First Day Handout –– Dr. Owens –– Spring 2007
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Course: |
College Mathematics –– MATH 1332 - synonym 47649 |
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Instructor: |
Dr. Philip Owens |
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Prerequisite: |
A satisfactory score on the ACC Mathematics Assessment Test. A second option is an appropriate secondary school course (Algebra II) and completion of any TSI-mandated mathematics remediation. Please see the Prerequisite Check handout for further information. |
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Time and place: |
RRHEC AVRY 204 MW 11:15 – 12:30 |
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Text: |
Excursions in Modern Mathematics, Peter Tannenbaum, 6th edition (ISBN 0-13-187363-6), Prentice-Hall, 2006 |
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Optional: |
Student Resource Guide, includes solutions to odd-numbered problems (ISBN 0-13-187382-2) |
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Text website: |
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My website: |
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Office hours: |
MW 12:30-1:30 AVRY 462 phone 716-4640 (office hours only) |
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e-mail: |
powens@austincc.edu (BY FAR the best way to contact me) |
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Testing Center: |
AVRY 354 716-4021 http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/ |
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Learning Lab: |
AVRY 355 716-4374 http://www.austincc.edu/rrctutor/ NRG 4119 223-4813 http://www.austincc.edu/nrgtutor |
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Advising: |
AVRY 201 716-4026 http://www.austincc.edu/centers/ror.htm NRG 1131 223-4782 http://www.austincc.edu/advise/ |
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Student Services: |
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Student Handbook: |
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Instructional Services: |
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Math Office: |
NRG 2221 223-4790 (Susan Dudley, Administrative Assistant) |
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My supervisor: |
Prof. Constance Elko PIN 1034 223-8005 cbelko@austincc.edu |
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Course concerns: |
Please resolve problems through the Math Office (above) |
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ACC at RRHEC: |
Course description: A course designed for non-mathematics and non-science majors. Topics may include, but are not limited to, sets, logic, number theory, geometric concepts, and an introduction to probability and statistics.
Course rationale: This course is intended to provide non-mathematics and non-science majors with a survey of topics in mathematics. The emphasis may be towards developing students' quantitative reasoning skills, illustrating the beauty of mathematics as a discipline, and/or imparting a feel for the different ways in which mathematics is used. The students who take this course generally are in nursing, the liberal arts, communication, workforce programs, or some social sciences. This course may be used to satisfy the Core Curriculum and the General Education Mathematics requirements.
Course objectives: 1) Increase/improve your quantitative literacy. 2) Provide you with an opportunity to experience mathematics as an intellectual exercise and a way of thinking. 3) Provide you with an opportunity to appreciate the visual and intellectual beauty of mathematics.
Technology: Each student will need to bring a scientific calculator (has “log” and “xy” keys) to class each day (including test days).
Examinations: There will be four in-class tests. They will consist of up to 50 questions each, all answerable in well under 1 minute, if you know the material. If you don’t, no amount of time will suffice! Also, see below under Missed Examinations.
Lectures: This will be a traditional “lecture” class. BUT… students do not learn math by being lectured to; they learn by studying a topic at their own pace, and then practicing the math! I am asking you to take responsibility for your own learning by studying the textbook sections in advance. This advance study will improve your understanding of what I say in class by 100%. Guaranteed!
Homework: Conscientious completion of all assigned homework is the key to success in any mathematics course. See the handout Directions for Homework for how to present your work
Extra credit exercises are available to allow you to do extra work to improve your understanding and your grade.
Homework points: You will receive points for homework and occasional other work. Such work will be returned to you with points earned written at the top. Your point score will be computed as (points earned)¸(points possible)´100, and will be a component of your final grade, as described below. Please save your daily work in an orderly notebook so that you can turn it in when requested.
Extra credit homework credit will be computed separately from regular homework (see below).
Course web pages: This handout, schedule, homework, and other materials are all on the Web, reachable from my home page (see above).
Daily activity: When you arrive in class:
· write on the board the numbers of homework problems assigned last time you would like to see solved
· leave extra credit H/W on my desk to be graded
· pick up graded extra credit H/W
· I will write the solutions to requested problems on board, and discuss, as requested
· class will proceed with discussion of new material
Missed Examinations: If you miss an exam for any reason, it will count as a zero. To cover personal emergencies, your weakest test grade (of the first three) will be replaced by your next weakest grade. The last test must be taken, and will count. Do not ask me to let you take the last test early so you can leave town early.
Interim progress reports: Attached to each test will be a slip of paper with the following numerical entries on it:
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overall average |
test average |
point average |
your points |
points possible |
extra credit points (XCP) |
Please check these numbers against your own records, as clerical errors can occur. Note:
overall average = .80 × (test average) + .20 × (HW average) + (XCP/50)
Grading: Your final grade will be computed by the above formula. If you turn out to be a borderline case (e. g. 89.5), I may take into consideration on-time attendance, attitude, class participation, and improvement.
If your class record is otherwise satisfactory, but your grade is threatened because of a missed exam due to a personal emergency, please feel free to discuss this with me in my office.
Incomplete grades (I) will be given only in very rare circumstances. According to departmental policy, to receive a grade of "I", a student must be passing, but be unable to take the last test because of a personal emergency.
Grading Scale: A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F = 0-59
Attendance: If you are absent more than 4 times, you may be dropped from the course. But if it is your intention to drop, don’t just stop attending. It is your responsibility to drop yourself through the Admissions Office. Otherwise, you may receive an “F”.
Tardiness: Lateness is disruptive and sends a message of disrespect to your classmates and the instructor. Chronic, unexcused tardiness may result in your being dropped. Please discuss with me any problems you might have with on-time attendance. If you should arrive late, please seat yourself quickly and quietly.
When to seek extra help: If you are having difficulty with homework, please see me immediately, or go to the Learning Lab (see above) for free one-on-one tutoring.
Office Hours: My office hours are conducted on a drop-in basis – no appointment necessary. My “office” is an open room with comfortable chairs and table, so feel free to stop by, if only to work on your homework. You may work on your own, but I will be there to answer questions, as necessary. Also, feel free to work with others on homework (as allowed).
Statement on Students with Disabilities: Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office of Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.
Students who are requesting accommodation must provide the instructor with a letter of accommodation from the Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD) at the beginning of the semester. Accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the letter of accommodation from OSD.
Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty: Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, work, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations; and homework.
Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty Penalty: Students who violate the rules concerning scholastic dishonesty will be assessed an academic penalty that the instructor determines is in keeping with the seriousness of the offense. This academic penalty may range from a grade penalty on the particular assignment to an overall grade penalty in the course, including possibly an F in the course. ACC's policy can be found in the Student Handbook under Policies and Procedures or on the web at: http://www.austincc.edu/handbook
Statement on Academic Freedom: Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good. The common good depends upon a search for truth and upon free expression. In this course the professor and students shall strive to protect free inquiry and the open exchange of facts, ideas, and opinions. Students are free to take exception to views offered in this course and to reserve judgment about debatable issues. Grades will not be affected by personal views. With this freedom comes the responsibility of civility and a respect for a diversity of ideas and opinions. This means that students must take turns speaking, listen to others speak without interruption, and refrain from name-calling or other personal attacks.
Statement on Student Discipline: Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be dealt with appropriately, which may include having the student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class. ACC's policy on student discipline can be found in the Student Handbook under Policies and Procedures or on the web at: http://www.austincc.edu/handbook