Fall 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: DMTH-0314 (Section: 01, CRN: 91968)
Foundations of College Algebra 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Chesney Culver
Email culvercb@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6349
Office Student Center - Room: 414
Office Hours Monday 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Tuesday 12:30 pm-1:30 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am- 11:00 am
Thursday 12:30 pm-1:30 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 2:00pm (online only. Email to schedule an appointment.)
Additional Contact Information If these times do not work for your schedule, please email me with some dates and time would you be able to meet.
Course Information
Description In-depth study and applications of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions, and systems of equations using matrices. Additional topics such as sequences, series, probability, and conics may be included. This is a corequisite taken only with MATH 1314 in the same semester/ part of term.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

All materials will be free and posted to the course's Blackboard page.
Additional Materials/Resources Students may find a calculator helpful but it is not required. Calculators will not be provided by the instructor or testing centers, students should plan accordingly. 
Corequisites/Prerequisites Willingness to learn and participate in class. Basic computer skills (especially if you are taking an online course).

This is a co-requisite support section for students taking MATH 1314 who are not currently TSI compliant. Students in this co-requisite section must also be enrolled in MATH 1314 for the same semester.
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions, including domain and range, operations, compositions, and inverses. (PSLO 1, 3) Measured by embedded questions in tests, quizzes, or homework labs.
2. Recognize and apply polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions and solve related equations. (PSLO 1, 3) Measured by embedded questions in tests, quizzes, or homework labs.
3. Apply graphing techniques. (PSLO 3) Measured by embedded questions in tests, quizzes, or homework labs.
4. Evaluate all roots of higher degree polynomial and rational functions. (PSLO 1, 2,3) Measured by embedded questions in tests, quizzes, homework labs and group discussion.
5. Recognize, solve and apply systems of linear equations using matrices. (PSLO 3)Measured by embedded questions in tests, quizzes or homework labs.
Core Objectives 1. Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.
2. Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.
3. Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
Lecture Topics Outline Please see the course Blackboard for all lecture topics. 
Major Assignments Schedule There will be no major assignments for DMTH 0314. 
Final Exam Date December 12, 2024 - 8:0 AM   Through  December 12, 2024 - 8:1 AM
Grading Scale This co-requisite section is given on a PASS/FAIL basis:
SD = Satisfactory (PASS)
UD = Unsatisfactory (FAIL)
 
Students can obtain a passing mark (SD) in this section by achieving an overall score of 70% or better in the course. The students grade will be composed entirely of attendance credit.
Determination of
Final Grade

Attendance-

  • Students can have three absences with no penalty.
  • If the student is absent more than three meetings, they may meet with the instructor during office hours to discuss their absences. The instructor reserves the right to ask for documentation before excusing any absences.
  • Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class, if a student arrives after attendance is taken they may stay for the class but will be counted absent for the day.
  • Students not participating or working on assignments related to MATH 1314 will be marked absent for the day. This course is intended to be support for MATH 1314, so all students are expected to work on assignments for MATH 1314.
  • Students being disruptive will be marked absent for the day.
  • Students may leave early if they have scored 90% or better on all current assignments. The student must show the instructor proof of the score before leaving or no attendance credit will be given.
  • Students may email a screen shot of all current assignments with scores of 100% before the start of class time and earn attendance credit for the day the email is sent. The screen shot must include their name, the date and time in the picture. Emails will only count for attendance credit for the day they are sent on. If a student plans to miss more than one class, they must send an email for each day they miss. Any attendance emails received after the start of class will be ignored and not receive a response.
  • Opportunities for make-up attendance credit are entirely at the instructor’s discretion. Alternative work may be assigned in order to make-up any missed classes.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies
  • This syllabus is subject to change as needed throughout the semester. Any major changes will be accompanied by an announcement in class, via email, or posted on Blackboard.
  • All relevant information about this course will be communicated to students using announcements posted on Blackboard. You will receive an email copy of each announcement but replies to those emails will not be monitored nor receive a response.
  • Students should use their LSCPA email to communicate with the instructor; any communications from personal email accounts (gmail,yahoo,etc.) may be ignored.
  • Students must use appropriate e-mail etiquette when corresponding with the instructor; for example, complete sentences and a full subject line with your name and course name. Voice mail messages should be clearly spoken identifying students' name, course, and return phone number.
  • Emails or messages determined by the instructor to be rude or disrespectful will not be responded to and will possibly be forwarded to the student’s department chair or program coordinator.
  • Students may check their grades in their Blackboard gradebook. If the student wishes to discuss their grades, they may email the instructor and request an appointment to meet with the instructor or see the instructor during scheduled office hours. The instructor will not discuss any grades over email or phone calls.
  • The instructor will not discuss a student’s grades with anyone besides the student unless the instructor is given permission by LSCPA officials to do so.
  • Students are responsible for informing the instructor if they are unable to access any course materials. There will be no late work or credit given for assignments missed for this reason.
  • No computer/ cell phone usage or talking is allowed during lectures unless otherwise stated by the instructor. There will be limited lecture in the course, but the few times lecture does occur, students are expected to
    listen and participate in the lecture.
  • Talking and student collaboration will be encouraged during parts of class, but disrespectful and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. If a student is asked to leave or see me outside of class, they must meet with me during my office hours before attending another class meeting.
Attendance Policy Required. See requirements above. 
Additional Information
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Dr. Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431