WELCOME TO MAC 1105

1. WELCOME TOMAC 1105 COLLEGE ALGEBRA

2. This Syllabus Is Subject to Change. All changes will be announced during class.

3. Instructor: Cheryl Cantwell • Office: F203 • Phone: 407-708-2251 • E mail: cantwelc@seminolestate.edu • Include course number in subject line Office hours: • By appointment only

4. Text: College Algebra Essentials, 4th ed., Robert Blitzer • Get your textbook as soon as possible • You may use either the eBook through MyMathLab or a hard copy of the textbook • Solutions manual is your option • MyMathLab is mandatory for homework • See your syllabus for course ID • Start a notebook • Half for notes • Half for homework • Keep it neat and organized

5. Graphing Calculators • Get a graphing calculator immediately • TI84 Smartview is used in class • Other models can be acceptable for use • TI-Nspire may not be used during a test • Some tests may have a no calculator part • Bring your calculator to class everyday • Practice using your calculator • In-class exercises • Homework • Do not wait until the day of a test

6. Grading Scale

7. Method of Grading • 4 tests • Homework • Quizzes • Cumulative departmental final exam • Extra credit • There is no rounding on the overall course average so take advantage of every point opportunity that arises.

8. Homework • All homework is done through MyMathLab. • Each homework grade is determined the day of the test. I average the homework section grades and then take this percentage of 15 points. • Show the work you did to get your answers in an organized homework notebook.

9. Quiz Check-up • 5 Quizzes • Lowest score dropped • May not make up if absent, late, or leave early-So please do not ask! • Some are announced, others are not • Some may be given on MyMathLab

10. Extra Credit • Go to our class webpage and click on the Extra Credit link • All extra credit is turned in and graded on test day • There are always Challenge Problems posted on MyMathLab that count towards your extra credit • Sometimes there are links to extra credit problems that you will print off and turn in, again on test day • Take advantage of all opportunities • Possible to improve class grade by a letter

11. Attendance • Taken daily • Deadline for grade of W is June 4, 2014 • No instructor may give a grade of W after June 4, 2014 • No W can be given for 3rd attempt • You may be withdrawn before the above date if you miss 4 consecutive classes without contacting instructor or a total of 6 classes • You may be given a grade of F after the above date if you miss 4 consecutive classes without contacting instructor or a total of 6 classes

12. Test Taking Policies • NO make-up tests unless: • Medical emergency with documentation • Jury Duty, Court-Mandated Appearance, Religious Holiday, Military Duty, Work-Related Travel • Make arrangements ahead of time • Final exam score counts twice and replaces first missed test score • 2nd missed test gets a score of 0

13. Prerequisites • Grade of C or better in Intermediate Algebra, or • Acceptable placement test score • It is your responsibility to make sure these prerequisites have been met • If they have not been met, please see me after class • It is important to get into the correct class as early as possible

14. Academic Integrity • Honesty is expected • Cheating on tests will result in • Grade of 0 on that test • Possible 0 for the course • Quizzes are just like tests • Students may work together on out of class extra credit problems

15. COMMON COURTESIES • Put your cell phone away when you enter class • If phone usage is seen or heard during class there may be an immediate pop quiz for the entire class • If there is a possibility of an emergency call you must alert me before class begins • Arrive late or leave early-sit by door • Close door quietly • No side conversations-distracts others

16. Schedule • It will be adhered to as close as possible • All changes to test dates will be announced in class • Know when your tests are scheduled-be prepared! • Must move at a very fast pace to complete all material • No lecture on prerequisite material

17. Resources • Instructor’s office hours • My website at www2.seminolestate.edu/ccantwell • www2.seminolestate.edu/mathstudent • Free tutoring in the Academic Success Center • Student Study Plan on MyMathLab • Videotapes on MyMathLab • www.prenhall.com/blitzer • MyMathLab • Study groups

18. Study Groups • 2 or more students in a group • 10 or more hours over the semester and less than 6 absences • Replace lowest test score or homework/quiz grade with final exam score • Flexible • Communicate with each other • Time sheets turned in every 3 weeks • 1st and last names • Class title • Totals • All timesheets submitted by the day of the 4th test

19. Class Webpage • Visit our class webpage at www2.seminolestate.edu/ccantwell • Click on the button for MAC 1105 College Algebra • Click on each link and explore the site • Pay special attention to the Extra Credit link, the Test Preparation link, and the Grade Calculator link

20. Opening page of Cantwell’s Website • You will find a button for printing your own graph paper • You will find a button for printing your own study group timesheet • You will find a button for Helpsheets on topics from Intermediate Algebra that we revisit in College Algebra

21. Calculator Help • Go to our class webpage and click the link for Additional Resources • You will see a link for an excellent calculator help site

22. What is expected on test days • Before the test, put your extra credit papers on the front table in the classroom • For test 1 all extra credit is on MyMathLab • You may keep out 1 or 2 pieces of scratch paper for the test • Put your name on the scratch paper and turn it all in with your test • Number the problems on your scratch paper and keep it neat • All books, notes, phones, backpacks, etc must be under the table during the test • You must show all supporting work for answers on the test in order to get credit • Once you complete the test, turn it in and you are free to leave

23. How to Succeed in This Class • Do not miss class • Take good, thorough notes • Use your notes to help you when you do the homework • Do the homework in a timely manner • Remember the homework and quiz grades combined have the same weight as a test. This can really impact your grade! • If you are struggling, get help! Do not wait and let it get beyond you. • Work with others in a study group, use each others’ strengths.

24. How to Prepare for the Tests • Do homework on a daily basis and keep up • A few days before the test take the Test Preparation Quiz on MyMathLab • Take the quiz without books, notes, or help. This will give you an honest assessment as to how prepared you are. • You are allowed to take it twice • Once the quiz is completed MyMathLab will prepare for you a personalized homework assignment • It will only contain problems that you are still missing so you can practice some more • You may work on these problems an unlimited number of times • Look at the Test Preparation Guide on our class webpage to see information concerning the test

25. Good luck! • I want nothing more than for each of you to succeed in this course. • To me, success means you leave with an understanding of the material, you have developed some critical thinking skills, you have improved your study and organizational habits, you have a better eye for detail, and you care about the quality of the work you produce!