Calculator: You will need a scientific or business calculator. It would be best if it also has probability functions. Graphing calculators are fine but not required.  I recommend the TI-30XIIS calculator.  It is inexpensive and does everything we need. If you’re not sure, come talk to me about your calculator.

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.

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

Exams: 80% (each exam is worth 20%)

MyLab Homework: 7.5%

Written Homework: 7.5%

Project: 5%

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?

Tests: There will be 4 proctored tests, each worth 20% of the total grade. All tests will be administered in class during normal class time. Partial credit is given on exams when the answer is wrong, but when the methods used are partially correct.  However, the amount of partial credit given on exams is at the discretion of the instructor.

Projects: There will be one Semester Project, worth 5% of the total grade. Directions for the project will be given in class and on Blackboard well in advance of the due date.

MyLab Homework Assignments: MyLab homework will usually be assigned weekly, and can be found in MyLab, in Blackboard.  Instructions for accessing MyLab will be given in class.

Written Homework Assignments: Written homework will usually be assigned weekly. Complete the listed textbook problems on a separate sheet of paper and check your answers, if possible. If answers are not available, try to come up with a way of checking your answers. Then scan your work in the correct order, using a scanner or scanning app (such as Genius Scan) and submit as a single PDF file for grading in the appropriate Homework Box in Blackboard.

Written homework is graded for completion and correctness. In order to get a perfect score, you must show all your work, following an appropriate process, and get a correct answer. If you are uncertain about your answers, it is worth seeking help before turning in the assignment.

Note, both MyLab homework and Written homework must be complete each week.

What happens if I miss something?

Dropped Grade Policy: The lowest three Written Homework section grades will be dropped for computing the final grade. No exam grades will be dropped.

Late Work Policy: No late homework will be accepted under any circumstances.

Missed Exam Policy: Missing an exam is very serious and should be avoided if possible. A makeup exam will only be given in the case of a genuine emergency or serious illness (with appropriate documentation), and at the discretion of the instructor. Makeup exams are disruptive and inconvenient to both the student and the instructor. If you know that you must miss an exam, contact the instructor well in advance of the exam date to determine the best course of action.

Attendance Policy: Attendance is required.  Any student who has five or more absences may be withdrawn by the instructor, but we make no promise to do so.  Attendance and absences will be determined by the instructor at the start of class.  If you come late to class, please see the instructor after class.  Sleeping, excessive coming and going from the classroom without permission, or other forms of distracted behavior may be counted as an absence. Any absences will be recorded in the Blackboard gradebook under “Absence Count”.  Note: if the Absence Count is zero, it means that you have zero absences.

Regular and punctual class attendance is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw student from the class.  In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances, the student is responsible for communicating with their instructor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their instructor as a result of class sessions being missed.

There is no such thing as an “excused absence”. The result of missing a class is the same regardless of the reason. You miss instruction. The goal is to minimize these disruptions, and to take personal responsibility to make up for any missed class on your own time.

Course Content

Course Description

Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3

MATH 1332 - Contemporary Mathematics (3-3-0). A topics-based course, with a variety of possible topics chosen by individual instructors. The selected topics may include: sets, logic, number theory, geometry, probability and statistics, and the mathematics of finance and social choice. This course is not algebra-intensive, and is designed for non-technical majors.

Course Rationale

This course is intended to provide non-mathematics and non-science majors with a survey of topics in mathematics.  The emphasis may be towards developing students' quantitative reasoning skills, illustrating the beauty of mathematics as a discipline, and/or imparting a feel for the different ways in which mathematics is used.  The students who take this course generally are in nursing, the liberal arts, communication, workforce programs, or some social sciences. This course may be used to satisfy the Core Curriculum and the General Education Mathematics requirements.

The Details

Use of Blackboard: This class is fully “in person” in the classroom. However, students will use the Blackboard learning management system for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, posting of grades to the student, and some collaboration (such as extra office hours, when necessary). Although this is not an Online course or a Distance Learning course, students are encouraged to read ACC Distance Education General Information, available at https://online.austincc.edu/faq/, for additional information about accessing some materials online.  Also, I will discuss accessing of these materials when necessary, during lecture.

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 for 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 given 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://www.austincc.edu/offices/academic-outcomes-assessment/master-syllabi/college-policies.

Required Materials 

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.  

Textbook: Using & Understanding Mathematics: A Quantitative Reasoning Approach, 8th Edition by Bennett & Briggs. Pearson Publishing (MyLab software)  ISBN-10: 0137575335, ISBN-13: 9780137575336. MyLab Math IS required for this course.

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: September 16 (Monday)

Last day to withdraw: November 21 (Thursday)

Holidays: Thanksgiving Day, November 28 (Thursday)

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

Course Objectives

1. Increase/improve your quantitative literacy.
2. Provide you with an opportunity to experience mathematics as an intellectual exercise and a way of thinking.
3. Provide you with an opportunity to appreciate the visual and intellectual beauty of mathematics.

 Student Learning Outcomes

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

• Apply the language and notation of sets. 
• Determine the validity of an argument or statement and provide mathematical evidence.  
• Solve problems in mathematics of finance. 
• Demonstrate fundamental probability/counting techniques and apply those techniques to solve problems.  
• Interpret and analyze various representations of data. 
• Demonstrate the ability to choose and analyze mathematical models to solve problems from real-world settings, including, but not limited to, personal finance, health literacy, and civic engagement.
• Understand that mathematics is an evolving discipline, interrelated with human culture, and understand its connections to other disciplines. 

General Education Competencies

• Communication Skills: Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
• Critical Thinking Skills: Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.
• Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Apply mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods through the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.