WELCOME TOMAC 1105

COLLEGE ALGEBRA

This Syllabus Is Subject to Change.

All changes will be announced during class.

Instructor: Cheryl Cantwell

Office: S204APhone: 407-708-2251E mail: cantwelc@seminolestate.edu

Include course number in subject line

Office hours: Monday & Wednesday: 7:45-8:00

9:15-9:30 10:45-11:00 1:20-2:15

Tuesday & Thursday: 7:45-8:009:15-11: 0012:40-2:00

Text: College Algebra Essentials, 3rd ed., Robert Blitzer

Get your textbook as soon as possible

You may use either the eBook through MyMathLab or a hard copy of the textbook

Solutions manual is your option

MyMathLab is mandatory for homework

See your syllabus for course ID

Start a notebook

Half for notes

Half for homework

Keep it neat and organized

Graphing Calculators

Get a graphing calculator immediatelyTI84 Smartview is used in classOther models can be acceptable for useTI-Nspire may not be used during a testSome tests may have a no calculator part

Bring your calculator to class everydayPractice using your calculator

In-class exercisesHomeworkDo not wait until the day of a test

Grading Scale

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

Below 60 F

Method of Grading

4 tests

Cumulative final exam

Homework

Quizzes

Extra creditThere is no rounding on the overall course average so take advantage of every point opportunity that arises.

Homework

All homework is done through MyMathLab.

Each homework grade is determined the day of the test. I average the homework section grades and then take this percentage of 15 points.

Show the work you did to get your answers in an organized homework notebook.

Quiz Check-up

5 QuizzesLowest score dropped

May not make up if absent, late, or leave early

Some are announced, others are not

Some may be given on MyMathLab

Extra CreditGo to our class webpage and click on the Extra Credit link

All extra credit is turned in and graded on test day

There are always Challenge Problems posted on MyMathLab that count towards your extra credit

Sometimes there are links to extra credit problems that you will print off and turn in, again on test day

Take advantage of all opportunitiesPossible to improve class grade by a letter

AttendanceTaken dailyDeadline for grade of W is Oct. 29, 2012No instructor may give a grade of W after Oct. 29, 2012No W can be given for 3rd attemptYou may be withdrawn before the above date if you miss 4 consecutive classes without contacting instructor or a total of 6 classesYou may be given a grade of F after the above date if you miss 4 consecutive classes without contacting instructor or a total of 6 classes

Test Taking Policies

NO make-up tests unless:Medical emergency with documentation

Jury Duty, Court-Mandated Appearance, Religious Holiday, Military Duty, Work-Related Travel

Make arrangements ahead of time

Final exam score counts twice and replaces first missed test score

2nd missed test gets a score of 0

Prerequisites

Grade of C or better in Intermediate Algebra, or

Acceptable placement test score

It is your responsibility to make sure these prerequisites have been met

If they have not been met, please see me after class

It is important to get into the correct class as early as possible

Academic Integrity

Honesty is expected

Cheating on tests will result inGrade of 0 on that test

Possible 0 for the course

Quizzes are just like tests

Students may work together on out of class extra credit problems

COMMON COURTESIES

Put your cell phone away when you enter class

If phone usage is seen or heard during class there may be an immediate pop quiz for the entire class

If there is a possibility of an emergency call you must alert me before class begins

Arrive late or leave early-sit by door

Close door quietly

No side conversations-distracts others

Schedule

It will be adhered to as close as possibleAll changes to test dates will be announced in classKnow when your tests are scheduled-be prepared!Must move at a very fast pace to complete all material

No lecture on prerequisite material

ResourcesInstructor’s office hoursMy website at www2.seminolestate.edu/ccantwellwww2.seminolestate.edu/mathstudentFree tutoring in the Academic Success CenterStudent Study GuideVideotapes:on MyMathLab or check-out of librarywww.prenhall.com/blitzerMyMathLabStudy groups

Study Groups

2 or more students in a group10 or more hours over the semester

Replace lowest test score with final exam score

FlexibleCommunicate with each otherTime sheets turned in every 5 weeks

1st and last namesClass titleTotals

All timesheets submitted by the day of the 4th test

Class Webpage

Visit our class webpage at www2.seminolestate.edu/ccantwell

Click on the button for MAC 1105 College Algebra

Click on each link and explore the site

Pay special attention to the Extra Credit link, the Test Preparation link, and the Grade Calculator link

Opening page of Cantwell’s Website

You will find a button for printing your own graph paper

You will find a button for printing your own study group timesheet

You will find a button for Helpsheets on topics from Intermediate Algebra that we revisit in College Algebra

Calculator Help

Go to our class webpage and click the link for Additional Resources

You will see a link for an excellent calculator help site

What is expected on test daysBefore the test, put your extra credit papers on the front table in the classroom

For test 1 all extra credit is on MyMathLab

You may keep out 1 or 2 pieces of scratch paper for the test

Put your name on the scratch paper and turn it all in with your test

Number the problems on your scratch paper and keep it neat

All books, notes, phones, backpacks, etc must be under the table during the test

You must show all supporting work for answers on the test in order to get credit

Once you complete the test, turn it in and you are free to leave

How to Succeed in This ClassDo not miss class

Take good, thorough notes

Use your notes to help you when you do the homework

Do the homework in a timely manner

Remember the homework and quiz grades combined have the same weight as a test. This can really impact your grade!

If you are struggling, get help! Do not wait and let it get beyond you.

Work with others in a study group, use each others’ strengths.

How to Prepare for the TestsDo homework on a daily basis and keep up

A few days before the test take the Test Preparation Quiz on MyMathLab

Take the quiz without books, notes, or help. This will give you an honest assessment as to how prepared you are.

You are allowed to take it twice

Once the quiz is completed MyMathLab will prepare for you a personalized homework assignment

It will only contain problems that you are still missing so you can practice some more

You may work on these problems an unlimited number of times

Look at the Test Preparation Guide on our class webpage to see information concerning the test

Good luck!I want nothing more than for each of you to succeed in this course.

To me, success means you leave with an understanding of the material, you have developed some critical thinking skills, you have improved your study and organizational habits, you have a better eye for detail, and you care about the quality of the work you produce!