Winter 2018 Math& 141 Online Pre-Calculus I: College Algebra Instructor: Dr. James Howell Phone: 475-7716 Office: Sci-Tech 117 Email: jhowell@olympic.edu Office Hrs: M-F: 11:00-11:50am Web: http://faculty.olympic.edu/jhowell Text: Precalculus, (10th edition) by Sullivan (recommended) Online: MyMathLab Student Access Kit - Required, A graphing Calculator (TI sometimes demonstrated), also we will use wolframalpha and/or the desmos graphing calculator system. Need to have basic computer skills and have access to email and the internet to work on material in this course. Prerequisite: test score. Math 099, or its equivalent with a grade of C (2.5) or better, or satisfactory placement Course Description: Using numeric, analytic and graphical methods; linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions are studied. Course Objectives: This course covers a functional approach to algebra with emphasis on numerical, graphical, and algorithmic representations of functions. This course is recommended for students majoring in mathematics, science or engineering, and is structured to prepare the student for the Calculus series. Students finishing this course should be able to: 1. combine and evaluate functions graphically, numerically and algebraically; 2. identify various types of functions and their key features (i.e. vertex for a quadratic, domain and asymptotes for a rational function, etc.); 3. identify various types of equations (i.e. linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic) and choose appropriate techniques to solve the equation based on its classification; 4. identify various types of inequalities (i.e. linear, quadratic, rational) and choose appropriate techniques to solve the inequality based on its classification; 5. construct and use functions to model various real-world problems; 6. identify functions used in contemporary society and interpret graphs, sign charts, and tables of values; 7. justify conclusions, explain procedures and communicate results using appropriate functional notation and vocabulary; 8. use technology (a graphing calculator) as a tool in solving equations and investigating the behavior of functions and graphs. Reading & Videos: You will need to read the material and/or watch the videos pertinent to the sections for the assigned homework exercises. This is a hard habit to get into (and keep), but is well worthwhile. It does not matter if you do not understand all or some of the reading - simply exposing yourself to the text and concepts is very valuable. The sections along with video content, videos will work on any platform, to be covered on any particular night can be viewed under the schedule link on the course webpage on my faculty webpage at http://faculty.olympic.edu/jhowell/math141/mainmath141online.html Learning Disabilities/Special Needs and Requests: If you have a learning disability or any other special needs or requests please make an appointment with me, as soon an possible, so we can discuss any assistance that would be helpful. PROCTORED EXAMS: Most online Math classes at Olympic College have proctored exams. A proctored exam is when a proctor, such as your instructor, is present to supervise the administration of an exam. This means that you will need to go to the Olympic College campus, or set up an appointment with a local testing center, to take three exams for this online course. See page 4 of the syllabi for the exam dates.
Class Website: http://www.pearsonmylab.com, the Course ID is howell06463, each student will need a MyMathLab student Access code to enter the course. The MyMathLab student access code can be purchased at the bookstore, online at the pearsonmylab website, or even through Amazon.com. Organization of Class Website: Class website mainly uses the static main menu, on the LEFT side of the screen. Course Home - Upcoming Assignments, Weekly Calendar with due dates, announcements. Online Homework & Quizzes - Where the Daily Homework Exercises and Weekly Quizzes can be found. Author In Action Videos - A set of videos from your author that cover various topics. different from the ones that I will be sending each morning. These are Guided Lecture Notes - A set of notes to organize thoughts as you go through the Author in Action Video content. Chapter Contents - allows you to pick a particular section and view instructional materials (videos, multimedia animations, powerpoints, etc.) etext - the electronic book Study Plan - Extra Resource of problems that are generated automatically based on the homework exercises chosen for the course. Work on this if you would like extra practice. GRADEBOOK - organizes your grades as you progress thru the course. Skills for Success - A few extra resources to aid in student success with study habits and other activities. Tools for Success - Algebra review card, Graphing Calculator Links. Multimedia Library - allows you to pick the multimedia resources for a specific chapter, section, and media type. Course Tools - Email, Chat & ClassLive (useful for communicating with me from your computer to mine), Document Sharing (a folder to download/upload documents from). Getting Help: Free tutoring is available in the Math Study Center (ST-126) Mon - Thurs: 9am-7pm, Fri: 8am-5pm, Sat: 10am-3pm. You may make an appointment with me or send me an email and we can make arrangements to use the ClassLive link within MyMathLab where we can communicate in real time. If you want help on a specific question you are completing in the homework, use the Ask My Instructor email link. As well as giving you a place to ask your question, the Ask My Instructor procedure automatically sends the professor a copy of the exact problem you are working on. After an assignment due date check back into the homework to see if I have made any comments on your work. I will focus on the problems you get incorrect and comment on them individually. To obtain website or technical help, click on any MyMathLab Student Support link. These links are in the chapter areas of the website.
Academic Honesty Policy: Overview: Students are required to do their own work on all homework, quizzes, exams, and projects in this class. On the Homework: Students may ask questions of the instructor or tutors, or post a question on the discussion board, and may use the online class website resources freely in completing homework. Students may NOT allow others to work their actual homework problems nor show them how to complete their actual problem. On the Quizzes: Students may use their own printed homework and personal notes and the textbook when completing the online quizzes. I would advise you to try your best to not rely on these resources, as you do not get to use them with the on ground exams. Students may NOT use any other resource while completing the quizzes. Students may NOT communicate with any person by any means about any topic while completing quizzes. On the Exams: Exam 1 and Exam 2 are scheduled on campus in ST-123, or a proctored environment, as noted on the course calendar and later in the syllabi. These exams are closed note and closed book. Take-home work that will be available during term and will be announced through email and the announcements page. Students may NOT communicate about the take-home work to any person by any means (except the instructor). NOTE: Communication by any means includes electronic communication (email, phone, text, etc.) as well as in-person communication. Students should report any instances that appear to be cheating or attempts to cheat to the professor. Students who do not comply with the Academic Honesty Policy will be subjected to a failing grade in this course.
Assessment: 1. Homework -9% - Getting Started is an Orientation Homework assignment and must be completed. Algebra Review I, and Algebra Review II are for your benefit, but are not required for credit. Homework Assignments may done in several sittings; you may close a homework assignment and return to it any time. Homework assignments have due dates that may be viewed by clicking the Calendar link inside any chapter area of the class website. Due dates for homework assignments are ADVISORY, not mandatory. This means you may work on any homework assignment to raise your grade, even after the due date. To improve your score on a homework assignment, go to any problem you missed, click Similar Problem. You will be given a new problem to complete. It is important to keep up with the homework and work on it regularly. You will not be allowed to start a homework assignment until you have earned 70% or higher on the preceding assignment. 2. Quizzes - 21% - The TOP SIX (6) out of SEVEN (7) Quizzes covering specific topics all due by 11:59pm. Quiz 1 Sunday January 7, 2018 max time 45 minutes Quiz 2 Sunday January 14, 2018 max time 45 minutes Quiz 3 Sunday January 21, 2018, max time 45 minutes Quiz 4 Sunday February 4, 2018 max time 45 minutes Quiz 5 Sunday February 11, 2018 max time 45 minutes Quiz 6 Sunday February 18, 2018 max time 45 minutes Quiz 7 Sunday March 4, 2018 max time 45 minutes You will have TWO attempts for each quiz. After your first attempt you will have an opportunity to review your quiz, use the study plan and work practice problems in order to prepare for the second attempt. But, the second attempt must be completed by the given deadline. Each quiz is worth 3.5% of your course grade. Once you start a quiz, you may NOT pause and resume. Make sure you set time aside to finish the quiz in enough time. Quizzes have due dates that may be viewed by clicking the Calendar link inside any chapter area of the class website. Due dates for quizzes are ENFORCED. You may not take a quiz after the due date unless you have requested a Due Date Extension (only get two of these.) 3. Exams - 30% - Exam 1 is scheduled for Friday January 26, 2018 from 8:00am-10:00am in ST-123 or at a proctored exam location. You will have 120 minutes for completion. Exam 2 is scheduled for Tuesday February 20, 2018 from 8:00am - 10:00pm in ST-123 or at a proctored exam location. You will have 120 minutes for completion. Exams may only be taken once. There are no second-chance exams. Material from the videos, handouts and homework are all relevant to the exams. 4. Take-Home Work - 15% - Guidelines for these assignments will be give at a later date and sent out through announcements. 5. Final Exam - 25% - The Final Exam will be held on campus on Wednesday March 14, 2018 from 8:00am - 10:00am in ST-123. Students who do not take the final exam will be given a 0.0 in the course. In rare situations, students have extreme circumstances that prevent them from taking the final; for example, if a student delivers a baby early or is in a plane accident. If such a situation occurs, the student should notify the professor within 48 hours of the scheduled final exam.
Due Date Extensions: At the beginning of the quarter, each student is allowed to use two Due Date Extensions. These extensions are used to extend due dates for the quizzes. If a student wishes a 4-day extension on any quiz, the student should email the professor before the quiz is due asking to be granted a due date extension. Decimal Grade points are calculated using the following piecewise functions where x represents the percentage for the course: 3.9 4.0 x 94 G(x) = 0.1 int(72.90411 ln(x) 291.79845) 60 x < 94 0.0 x < 60 No grade points will be given except those listed above. Students who quit coming to class and do not officially withdraw through the registration office will receive an F (0.0) for the course. I do not assign WP or WF grades. The last day to drop and receive a W is Thursday February 15, 2018. Final Exam: Mark your calendar for your final exam, make appropriate spring trip accordingly. 8:00am - 10:00am on Wednesday March 14, 2018 in ST-123 Expectations: Students are expected to regularly read the Announcements area. By clicking the View All tab, students can re-read previously posted announcements. Students are expected to be aware of all due dates and manage their time to complete work in a timely fashion. Students are expected to watch chapter videos and lecture videos posted on the faculty webpage. Students are expected to regularly enter the class website (4 to 6 days a week) to complete assignments. Students having difficulties entering the homework through http://www.pearsonmylab.com can try to enter the homework through http://www.mathxl.com Disclaimer: Please be aware that certain aspects of the course may be modified in order to meet the needs of the class. You are responsible for knowing about all announcements, changes in the syllabi, exam, etc. made in class.