algebra, 2 nd Edition, by Paul Sisson; ISBN: 9781932628272 COURSE OBJECTIVES Students who successfully complete Math 121 will be able to perform the following tasks: Simplify, add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions, as well as simply complex rational expressions. Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable. Solve equations containing rational expressions and those containing radical expressions. Solve quadratic equations by factoring, square root property, completing the square, and quadratic formula. Solve higher order polynomial equations. Find intercepts and slope of a linear equation in two variables; graph linear equation in two variables. Write the equation of a line in point- slope, slope- intercept, and standard forms. Find equations of parallel and perpendicular lines to a given line. Find the domain and range of a relation given a set of ordered pairs, or given the graph of the relation. Determine whether or not a relation is a function using a graph or an equation Evaluate functions, find the domain of a function, and find a difference quotient. Combine and compose functions. Find the inverse of a one- to- one function. Find the vertex and intercepts of a quadratic function; graph a quadratic function. Graph higher order polynomial functions. Divide polynomials using long division and synthetic division. Determine zeros of higher order polynomial functions using the Remainder and Factor Theorems. Find equations of vertical, horizontal, and slant asymptotes of a rational function Solve polynomial and rational inequalities. Solve exponential equations, and solve application problems with exponential functions. Use the basic properties of logarithms and the change of base formula. Use the power, quotient, and product rules to expand and condense logarithmic expressions. Solve logarithmic equations. Solve systems of equations in two variables using the substitution and elimination methods. HOMEWORK Homework will be assigned for each section covered, and will count as 10% of your overall grade. Homework assignments will be done on the computer using Hawkes. Homework assignments are either complete (certified) or not. You must attain approximately 85% on each assignment for certification to receive credit for the assignment. This means that you have a limited number of Strikes per assignment. You have an unlimited number of attempts at each question as long as you do not accept a Strike. Homework assignments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the due date. Late homework has the following penalty: 10% for 1 day, 25% up to 3 days, and 50 % up to 5 days. Assignments can still be completes after 5 days, but no credit will be given. Any non- submitted homework assignment will be given a grade of zero (0). At least two homework scores will be dropped.
QUIZZES There will be a total of eight (8) quizzes during the semester (two per test cycle). Quizzes are untimed, and they are not proctored. Questions will be similar in format to the examples in class and homework problems. You will be allowed three (3) attempts per quiz; best score is counted (all attempts do not have to be same day). Quizzes must be completed by the posted deadlines to receive credit. Your quiz average will count as 10% of your overall grade. If a quiz is missed for ANY reason, a grade of zero (0) will be given. THERE ARE NO MAKE- UP QUIZZES GIVEN FOR ANY REASON. Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped. TESTS There will be two (2) unit tests during the semester. There will be a one- hour (60 minute) time limit on each unit test, and they will not be proctored. Questions will be similar in format to examples in class, homework, quizzes, and the practice tests on Hawkes. Tests will be taken on a computer using Hawkes. Each test will count as 10% (for a total of 20%) of your overall grade. If a test is missed for ANY reason, a grade of zero (0) will be given. THERE ARE NO MAKE- UP TESTS GIVEN FOR ANY REASON. MIDTERM EXAMS There will be two (2) midterm exams during the semester. The midterm exams will be a two- hour (120 minute) time limit on each midterm, and they are proctored. The Midterm Exam 1 will cover all material up to that point, and Midterm Exam 2 will cover all material since Midterm Exam 1. Midterms will be taken on a computer using Hawkes. Each midterm will count as 15% (for a total of 30%) of your overall grade. Midterm 1 will be available for proctoring Monday, March 2 Friday, March 6. Midterm 2 will be available for proctoring Monday, April 20 Friday, April 24. I will post the information regarding scheduling for a proctoring time as soon as it is made available to me. If a midterm is missed for ANY reason, a grade of zero (0) will be given. THERE ARE NO MAKE- UP MIDTERMS GIVEN FOR ANY REASON. The lower of the two midterm percentages will be replaced by the final exam percentage if the final exam percentage is higher. FINAL EXAM There will be a comprehensive final exam in this course (covering material from both midterms). There will be a two- hour (120 minute) time limit on the final exam, and it will be proctored. The final will be taken on a computer using Hawkes. The final exam will count as 25% of your overall grade. The final exam will be available for proctoring Monday, May 4 Friday, May 8. I will post the information regarding scheduling for a proctoring time as soon as it is made available to me.
DISCUSSION BOARDS This being an online class, there is no attendance. In lieu of meeting in a classroom, you will be required to make at least one discussion board post during each non- test week of the course. Discussion board posts will count as 5% of your overall grade. Guidelines for posting can be found on Blackboard. PRACTICE TESTS A practice test will be created for each of the unit tests, midterm exams, and for the final exam. Like the homework, these practice tests are VERY useful and powerful tools. Each unit test/midterm/final will be built directly from its respective practice test. It is suggested that you work EACH of them prior to the actual test. In addition to gaining essential practice, you will receive BONUS POINTS based on your practice test scores. There will be a total of five (5) practice tests during the semester. Practice tests are untimed and non- proctored. Questions will be similar in format to the examples in class, homework, and quizzes. Practice tests will be done using Hawkes. You have an unlimited number of attempts for each test, with only your best score counted. Practice tests must be submitted by the posted deadlines to receive credit. Your practice test average can add up to five (5) percentage points to your overall course grade. DEADLINES The exact dates of all deadlines can be found on the course calendar on Blackboard and on Hawkes. Listed are the times of those deadlines. Homework must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on the due date. Homework has 1, 3, and 5 day grace periods for reduced credit (see homework section above). Quizzes must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on the due date. Practice tests must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on the due date (the will be the same dates as the respective tests) Unit tests must be completed by 11:59 on the due date. Midterm exams must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on the due date. Final exam must be completed by 6:00 p.m. on Friday of finals week. PROCTORED TESTING STATEMENT This course has THREE (3) proctored exams. It is the student s responsibility to schedule the appointments for any proctored assessments. Please note that your instructor has limited the date and time that the assessments is available. Please check the course schedule for specific information about the proctored assessments. To schedule an appointment go to http://omo.outreach.olemiss.edu/testschedule If you do not see your course listed on the appointment schedule for the Oxford, Tupelo or Desoto campuses, please check the online appointment system at a later time or contact the proctor. It is important that students report promptly at the appointed day and time. ARRIVE AT LEAST 5 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT. If you have to reschedule your exam appointment, contact your proctor directly.
JACKSON AVENUE CENTER MATHEMATICS LAB The Mathematics Lab is located in Room A01 of (to the left after you enter the main entrance) the Jackson Avenue Center complex on Jackson Avenue (the Malco complex) that is available for tutoring. The lab is for math coursework only. No other work is allowed! This includes coursework for other classes, email, internet browsing, cellphone conversations, or texting. You will be asked to leave if you violate these rules. Please see http://mathlab.olemiss.edu/ for more information about the Math Lab. The Jackson Center parking lot is one of the "Park and Ride" lots. This means that students with other parking decals (such as dorm/fraternity/sorority decals) will not be able to park at the Jackson Center until after 5 pm. UPD will give tickets if students with other decals park in the lot before 5 pm. If you do not have a commuter or park & ride parking sticker, you may utilize the OUT Shuttle (Brown Line) or on a more limited basis the Blue Line. Please see http://www.oxfordms.net/visitors/transit/bus- routes- a- schedules.html. The Brown Line runs every 5-10 minutes between JAC and Paris- Yates Chapel. Other stops are Guyton Hall and the ROTC building. Each student is required to bring his or her Ole Miss ID card to the lab. Students are required to scan in with their cards upon entrance to and exit from the lab so that that their times are recorded in the computer system. It is the responsibility of the student to scan in and out properly. Students must pick their class on the scanner screen after scanning their id card. You must scan for each entry/exit including restroom breaks, checking phone, etc. Absolutely no cell phones, laptops, or food are allowed in the Math Lab! Math Lab Hours: Monday- Thursday 9:00am- 7:00pm; Friday 9:00am- 5:00pm Help/tutoring will be available Wed- Fri on test weeks in Hume 326 during the posted Math Lab hours. CALCULATORS Only non- graphing calculators are allowed for the proctored testing in this course. It is suggested that you use a non- graphing calculator for all other work so that you are acclimated come test time. The suggested calculator for use is the TI- 30XS Multi- View. ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT The following statement is the policy of the Department of Mathematics regarding cheating: Offenses: Cheating on any exam or quiz, theft or attempted theft of exam questions, possession of exam questions prior to the time for examination, the use of a cell phone, or the use of a personal calculator on tests shall all be offenses subject to appropriate penalties. Furthermore, the presence of any mathematics (review tests, etc.) during tests shall be subject to the appropriate penalty. Penalties: The penalty for commission of any offense set out above is a zero (0) on the exam in question, and a recommendation of failure in the course to the Academic Discipline Committee. Furthermore, if you are found guilty of cheating, then the penalty could also include, subject to the approval of the Chancellor, dismissal or suspension from the University. Please note that any grade of zero (0) given for cheating will not be replaced if the recommendation of course failure is not followed by the Academic Discipline Committee. WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE Tuesday, March 3 rd is the course withdrawal deadline. After the Course Withdrawal Deadline, courses dropped will be recorded on University records and the W grade will be recorded if the student is not failing the course at the time of withdrawal; otherwise the grade recorded will be F. After the course withdrawal deadline, a student may drop a course only in cases of extreme and unavoidable emergency as determined by the academic dean; dropping a course after the deadline will not be permitted because of dissatisfaction over an expected grade or because the student is changing his or her major.
SPECIAL NEEDS It is the responsibility of any student with a disability who requests a reasonable accommodation to contact the Office of Student Disability Services (915-7128). Contact will then be made by that office through the student, by means of an Instructor Notification of Classroom Accommodation form, to the instructor of this class. The instructor will then be happy to work with the student so that a reasonable accommodation of any disability can be made. Additionally, the student must provide this form to Ole Miss Online (details on Blackboard). OTHER NOTES If a student wishes to discuss the grading policy, the testing policy, or wishes to have any conversation regarding the instructor of the course, please make an appointment with the course supervisor in the Department of Mathematics. An "I" grade will not be given without the permission of the Department of Mathematics. OVERALL GRADE The following scale will be used to determine your overall grade. Grade A A B+ B B C+ C D F Percentage Necessary 93 90 87 83 80 77 70 60 Below 60 To calculate your grade: Percentage = 0.2*(Test Avg.) + 0.3*(Mid Avg.) + 0.1*(Quiz Avg.) + 0.25*(Final Exam) + 0.1*(Homework Avg.) + 0.05*(Discussion) + 0.05*(Practice Test Avg.) Where Mid Avg. = (Add the 2 highest of the midterms and final exam) 2 Note: This is done automatically in Hawkes (except for discussion grade). A LAST WORD Algebra is not a spectator sport; it requires active participation and PRACTICE. You can study, you can review, and you can watch someone do examples; however, above all else, you must PRACTICE. The homework assignments that have been created for each section of material are intended to prepare you for the quizzes and unit tests. They are VERY useful and powerful tools, as the quizzes, and unit tests will be built from these assignments. It is suggested that you do ALL of them not just for the points that they contribute to your overall grade, but also to maximize your test scores!
Student Directions Course ID: UMISSCOL Instructor Name: Online Algebra Section Name: Online Spring 2015 Do NOT purchase a used License Number or Access Code (from other students or online vendors). License Numbers and Access Codes are registered to the original purchaser only. Create Your Hawkes Account Go to learn.hawkeslearning.com and click New User to create an account. 1. If you have already purchased your materials, enter your License Number (located on the yellow sticker in your materials) or Access Code and click Validate. OR If you need to purchase an Access Code, use the link to purchase one from the Hawkes website. a. Select the option to Purchase an Access Code. b. Fill out the form with your information. c. Click Submit to receive your personalized Access Code. d. Copy and paste or type your Access Code into the New User Setup page. 2. Fill out the form with your information or confirm the preloaded information. 3. Set your password, time zone, and security questions. 4. Add a profile image. Enroll in Your Course Select your instructor and section from the drop- down menus and click Enroll. You are now ready to complete assignments for this course! Explore Your Course Watch the Video Tour located under the profile menu to learn more about Hawkes. The Dashboard includes your course information and the mini To- Do List. The To- Do List shows you when you need to complete homework or take a test. The Navigation Toolbar contains links to important tools such as your grades, ebooks, the notifications center, and messages.
Complete Your Homework Each lesson involves three phases: Learn, Practice, and Certify. Use Learn and Practice to learn the concepts and work out practice problems. When you feel confident in the material, move to Certify to complete your homework. For additional help, go to http://www.hawkestv.com to watch videos on every lesson. Get Help If you have any questions about registering your email address and password, enrolling in your course, or using the site, please contact Hawkes Technical Support. Phone: 800.426.9538 Phone Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 10:00pm ET Online Chat Support: http://www.hawkeslearning.com/chat Chat Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Technical Support Email: support@hawkeslearning.com