MAT 124 College Algebra Online

Sample Syllabus

 

Professor:  Dr. Erin Wilding-Martin        Office:  M207

e-mail:  emartin@parkland.edu    Phone:  (217) 353-2037

 

Office Hours:  TBA        

Peer Tutoring in D120:  9 am–9 pm Monday through Thursday, 9 am–5 pm Friday

This is a free service available to all Parkland students.  It is primarily staffed by Parkland student tutors who have had higher-level math classes.

 

Required Materials: 

Ø  ALEKS Higher-Ed 1-semester Access Code

Ø  TI-83/83 Plus or TI-84 Plus graphing calculator

Ø  Notebook

 

Optional Textbook:  The textbook for this course is College Algebra, 8^th edition, by Barnett, Ziegler, and Byleen.  The relevant chapters will be available in pdf form within ALEKS.  Go to a pie topic in ALEKS, click “Explain” and look for the link on the right.  If you would prefer a hard copy for reference, the book is available from most online textbook retailers.  (Because the book is optional, it is not carried in the Parkland bookstore.  If you rely on financial aid, it would be ok to wait for your refund check before you order the book.)

 

Grading:

Ø  Homework                         10%

   o   Notebook

   o   Angel Homework

   o   ALEKS Homework

Ø  ALEKS Chapter Completion    20%

Ø  Quizzes/Unit Exams             25%

Ø  Midterm Exam                    15%

Ø  Final Exam                         30%

 

Grading Policy:

This course follows the traditional scale, except that you cannot earn a grade in the course that is more than 10% higher than your weighted average on the proctored midterm and final exams.  (Weighted average means the final counts twice as much as the midterm.)  For example, if you have a 92% average for the semester, but you only average 78% on the midterm and final, you will get a B in the course.  

 

GRADING SCALE

        A      90-100% average, with midterm/final average of 80% or higher

        B      80-89% average, with midterm/final average of 70% or higher

        C      70-79% average, with midterm/final average of 60% or higher

        D      60-69% average, with midterm/final average of 50% or higher

        F       0-59% average, or midterm/final average below 50%

 

This policy is designed to enforce academic honesty, while still being fair to you.  There is no way I can enforce a closed book, closed note policy for online exams.  Requiring a minimum score on the proctored midterm and final is meant to encourage students to do their own online work, and to encourage them to prepare for these exams by not using books and notes during online exams.  This will make sure that that your course grade reflects your knowledge, and that you will have the prerequisite skills to do well in your next math class. 

 

The deadline to withdraw with a W on your transcript is published in the Parkland catalog.  This cannot be done online--you must contact Admissions and Records.

 

Required Progress: Instructors may withdraw students from class for not making adequate progress toward the course requirements or goals. I have not set arbitrary minimums for hours logged into ALEKS or progress made. My hope is that you are dedicated and disciplined to independently work at the necessary pace to be successful in the course. However, if a student is not making progress in ALEKS and sincerely working toward completion of the course requirements, then I will withdraw that student from the course.

 

Course Policy Agreement:  You must submit the Course Policy Agreement by the end of the first week, indicating that you understand and agree to this policy.  If you do not, you will be dropped from the course.  This agreement covers all of the information in the “Start Here” folder.  If you do not agree to one or more of the course policies, you may drop the class with a full refund before the deadline.  If you wait until I drop you, no refund will be given.

 

Course Content

Unit 1: Chapters R and 1; Intermediate Algebra Review

Unit 2: Chapters 2 and 3; Functions and Graphs

Unit 3: Chapters 4 and 5; Polynomial, Rational, Exponential, and Logarithmic Functions

Unit 4: Chapters 7 and 8; Systems of Equations and Inequalities, Sequences and Series

 

Notebook:  You are required to keep a notebook in which you will write down all of the problems you work on in ALEKS.  List the topic, then write down each problem you work in that area along with your solution.  I would recommend using a binder with a tab for each chapter.  This will allow you to organize your work and use it for reference or review.  I will check your notebook at the midterm and final exams, as part of your Homework grade.

 

ALEKS Chapter Completion:  You will earn points for completing each chapter in ALEKS by its deadline.

 

ALEKS Homework:  There is a homework assignment in ALEKS for each chapter.  These homeworks have no time limit and can be attempted multiple times before the deadline.  I will record your best score for each. 

 

Angel Homework:  You will also have homework assignments in Angel, to supplement the work you are doing in ALEKS. 

 

Quizzes/Unit Exams:  Each unit contains two chapters.  There will be a quiz after the first chapter and an exam at the end of the unit.  These are in ALEKS under the Homework tab.  Each quiz has a one hour time limit and each exam has a two hour time limit once you start, but you must also finish by the deadline.  You may only attempt quizzes and exams once.

 

Midterm Exam:  The midterm exam will be TBA, 6-8 pm at Parkland College. 

 

Final Exam:  The final exam will cover all material from the entire semester.  It will be TBA, 6-8 pm at Parkland College. 

 

Note:  The midterm and final exams will be proctored exams, given in person at Parkland College or other prearranged testing site.  Regardless of where you take the exams, they must be taken on or before the date of the scheduled exams at Parkland.

 

Communication:  You may communicate with me by discussion board, phone, or email.  I will usually reply within 24 hours, except during breaks when classes are not in session.

 

Conduct: All students have the right to a classroom environment that is conducive to teaching and learning. When writing discussion board postings and email messages, please keep in mind that this is an academic setting.

 

Academic Honesty:  Unethical conduct during examinations or in preparation of assignments will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action.  Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to:  (1) the submission of another person’s work as one’s own, and (2) the use of unauthorized technology or inappropriate use of technology during examinations and quizzes.  Refer to the Parkland College Student Policies and Procedures Manual for more information.

 

Center for Academic Success:  If you find yourself needing assistance of any kind to complete assignments, stay on top of readings, study for tests, or just to stay in school, please contact one of the following staff at the Center for Academic Success in room D120.
                        Anita Taylor    Phone: 353-2005 
                        Sue Schreiber    Phone: 351-2441
You may also email the CAS at CenterForAcademicSuccess@parkland.edu.

 

ADA Statement:  If you believe you have a disability for which you may need an academic accommodation (including an alternate testing environment, use of assistive technology or other classroom assistance), please contact:

                        Nancy Rowley

                        Assistant Director, Office of Disability Services

                        Room X148, Phone 353-2338

                        nrowley@parkland.edu

 

This syllabus is subject to change if necessary.  If any changes are made, you will be notified by email.