Tulsa Community College, Southeast Campus

COURSE SYLLABUS

Tulsa Community College, Southeast Campus

Spring 2016 (201620)

Course: MATH 0013 Beginning Algebra Room: SE 8279

Day and Time: Tuesday/Thursday 9:00 – 10:45 a.m. Section No.: 305 Call No.: 22389

Course Delivery: Classroom Lecture

Instructor: Sandy Lanoue

Office Hours: Drop – In on Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. See me on Fridays By Appointment Only between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (please ask 24 hours in advance).

TO CONTACT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: TO CONTACT THE DIVISION OFFICE:

Office: SE 8105 Division Name: Science and Mathematics

Phone: (918) 595 – 7675 Division Associate Dean: Lyn Kent

Email: Office: SE 8125 Phone: (918) 595 – 7742

COMMUNICATIONS

All TCC students receive a designated TCC email address (ex: ). All communications to you about TCC and course assignments will be sent to your TCC email address; and you must use TCC email to send email to, and receive email from, the instructor regarding this course.

Phone messages received after end of daily office hours will be returned on the next day that I am on campus. I will do my best to respond to email within 24 hours, even on weekends.

PREREQUISITES FOR THIS COURSE

Appropriate placement score, or a grade of “C” or better in MATH 0003 Basic Mathematics, is required. Recent successful completion of the prerequisites is assumed.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A course for students that need to review their basic algebra background. Included within this course are signed numbers, positive and negative exponents, order of operations, scientific notation, algebraic expressions, factoring, polynomials, slope, graphing, linear equations and inequalities, and applications. Equivalent to one year of high school algebra. Lecture 3 hours. No Laboratory.

NEXT COURSE IN SEQUENCE

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be prepared for MATH 0123, Intermediate Algebra.

TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

1) Algebra Foundations, Custom Edition for TCC Southeast Campus, compiled of books by Elayn Martin-Gay, Ó 2011, Pearson Learning Solutions – REQUIRED (an e-book is available in MyLabsPlus)

2) MyLabsPlus Student Access Kit – REQUIRED – this is sold standalone or packaged with text from bookstore

Textbook supplements such as solution guides and study guides are optional.

Students who used THIS book/MyLabsPlus last semester should not need to purchase any new materials.

Please bring these materials to every class: Paper, pencils or pens, textbook or device to access e-book, and a scientific or graphing calculator (recommended). Calculators with algebra systems (CAS) such as, but not limited to, TI-Nspire’s with a “CAC” designation, TI-89s, and TI-92s, will not be permitted for use on quizzes or exams. Use of cell phones, tablets, or laptop computers as a “calculator” during quizzes or exams will also not be permitted.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

The primary objective of this course is to give the student a good foundation for using algebra in future applications. Upon completion of the course the student should be able to understand and apply the following (summarized) concepts: use the fundamental operations on signed numbers and algebraic expressions, apply the order of operations, simplify expressions, solve linear, literal, and fractional equations, apply the rules of exponents with positive and negative exponents, factor and perform arithmetic operations with polynomials, solve quadratic equations, understand slope, graph lines and inequalities, write the equation of a line, simplify radicals, solve word problems by algebraic methods, and apply analytical reasoning and problem solving techniques to a variety of situations.

TEACHING METHODS

Class time will consist of lecture and student participation. I will gladly respond to your course-level specific questions in class and to any prerequisite-level questions outside of class. I appreciate your efforts in responding to my questions.

DISABILITY RESOURCES

It is the policy and practice of Tulsa Community College to create inclusive learning environments. Accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are available. To request accommodations, contact the Education Access Center (EAC) at or call (918) 595-7115 (Voice). Deaf and hard of hearing students may text (918) 809-1864.

EVALUATION TECHNIQUES

Your grade will depend upon the scores you earn in the following areas:

· Homework Average 100 points

· Classwork Average 100 points

· Worksheet Average 100 points

· Quiz Average 100 points

· Midterm 200 points

· Final Exam 200 points

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800 points total

Homework

Homework sets will be assigned daily. Homework must be done using the MyLabsPlus homework website (http://tulsacc.mylabsplus.com) whose access kit accompanies your textbook. I will drop several of your lowest scores.

Classwork, Worksheets, and Quizzes

Classwork will consist of problems you will be asked to complete in class. You will often be allowed to use your notes and/or book when doing classwork. Often you may be working with your classmates as a team. If you are absent on a day that classwork occurs, you will not be able to make up those points.

Worksheets will be sets of take-home problems, typically due at the next class meeting. Worksheets will be accepted up to two class meetings late, with up to a 3-point penalty.

Quizzes will be given regularly in class. Topics will always be announced in advance. You will not be allowed to use notes or books during quizzes. Calculators may not be shared during quizzes. If you are late or absent on a day that a quiz occurs, you will not be able to make up those points.

At the end of the semester, I usually drop at least one low score for each of these items.

Midterm Exam

There will be a midterm exam, covering the first 2½ chapters of material. You may not use books, notes or scratch paper during the midterm. Calculators may not be shared during exams. See the calendar in this syllabus for exam dates.

Final Exam

There will be a final exam, covering the remaining 4½ chapters of material. You may not use books, notes or scratch paper during this exam. Calculators may not be shared during this exam.

GRADING SCALE

Your final grade will be based upon the points that you have earned on the assignments discussed in “Evaluation Techniques”. Note that your homework, classwork, worksheet, and quiz points will be based upon your average score for those items. For instance, if you averaged 87% on quizzes, you will earn 87 points out of 100 for quizzes. You can check on your current grade at any time during the semester by going to our Blackboard site.

DA 720 points or more

DB 640 – 719 points

DC 560 – 639 points

DD 480 – 559 points

DF 0 – 479 points

The “D” in front of each grade represents “Developmental”, and is required for all grades in 0-level courses.

MAKE-UP AND LATE ASSIGNMENTS POLICY

Anything not turned in at the start of class on the due date is considered “late”. It does not matter why it could not be handed in on time. Homework sections completed after the due date will not be eligible for credit. You may turn in worksheets up to two class meeting late, for a penalty of up to 3 points. Missed classwork and quizzes cannot be made up. I will drop a few classwork and/or quiz scores at the end of the semester, so you can afford to miss a couple of these without hurting your grade.

We only have 2 exams this semester – the midterm and the final. You should make every effort to be here for both of these. If you miss the midterm you will have until the next class meeting to make it up. There will also be a 20 point penalty for taking the exam late. If you cannot take it by the next class meeting, you will have to use your final exam in place of that missed score. If you take both the midterm and the final exam, and your final exam score is better, I will replace your midterm score with your final exam score to help improve your grade. The final exam cannot be made up.

If TCC is closed due to weather on an exam day, the exam will be postponed for everyone until the next class meeting when TCC reopens.

Please do not make your explanations about missing or late work in front of your classmates. If you feel you need to talk to me about why a worksheet was late, or why you missed an exam, please do so outside of class.

ATTENDANCE

Students should be familiar with the college policies on attendance and withdrawal from courses. I will take roll every day of class. Attendance and class participation are necessary in math classes and are expected by your instructor. Students who are absent from class for any reason are responsible for material covered and for any assignments, announcements or changes in schedule made in their absence. See the section MAKE-UP AND LATE ASSIGNMENTS POLICY in this syllabus for more details.

COURSE WITHDRAWAL

The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 the duration of any class. Check the TCC Academic Calendar on Blackboard for the deadline that applies to the course(s). Begin the process with a discussion with the faculty member assigned to the course. Contact the Advisement Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course ('W' grade) or to change from Credit to Audit. Withdrawal and/or change to an audit from a course after the drop/add period can alter the financial aid award for the current and future semesters. Students may receive an outstanding bill from TCC if the recalculation leaves a balance due to TCC. Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,” which may have financial aid consequences for the student.

Students who enroll in this class but fail to attend during the first two class sessions, will be withdrawn after Thursday February 11, 2016, for non-attendance.

BAD WEATHER

TCC rarely closes. If extreme weather conditions or emergency situations arise, TCC always gives cancellation notices to radio and television stations. This information is also posted on the TCC website, www.tulsacc.edu and sent via TCC Emergency Alerts. Register to receive TCC Alerts from the MyTCC home page (https://tcc.bbcportal.com/). This system will automatically send closing information to any phone numbers and email addresses you supply to it. If TCC is closed due to weather, I will not hold classes. Any exams or quizzes scheduled for that day are automatically postponed until the next class meeting. Bad weather/driving conditions are always an acceptable reason for missing an exam (be sure to call or email and schedule a make up!). Please consider your own safety first.

LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES

The Science and Mathematics Lab, located in room SE 8150, is a great place to study alone or with others. You may use the computers there to complete your MyMathLab homework assignments. There are also tutors there who can help you with homework questions. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this FREE facility. No appointments are needed.

Hours: Mon – Thu 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. / Fri 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. / Sat 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

“CLASSROOM” ETIQUETTE

Please be courteous to your classmates and to me:

· Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions, beliefs, and perspectives during classroom or online discussion encourages the free exchange of ideas that is essential to higher learning and to the ability to learn from each other.

· Cell phones must be off and put away (NOT IN YOUR LAP!) during classwork, quizzes and exams. Failure to abide by this rule will result in a score of zero. If you need to step outside to take an occasional phone call you may do so as long as it is not a regular occurrence. If your calls and/or texting become what I consider an unreasonable disruption to my class I will give you the option to change your behavior or be permanently withdrawn from class.

· Headphones must be off and put away at all times while in the classroom.

· Laptops and tablet computers such as iPads may ONLY be used during class for note-taking and for accessing the textbook.

· Tulsa Community College rules clearly state that unenrolled children are NOT ALLOWED in classrooms. If your child is ill, or has a day off from school, please do not bring him/her to class with you.

· Immature or disrespectful behavior that is construed by me as disruptive to any or all of your classmates is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, cell phone use as outlined above, use of headphones, and:

a. Conversations with classmates – during lectures, quizzes and tests you should not talk to your neighbors, even if it is to ask about something I am doing in lecture. You are ALWAYS welcome to ask me questions, but please do not disturb those around you. This includes whispering!

b. Regularly arriving late – YOU registered for this class at this time of day. It should be a time that you can meet. I don’t mind an occasional late entry, and am especially forgiving on bad weather days when travel can be slow.