MAT 1500 – Spring/Summer 2008

 College Algebra for the Social and Management Sciences

 

COMPLETE THIS FORM CAREFULLY, WHEREVER THERE IS AN EMPTY LINE. YOU WILL USE THIS FORM AS WELL AS YOUR RED ACCESS CODE BOOKLET TO REGISTER FOR COURSE COMPASS.  FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS IN THE COURSE COMPASS HANDOUT.

 

Access Code: Open red booklet. Type in very carefully.

 

School Zip Code:  48202

 

School Country: United States

 

Course ID:  zzmath71394

 

First Name: ____________________________ (exactly as it appears on your OneCard)

 

Last Name: ____________________________ (exactly as it appears on your OneCard)

 

E-mail: _________________@wayne.edu  (your access ID) (You must use your WSU e-mail, but it may be forwarded.)

 

School Name: Wayne State University

 

Login Name: __________________ (your access ID)

 

Password:  ___A______________________ (the letter “A” followed by your student ID number, including leading zeros)

 

Security Question:  You will pick one and answer it.

 

 

CLICK Log In Now

 

USE YOUR NEWLY CREATED LOGIN NAME AND PASSWORD FROM ABOVE.

 

 

Note:  To log in to this course outside of the Math Computer Lab, go to www.coursecompass.com


MAT 1500 – Spring/Summer 2008                       

 College Algebra for the Social and Management Sciences

 

Instructor: Araz Hashemi               CRN:  32786             Section:  001                       MyMathLab:            zzmath71394         

E-mail: ap5279@wayne.edu          Course Time: R 5:00PM – 7:00PM                      Room: 10 SCLB

 

Qualifying for this Course:  A student is qualified to take this course by one of the following ways: 1) The student received an “ANC, BNC or CNC” grade in MAT 0995 at Wayne State University in the spring/summer 2007 or fall 2007 semester or 2) The student took the placement exam on or after May 20, 2007 and was placed into MAT 1500. 3) The student presents an override slip signed by a math advisor. Students who have not qualified MUST OFFICIALLY WITHDRAW.  Failure to do so in compliance with University deadlines will result in loss of tuition paid for the course.  

 

Course Description:  This is a college algebra course designed for business majors, which uses MyMathLab software, a computer program providing multiple resources.  The class meets each week with your instructor for two hours (in the partitioned off room).  In this course, you will have the opportunity to acquire and demonstrate your abilities to be a self-motivated, active and responsible learner. In order to succeed in the School of Business students must be problem-solvers.  To that goal, a major emphasis of this course will be on solving word problems.  Expect that each quiz, test and the final exam will contain several word problems. Successful completion of this course satisfies the math prerequisite for the School of Business.  This is an accommodation-friendly class.  If you need accommodations and are registered with EAS, please see Shereen Schultz (at6752@wayne.edu) during the first week of class.

 

Software Package and Textbook:  A MyMathLab Computer Access Code is required to access course materials on the computer. Each student will receive a computer access code, a loose-leaf textbook, binder, and paper at the first class meeting.  The text book is: Essentials of College Algebra, by Lial, Hornsby and Schneider.  Once the MyMathLab Access Code has been used, there is no refund of the lab fee.

 

Notebook Requirement: All students are being supplied with and are required to maintain a loose-leaf notebook.  The notebook must be brought to each class meeting, and used whenever working in the MCL.   Your notebook will be graded during each of your four regular exams.  Homework and quizzes must be labeled, problems must be numbered and copied, and all work must be shown.   

 

MCL Attendance Requirement:  The class meets each week with your instructor for two hours (in the partitioned off room).  Attendance at each of these class meetings is worth 3 points.  In order to receive the 3 points you must: Bring your notebook to work in, arrive on time, and stay the entire 2 hours. Besides the regular class meeting, you will be expected to spend an average of 3 additional hours per week in the MCL at times that are convenient for you.  Experience has shown that this is a MINIMUM requirement for success in this course.  The additional hours are worth 1 point each.  Attendance in the regular class meeting is tracked by your instructor.  Attendance in the open lab is tracked by the computer.  Attendance is only tracked if you log in and out of the MCL computers, using your access ID as the log in and student ID as the password.  Note that the computer will automatically log you off if it is untouched for 15 minutes.

 


 

MCL Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM

The MCL will be closed Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. University wide, Friday, May 30 is scheduled as a Monday. (Monday classes WILL MEET Friday, May 30 in the MCL, and the MCL will be OPEN Monday hours, 11:00AM – 8:30 PM) The MCL will be open only for those taking final exams beginning Monday, July 28th, and closed for the semester on July 29th after finals have ended.

 

E-mail Requirement:  All students must activate and regularly check their Wayne State e-mail account.  It is recommended that students use the WSU email account for all communications with the instructor. However, the instructor will reply to whatever email address the student uses to contact him or her. Students who contact the instructor from an internet service account other that the WSU ACCESS ID risk exposing their personal information to interception.  Students are responsible for knowing any information that is e-mailed regarding this course.  The syllabus may change during the semester.  If this happens, you will be notified via email.  You must e-mail your instructor during the first week of class with your intended major and year of graduation.  This first e-mail will be worth 5 points.  

 

Working Outside the MCL: If additional computer time is needed at hours that the lab is not open, all of the public areas of Wayne State libraries have the necessary software installed on the computers. Students who have Internet access may install the software on their home computers using the MyMathLab Installation Wizard on the Announcements page when you log in to www.coursecompass.com. The advantage of using the MCL is that a mathematics instructor and an assistant will be available at all times to help students individually.  ALL QUIZZES AND TESTS MUST BE TAKEN IN THE MCL.

 

MCL Rules:

  • This is a math classroom.  Please be quiet. Disruptive students will be asked to leave.
  • No work, other than mathematics, may be done in the MCL.  Surfing the web, typing a paper, or playing computer games is not allowed.
  • Outside media (iPods, CDs, etc) is allowed in the MCL, provided it does not disrupt others.  NO Outside media is allowed during an exam.
  • No companions are allowed in the MCL.
  • No food is allowed in the MCL. Beverages with a cover are allowed.
  • Cell phones must be turned off and out of sight.  If your phone rings or is used in any way, you will be asked to leave immediately.  If you are taking a quiz or a test, you will be required to submit it – whether you are finished or not.

 

Make-up Policy:  No make-up of quizzes or homework will be allowed for any reason.  All quizzes and homework will have due dates after which time they become unavailable.   The 4 lowest homework grades and the 2 lowest quiz grades will be dropped.  A missed homework or quiz will become a dropped grade.  Do not put off your assignments until the last minute.

 


Technology Glitches:

  • If there is a problem logging in to www.coursecompass.com, you may log into www.mathxl.com.  Follow the “MyMathLab User?” instructions on the right hand side of the screen.
  • This is a computerized course and therefore, there are occasional glitches in the technology.  Deadline extensions based on technology glitches will only be granted if the computers are affected for MORE THAN 30 minutes.  If the deadline is that day, it will be extended an equivalent amount of time to the outage. 
  • Occasionally, correct answers can be marked wrong by the computer.  It is your responsibility to check for grading errors on your quizzes and tests.  Checking your mistakes is how you learn.  Report test errors to your instructor who will make the necessary corrections. Other errors can be discussed with any lab assistant.
  • Once you open a quiz, be careful not to submit the quiz until the quiz has been completed.  Avoid closing Explorer or clicking the “back” button as these actions will result in a loss of your answers. 

 

Workshops: Weekly workshops, run by Ms. Catherine Celice, are an optional way for students to get extra help.  In these workshops, there is a short lecture followed by sample problems for students to work.  The times, days and content of the workshops will be available on the blackboard website for the workshops.  Students who are having difficulty mastering the material are strongly encouraged to attend these workshops.

 

Headphones:  Video lectures require the use of headphones.  Any headphones you already have should work in the MCL.  If you need to purchase headphones, they are available in the Undergraduate Library next to the Computer Support Center for $2.00  We will also have a few loaner headphones available in exchange for your WSU OneCard.

 

Calculator Policy:  A scientific calculator is required for this course, graphing calculators are not allowed.  If you do not have one, there is one available on the computer but it is a little awkward to use.  It is the student’s responsibility to learn how to use the calculator before the first quiz, as assistance will not be given during any test or quiz. 

 

Homework:  Assigned graded homework must be completed before the due date shown.   Students must click the “hand in homework” button to submit the homework.  There will be 34 graded assignments, one for each section of the textbook. Homework can (and should) be worked on until it is completely correct.   Each homework assignment is worth three points if it is done until it is 100% correct.  If it is less than 100% correct, it will receive a score of the percent correct times two.  For example, if a homework assignment is 90% correct, the score would be 0.9 x 2 = 1.8 points. The 4 lowest grades will be dropped. We strongly recommend that you do homework in the MCL for two reasons: there is always someone available to help you if you get stuck and if the computer messes up, we can usually fix it so you don’t lose all your work.

 

Quizzes:  There will be 12 quizzes.  All quizzes must be completed in the MCL before the due date.  You may not use your notes or talk with other students while you are taking a quiz.  Either of these will result in a zero grade for that quiz. You have two chances to complete each quiz.  The highest score will be included in your average.  Be careful not to hit the “back” button or the “submit” button before the quiz is complete, as these actions may result in the loss of all answers.  Each quiz is worth 10 points and the lowest 2 will be dropped.  All quizzes must be taken in the open lab. Placing a blue cup on top of the computer indicates the need for a password to take a quiz.

Practice Tests: A practice test will be available for each of the 4 tests.  Students are encouraged to take this to see if they are prepared.  Anyone scoring lower than 80% on the practice test is strongly encouraged to thoroughly study the material again before attempting the test.

 

Tests: There will be 4 tests, worth 150 points each.  You will be given 75 minutes for each test.  Tests will be given during your regularly scheduled class period.  All students must present picture ID and sign in for each test. 

 

Test Make-Up Policy:  In the event of an unavoidable emergency, a make-up exam will be considered.  You must contact your instructor within 24 hours of the exam either by e-mail or phone. The test must be made up before the next scheduled class.  One make-up exam will be allowed without penalty. If another exam requires make-up, you will be penalized 15 points (10%).

 

Final Exam:  A comprehensive final exam must be taken during final exam week.  The 2˝-hour exam is worth 400 points. A minimum score of 50% (200 points) is required in order to pass the class.  You must reserve a computer for your final exam.  To reserve the computer, log in to Pipeline (www.pipeline.wayne.edu).  You will see a link, “Math Final Exam Registration.” You will click on that, then click the link it displays and register for the final exam.  Be sure to write down the time and day for which you register. Failure to reserve a computer by the deadline will result in a 25-point deduction for the test.  Changing a reservation after the deadline, or missing your assigned time, will result in a 25-point deduction for the test. 

 

Evaluation of Teaching:  Students are expected to fill out an online evaluation of teaching, similar to those in their other classes.  You will receive an e-mail near the end of the semester with a password and directions for filling out this evaluation.  It will only take about 10 minutes and it is completely confidential.  Your help in completing this is appreciated as it helps us to improve the course.

 

Early Course Completion: Students who wish to work ahead are encouraged to do so.  Arrangements may be made with your instructor (or the lab manager if your instructor is not available) to take tests ahead of schedule. In order to be eligible for early testing you must have: 1) completed all of the homework assignments with a grade of 100% for each section, 2) completed all quizzes with grades of 80% or higher on each, 3) passed all prior tests, and 4) scored above 80% on the practice test. If the entire course is completed early, all remaining attendance requirements will automatically be counted for full credit.

 

Academic Dishonesty: Any of the following actions violate the Academic Integrity code of the University and will be considered cheating. 

  • Taking quizzes or tests outside of the MCL. 
  • Using books or notes on any test or quiz.
  • Using a calculator, other than the one provided on the computer, during any quiz or test.
  • Talking to other students during a test or quiz.

Appropriate action will be taken. Any student who is caught doing any of the above will receive a zero on that assignment that will not be dropped and will be reported for academic dishonesty.

 

 


Grades:        
4 tests, 150 points each                               600 points                  A    1234 – 1327 points, 93 – 100%

                        Final Exam (minimum 200 required)        400 points                    A-   1194 – 1233 points, 90 – 92.9%

                        Best 10 of 12 quizzes                                   100 points                  B+  1154 – 1193 points, 87 – 89.9%

                        Best 30 of 34 homework                               90 points                   B    1101 – 1153 points, 83 – 86.9%            

                        Syllabus Quiz                                       10 points                  B-   1061 – 1100 points, 80 – 82.9%

                        Orientation Quiz                                             10 points                   C+  1021 – 1060 points, 77 – 79.9%

                        Instructor email                                                  5 points                  C      968 – 1020 points, 73 – 76.9%

                        Weekly meeting attendance                       36 points                     C-     928 –   967 points, 70 – 72.9%                                    

                        MCL attendance                                            36 points                  D      796 –   927 points, 60 – 69.9%

                        Notebook                                                   40 points                        F       under 796 points,   0 – 59.9%            

                        TOTAL                                                       1327 points       

 

 

Learning Mathematics: Learning mathematics takes time and lots of practice.  You should plan on spending 6 to 9 hours each week working on mathematics.  All tests and quizzes must be done in the MCL, but watching the video, reading the textbook and reviewing your notebook can be done at home, if you have downloaded the appropriate software, or on any library computer on the WSU campus.  It is best to work on math for a couple of hours 3 or 4 days each week rather than try to complete everything in one day.  DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO COMPLETE YOUR ASSIGNMENTS.

 

           

                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                   


 

Course Calendar - Section 001

Deadlines will NOT be extended for any reason

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assignment

 

 

Deadline

 

Points

 

Read the Syllabus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Compass Quiz

 

 

 

Orientation

 

 

 

/10

 

Syllabus Quiz

 

 

 

Orientation

 

 

 

/10

 

Instructor e-mail

 

 

 

Orientation

 

 

 

/5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Test 1 Material

 

 

Deadline

 

Points

 

CHAPTER R: REVIEW OF BASIC CONCEPTS – Move quickly through this chapter since it is mostly all review.

 

 

Read R.1 Real Numbers and Their Properties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch the video on R.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HW R.1

 

 

4:00PM

Monday

12-May

 

 

/3

 

Read R.2 Order and Absolute Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch the video on R.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HW R.2

 

 

4:00PM

Monday

12-May

 

 

/3

 

Read R.3 Polynomials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch the video for R.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HW R.3

 

 

4:00PM

Tuesday

13-May

 

 

/3

 

Read R.4 Factoring Polynomials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch the video on R.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HW R.4

 

 

4:00PM

Tuesday

13-May

 

 

/3

 

Read R.5 Rational Expressions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch the video on R.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HW R.5

 

 

4:00PM

Wednesday

14-May

 

 

/3

 

Read R.6 Rational Exponents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch the video on R.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HW R.6

 

 

4:00PM

Wednesday

14-May

 

 

/3

 

Study for quiz on R.1-R.6