About Your Course

Instructional Methodology:

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

Course Number-Section-Synonym: MATH 1332-038-33737; NCBM 0185-005-33738

Meeting location: RRC 8211   Meeting times: 11:00 AM – 12:55 PM

Prerequisites: Appropriate score on the TSI Mathematics Assessment. Corequisite(s): MATH 1332.

Paired Course Policy: This is a paired course.  Students who withdraw from NCBM 0185 will automatically be withdrawn from MATH 1332.

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

Calculator: You will need a scientific or business calculator; it should have an exponent key and a square root key. Graphing calculators are fine but not required. You may be working in a computer lab depending on availability and the instructor's discretion.

Other Technology & Tools: Access to computer/laptop/tablet are required for this course. Eligible students can check out technology at Student Technology Services. A 1.5” 3-ring binder is recommended.

Course Calendar

Note: Schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be posted in Blackboard.

This is the general course calendar.  To see the calendar of due dates, visit Blackboard.

Important Dates

Last Day to Withdraw: April 27

70% Refund Deadline: February 9

School Closures/Holidays:

Spring Break - Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 20

Easter - Sunday, April 5

(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 12-16 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, visit the Instructional Associates website and then click on your course.

Learning Labs: The ACC Learning Labs provide tutoring in math and other subjects. To schedule an appointment, visit the Learning Lab website. 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, visit the Academic Coaching website.

ACC Student Services: Services are offered in many areas, including Academic, Financial, Personal, and Technology Support.  For more information, visit the Student Support website.

Grades

MATH 1332 Grade Components

Tests: 60%

Projects: 15%

MyLab Math Homework: 10%

Take-Home Quizzes: 15%

NCBM 0185 Grade Components

As this course is meant to support your progress through MATH 1332, 60% of your NCBM 0185 grade will be determined by your overall MATH 1332 grade.

MATH 1332 Grade: 60%

Participation: 40%

Participation: You will be required to complete daily work. Anything you do not finish during class must be completed outside of class. If you are absent, you are responsible for the notes and work completed in class.  To grade participation, I will record your active attendance in class, making sure that you are engaged and participating, and I will also collect class activities/notes/reviews during exams. 

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, usually within a week of the due date.

What will we do in this class?

MyLab Math (MLM) Homework: MLM homework is an online homework system that automatically grades your work once you submit your answers.  It is recommended that you do the MLM homework before quizzes to get immediate feedback. 

Take-Home Quizzes: Quizzes are an opportunity for me to give you feedback on your work.  You can ask for help from others (such as from tutors, students, or me) on these quizzes as long as you do your own work in the end.  You must show all work on quizzes in order to get full credit. 

Projects: One project will be assigned in this course for the finance unit. The project contains a technology component where you are using Google Sheets and other tools to explore a math concept.  You will be required to present on your project.

Tests: There will be three proctored tests. Test problems will be similar to the homework and quizzes. There is no final exam in this class.

Group work: You are going to interact with each other quite a bit and talk to each other about math. There will be group activities every day in class.  You are expected to be an active participant and contribute to the discussion of the problems on the group activities.  Though you will be working with other students, everyone will record the work on their own paper.  These will be your notes you will use to complete homework assignments, so you need to ask questions and make sure you understand the ideas in the activity.  

I know that some of you do not like to talk in class and others like to talk a lot, so we will follow a couple of easy rules. We give everyone a chance to talk. We respond to whatever anyone says with respect. We are concerned here about concepts that will help you succeed in your college-level math courses and ultimately achieve your academic goals. You are all in the same boat; I expect that students in this class will support each other and be respectful when working together.

What happens if I miss something?

All assignments, projects, tests, MLM homework, and notebooks should be completed by the due date on the course calendar.  These are the policies if you miss turning something in.

Dropped Grade Policy:  To account for any illnesses, emergencies, etc., the following number of grades will be dropped:

• MLM Homework: 2 lowest grades will be dropped.
• Quizzes: 2 lowest grades will be dropped.

Late Work Policy:

• Can I do MLM Homework late? You may complete MLM homework after the due date for a 5% penalty. The late penalty only applies to problems completed late, not the whole assignment.  The last day to complete any MLM homework is on the Friday of the last week of school.
• Can I turn quizzes in late? For quizzes, you have a 24-hour grace period after the due date to submit your work with no grade penalty. 
• Can I do reviews late? No, reviews must be completed before the test.

Missed Exam/Project Policy: Contact me about it as soon as you miss an exam or project deadline.  I understand that some emergencies may come up.  Alternative arrangements depend on many details, so the sooner you can let me know, the better. I am not promising that all circumstances can be accommodated, but reasonable requests will be considered.  If alternative arrangements cannot be given, or if you do not contact me within 24 hours of a missed deadline, you can receive a 0 for the test or project.

Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual class attendance is expected of all students. Attendance is part of your participation grade in this course.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

What AI Resources are allowed?

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) Policy: Generative AI (GAI) is a useful tool for exploration and learning. Use of GAI on unproctored work to help with homework and independent learning is permitted, but caution is advised as not to become dependent on it. Please also be aware that GAI can give wrong answers.  Even if a student uses GAI to help with homework, students should always submit their own work in their own words.

The purpose of assessments is to demonstrate what students are able to do independently. In this course, GAI includes Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) and any electronic tools that solve problems for students. Violations to GAI use policies are considered scholastic dishonesty and will be handled according to established departmental and college procedures. GAI may not be used on major assessments (tests and projects) other than in cases where permissions are explicitly stated.

Course Content

Course Description

Credit Hours: 4, Contact Hours: 4

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.

NCBM 0185 – Support for Contemporary Mathematics (1-1-0). This course is designed to support students concurrently enrolled in MATH 1332 by providing additional focus on MATH 1332 topics and just-in-time review of prerequisite topics, as needed. This course is not for college level credit.

Course Rationale

MATH 1332: 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.

NCBM 0185: This course is intended to provide support to students who are taking MATH 1332 Contemporary Mathematics.  It must be taken along with the paired section of MATH 1332.

MATH 1332 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.

MATH 1332 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. 

NCBM 0185 Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

1. Provide an opportunity to increase/improve quantitative literacy.
2. Provide an opportunity to communicate mathematical ideas in a small group setting.
3. Provide just-in-time review of prerequisite arithmetic and algebra topics.

General Education Competencies

1. Communication Skills: Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral, and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
2. Critical Thinking: Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.
3. 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.

The Details

Distance Education Information: 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.

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.

Importance of Completing Developmental Course Requirements:  The first steps to achieving any college academic goal are completing developmental course requirements and TSI requirements. The first priority for students who are required to take developmental courses must be the developmental courses. TSI rules state that students are allowed to take college credit courses, if they are fulfilling their developmental requirements. Because successful completion of developmental courses is so important, ACC will intervene with any student who is not successfully completing developmental requirements. This intervention can mean a hold on records, requiring developmental lab classes, working with the Instructional Associate, and monitoring during the semester.

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, update your information at ACC Chosen Name.

General College Policies: Policies that apply to all courses at ACC can be found General College Policies.

Please refer to the Course Requirements section for more information.

Please refer to the Course Requirements section for more information.

Please refer to the Course Requirements section for more information.