Welcome to MATH 1414/2412

College Algebra for Precalculus and Precalculus 

Fall 2024 Syllabus

the Basics

About Your Instructor            

Name: Pedro Merced

The best way to reach me is email. 

Phone number:  512-223-4870 (this is for my NRG office, please email)

Email: pedro.merced@austincc.edu

Office location: MW HLC1 1423.03    TTH ACCelerator Row T 

Student Drop-in Hours: 

To schedule a conference outside of office hours, including virtual options: Please email me!

About Your Course

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

MATH 1414 – Synonym: 96918 Section: 009

MATH 2412 – Synonym: 96920 Section: 007

Meeting location: HLC1 2414 Meeting times: MTWTh 1:30 – 3:30 pm 

Prerequisites: MATD 0414, MATD 0424, MATD 0444, NCBM 0214, NCBM 0224, or NCBM 0244; with a grade of C or higher. Or a satisfactory score on the TSI Mathematics Assessment or completion of TSI requirements in mathematics. Students who are TSI Complete in Math based on completion of NCBM 0185, NCBM 0142, MATD 0385, MATD 0342 or MATD 0485 are NOT eligible for College Algebra for Precalculus.

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

be withdrawn from MATH 2412 and vice versa. 

Required Materials  

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 & Trigonometry, 2nd Edition by Miller & Gerken. McGraw-Hill (ALEKS software) ISBN: 9781260260441 (hardcover), 9781264248841 (spiral bound), or 9781264248667 (ebook) 

ALEKS is required and is included in the First Day Access version of the text. 

Calculator: ACC does not require a graphing calculator for this class. We will use Desmos when we need to graph in class or for homework.  A scientific calculator is required. You can also use a graphing calculator like the TI-84+ or the TI-84+CE in this course. 

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 

Schedule changes may occur during the semester. Changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. 

Important Dates

Last day for 70% refund: Monday, September 16

Last day to withdraw: Thursday, November 21

Holidays: Labor Day, September 2; Veterans Day, November 11; 

   Thanksgiving Holiday, November 28-29, college closes at noon on November 27 

(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 16-20 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

MATH 1414 Grade Components

Tests 1-5: 16% each

ALEKS Homework: 10%

Quizzes: 10%

MATH 2412 Grade Components

Tests 1-5: 4% each

Tests 6-8: 20% each

ALEKS Homework: 10%

Quizzes: 10%

Course Grading Scale

A: 90 - 100

B: 80 – 89

C: 70 – 79

D: 60 – 69

F: < 60

Where can I find my grades? 

Grades will be posted in Blackboard. 

What will we do in this class? 

Class Structure: Most days the lecture will follow a PowerPoint which is posted in Blackboard. There will be regular opportunities during the lecture for you to attempt problems and discuss answers. Successful students take advantage of this opportunity to get immediate feedback on their learning. 

Tests: There will be eight tests in this class. All tests will be given during class time and will include application/word problems. The Comprehensive Midterm Exam can replace the lowest grade of Tests 1-4. The Comprehensive Final Exam will focus on 2412 material. 

ALEKS Homework: All ALEKS homework grades will be included in both the 1414 and 2412 grades. Homework will be assigned on the day the material is covered in class; it will be due at midnight of the next class day to allow time for questions.  Questions should be sent before class using the ALEKS Message Center. 

Quizzes: All quiz grades will be included in both the 1414 and 2412 grades. There will be a take-home quiz due each Monday and Wednesday. Quizzes may be submitted in person or through Blackboard. Quizzes submitted in person will receive 1-point extra credit on the quiz grade; quizzes submitted in Blackboard must be scanned as a single PDF file. 

What happens if I miss something? 

Late Work Policy: Late ALEKS homework can be submitted until midnight on the day before the final exam; problems completed late will have a 10% deduction. Late quizzes are not accepted.  

Dropped Grade Policy: Life happens, and even good students sometimes miss assignment deadlines. To account for this, the 3 lowest homework grades and the 3 lowest quiz grades will be dropped at the end of the semester. 

Missed Exam Policy: If you miss a test, it is your responsibility to contact me before the next class meeting to see what arrangements can be made for a make-up test.  If you do not contact me, the missed exam will be recorded as a grade of 0.  

Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual class attendance is expected of all students.  I will email you if I am concerned about your attendance, your compliance with course policies, or your grade. However, withdrawing from this class is your responsibility.

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.

MATH 2412 – Precalculus: Functions and Graphs (4-4-0). A course designed to prepare students for Calculus I (MATH 2413). Content includes the study of algebraic, rational, logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions, graphs, equations, and applications; trigonometric identities; parametric equations; conic sections; vectors; the polar coordinate system.

Course Rationale

MATH 1414: 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 2412: This course is designed to teach students the algebraic and trigonometric modeling concepts needed for scientific/engineering calculus.

Student Learning Outcomes

MATH 1414: 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.

MATH 2412: Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to: 

1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions.
2. Recognize and apply algebraic and transcendental functions and solve related equations. 
3. Apply graphing techniques to algebraic and transcendental functions.
4. Compute the values of trigonometric functions for key angles in all quadrants of the unit circle measured in both degrees and radians. 
5. Prove trigonometric identities.
6. Solve right and oblique triangles. 
7. Graph and transform equations in polar coordinates and using parametric equations.
8. Apply vector operations and use vectors to solve applications.
9. Demonstrate knowledge of the graphs and applications of conic sections.

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 every SLO.
4. Written, Oral and Visual Communication: communicating effectively adapting to purpose, structure, audience and medium is covered in every SLO. 

The Details

First Day Access: To enhance your learning experience and provide affordable access to the right course material, this course is part of an inclusive access model called First Day™. You can easily access the required materials for this course through Blackboard, at a discounted price, and benefit from single sign-on access.  Austin Community College includes the discounted price as a course fee in your registration fees for this course. It is NOT recommended that you Opt Out, as these materials are required to complete the course. You can choose to Opt Out on the first day of class, but you will be responsible for purchasing your course materials at the full retail price and access to your materials may be suspended. See your course in Blackboard for details.

Withdrawal Policy: It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records. Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002 may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course.  State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Reinstatement Policy: Students who withdrew or were withdrawn will not be reinstated unless they have completed all coursework, projects, and exams necessary to place them at the same level of course completion as the rest of the class. Reinstatement is up to the instructor’s approval.

Incomplete Grade Policy: Incomplete grades (I) will be given only in very rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of "I", a student must be up to date on coursework and have a passing grade, and after the last date to withdraw, have a legitimate reason that prevents course completion. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

Communication with Your Instructor: All e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account or math software if applicable, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account or math software when communicating with instructors.  Instructors will respond to student emails within 3 business days, if no response has been received by the student at the end of that time, then the student should send a reminder to the instructor.

Name Change Information: If you want to change how your name appears online at ACC, go to https://www.austincc.edu/admissions/update-student-information/chosen-name. 

General College Policies: Policies that apply to all courses at ACC can be found here: https://offices.austincc.edu/institutional-effectiveness-and-grant-development/master-syllabi-college-policies/

The readings for this course are included in the section above

The course subjects of this course are covered in the section above

The student learning outcomes for this course are covered in the section above