Spring 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: DMTH-0310 (Section: 71, CRN: 10633)
Beginning Algebra 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Paul Hay
Email haypa@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6549
Office Student Center - Room: 418
Office Hours Monday through Friday - 10AM - 12PM
Other times available by appointment.
Additional Contact Information All emails must be sent with an official lamarpa.edu email address. Emails from personal accounts may be ignored.
Course Information
Description Concepts of basic algebra. Operations on real numbers and polynomials, solving equations, inequalities and systems, graphing, and problem solving are included.
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.

Textbook:

Elementary Algebra, 2nd Edition, by Openstax, 2020.

This is an open source text, available for free online at:
https://openstax.org/details/books/elementary-algebra-2e
Additional Materials/Resources No additional materials required.
Corequisites/Prerequisites Prerequisites:

TSI Score 310-335 and ABE Score 3-6, or TSI Score 336-341
Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will learn how to solve linear equations and applications
2. Students will determine the slopes, intercepts, equations and graphs of lines
3. Students will solve systems of equations in two variables by substitution and addition
4. Students will add, subtract, multiply, divide and factor polynomials
5. Students will translate, develop a strategy and solve related application problems
6. Students will utilize an outline learning system to demonstrate math proficiency
Core Objectives Core Objectives:

* Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or 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.

Lecture Topics Outline Chapter 1  Foundations Chapter 2  Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities Chapter 4  Graphs Chapter 5  Systems of Linear Equations Chapter 6  Polynomials Chapter 7  Factoring
Major Assignments Schedule
Important Dates to Remember:
 
01/16/2024: First day of class.
02/26/2024: Final day to drop without academic penalty.
03/08/2024: (5:00 PM) Final deadline for the Mid-Term Exam, as well as all homework, quizzes, and chapter tests for Chapters 1, 2, and 4. 
03/11-15/2024: Spring Break, no class, campus closed.
04/12/2024: Final day to drop with academic penalty.
05/03/2024: (5:00 PM) Final deadline for the Final Exam, as well as all homework, quizzes, and chapter tests for Chapters 5, 6, and 7. 
05/09/2024: Last class day.
Final Exam Date May 3, 2024 - 5:00 PM
Grading Scale Passing Grades: 
  • AD:  90 - 100
  • BD:  80 - 89
  • CD:  70 - 79
Non-Passing Grades:
  • DD:  60 - 69
  • FD:    0 - 59
Determination of
Final Grade		 Overall Grade Calculation:

15%:  Homework
15%:  Quizzes
20%:  Chapter Tests
25%:  Mid-Term Exam
25%:  Final Exam
Course Policies
Instructor Policies Blackboard/MyOpenMath:

All of your course materials and assignments are accessible through MyOpenMath via Blackboard. You will not need to sign up for or log on to any outside website, as everything will be integrated fully into Blackboard. MyOpenMath is an open-source program and does not require any access code or payment before using. If this is the only course you are taking this semester, or if all of your other classes use open-source (OER) resources, you should consider opting out of the Seahawk Book Bundle program. 

Homework (Practice Problems):

The homework sets can be worked in any order, and multiple versions of each problem will be offered until a correct answer has been reached. You can even continue practicing new versions of each problem after getting a correct answer if needed (I recommend practicing each problem multiple times until mastery is achieved). Homework sets for Chapters 1, 2, and 4 must be completed before the final deadline for the Mid-Term Exam, and homework sets for Chapters 5, 6, and 7 must be completed before the final deadline for the Final Exam. See Blackboard for exact deadline details.

Quizzes and Chapter Tests:

The quizzes and chapter tests must be worked in sequential order. The first quiz (Chapter 1 Quiz 1) will be available on day one, and each successive quiz/test will become available once the appropriate prerequisite has been met (score of 50% or better). See Blackboard for exact details. All quizzes and chapter tests for Chapters 1, 2, and 4 must be completed before you will be able to take the Mid-Term Exam, and all quizzes and chapter tests for Chapters 5, 6, and 7  must be completed before you will be able to take the Final Exam.

Mid-Term and Final Exams:

The Mid-Term and Final Exams must be taken on campus, in the testing center located in the Student Success Center building.  The Mid-Term Exam may be scheduled any time before 03/08/2024, and the Final Exam may be scheduled any time after Spring Break, before 05/03/2024. Please check the hours of operation for the testing lab before scheduling your Exams. If you are unable to make it to campus due to any unusual yet verifiable circumstances (out-of-state travel for work, overseas military deployment, etc.), you must let me know as soon as possible so other exam proctoring arrangements can be made.
Attendance Policy Since this is an online course and we will not be meeting in person, the rate and pace of attendance is left somewhat up to the student. It is the sole responsibility of the student to make sure that they are current and up to date in the material and to participate in all posted assignments and activities, and they are expected to do so out of their own desire to learn and succeed. The student's online participation will be observed to an extent, and for any borderline cases of assigning final grades, this record will be taken into consideration.
Additional Information The syllabus may be updated, as needs arise, throughout the semester. Any major changes will be accompanied by an announcement on Blackboard.
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