College Algebra

Mission: To provide affordable, accessible, and exceptional education that fosters student success


Term:  Spring 2021 
Course:    MATH 1513
   College Algebra
Delivery Format:  Traditional

Instructor Information:

Name:  Jerry Holton
Email:  jholton@carlalbert.edu
Office Location:  RC 102
Preferred Contact Method:   phone
Office Phone:  918-647-1403
Office Hours:  As posted
Alternate Phone:   918-647-1200

Textbook 1 Information: Required                                       
College Algebra 11th edition, Prentice Hall  ;  Michael Sullivan 

In compliance with the CASC COVID-19 Safety Policy approved 7-14-20, Academic Operations will implement the following protocols upon return to campus.  Please see the CASC Policies & Procedures Manual for the full policy:

A.      Students in the classroom will be assigned a seat to enable contact tracing if needed

B.      Daily attendance will be recorded to enable contact tracing if needed

C.      Course content will be available in Blackboard or similar platform for all courses

D.     Course delivery will move totally online following Thanksgiving Break

E.      Masks or face shields are required when inside college facilities and vehicles, or when outdoors on campus and social distancing cannot be maintained.

F.       Symptoms:  Should any student begin exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, the student is asked to report immediately to the Office of Student Affairs. 

G.     Non-compliance (without approved disability accommodation) to the masking requirement may result in disciplinary sanctions for both students and employees.

a)       In-class offenses should be handled through the Office of Academic Affairs;

(i)       First Offense: instructor shall ask the student to place a mask properly on their face.  The student’s name shall be reported to the Office of Academic Affairs, regardless if the student complies with the request.  If the student does not comply, the behavior will be considered a conduct violation and the student will be referred to the Office of Academic Affairs.

(ii)    Second offense:  The student will immediately be removed from class/the area and be sent to the Office of Academic Affairs for evaluation of the violation.  Consequences shall then be determined by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

(iii)  Third offense (In or Out of Class):  The student shall be banned from attending on- campus classes and being present on-campus.

a)       All other offenses should be handled through the Office of Student Affairs:

b)      Violations are cumulative in nature, meaning that an offense either in-class or out-of-class shall be considered a first, second, or third offense. 

H.     Enforcement

Employees and students who refuse to comply with this Plan/Policy are subject to disciplinary action, in accordance with the CASC Policies & Procedures Manual, or Student Handbook, or as outlined above. If an employee or student indicates compliance is not possible due to medical reasons, the individual should be referred to the appropriate College office to request accommodations on the basis of disability office (Human Resources for employees; Learning Resource Center for students). Vendors, visitors, and patients who refuse to comply with this Plan/Policy are subject to having their access to campus suspended or terminated.

I.        Resources

1.    Should any student feel they need to be evaluated by a physician, please contact the Office of Student Affairs. Carl Albert works closely with the Health and Wellness Center, and the Center has agreed to evaluate students virtually should the need arise.

Course Description:
Study of equations and functions (polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic), systems of equations. Suitable for students planning on taking calculus.
Credit Hours:  3
Prerequisites:  Math 0123 or equivalent.

General Education Outcomes:

Demonstrate knowledge-

  • Demonstration of knowledge results from the appraisal of knowledge and practice of core concepts through analytical, practical, or creative means.  Students shall assemble evidence; identify, categorize, and distinguish among ideas, concepts, and theories; and relate and analyze the significant uses of the gathered knowledge.

 

Think Critically-

  • Critical thinking encompasses the abilities to identify, categorize, synthesize, and distinguish ideas, concepts, theories, and approaches.  The presentation, explanation, and analysis of skills acquired in academic settings allow examination of competing hypotheses and non-academic events in light of acquired knowledge and relate the implications of cultural and social perspectives.

 

Communicate Effectively-

  • Effective communication results from the presentation and expression of concepts encountered in an academic setting in a clear, error-free manner both verbally and in written explanation.  Critical aspects are the clear expression of competing hypotheses and perspectives in response to material read, analyzed, or presented in both academic and non-academic settings.

 

Practice Global and Civil Awareness-

  • Practicing global and civil awareness creates the ability to understand both the student’s own civic and cultural background as well as that of others.  This results from the evaluation of historical and contemporary positions on values, practices, assumptions, and predispositions.  Encouraging active community participation and cognizance provides insight and expands students’ perspectives and awareness.

 

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

 SLO 1. Upon completion of the course students will be able to solve equations and inequalities.
-Students will be able to solve linear equation in one variable.
-Students will be able to solve literal equations.
-Students will be able to solve polynomial equations using the zero product property.
-Students will be able to perform the basic operations on complex numbers.
-Students will be able to solve radical equations.
-Students will be able to solve linear inequalities in one variable.
-Students will be able to solve absolute value equations and inequalities.
-Students will be able to solve application problems involving linear equations.
-Students will be able to solve application problems involving quadratic equations.

SLO 2. Upon completion of the course students will be able to graph relations.
-Students will be able to determine the distance using the distance formula.
-Students will be able to determine the midpoint using the midpoint formula.
-Students will be able to graph a linear equation.
-Students will be able to graph a linear equation using the slope-intercept form.
-Students will be able to determine the equation of a line.
-Students will be able to determine the equation of a circle.
-Students will be able to graph circles.
-Students will be able to solve variation problems.

SLO 3: Upon completion of the course students will be able to graph functions.
-Students will be able to determine information from the graph of a function.
-Students will be able to graph eight basic functions.
-Students will be able to graph piece-wise defined functions.
-Students will be able to apply transformation to eight basic graphs to graph a function.
-Students will be able to graph a quadratic function.

SLO 4. Upon completion of the course students will be able to apply operations of functions.
-Students will be able to construct new functions from basic functions by adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing functions.

SLO 5. Upon completion of the course students will be able to identify the properties of functions.
-Students will be able to determine if a relation is a function.
-Students will be able to determine the domain and range of a function.
-Students will know the properties of functions.
-Students will be able to determine the composite function.
-Students will be able to determine if a function is one-to-one.
-Students will be able to determine the inverse function.

SLO 6. Upon completion of the course students will be able to apply the properties of exponential and logarithmic functions.
-Students will be able to convert equations between exponential and logarithmic form.
-Students will be able to evaluate common and natural logarithms.
-Students will be able to identify and graph exponential and logarithmic functions.
-Students will be able to graph common and natural logarithms to evaluate expressions.
-Students will be able to apply the properties of logarithms to evaluate expressions.

SLO 7. Upon completion of the course students will be able to solve exponential and logarithmic functions.
-Students will be able to solve exponential functions.
-Students will be able to solve logarithmic functions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation/Assessment Practices:

 

Assignments and Course Format:

This course will be presented from a lecture-demonstration point of view. The textbook will be the basis for material to be covered and the student will be responsible for reading all assigned material and working those problems selected by the instructor. The homework will be online through MyMathLab, a third party source.

 

 

Grade Scale:

The following grade scale will be used to determine a letter grade:
90%-100%----A
80%-89%----B
70%-79%----C
60%-69%----D
Below 60%--F

 

 

Grading Policies:

 

At least five-50 minute objective examinations will be given during the semester. The lowest test score prior to the final will be dropped.  Students may not drop the final.  These will determine 66 2/3% of a student’s grade.  Daily homework grades will be taken on a class period basis and will determine the remaining 33 1/3% of the grade.

 

            Expectations:

            All homework assignments are available on the first day of class. Homework is expected to be completed by the due dates. Homework will be assigned during every class period and there are due dates for each assignment. I will not reopen assignments after the due date. Check the calendar in MyMathLab for due dates. The student is expected to take all examinations at the specified time and date.  No make-up tests will be given without prior approval of the instructor.  If a student misses an exam without prior approval it will be dropped as the lowest test.  If another test is missed, it will be recorded as a zero.

            Attendance:

            Responsibility for attending class rests upon the student. Attendance in class is expected and will be recorded. Each faculty member will determine his or her attendance policy which may require between 75 - 90 percent attendance for credit in the course.

Punctual and regular class attendance is expected of all students enrolled at Carl Albert State College. A student is expected to attend every class and laboratory for which he or she has registered. Each instructor will make known to the student his or her policy with respect to absences in the course. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of this policy. Being prepared for class in advance and participating on a regular basis is a vitally important ingredient for academic success.

At the beginning of each semester, every instructor will distribute a course syllabus and clearly state his or her attendance policy. It is the student's responsibility to inquire of the instructor if there are questions.

It is also the responsibility of the student to consult with his/her instructors when an absence must be excused. Instructors are given the prerogative of determining the excusableness of student absences except absences for school-sponsored activities and legally required jury duty, which shall be deemed excusable.

A student is also responsible for all class work covered during his/her absence from class, even in classes in which he/she is able to satisfy the instructor that the absence was unavoidable.

Failure to attend class regularly may result in a recommendation for the student to withdraw from class or from College. Students who cease attending a class but do not withdraw from that class will receive a grade of F for the course. Attendance will be taken in each class at Carl Albert State College each time that class meets.

In general, the maximum number of allowable class hours of absences shall be the number of credits of the course.  For example, a course worth three credits would have three clock hours of such absences.  Excessive absences will affect the student's final grade. If the student is going to be absent for any reason, it is essential that the student contact his/her instructor promptly.

M-W-F course                  M-W or T-Th course
0-3 absences                      0-2 absences                      No grade change              
4-6 absences                      3-4 absences                      Drop 1 letter grade          
7-9 absences                      5-6 absences                      Drop 2 letter grades
10-12 absences                 7-8 absences                      Drop 3 letter grades
13 or more                          9 or more                            Automatic Failure “F” or Withdrawal “W”

Additional Course Information:

 

SERVICES, POLICY, and PROCEDURES:

 

Student Email:

IMPORTANT- All course information, billing, financial aid notices, housing information, scholarship awards, degree check results, and other mail will be sent to you via student email. Please remember to check your student email often for important information.

 

ADA Statement:

Carl Albert State College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should make their request in the following way:

 

·         Talk with your instructor after class about your disability or special needs related to work in class.

Poteau Campus

·         Complete the Request for Special Accommodations Form with the Student Disability Services Coordinator located in Hemphill Hall in office 112. The office can be contacted at ckeeton@carlalbert.edu or by phone at 918-647-1319.

Sallisaw Campus

·         Complete the Request for Special Accommodations Form with the Assistant Student Disability Services Coordinator located in the Learning Resource Center in office SC 8025.

FOR WEB COURSES

·         Call or e-mail your instructor about your disability or special needs related to work in web courses.

·         Complete the Request for Special Accommodations Form with the Student Disability Services Coordinator. You may find information on our website under Student Affairs/Student Disability Services.

Services:

  • LRC: The Learning Resource Center is located in Hemphill Hall office 112; Crissy Keeton, the LRC Director, may be reached at 918-647-1319. The LRC offers tutoring in a variety of subjects including math and English. Specific tutoring schedules are available.  The LRC also offers notes and textbooks for many classes as well as a computer lab and study area. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Health Services: CASC Student Affairs/Student Life is designated as the first stop for students/employees in assisting them with primary care health services and holistic health prevention measures through a partnership with Stigler Health & Wellness Center, Inc. Dental Mobile Unit Services will also be provided each semester on the Poteau and Sallisaw campuses. Please contact the Office of Student Affairs for a “Healthcare Eligibility Form.”

Poteau Health & Wellness Center and Sallisaw Health & Wellness Center will provide treatment of minor illness and injuries and behavioral health services. Understand that the student/employee is responsible for providing Medicaid/private insurance and/or paying the minimum office visit fees; CASC has no obligation for payment of the minimum office visit fees.

  • Student Counseling Services: Carl Albert State College is committed to assisting students in all areas of their lives. Student success and well-being are of the utmost importance, and it is our goal to improve the quality of life so that personal and academic growth can take place. CASC suggests students utilize the preventative counseling services that are provided through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

In addition the following local agency, Cavanal Counseling, will provide free counseling services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Choctaw Nation Project SAFE has provided a grant to cover these costs for all CASC students.

  • Library: Research for your class should be conducted at the CASC Libraries.  College-level research requires college-level sources. CASC Libraries offer a number of appropriate sources in both print and electronic formats.  Visit the library in person for research assistance or at
    https://carlalbert.edu/student-services/library/

Phone: 918-647-1311 (Poteau)  918-775-6977 (Sallisaw)
Facebook:  Library Friends @ Carl Albert State College
Twitter:  @CASCLibrary
Instagram: casclibrary 

HEA-Required information:

The National Postsecondary Education Cooperative (NPEC) issued Information Required to Be Disclosed Under the Higher Education Act of 1965: Suggestions for Dissemination (NPEC 2010-831). This publication is available at http://nces.ed.gov.

 

Additional Information including Student Handbook, FERPA, Financial Aid, Clery Report, and student consumer information are located at https://carlalbert.edu/discover-us/student-consumer-reports/.

Notification of Class Cancellation:

In the event class must be cancelled by the instructor, the student will be notified through various methods including, but not limited to the following:  text message, email, or written notification.  Students should check their Carl Albert email accounts regularly for such notifications.  When possible, instructors will provide notification in advance.

In instances of school closure, the notification process occurs in the following ways: the alert system is used to send messages including phone calls, text messages, and emails to all names in the alert system as soon as a decision has been made regarding the status of CASC; an email is sent to all Carl Albert email addresses; closure information is posted to the CASC website as quickly as possible; the phone message for incoming calls at the CASC switchboard will indicate closed status; and local radio stations and television stations are notified.  However television may or may not post our information, so please be sure to check other sources of information as listed above.

Assessment Statement:

Assessment is the process that evaluates the learning experience with the purpose of continual improvement and has the objective of assuring the accomplishment of the mission of Carl Albert State College.

Academic Integrity/ Misconduct Policy

The following will apply in connection with academic dishonesty:

 

A. The instructor and his or her division chairperson have final authority over the grades given to students or the lowering of grades because of cheating or plagiarism.

 

B. The term “cheating” includes, but is not limited to:

 

1.       The use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations.

 

2.       Dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments.

 

3.   Acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the college faculty or staff.  The term “plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment.  It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.

 

If it is established that cheating or plagiarism has more than likely occurred:

 

A. The instructor may take appropriate disciplinary action, which may include the awarding of an “F” on the particular assignment or in the course.

 

B. The instructor will make a report of the incident and of the action taken to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

 

C. The student will receive a copy of the report if she or he desires and may appeal the decision of the instructor to the Academic Affairs Committee.

 

D. The student and instructor may meet individually with the Academic Affairs Committee to present documentation pertinent to the appeal. Once the Academic Affairs Committee renders its decision, the appeal process is concluded.

 

Carl Albert State College considers all forms of academic misconduct and dishonesty serious matters that warrant serious attention. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cases of cheating and plagiarism, and is, at the very least, subject to disciplinary action by the instructor of record. More serious infractions will warrant disciplinary actions by the college. 

 

Plagiarism is considered unacceptable and incompatible with the educational mission of Carl Albert State College. Since plagiarism always carries consequences, all students are expected to be familiar with the rules for avoiding plagiarism. 

 

Intentional plagiarism is a deliberate act of academic dishonesty in which an individual knowingly represents the work or knowledge of another person as one’s own, knowingly incorporates into one’s work the words or ideas of another person without clear attribution, fails to acknowledge clearly the partial or full authorship of someone else when submitting a work, and/or consistently fails to cite or quote textual resources properly.

 

Cheating is considered to be a serious infraction of academic integrity and as such is not tolerated at CASC. Specifically, cheating includes, but is not limited to, instances where work is turned in that is not one’s own, copying others’ answers in exams and/or papers, infiltration of grading systems, use of deception in acquisition of answers, and/or instances of forgery. 

 

Grade Protest:

Students may challenge a final grade, provided a solution cannot be reached through proper academic channels. Students should first contact their instructor and then the division chair if resolution is not satisfactory. Appeals for the purpose of challenging a final grade must be made to the Academic Affairs Committee within 90 days after the grade in question appears on the permanent record.  Information concerning procedures to be followed is available from the Office of Admissions and Records. (CASC Catalog, p. 74)

 

Faculty Complaints:

A student who feels he or she has serious grounds and evidence to demonstrate unfair treatment by a faculty member may file a formal written complaint with the division chair. First, however, the student is encouraged to visit with the faculty member on an informal basis to discuss the situation. If, after that visit, the student still wishes to file a formal complaint, the division chair will call a meeting between the student and the faculty member to discuss the complaint and any further action. If the issue still remains unresolved, the division chair, faculty member, and student will meet with the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

 

Semester Regulations Concerning the Beginning and End of the Term:

Students should keep in mind that the semester begins with the first day of class and ends with the last day of the designated final exam period.  If final exam conflicts occur, students may request changes in individual final exam times in writing to their instructors.  Approval is based on the discretion of each instructor.  If a change is approved, the instructor must forward a copy of the written request and approval to the office of Academic Affairs. Requests based upon personal convenience are generally not approved. Approvals are normally limited to the following reasons:

    1. Conflict with working hours on a job that has been held during the term and for which working schedules cannot be readily adjusted.
    2. Religious reasons.
    3. Four finals in one day.
    4. Military obligations verified in writing.
    5. Other exceptional hardship cases including health reasons concerning immediate members of the household, death of an immediate family member, or attendance of a funeral of an immediate family member.

When amicable agreement cannot be reached by the student and instructor, the division chair and/or Academic Affairs Office can grant accommodations.

Withdrawal Policy:

Students are responsible for withdrawing from course(s) they will not attend. Students should contact the Office of Admissions to formally withdraw, and, if receiving financial aid, the Office of Financial Aid to understand the impact to their aide. Students failing to attend initial class meeting will be dropped from the class without notification.  Beyond that, failure to attend class is not equivalent to dropping the class; students who fail to formally drop the class will receive a failing grade in the course. Students should consult the published Academic Calendar or Course Schedule to understand the last day to drop a course without charges or transcript record, drop with an automatic W grade, or drop with instructor input a W or F grade.

 

Online Etiquette Statement:

Carl Albert State College expects online users to follow the same basic rules that apply in face-to-face communication.  The following guidelines provide direction for students using Internet-based communication.  Failure to follow appropriate communication rules may result in negative consequences.

 

      1. Think before you write.  What you say online is permanent.  Review and edit before you post and take the feeling of others into consideration.
      2. Be friendly and positive.  Even if you disagree with an idea, there are ways you can approach your criticism without being hurtful.
      3. Use standard English.  Avoid slang and jargon with which others in the class may be unfamiliar.  Communication is only effective if the audience can relate to it.
      4. Be professional.  Avoid writing in all caps, using multiple exclamation or question marks, and emoticons. 
      5. Ask for help.  If you feel lost or need clarification, ask.  If you don’t ask the questions, your instructor and other students won’t be able to respond.  Besides, you’re probably not alone, but don’t wait for someone else to ask for you.

 

Statement of Instructor Modification Right:

This syllabus is subject to alteration at the discretion of the instructor.  Notification of alteration will be provided to students via class announcement, e-mail, blackboard posting, or similar reasonable method.

 

Student Financial Responsibility Statement:

**********Balances are due by the first day of classes. ************

In addition to enrolling in classes, part of your enrollment responsibility is payment of your Business Office account with the Business Office (tuition, fees, etc.).

If a student account is not paid in full, we reserve the right to hold students’ grades and official transcripts.  Students are also subject to be dropped from pre-enrolled classes.

 

To avoid holds on your student account make payment to CASC through the Business Office.

 

If you have already paid your balance for the semester, and any past balances, thank you.

If you are unable to pay your Carl Albert State College student account balance by the first day of class or you anticipate receiving financial aid, you must enroll in a payment plan thru Nelnet.  If the financial aid pays for all costs, then the payment plan will not go into effect.

 

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Business Office at (918) 647-1325.

 

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