Lamar State College - Port Arthur

House Bill 2504

Spring 2018 Course Syllabus

MATH-0332-02 - Intermediate Algebra

 
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Faculty Information
SemesterSpring 2018
InstructorMcQueen, Sarah Anne
Phone(409) 984-6574
E-mailmcqueensa@lamarpa.edu
Department
30104
Chair:Michelle Davis
Phone:(409) 984-6341
E-mail:davisml1@lamarpa.edu
Office
Hours:MWF 9 - 9:50, MW 11 - 1, TR 9:30 - 10:45
Building:Student Center (SC)
Room:414
MyLamarPA Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you’ve logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the “My Courses” tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLamarPA.
Course Information
Course Number10945
Course Description Basic concepts necessary for the study of algebra: solving linear, rational, absolute value, radical, and quadratic equations and linear, compound and absolute value inequalities. Factoring polynomials, problem solving and operations on rational and radical expressions are included.
Prerequisite: MATH 0313 or placement examination.
NOTE: The purchase of a student access code is required
Course Prerequisites Math 0313 or TSI score of 343 - 349
Required Textbooks ALEKS course software (required, will be provided free of cost), Notebook/Binder, paper, pencils
Attendance Policy Regular attendance and participation will help you succeed in this course. If you miss class, you may be missing important announcements, notes, and lecture! You are encouraged to attend every class. However, we know that things happen! You can miss a maximum of 5 classes. These absences should be saved for emergencies, illness, etc. If you miss more than 5 classes, your course grade will be negatively affected in the following way:

If you are absent…    You will lose…
6 - 7 classes    One letter grade
7 - 8 classes    Two letter grades
9+ classes    Three letter grades

Not only should you attend every class, we want you to participate in class! You can actively participate in the following ways: arrive on time, stay for the entire class, be prepared with the proper materials, ask questions, participate in group work and class activities, etc. Be a part of the class! We are learning together. If you choose to not participate in class, it will negatively affect your grade. Three of the following incidents will be equal to one absence:
-    Arriving to class late
-    Leaving class early
-    Sleeping in class
-    Refusing to participate in group work
-    Being on your cell phone

If you are unable to attend class, it is your responsibility to find out what material you missed. I will not provide copies of notes. Please reach out to a classmate for missed notes. If you are struggling to understand material you missed in class, please see me during office hours.
Course Grading Scale Grading Scale
AD 90-100
BD 80-89
CD 70-79
DD 50-69
FD Below 50
Determination of Final Grade Assessments    45%
Final Exam    20%
ALEKS    30%
Learning Portfolio    5%


Assessments are worth 45% of your final grade. There will be 1 knowledge check and 3 tests. The knowledge check is scheduled for Week 3 of the semester. You will not have to study for this. It will be based on the content you have learned in ALEKS. The knowledge check will be taken at home on your own time. Late work will not be accepted.
To maximize class time, you will take each test in the Student Success Center outside of class. Each test will be available for one week from the day we finish the material. You will be responsible for finding time to take the test before the due date.

-    Retest: If you earn at least a 40% or higher on an Exam, you are able to retest. The higher grade will be included in your course grade. Retests will be available until three days following the exam due date. For example, if Exam 2 is due Feb 20, the retest will be due Feb 23.

-    Make-Up tests: Makeup tests will only be given in special circumstances provided documentation: illness or medical emergency, bereavement, etc. If this is the case, you must contact me via email BEFORE the exam due date to schedule a time for the makeup test. Makeup tests must be taken within one week of the original test due date.

We will use the learning system ALEKS in this course. Math is NOT a spectator sport! You have to practice problems and concepts on your own to learn the material. ALKES is worth 20% of your course grade. There are two pieces to ALEKS:
-    Chapters (15%): Instead of completing a standard set of homework problems, you will work through 5-6 modules on ALEKS. Each module must be completed by a certain date. Approximate due dates are given below. These dates are subject to change. Due dates are final. Late work will not be accepted.

Chapter #1    February 8
Chapter #2    February 20
Chapter #3    March 8
Chapter #4    April 5
Chapter #5    April 24
Chapter #6 (If possible)    May 3

-    Time Goals (15%): To help you stay on track, you will also have a weekly time goal of 4 hours. That is, you must spend 4 hours each week in ALEKS. Each time goal will be due Sunday night of that week. Your grade will be based on the percentage of time completed. For example, 3 hours of time = 75%. There are 14 time goals throughout the semester beginning Week 2.

Learning Portfolio: Not only is it important that you practice math regularly, it is important that you keep a record of notes and practice problems. You must maintain a binder and/or notebook complete with the syllabus, course handouts, lecture notes, problems worked on ALEKS, and graded exams. You will hand in the Learning Portfolio on the day you take the final exam. The Learning Portfolio is worth 5% of your final course grade. You will earn a 0 if you do not turn in the learning portfolio.

Lab Hours: If you are retaking this course, you are required to complete lab hours in the Student Success Center (SSC). You can work in ALEKS, review notes, watch helpful videos, etc. Tutors will be available 9-3 weekdays to help you with any questions you may have. Your course grade breakdown will differ from the rest of the class. ALEKS will count as 20% of your final grade and the lab hours will count as 10%. The lab grade breaks down as follows:


Lab Hours    Grade
< 11 hours     0%
11 hours     70%
12 hours     80%
13 hours     90%
14 hours     100%
Final Exam Date May 4, 2018 - 8:00 AM   Through  May 4, 2018 - 8:00 PM
Major Assignments Week 1: Syllabus, 2.1 - 2.2, 2.5
Week 2: 2.6 - 2.8
Week 3: 2.8, 9.1
Week 4: 9.3 - 9.5
Week 5: 9.5, 6.1
Week 6: 6.2 - 6.3
Week 7: 6.5 - 6.6
Week 8: 7.1 - 7.3
Week 9: 7.4 - 7.5
Week 10: 7.5
Week 11: 6.7 - 6.8, 7.6
Week 12: 7.7, 10.1
Week 13: 10.3 - 10.5
Week 14: 10.6 - 10.7
Week 15: Review
Calendar of Lecture Topics and Major Assignment Due Dates Approximate Due Dates: (subject to change)
Scheduled Knowledge Check: 2/2
Test 1: 2/19
Test 2: 3/7
Test 3: 4/2

Chapter Goals:
Chapter #1    February 8
Chapter #2    February 20
Chapter #3    March 8
Chapter #4    April 5
Chapter #5    April 24
Chapter #6 (If possible)    May 3
General Education/Core Curriculum Student Learning Outcomes
Communication skills:Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.

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.

Empirical and Quantitative Skills:Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.

Teamwork:Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.

Social Responsibility:Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities.

Personal Responsibility:Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.

Program Student Learning Outcomes PSLO 1: Critical Thinking Skills - Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
Creatively identifies problem, argument, or issue (to determine extent of information needed); differentiates the facts from opinions as relates to situation; constructs possible solutions or prediction or consequences; uses logical, sound reasoning to justify conclusion.

PSLO 2: Communication Skills - Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication.
Expresses a strong thesis; organizes information with effective transitions & sequencing of ideas; uses substantial, logical & specific development of ideas; details are relevant, original, credible and correctly documented when appropriate to show an effective development and interpretation of ideas; and presents ideas in appropriate mode of expression for the task.

PSLO3: Empirical and Quantitative Skills - Applies the manipulation and/or analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.
Identifies mathematical or scientific principles needed to complete task; uses mathematical or scientific principles needed to complete task; analyzes how to use the principles; and applies problem-solving skills in mathematical or scientific principles needed to complete task with correct informed conclusions.

PSLO 4: Teamwork Skills- Shows the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
Helps the team move forward by discussing merits of alternative ideas; Treats team members respectfully; uses positive facial, vocal or written tone, or language to convey a positive attitude; Motivates teammates by expressing confidence about the importance of the task; Provides assistance/encouragement to team members; Completes all assigned tasks by deadline; Addresses conflict constructively; or helps the group avoid conflict completely.

PSLO 5: Social Responsibility Skills - Expresses intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.
Identifies cultural characteristics (including beliefs, values, perspectives and/or practices); demonstrates knowledge of civic responsibility; provides evidence of experience in civic- engagement activities; and describes what she/ he has learned as it relates to a reinforced and clarified sense of civic identity in local, regional, national, or global communities; and shows awareness of ones own culture in relation to others.

PSLO 6: Personal Responsibility Skills - Integrates choices, actions and consequences in ethical decision-making.
Recognizes ethical issues when presented in a complex, multilayered (gray) context; recognizes cross- relationships among the issues; discusses in detail/ analyzes core beliefs; the discussion has greater depth and clarity showing the independent application of ethical perspectives/ concepts to an ethical question accurately; and is able to consider full implications of the application.
Course Student Learning Outcomes MATH 0332 INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA
(PSLOs 1,2 and 3)
Course objectives(CSLOs):
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
*Define, represent, and perform operations on real and complex numbers.
*Recognize, understand, and analyze features of a function.
*Recognize and use algebraic (field) properties, concepts, procedures (including factoring), and algorithms to combine, transform, and evaluate absolute value, polynomial, radical, and rational expressions.
*Identify and solve absolute value, polynomial, radical, and rational equations.
*Identify and solve absolute value and linear inequalities.
*Model, interpret and justify mathematical ideas and concepts using multiple representations.
*Connect and use multiple strands of mathematics in situations and problems, as well as in the study of other disciplines.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
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.

  • Electronic devices (including but not restricted to cell phones, MP3 players, and laptop computers) shall not be used during examinations unless specifically allowed by the instructor.

  • Use of electronic devices during normal class hours distracts other students, disrupts the class, and wastes valuable time. Instructors have an obligation to reduce such disruptions.

  • Turn your cellphones to vibrate when you enter the classroom.

    • Departmental policy states that the top of the desk should be cleared of all items not pertaining to this course. This would include purses, backpacks, books, and notes.
Additional Information If you send an e-mail, please include the class name and section number in the subject. Please use proper e-mail etiquette and grammar.

I will not discuss your grades over the phone or by email. if you want to discuss your grades, you must come to my office, in person.
Important Information
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 Special Populations Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
Copyright Violations Some material in this course may be copyrighted. They may be used only for instructional purposes this semester, by students enrolled in this course. These materials are being used fairly and legally. No one may distribute or share these copyrighted materials in any medium or format with anyone outside this class, including publishing essays with copyrighted material, uploading copyrighted material to Facebook or YouTube, or painting or performing copyrighted material for public display.

Copyright violation is not the same thing as plagiarism. Plagiarism is intellectual dishonesty. Offenses of plagiarism result in lower grades or failing scores, and professors and the college strictly enforce plagiarism rules. There is never any acceptable use of plagiarism. Copyright violation is a legal offense, punishable by large fines and penalties.

Copyrighted material can be used if permission from the material’s creator is obtained, or if its use meets the standards of fair use in an educational setting. For example, a student can quote a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet in a report without violating copyright but still be guilty of plagiarism if the quotation is not properly documented.

If you are in doubt about what material can be freely used, ask your professor or contact the Dean of Library Services, at (409) 984-6216.
Assessment Statement Assessment is a process by which LSCPA can help you learn better and gauge the level of progress you have made to attain knowledge, skills, beliefs, and values. It also helps your professors understand how to improve teaching and testing methods in your classes, and it helps each department understand and improve degree and certificate programs.

Periodically LSC-PA will collect assessment data for research and reporting purposes, including statistical data and sometimes copies of your work. Be assured that all material the college uses for assessment purposes will be kept confidential. To ensure anonymity, your name will be removed from any material we use for assessment purposes, including video-recorded performances, speeches, and projects.

If you object to allowing LSC-PA to use your material for assessment purposes, submit a letter stating so to your professor by the 12th class day. You will still be required to participate in whatever assessments are being done; we just won’t use your data.

What’s the difference between assessment and grades? The grades you get on papers, projects, speeches, and assignments are specific types of focused assessment. LSC-PA’s assessment efforts include class grades, surveys, standardized tests, and other tools.
Privacy Notice Federal privacy laws apply to college students. This means that college employees, including instructors, cannot divulge information to third parties, including parents and legal guardians of students. Even if the students are minors, information about their college work cannot be shared with anyone except in very limited circumstances.

Anyone requesting information about a student should be referred to the Registrar. Instructors will be notified in writing by that Office about what information may be released and to whom.

Please remember that releasing private information about a student, however innocuous it may seem, can be a violation of federal law, with very serious consequences.

Circumstances under which information may be released:

An adult student may submit, to the Registrar, a handwritten, signed note granting permission for release of information. The note must specify what information may be divulged, and it must specify the name of the person to whom the information may be given.

A parent or guardian may be given access to information about a student by providing a copy of a filed tax return that shows that the student was listed as a dependent of that parent or guardian. The tax return must be for last complete tax year. Again, this documentation must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office.

A parent or guardian may be given access to information about a student if the student logs on to My.LamarPA.edu and sends an email to the Registrar granting permission. The email must specify what information may be given and the name of the person to whom it may be given.

Co-enrollment students are protected by the same privacy laws as adult students.

The Registrar’s office is located in the Student Center room 303B, and can be reached at (409) 984-6165.

College-Level Perspectives This course helps add to the students’ overall collegiate experience in the following ways:

  • Establishing broad and multiple perspectives on the individual in relationship to the larger society and world in which s/he lives, and to understand the responsibilities of living in a culturally and ethnically diversified world.

  • Stimulating a capacity to discuss and reflect upon individual, political, economic, and social aspects of life in order to understand ways in which to be a responsible member of society.

  • Developing a capacity to use knowledge of how technology and science affect their lives.

  • Developing personal values for ethical behavior.

  • Developing the ability to make aesthetic judgments.

  • Using logical reasoning in problem solving.

  • Integrating knowledge and understand the interrelationships of the scholarly disciplines.

Degree Plan Evaluation A Degree Plan Evaluation will help you determine which classes you need to complete your program.

  1. Sign in to your my.lamarpa.edu account.

  2. Click on the “My Services” tab.

  3. Click on the “Student” tab.

  4. Click on Student Records.

  5. Click on Degree Evaluation.

  6. Select the term you are planning on registering for (i.e. Summer I, Summer II, Fall, or Spring)

  7. Verify that the Curriculum Information (your MAJOR) is correct

  8. Click on “Generate New Evaluation” at the bottom of the screen.

  9. Click the radio button next to Program

  10. Click on the Generate Request button.

All of the classes that you have taken that apply to your declared major will be listed on the right. If you have a class that still needs to be completed, a “NO” will be listed on the right next to the required class.

HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSC-PA’s efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

Lamar State College - Port Arthur

Mission

Lamar State College - Port Arthur, a member of The Texas State University System, is an open-access, comprehensive public two-year college offering quality and affordable instruction leading to associate degrees and a variety of certificates. The College embraces the premise that education is an ongoing process that enhances career potential, broadens intellectual horizons, and enriches life.

Core Values

  • Shared commitment by faculty, staff and administration to a mission characterized by student learning, diversity, and community involvement

  • General education/core curriculum that develops the values and concepts that allow the student to make a meaningful contribution in the workplace or community

  • Academic and technical programs designed to fulfill our commitment to accommodate students with diverse goals and backgrounds, using a variety of delivery methods, on and off campus

  • Technical education programs that provide for the acquisition of the knowledge, skills and behavior necessary for initial and continued employment

  • Student achievement characterized by attainment of individual goals and measured by successful accomplishments and completion of curriculum

  • Co-curricular opportunities that develop social, financial and civic acuity

Principles

Lamar State College - Port Arthur operates in the belief that all individuals should be:

  • treated with dignity and respect;

  • afforded equal opportunity to acquire a complete educational experience;

  • given an opportunity to discover and develop their special aptitudes and insights; and,

  • provided an opportunity to equip themselves for a fulfilling life and responsible citizenship in a world characterized by change.

 
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