Syllabi for Niss
COLLEGE ALGEBRA - MAC 1105
COURSE SYLLABUS - FALL 2013 - HYBRID
INSTRUCTOR: John C. Niss
OFFICE: 248 Valencia Winter Park Campus
OFFICE HOURS: M 1:00pm to 3:30pm
T 4:00pm to7:00pm
W 11:30am to 12:30pm
R 12:00pm to 2:30pm
F 10:30am to 11:30pm by EMAIL
PHONE/E-MAIL: 407-582-6858 / jniss@valenciacollege.edu
CREDIT HOURS: 3
PREREQUISITE: Minimum grade of C in MAT 1033C or appropriate score on entry assessment exam.
MATERIALS: Thinkwell College Algebra Online Package at www.thinkwell.com
OTHER MATERIALS: TI-83 or TI-84 Graphing Calculator.
CONTENT: Chapter 1: Prerequisites
Chapter 2: Equations and Inequalities
Chapter 3: Relations and Functions
Chapter 4: Polynomial and Rational Functions
Chapter 5: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Chapter 6: Systems of Equations and Inequalities
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is based on the study of functions and their role in problem solving. Topics will include graphing, the linear, quadratic, and exponential families of functions, and inverse functions. Students will be required to solve applied problems and communicate their findings effectively.
COURSE COMPETENCIES:
Valencia faculty have defined four interrelated competencies (Value, Think, Communicate, Act) that prepare students to succeed in the world community. These competencies are outlined in the College Catalog. In this course, through classroom lecture and discussion, group work, and other learning activities, you will further develop your abilities to Value, Think, Communicate, and Act. Course outcomes can be found in the course outline at http://frontdoor.valenciacollege.edu/materials.cfm?uid=JNISS.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:
Instruction will include lectures, discussion of homework assignments, and problem solving sessions with an emphasis on problem solving using graphing calculators.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance and class participation are expected of all students. Students are responsible for all material covered in class during any absences and may be withdrawn from the course at the instructor’s discretion if absences are excessive.
HOMEWORK:
This is a hybrid course using a flipped classroom model. Online lectures and homework will constitute the majority of direct instruction for the course. Class time will be used primarily to clarify unclear points and for exams.
GRADING:
Exams – 35%
Quizzes – 25%
Homework – 15%
Final – 25%
Three exams will be given during the semester. A schedule of exams will be given to students by the end of the second week of the semester. A combination of online and in-class quizzes will be announced at least a week before they are due or occur in class. Homework assigned at class time, including videos and exercises, will be checked for completeness the following week after class. The final exam on Tuesday, December 10 from 7:45 pm to 10:15pm will be comprehensive, although more stress may be placed on material from later in the course.
MAKE-UPS:
It is my policy NOT to allow make-ups of missed tests or assignments. The only exceptions that will be considered are verifiable absences due to illness, death in the family, or other such unanticipated emergencies. In the event of such a situation, written verification (Dr.'s excuse, police report, etc.) of the emergency must be provided. Note that two quizzes are dropped to allow for the occasional missed class. If you are going to have to miss an exam, you must let the instructor know before the scheduled exam time, and you may be allowed to take the exam early.
WITHDRAWAL:
The withdrawal (W) deadline for this session is Friday, November 1. It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw through Atlas. Withdrawal after the deadline due to attendance is at the discretion of the instructor.
HONESTY:
Representing another's work as your own or allowing such conduct on the part of a fellow student is cheating. Such behavior will not be tolerated in this class. Such incidents will be handled according to the college policy on academic honesty.
CLASSROOM CONDUCT:
Students are expected to behave in a manner that encourages an atmosphere of respect in the classroom and in the online environment. The Valencia Community College Code of Student Conduct will be the minimum standard for behavior. In addition to that standard, cell phones will be disabled during class meetings.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Students with disabilities that qualify for academic accommodations must provide documentation from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), preferably in the first two weeks of class. For information contact the Winter Park OSD ( lfirmani@valenciacollege.edu )
GRADING SCALE: 90 - 100 = A, 80 - 89 = B, 70 - 79 = C, 60 - 69 = D, below 60 = F
NOTICE:
Changes in the procedures described in this syllabus may be made at the discretion of the instructor.