WELCOME TO MATH 1325.002 – BUSINESS CALCULUS

Summer, 2024: My  SYLLABUS

THE BASICS

About Your Instructor

Name: Charlene Madrigal

The best way to reach me is via email: cmadrigal@austincc.edu

Please do not message me via Blackboard

Phone number:  (512)223-1790, ext. 25200

Email: cmadriga@austincc.edu

Office location (and/or link if appropriate): Online Blackboard Zoom Class Meeting.: look for the link on the left side of the opening page and click on Class for Zoom, then click on Join Class

Office hours: MW 2:00-2:30 accessed via link: Class for Zoom

To schedule a conference outside of office hours: contact me via email2

ABOUT YOUR COURSE

Instructional Methodology:

DLS—Synchronous Virtual Class Meetings Required: Instruction is fully online with required online meetings during the specified days and times listed. Students will use the Blackboard learning management system for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, and collaboration. Students are encouraged to read ACC Distance Education General Information available at https://online.austincc.edu/faq/. After logging into Blackboard, most links for this course are found on the left side of the opening page in dark blue.

This class is fully online. Successful online students actively participate in class on a regular basis just like in an on-campus class and avoid putting off classwork until the last minute. This includes reading assignments, taking quizzes and tests, and any other activities assigned by your professor. You will need to stay motivated and routinely log in to your classes in order to keep on top of your assignments.

Students will use the Blackboard learning management system for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, and collaboration. Students are encouraged to read ACC Distance Education General Information available at https://online.austincc.edu/faq/

COURSE INFORMATION

Synonym: 80858 Section: 002

Meeting location: Blackboard Collaboration link Class for Zoom     

Meeting times: MW 2:30-4:30 PM

Prerequisites: MATH 1314, MATH 1324, or MATH 1414; with a grade of C or higher or equivalent. OR satisfactory score on the ACC Higher Level Mathematics Placement Test, ALEKS,  of at least 61.

IMPORTANT DATES

Last day for 70% refund: Monday June 3

Last day to withdraw: Monday, July 22, 2024

Holidays: Monday, May 28, Memorial Day

                     Monday, June 19, Juneteenth

(Please note this is  the ONLY holiday this semester for our class)

MAKE 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.  If you have issues regarding the class, please communicate with me via email, cmadriga@austincc.edu.  I can work out problems and send tutoring help to you via email.

Keep in mind that we are covering a 16-week course in 10 weeks.  It is essential for you to stay up to date with the course.

You cannot learn mathematics by only watching someone else work and discuss the concepts and problems.  This course will require you to read the chapter and answer the exercises that are assigned at the end of each section.  From my long experience in teaching mathematics, the best way to learn and master topics is to practice problems by doing the assigned work.  Generally, you should allocate 3 hours of study time for each hour in class.  A steady pace must be maintained throughout the semester.  Do not wait until the night before a test to try to master all the homework and concepts.   Don’t let yourself get behind as this is a course built on previous concepts.  I have found that the students who seem to experience the most difficulty in a math class are those who do not come to class and/or do not keep up with the daily work.  I’m not trying to scare you, just offering advice based on experience.  If you are having difficulty in the first few classes, you should schedule a conference discuss this with me.  The Learning Lab is an excellent place to get help and now has online help available.  Keep in mind that this is a 10-week class normally taught in a 16-week course and  the pace might be faster than you are accustomed to in your previous math classes. 

Please be responsible and keep up with your email announcements, class meetings, assignments, deadlines & tests.  I, too, will answer inquiries in a timely manner.  Last semester I was working 7 days/week to do my best to meet students’ needs. 

The schedule for online testing, homework & quizzes can be found on your assignment sheet and the calendar.  We will cover 4 units and I will post the Assignments for each unit on the Submission page. Please pay attention to deadline dates and times.  Please be responsible and keep up with your class meetings, assignments, deadlines & tests.  Deadlines are posted on the Submission and the Announcement links on Blackboard.

SOURCES FOR 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 will be virtual accessed through Blackboard Class for Zoom. You can also make an appointment with me to “meet” at a different time.

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. Some of the campuses’ labs are open on the weekends. 

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%

Homework: 10%

Quizzes: 10%

Grading Scale

A: 90 - 100

B: 80 – 89

C: 70 – 79

D: 60 – 69

F: < 60

You can access your grades on Blackboard found under the Your Grades & Averages link on the left side of the page  Your average will also be updated with each assignment, quiz or test.

WHAT WILL WE DO IN THIS CLASS?

Tests:

Tests are 80% of your course grade:  There will be 4 tests plus an optional comprehensive  final exam.  I have their scheduled time on both the calendar and assignment sheet.  Tests will be administered during class via the Respondus Lockdown Browser. I will either proctor the tests or use the Respondus video monitor for the tests. You must be in class the day of the test.  You will need a good a wifi connection, audio connection and webcam. More discussion and directions for testing will be given in class. Make sure all of your connections are working properly as the tests are all proctored and monitored.  Having reliable and  proper online connections are essential.  There are no makeup or retests.  Since the final exam is comprehensive, I can replace your lowest test grade or one missed test with it.  You will have the window of class time to complete the test. All tests must be submitted via Blackboard  by 4:30 PM on the day of the test. If for some reason you do not take a test on the designated day, the final exam will replace the missed test.  Each test will be weighted equally in computation of your grade.  I do not drop any test grades, but I will replace your lowest test grade with the final exam grade if it is better than the previous test grade.  The average of the tests is 80% of your grade.  The  final exam can only replace one test.  If you have difficulty with your technology, you can always go to one of the ACC campuses to use their computers during testing.

Homework:

HW is 10% of your course grade:  We will cover four units for this course.  Assignments will be graded on a completion basis if you have neatly shown work to support your answers.   I will post a running total of your daily submissions in the HW section of Blackboard.  Again, the due dates are posted on the assignment submission tab on Blackboard. Generally, HW will be due by

11 PM the Sunday following the MW weekly lectures. I will drop one HW grade.

Quizzes:

Quizzes are 10% of your course grade:  Quizzes will be either emailed to you during class, take-home quizzes  or we will use the Respondus Lockdown Browser.  You must be attending class the day that the quiz is posted. The due date will be posted on the quiz and with the submission for the quiz on Blackboard. There are no makeup quizzes. There will be several quizzes covering previous class lectures. At the end of the semester the quizzes will be averaged and will compile 10% of your grade. I do not drop or makeup any quiz grades.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS SOMETHING?

Dropped Grade Policy: One HW grade will be dropped. No tests nor quizzes will be dropped.

Late Work Policy: No late work is  accepted.

Missed Exam Policy: There are no accommodations for missed tests.  However, the comprehensive final exam can replace one missed test.

Attendance/Class Participation: Regular and punctual class attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. For attendance, unsatisfactory compliance is usually 4 or more absences. I do not make a distinction between excused or unexcused absences.

Virtual Class Expectations: Regular and punctual class attendance is expected of all students during the scheduled class time.  In general, withdrawal from this course is the option of the student.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory including missed assignments, quizzes or tests, I  may withdraw a student from the class. It is your responsibility to make-up missed lectures or work if you miss a class. I will post a copy of my lecture notes if requested & record the lecture for your use.  However, these postings are not to replace attending class.  The class agenda for each week of class  will be posted under the Blackboard Announcement section. If you miss a class session, you are still accountable for the material. 

This is a First Day™ class. The cost of required course materials, including an online version of the textbook and software access, has been added to your tuition and fees bill.   You should not be asked to pay any extra fees when signing into your etext.

Textbook: Calculus for Business, Economics, Life Sciences, and Social Sciences, 14th Edition by Barnett, Ziegler, Byleen & Stocker. Pearson Publishing (MyLab software) ISBN: 9780134862606

Calculator: As with any course where either graphing or scientific calculators are used; the calculator will be used as a supportive tool.  We will use graphing calculators when their use enhances the understanding of a mathematical idea.  Graphing calculators are not required for this course. However, it is required that you have access to some technology that allows you to graph functions and find their zeros. I have found a couple of free apps that are similar to the TI graphing calculator.

Graphing calculators are encouraged, but their use may be restricted on the graphing test.  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. You cannot take a test without proper internet connection. Remember that you may always go to one of the ACC campuses and  use a computer there.  There are  also IT help sources at ACC for students readily available.

Course Description

Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3

MATH 1325 – Business Calculus (3-3-0).  Course treating standard one-variable calculus and its applications for business students, as well as selected other business applications. Calculus topics include the derivative, methods of finding derivatives, applications of derivatives, the integral, methods of integration, applications of integration, and the calculus of the exponential and logarithmic functions. This course is not a substitute for MATH 2413, Calculus I.  If you are planning to transfer to a university, check their catalog to make sure that this course will transfer for your particular degree plan.

Course Rationale

This course is the basic study of limits and continuity, differentiation, optimization and graphing, and integration of elementary functions, with emphasis on applications in business, economics, and social sciences. This course is not a substitute for MATH 2413, Calculus I.

Course Objectives & Student Learning Outcomes

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

Apply the concepts of limits, derivatives and integrals to solve problems involving functions unique to business, economics, and social sciences applications and interpret the result.

Apply appropriate differentiation techniques to obtain derivatives of various functions, including logarithmic and exponential functions.

Solve application problems involving implicit differentiation and related rates.

Solve optimization problems with emphasis on business and social sciences applications.

Determine appropriate technique(s) of integration.

Integrate functions using basic techniques or the method of substitution, as appropriate.

General Education Competencies

Critical Thinking – gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information is covered in every SLO.

Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning – applying mathematical, logical, and scientific principles and methods is covered in every SLO.

Written, Oral and Visual Communication – communicating effectively adapting to purpose, structure, audience and medium is covered in SLOs # 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9.