About Your Course

Instructional Methodology:

Classroom Section: This course is taught in the classroom primarily as a lecture/discussion course.

Synonym: 57328/57119                       Section: Math 1414 Sec 020/Matd 0444 Sec 001

Meeting location: HLC 2102               Meeting times: MTWTh 1:30pm – 3:25pm

Prerequisites: NCBM 0270 with a grade of C or higher. Or appropriate score on math TSI Assessment test. Corequisite(s): MATH 1414.

Paired Course Policy: This is a paired course.  Students who withdraw from MATD 0444 will automatically be withdrawn from MATH 1414.

Calculator: Students need either a scientific or business calculator. (Has log or ln key.) If a student cannot purchase one, calculators are available from the library.  Graphing calculators are not required, but you will use graphing technology in most sections of the book.  Graphing calculators are also available in the library and https://www.austincc.edu/students/student-technology-services look for “Additional Technology for Checkout”.  Most ACC faculty are familiar with the TI family of graphing calculators. Hence, TI calculators are highly recommended for student use.  Other calculator brands can also be used.  Your instructor will determine the extent of calculator use in your class section.

Other Technology: Access to a webcam and microphone are required for this course. Eligible students can check out required technology at https://www.austincc.edu/students/student-technology-services.

Course Calendar

Note: Schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement. 

Important Dates

Last day for 70% refund: February 6th  (Mon.)

Last day to withdraw: April 24th (Mon.)

Holidays: MLK Day, January 16th (Mon., college closed)

                  Spring Break, March 13th-17th (college closed all week)

                              (Please note these are the ONLY holidays this semester.)

Making Time to Learn

We learn math by thinking about and working on mathematical problems, which takes time. Practice is crucial in a math course. To ensure that you have adequate time, set aside 8-12 hours per week outside of class time to practice and study for this course.  Ask for help immediately when something isn’t clear. 

Getting Help

ACC provides several free resources for students who need help; descriptions and links are below: 

Office hours: Another name for office hours is “student hours.” This is the time your instructor has set aside to answer student questions, so feel free to drop by if you have questions. Office hours may be virtual or on campus; see information above.

Instructional Associates: Instructional Associates specific to the course you are taking are available for tutoring. To make an appointment, go to https://sites.google.com/a/austincc.edu/math-students/meet/list and then click on your course.

Learning Labs: The ACC Learning Labs provide tutoring in math and other subjects. To schedule an appointment, go to https://www.austincc.edu/students/learning-lab. This site includes information about in person and virtual tutoring options.

Academic Coaching: Academic coaches offer extra support to students with study strategies; they want to help you learn to be an active participant in your own learning process. For more information or to make an appointment with an academic coach, go to https://www.austincc.edu/students/academic-coaching.

ACC Student Services: Services are offered in many areas, including Academic, Financial, Personal, and Technology Support.  For more information, go to https://www.austincc.edu/student-support.

Grades

Grade Components

Tests: 80%

Written Homework: 10%

ALEKS Homework: 10%

Grading Scale

A: 90 - 100

B: 80 – 89

C: 70 – 79

D: 60 – 69

F: < 60

MATD 0444 and MATH 1414 Grades

Students receive the same grade for both MATD 0444 and MATH 1414, with the following exceptions:

Students who may not pass the college credit portion of the course may earn credit for the developmental portion of the course (and therefore be TSI complete) in any of the following ways:

• If a student's grade average on Tests 1 - 5 is higher than the overall grade average, the instructor may assign the letter grade based on Tests 1 - 5 for MATD 0444 only.  

                                                     or

• A student who does not have a passing average on tests 1 - 5 and has chosen not to attempt to successfully complete MATH 1414 may make arrangements with the instructors to work on Independent Study for developmental content. The student may then take an alternate MATD 0444 final exam covering only the content supporting tests 1 - 5 instead of the MATH 1414 final exam. A grade for MATD 0444 may be given at the instructor’s discretion solely on the basis of this final exam.

A grade of C or higher in MATD 0444 is sufficient for a student to be declared TSI complete (college ready) in math and satisfies the prerequisite for College Algebra for Precalculus (MATH 1414). That means that a student who earns a C in MATD 0444 but does not successfully complete College Algebra may register for College Algebra the next semester without a co-requisite.

What will we do in this class?

Tests: All 8 tests are proctored and given during class.  The test schedule is posted in the syllabus course calendar. Tests are given during Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 on Thursday, in class. You must show your work for each problem in order to earn full credit.  We recommend a graphing calculator such as the TI-84 which can be used on a test. If you cannot purchase one, calculators are available from Student Technology Services. 

Written Homework:

There are daily written homework assignments, in the form of worksheets, corresponding to each topic/section. The Written Homework pages for the first 2 weeks will be handed out in class.  Here is the process to follow with written homework:

1. Complete the ALEKS homework first in order to obtain immediate feedback.
2. Complete the written homework second, directly on the homework worksheet.
3. Turn the homework worksheet in-person during the next class meeting. Written homework is graded by completion and correctness. In order to earn a perfect score, you must show all of your work for both practice and graded problems, follow an appropriate process, and obtain a correct answer. If you are uncertain about your answers, it is worth seeking help before turning in the assignment.

ALEKS Homework:

You can find your daily ALEKS homework by logging into ALEKS from the “ALEKS Login” tab of Blackboard. Once you are in ALEKS, click on the Menu icon in the upper left-hand corner and select Assignments. Practice problems mostly reference questions in our textbook.

Due Dates for Written Homework and Aleks Homework:

The daily written homework and daily Aleks homework are due by 1:30 PM the next class day. For example, written and Aleks homework for sections covered in Monday’s class meeting are due by 1:30 PM on Tuesday. This also means any written/Aleks homework assigned on Thursday, will be due at 1:30 PM the following Monday.

What happens if I miss something?

Late Work Policy: Late homework (written and Aleks) will have a 5% penalty deduction. Homework can be turned in late with the 5% penalty until 1:30 PM the following Monday. Late homework assignments not turned in by this final deadline will receive a grade of 0.

Missed Exam Policy:  If you have an extraordinary circumstance which forces you to be absent on test day, you must contact both professors before the end of Test Day to discuss the situation. We will consider, but not guarantee, offering a make-up time to replace the zero.  Our decision will be based on the circumstance as well as your overall effort/attendance in the course.  Failure to inform both professors of your test day absence before the end of test day, may result in a test grade of 0.

Attendance Policy: Daily attendance is mandatory. This corequisite option covers material from three courses, and involves group activities on a daily basis. Your partners depend on you for group work, and your own success in the course depends on your full commitment. 

If attendance (more than 4 absences) or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructors may withdraw students from the class but make no promise to do so.

Expectations:

1. Attend all sessions 

1. Arrive on time to the virtual session and stay for the duration of the session 

1. Participate during that time and spend time outside of class working on homework 

1. Make use of the raise your hand tool when in a large Blackboard Collaborate session so we   are not all speaking at once. 

1. Keep chat (whether via text or microphone) appropriate and course focused. 

This is a First Day™ class. The cost of required course materials, including an online version of the textbook and ALEKS, has been added to your tuition and fees bill.   

Textbook: College Algebra with Corequisite Support, 1st Edition by Miller & Gerken. McGraw-Hill (ALEKS software) ISBN: 9781260867275  

ALEKS:  We will use ALEKS for accessing your textbook and online homework.

Course Content

Course Description

Credit Hours: 8, Contact Hours: 8

MATH 1414 – College Algebra for Precalculus (4-4-0). A course for students planning to take Precalculus (MATH 2412) and Calculus (MATH 2413). Content includes the rational, real, and complex number systems; the study of functions including polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions and related equations; inequalities; sequences and series; systems of linear equations using matrices.

MATD 0444 – Developmental Algebra for Precalculus (4-4-0). A course designed to develop the skills and understanding contained in secondary school algebra. Topics include review of operations and properties of real numbers, negative exponents, functions, graphing linear equations, solving linear and quadratic equations and systems of linear equations, solving linear inequalities, operations on polynomials and factoring, and introduction to rational, radical, and exponential functions.

Course Rationale

This course is designed to teach students the functional approach to mathematical relationships that they will need for a calculus sequence. Other courses, such as MATH 1314, MATH 1332, or MATH 1342 are more appropriate to meet a general mathematics requirement.  Check with your degree plan as to what math course your college requires.

Note: Students who have a degree requirement for College Algebra but are not planning to take Precalculus should take College Algebra MATH 1314.

MATH 1414 Course Objectives

Functions: 

• Use and interpret functional notation. 
• Find the domain of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions. 
• Find a symbolic representation of the sum, difference, product, quotient, and composition of two functions.
• Evaluate the sum, difference, product, quotient, and composition of two functions at a given value of the respective domain for functions represented symbolically, graphically, and numerically.
• Find the inverse of a function represented symbolically, graphically, or numerically. 
• Interpret the graphs of functions.
• Recognize and evaluate arithmetic/geometric sequences and series.

Graphing functions: 

• Sketch the graphs of the following functions: Lines, x2, x3, x1/2, 1/x, 1/x2, |x|, factored polynomials of degree 3 or more, ax, logax, and rigid transformations of these functions. 
• Describe the short run and end behavior of polynomial and rational functions.
• Approximate the zeros of a function from its graph.
• Solve an inequality involving a function from its graph.
• Graph a piece-wise defined function.

Symbolic Adeptness: 

• Solve polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic equations symbolically.
• Solve equations involving radicals symbolically.
• Solve equations with rational exponents symbolically.
• Solve equations with negative exponents symbolically.
• Solve polynomial and rational inequalities symbolically. 
• Use the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra and the Conjugate Zeros Theorem to find zeros of polynomials of degree three or greater. 
• Find the vertex of a parabola written in standard form by using the formula  h = -b/2a.
• Perform algebraic operations on complex numbers (addition, subtraction and multiplication (division?)).
• Convert an exponential equation to logarithmic form, and a logarithmic equation to exponential form.
• Solve Exponential and Logarithmic equations symbolically.
• Evaluate exponential and logarithmic functions using the change of base formula and a calculator.
• Use the properties of logarithms to expand a logarithmic expression, and to write an expanded logarithmic expression as a single logarithm.
• Solve a system of linear equations using Gaussian elimination.
• Perform algebraic operations on matrices, including addition, scalar multiplication, matrix multiplication.
• Find the determinant of a matrix and apply Cramer’s Rule.

Applications 

• Recognize and use applications of linear functions. 
• Recognize and use applications of quadratic functions, including falling object problems and extrema problems.
• Recognize and use applications of exponential and logarithmic functions, including exponential growth and decay, doubling time, and half-life problems.
• Recognize and use applications of systems of linear equations. 

MATH 1414 Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of properties of functions, which include domain and range, operations, compositions, and inverses.
2. Recognize and apply polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions and solve related equations.
3. Apply graphical, symbolic and numeric techniques.
4. Evaluate all roots of higher degree polynomial and rational functions.
5. Recognize, solve and apply systems of linear equations using matrices.
6. Perform algebraic operations on matrices, evaluate the determinant and apply Cramer’s Rule
7. Recognize and evaluate arithmetic/geometric sequences and series.

MATD 0444 Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course a student will be able to:

1. Perform operations involving integers, fractions, decimals, percents, signed exponents, scientific notation, ratios and proportions.
2. Evaluate and perform basic operations on functions, find the domain and range of functions, and solve equations involving functions.
3. Solve problems involving geometric figures.
4. Identify slope and intercepts from linear equations and graphs of lines. Find linear equations from given points and graphs of lines.
5. Graph linear equations and inequalities, systems of linear equations, and quadratic functions.
6. Simplify, factor, and perform basic operations on algebraic expressions, including polynomials, rational and radical expressions, and complex fractions.
7. Solve linear equations, linear inequalities, and quadratic equations. Solve introductory absolute value, rational, and radical equations.
8. Solve basic application problems using linear and quadratic models, direct and inverse variation, and 2x2 systems of linear equations.
9. Use mathematical language, symbols, and notation to communicate mathematical concepts, demonstrate reasoning, and solve problems.

General Education Competencies

1. Critical Thinking: gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information is covered in every SLO. 
2. Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning: applying mathematical, logical, and scientific principles and methods is covered in every SLO.
3. Technology Skills: using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze, and present information is covered in SLOs # 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
4. Written, Oral and Visual Communication: communicating effectively adapting to purpose, structure, audience and medium is covered in every SLO.