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Syllabus Math 125 Section 1240
College Algebra Summer 2008
MiraCosta College
Professor J. Apalatea
Welcome to online College Algebra (Math 125) for the Summer 2008 semester! Please read all of the information in this syllabus very carefully and thoughtfully. You will be referring to this document throughout the semester, so please make a bookmark to it right now so that you can refer to it quickly throughout the semester.
Warning About the Class
There are a few things that you should know up-front about the class.
- While your class materials (including e-book) are online, this class is NOT a completely online class. There is a requirement to come on-campus to complete some of your assessments. You have one Midterm and one Cumulative Final Exam that must be taken in-person on the MiraCosta campus in the Academic Proctoring Center (APC).
- Students must be very self-motivated and self-disciplined to succeed in this class. Success in this class also depends on your ability to read and follow written directions (e.g. syllabus, announcements, etc.)
- This class is taught by using mastery. For the majority of assignments in this class (all homeworks), you are prohibited from moving on to another assignment until you have mastered (80% or higher) the prior assignment.
- A PC running a recent Windows operating system (2000, XP, or newer) will be needed to access your required material. Your required materials are called MyMathLab or Course Compass, either name is fine. All the computers in the Math Learning Center (MLC) at MiraCosta College are configured to run MyMathLab/Course Compass.
It is NOT required that you have your own computer at home for this class, you may use the computers in the MLC for your entire class.
- If you have a dial-up internet connection, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS (unless you plan to come to campus to do all of your work). I have had too many problems in the past with students who have dial-up modems getting kicked off the internet in the middle of a graded assignment.
- If you use AOL as your internet service provider, PLEASE SERIOUSLY CONSIDER NOT TAKING THIS CLASS (unless you plan to come to campus to do all of your homeworks and quizzes). I have had too many problems with past AOL users randomly getting barred from viewing pages, doing graded assignments, etc. because of AOL.
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Instructor Contact Information
| Name |
Janeen Apalatea (Pronounced: Ah Paul Ah Tay Ah) |
| Contact Information |
Please contact me via Discussion Boards (or Messages if your question is of a personal nature) in your online materials once the semester begins |
| Email Address |
Before the semester begins, you can email me at my work email address. Once the semester begins we'll communicate almost exclusively from within your online materials. So, please don't use my work email once the semester has begun because I won't be checking it on a regular basis for student questions. |
Please note that I check the Discussion Boards and Messages multiple times a day M-Th (and most Fridays). On the weekends I spend time with my family and try to leave work "at the office". You can generally expect a response from me within a day or so on the weekdays and within 3 days on the weekends.
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Required Material
The following is required for the class:
- MyMathLab/ Course Compass Access - Stand Alone Version
Ten Digit ISBN# 0132408090 (or Thirteen Digit ISBN# 9780132408097)
More information about this online tutorial can be found at (a new window will open) the Course Compass web site. Please note that a PC running a recent Windows operating system (2000, XP, or newer) will be needed to access your required material. All the computers in the Math Learning Center (MLC) at MiraCosta College are configured to run MyMathLab/Course Compass.
It is NOT required that you have your own computer at home for this class, you may use the computers in the MLC for the entire class.
You can purchase the access code either from the MiraCosta bookstore or online (using a credit card). Step 4 in the online orientation give you more information about purchasing and registering your required online materials.
Registration into MyMathLab will be needed in order to complete your mandatory orientation. Failure to purchase and register this required material will result in being dropped from the class.
- A current MiraCosta ID or valid State/Federal issued ID – You must show current ID when you take your on-site assessments (Midterm and Final Exam) at the Academic Proctoring Center (APC)
- A graphing calculator. The Mathematics Department recommended calculator is the TI-83 or TI-84 made by Texas Instruments (the '+' editions of these are fine too). I am very familiar with these and can help you with if you have problems. If you use a different calculator, I may not be able to help you with it if you run into problems. If you absolutely can not afford a graphing calculator, you can use a graphing calculator emulator (there are several free ones online). But, you will not be allowed to use a graphing calculator emulator when taking your Midterm/Final (you can use a scientific calculator though).
- A notebook for note taking and working problems
Please note that your required online class materials already contain the textbook for this class - it's an eBook. You do NOT need to purchase a hardcopy textbook for this class. If you do not like to read eBooks or you don't want to print off your eBook (maybe you want a hardcopy to read at the beach or elsewhere), you might choose to purchase a hardcopy of the textbook from a site like Amazon or eBay. To save money, you could even purchase an older version of the hardcopy book and match the content to your eBook. Please see the Class Welcome Page and Step 4 of your mandatory orientation for more information.
Whether or not you choose to purchase a hardcopy book (most students do not make the additional purchase), you still need to purchase the required online materials (MyMathLab/Course Compass) as it contains all of your homework, quizzes, etc.
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How to Register and Use MyMathLab (MML)
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Orientation
Students must complete an orientation. Any student not completing an orientation within the appropriate time frame noted below, will be dropped from the class. Important note: Your orientation includes scoring at least 50% on the "Quiz on Pre-Requisite Material" in your MyMathLab. This part of your orientation is meant to give you an idea of how well you remember material from Math 100 (mostly).
Students Enrolling on or Before the First Day of Class: You must complete the online orientation by 11:59 pm on Monday June 16. Please begin the online orientation.as soon as you enroll in the class.
Students Enrolling on the on Second or Third Day of Class: You must complete the online orientation within 24 hours of your enrollment. Please begin the online orientation.as soon as you enroll in the class.
If you do not attend and complete an orientation as stated above, you will be dropped for non-attendance.
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Quiz, Midterm, and Final Exam Schedule
These dates represent the latest day that you must have taken a particular assessment. Do NOT wait until the last minute to take any assessment.
You may take any assessment before the before the deadline. You will not be allowed to take these assessments after the deadline. After each Quiz/Midterm/Final deadline has passed, a zero will be recorded for that assessment and averaged into your class grade.
Each Quiz may be attempted up to two times. See 'Quiz Procedure' below for more important information.
The Midterm and Final may only be attempted once each. See 'Midterm and Final Exam Procedure' below for more important information.
Quiz #1 (both attempts) due NO later than |
Thursday June 19 |
Material Covered |
Chapter 1 (Ch 1 is a review of Math 101 material) |
Quiz #2 (both attempts) due NO later than |
Monday June 23 |
Material Covered |
Chapter 2 (Excluding 2.5) (Ch 2 is a review of Math 101 material) |
Quiz #3 (both attempts) due NO later than |
Monday June 30 |
Material Covered |
Chapter 3 |
Midterm due NO later than |
Wednesday July 2 |
Material Covered |
Chapter R - Chapter 3 |
Quiz #4 (both attempts) due NO later than |
Saturday July 5 |
Material Covered |
Chapter 4 (excluding 4.2 & Objective 2 in 4.4) |
Quiz #5 (both attempts) due NO later than |
Saturday July 12 |
Material Covered |
Chapter 5 |
Quiz #6 (both attempts) due NO later than |
Saturday July 19 |
Material Covered |
Chapter 6 (excluding 6.9) (Ch 6 is a review of Math 101 material) |
Final Exam due NO later than |
Wednesday July 23 or Thursday July 24 |
Material Covered |
Cumulative, Including 8.1 & 8.2 (But, mostly Ch 4, 5, 6, 8) |
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Grade Breakdown
Homework |
10% |
Quizzes |
25% |
Midterm |
30% |
Final |
35% |
Grading Scale
The grades will be calculated as the percentage of the total points possible:
A=90% - 100%
B=80% - 89%
C=70% - 79%
D=60% - 69%
F=Below 60%
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Important Dates
June 16 11:59 pm |
Orientation
The mandatory orientation for this class must be complete. Each student MUST have all required class material to complete the orientation. Students who do not complete the orientation within the time frame specified below will be dropped from the class. (Students adding June 17 or June 18 have 24 hours from enrolling to complete the orientation.)
|
June 18 |
Last day to add this class with Instructor permission. I will not add students after this date as your first Quiz is due June 19.. |
June 19 |
Last day to drop this class without a ‘W’ on your transcript |
June 27 |
Last day to sign up for Credit/No Credit. You do this at the Admissions and Records office. |
July 14 |
Last day to withdraw from the class with a ‘W’ on your transcript |
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Instructor Drop Policy
Students may be dropped for the following reasons:
- Not completing the mandatory orientation by the deadline
- Missing multiple assessments
- Note: If you miss a Quiz, Midterm, or Final you will automatically receive a zero on it.
- If you miss a Quiz, you will need to contact me before you may continue on in the class.
- Missing two different Quizzes (or a Quiz and a Midterm) may cause you to be dropped from the class.
- Students are responsible for dropping themselves from this class. Do NOT rely on your instructor to drop you.
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Academic Integrity
Academic integrity will be expected from all. Any breach will be dealt with by a zero on the assignment (which can not be made up) or by failing the class. Please also see the MiraCosta Student Guidebook for more about this issue.
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Discussion Board Procedure
- Built into your MyMathLab online materials are several discussion board forums. When you have questions about the material covered in class or procedural questions not answered in the syllabus or in the announcements, please post your question to the appropriate discussion board. (If your question is of a private nature, please send it directly to me via 'Messages'. I will re-direct any non-personal questions back to the discussion boards.)
- Please visit the discussion boards on a regular basis to see if you are able to answer questions that others have asked. Answer other students’ questions if you are able.
- Before you post a question to a discussion board, please check to see if your question has already been answered in a discussion board (check your syllabus and the announcements before posting/asking, too)
- There is also a social discussion board forum. It is not required, but may make your experience in the class more pleasant and interesting. It is a nice place to give encouragement or to voice your frustrations. As always, please be sure to use appropriate language.
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Homework Procedure
- There is one Homework assignment for each section that we cover in class.
- Homework assignments can be found in your MyMathLab online materials.
- You may choose to do your Homework assignments at home, at work, in the MLC, etc.
- When you feel that you have learned the material well enough (watching videos, reading the eBook, viewing the Power Point presentations, etc.) to try some exercises, go to the 'Learn' section in MML and open up the chapter and section that you are working on. Select the 'Tracked Tutorial Exercises' and work those until you feel confident. Note that working the 'Tracked Tutorial Exercises' helps you create a Study Plan to know what material you need to study. The 'Tracked Tutorial Exercises' are not part of your grade, so use these to play around and get mastery of the material.
- Please be sure to copy the questions into your math notebook and show all work neatly – even though you will type your answer into the computer. This will help you when you go back over your work later. Also because when I go to grade your paper Midterm and Final, I expect you to show neat, clear, logical, and complete work.
- Once you are correctly doing most of the 'Tracked Tutorial Exercises' for that section, go to the ‘Do Homework’ section in MML and choose the Homework assignment that you need to complete.
- The 'Do Homework' section contains the Homework assignments that count towards your grade and that must be successfully passed with an 80% (or more) in order to move on.
- Homework assignments must be completed in the order assigned.
- Again, please be sure to copy the questions into your math notebook and show all work neatly – even though you will type your answer into the computer.
- Once you have completed a Homework assignment with an 80% or more (you get unlimited chances to earn that 80%), the next Homework assignment will open up for you.
- If you do not earn an 80% on your first try, you just need to rework the problems that you missed. You do NOT need to rework Homework problems that you got correct. Thus, most students actually work the homeworks until they earn 100% (although only 80% is required).
- Once you have satisfactorily (80% or more) completed the last Homework assignment covered for a Quiz, the Quiz will become available for you to take. Please be sure to follow the Quiz Procedure below.
- Each Homework assignment is assigned to be completed no later than a specific day (see your MML calendar). It is STRONGLY advised that you keep up with your Homework assignments and have them completed no later than the day they are due (the day they appear in your MML Calendar). These Homework deadlines will help you keep pace in the class. If absolutely necessary, homework can be completed up through the day of the Quiz – but no later.
- If you do not satisfactorily complete your Homework assignments for a particular Quiz, your Quiz will not open. You can send me a message telling me that you are not going to complete the Homeworks for that Quiz and I will fill in zeros for those Homework assignments. Then your Quiz on that material will appear and you can complete that Quiz. Note, this is NOT recommended as it will mean zeros on assignments which count towards your grade. Also, you need to send me a message and let me know far enough in advance that I can fill in the zeros in time for you to complete your Quiz (at least a full day on the weekdays or two days on the weekends).
- Please do the Homework assignments on your own (NO books, notes, friends, etc.)
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Quiz Procedure
- There is approximately one Quiz for every chapter we cover in class. You have a maximum of two attempts at each Quiz. Your final score on a Quiz will the the average of both attempts (or the first score you earn if you choose to attempt the Quiz only once).
- Quizzes can be found in your online MyMathLab/Course Compass materials.
- Please pay attention to the date and time that each Quiz is due. If you choose to wait until the day that a Quiz is due, pay special attention to the time that it is due. The Quiz will automatically close at that time whether or not you are done.
- Your Quiz will become available to you once the last Homework assignment covered on that Quiz has been completed with an 80% or more. Please remember that Homework assignments and Quizzes must be completed in order. Thus, you do not have access to a Quiz until you have completed all Homework assignments (for a particular Quiz) with an 80% or more.
- When you think that you are ready for the Quiz, open up your MyMathLab and go to the take the ‘Take a Quiz' area and take a Practice Quiz. Practice Quizzes do not count as part of your grade but will help you greatly on the actual Quiz.
- Study the sections of the questions you missed on the Practice Quiz until you can complete those types of problems successfully. Try the Practice Quiz again until you feel confident that you will do well on the real Quiz.
- Once you are ready to take a Quiz, go to the ‘Take a Quiz' area.
- Open the Quiz which you wish to take. Please be sure that you have completed the Homework assignments required for your Quiz to be available.
- Please be sure to copy the Quiz questions into your math notebook and show all work neatly – even though you will type your answer into the computer. This will help you when you go back over your work later. Also because when I go to grade your paper midterm and final, I expect you to show neat, clear, logical, and complete work.
- NO notes, friends, books, references, or the like are allowed while taking a Quiz.
- Please be sure that you have ample time to complete the Quiz in one sitting. Each Quiz is approximately 25 questions.
- Although there is no time limit on a Quiz, allow yourself at least 60-90 minutes for each Quiz.
- When you are done with your Quiz, click on ‘Submit Test' and your Quiz will be automatically graded.
- If the Quiz marks something as wrong that you think is right (e.g. you type in – ½ and the Quiz says that the correct answer is -1/2), please send me a message and I'll take a look at it and possibly give you points back. Please do this only once you are done with all of your attempts for that Quiz.
- If you do not complete your Homework assignments for a particular Quiz, your Quiz will not open. You can email me and tell me that you are not going to complete the Homeworks for that Quiz and I will fill in zeros for those Homework assignments. Then your Quiz on that material will open and you can complete that Quiz. Note, this is NOT recommended as it will mean zeros on assignments which count towards your grade. Also, you need to email me and let me know far enough in advance that I can fill in the zeros in time for you to complete your Quiz (at least a full day on the weekdays or two days on the weekends).
- Failure to take a Quiz will result in a zero for that Quiz and for any unfinished associated Homework assignments.
- If you miss a Quiz, you will need to contact me before you may continue on in the class.
- Please do the Quizzes on your own (NO books, notes, friends, etc.)
- Please note that your 'Quiz on Pre-requisite Material' is not part of Quiz grades for the class. It was just part of your orientation.
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Midterm and Final Exam Procedure
- You have one Midterm Exam and one Final Exam. Midterms and Final Exams are paper-and-pencil tests which do NOT involve a computer.
- Midterms and Final Exams are proctored on campus in-person in the Academic Proctoring Center.
- The Academic Proctoring Center (APC) has times and locations at both the Oceanside and San Elijo campuses. Please see the Academic Proctoring Center's web page for their times, locations, and the instructions on how to make an appointment to take your exams.
- You will need to plan ahead of time when you will go to them to take your Midterm and Final Exam. You are strongly advised to make an appointment with the Academic Proctoring Center to take your exams. If you do not, and are not able to take your exam, you will receive a '0' on that exam.
- If you have a conflict that makes it impossible for you to come and take a Midterm/Final for an entire week before it is due, please contact me at least a week before it is due and I may be able to make accommodations for you to take your assessment elsewhere on campus.
- Below are the steps that you will follow when you get to the Academic Proctoring Center (they may add a few steps, too):
- You must show the proctor a current MIRACOSTA ID or current State/Federal issued ID.
- The proctor will give you a blank Midterm/Final and send you to a desk/table to complete your exam.
- Show all work on the exam.
- NO scratch paper is to be used. Use the front and back sides of the exam ONLY.
- NO notes, books, reference sheets, etc. are allowed while taking an exam. Place everything except your exam, calculator (if allowed), and pencil/eraser under your desk/table where you can not see them (or put them wherever the proctor tell you to).
- NO cell phones or pagers are allowed while taking a Midterm/Final. Turn them off and place them under your desk/table where you can not see them (or wherever the proctor tells you to).
- While taking a Midterm/Final, you may not be listening to any kind of music player or similar device.
- Each Midterm/Final must be completed in one sitting. Please be sure to use the restroom before you begin your Midterm/Final (please contact me if you have a verifiable medical reason that you are not able to site for 2-3 hours without using the restroom).
- If you must leave during a Midterm/Final, your Midterm/Final will be collected and given to me regardless of how many problems have been completed. It will be graded on whatever work is completed.
- Show all work. Be as neat as possible. Partial credit may be given. No credit may be given for guessing. If you show no work, you may get no points on that question. So, please show work (your set up, etc.) even if you think the question is easy.
- If you do not show work, you may not receive full credit on problems where you get the right answer. Stating, "I typed numbers into my calculator and this is the answer I got!" is not considered showing work.
- There is no time limit on the Midterm, however you should leave yourself at least 2 - 3 hours to complete the Midterm. The Midterm is 25-40 questions.
- There is no time limit on the Final Exam, however, you should leave yourself at least of 2 - 3 hours to complete it. The Final Exam is 25-40 questions.
- If you do not allow enough time to finish and the Academic Proctoring Center is closing (or you must leave), there is nothing the proctor can do for you. Your Midterm/Final will be collected and it will be graded on whatever work is completed.
- When you are done, hand in your answer sheet to the proctor and it will be returned to me.
- Once your Midterm/Final has been graded by hand (it will take approximately 1 - 1½ weeks), your score will be entered into your MyMathLab gradebook.
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Assessment Results
- Homework results will be given as soon as you complete the assignment. Your grade on each Homework assignment will appear in the MML gradebook automatically.
- Quiz grades will be given as soon as you complete the assignment. Your grade on each assignment will appear in the MML gradebook automatically.
- Midterm/Final results will appear in your MML gradebook within 1 - 1½ weeks of taking it.
- If you would like to have a copy of your Midterm once it has been graded, I can scan it and email you a .pdf of your Midterm. Please request this via email within a week of completing the Midterm.
- If you would like to have a copy of your Final Exam once it has been graded, I can scan it and email a .pdf of it to you. Please request this via email BEFORE completing the Final Exam (at least 2 days before the last day of the semester).
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Guide to Success in Your Online Class
***Get to know MyMathLab! *** Everything you need to be successful is contained in this program.
Consult the Announcements and Assignment Schedule/Course Calendar and Discussion Boards in MyMathLab several times each day.
- Watch the video lectures for the sections you are working on. TAKE NOTES in your math notebook!
- Read the eBook and work each example.
- Watch the Power Point presentations.
- Work the 'Tracked Tutorial Exercises'.
- Do the assigned Homework.
- Post questions to the Discussion Board if you have any. Answer other students’ questions if you are able to.
- Come in to the MLC to get help with questions/concepts that you still don’t understand.
- Practice until you earn an 80% on the Homework.
- Review for the Quiz. and take the Practice Quiz.
- Take the assigned Quiz. If you are not happy with your score, study and attempt the Quiz again. Your score will be the average of both attempts (or your first score if you only attempt the Quiz once).
- Repeat the steps 1-7 for all chapters that prepare you for the Midterm.
- Take the Midterm .
- Repeat steps 1-10 for all chapters between the Midterm and Final.
- Study for the Final Exam.
- Take the Final Exam.
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Resources
The Academic Proctoring Center (APC)
Your Midterm and Final Exam are proctored assessments (i.e. you must come to campus to take them). All will be proctored in the Academic Proctoring Center. The Academic Proctoring Center has various hours of operation. Please see the Academic Proctoring Center's web page for their times and locations. Also, there is a section in your MyMathLab materials with links to the APC.
You will need to plan ahead of time when you plan to come to take your Midterm and Final Exam. You may take a Midterm/Final during any of the Academic Proctoring Center's hours up until the due date for that assessment. However, all Midterms and Finals must be handed in BEFORE the Academic Proctoring Center closes (or they will be collected by hand from the test-taker).
The Math Learning Center (MLC)
The Math Learning Center is a place where all MiraCosta College mathematics students can come to get help for free. The Aides and Student Workers are there to help you. It is a great place to study (or do class work on their computers) because you have immediate help if you get stuck. They are aware of my online students not being allowed any help on homeworks and quizzes, so please don't try to cheat.
If you have a need for more than just a few minutes of help, you can make a free 1-hour private one-on-one tutoring appointment with the Tutoring and Academic Support Center (TASC) at x6698 or x7748. They may or may not do online math tutoring depending on their availability of staff and budget.
MLC Oceanside Information |
Location/Room |
Room 1215 |
Phone Number |
(760) 757-2121 ext. 6381 |
MLC Homepage |
Tutoring and Academic Support |
x6698 or x7748 |
Disabled Student Program and Services (DSPS) |
x6658 |
Counseling |
x6670 |
EOPS |
x6680 |
Health Services |
x6675 or x7747 |
Transfer Center |
x6880/6580 |
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American Disability Act
A student with a verified disability may be entitled to appropriate academic accommodations. Please let me know within the first week of class to ensure that appropriate arrangements can be made and contact the Disabled Students Program and Services Office.
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