Course Syllabus


Print Syllabus
Course ID: MAT142
Title: College Mathematics
Modality: Internet
Credit Hours: 3.00

Course Section Information

Institution: Rio Salado College

Section: 20618

Term: Spring 2015

Start Date: 1/12/2015

Weeks: 14

Last date to withdraw: None

Instructor: Kevin Willis

Course Materials

Be sure that you have all the necessary materials prior to the start date of your course.

Media and Technology

Computer with minimum specifications:

MyMathLab System Requirements
Note: TestGen® Plug-in IS NOT required.

Calculator: Texas Instruments model TI-83, 83 Plus, 84 or 84 Plus, is strongly recommended. A link to a tutorial for using the graphing calculator can be found on the Tools for Success page in the left menu bar in MyMathLab. Approved calculators are allowed on the in-person exams.

Note: Calculators with symbolic manipulating capabilities, or CAS, such as TI-89, TI-92 or TI-Nspire CAS are not allowed on exams.

Textbook required for Course:

Title: Survey of Mathematics with Applications (Bundled w/MyMathLab access code)
Author: Angel/Abbott/Runde
ISBN: 9781256976394

Rio Salado College has developed a unique Textbook Savings Program that uses customized textbooks and saves students up to 50% off the original price of textbooks. This textbook is included in the Textbook Savings Program and has been customized specifically for this course at Rio Salado College by Pearson Custom Publishing so that it contains information most relevant to the course. Your course materials are available through the Rio Salado College Bookstore.  All materials should be verified by ISBN before purchasing at the Rio Salado Bookstore or from another seller.

Course Description and Competencies

Official Course Description
College-level mathematics and its applications to real-life problems. Emphasis on understanding mathematical concepts and their applications. Topics include set theory, probability, statistics, finance, and geometry.
Official Course Prerequisites
(A grade of "B" or better in MAT090, or MAT091, or MAT092, or MAT093), or successful completion of Maricopa Modules, or satisfactory score on District placement exam, or a grade of "C" or better in MAT120, or MAT121, or MAT122.
Course Note
Students may receive credit for only one of the following: MAT140, MAT141, or MAT142.
           
Official Course Competencies
  1. Distinguish between a subset and a proper subset.
  2. Use Venn diagrams to solve applied problems involving the union, intersection, and complement of sets.
  3. Distinguish between experimental and theoretical probability, and use each to solve applied problems.
  4. Use conditional probability to solve applied problems involving dependent events.
  5. Use probabilities to calculate odds, either in favor of or against a particular event, and visa versa.
  6. Solve probability problems involving combinations and permutations.
  7. Organize, analyze, and display data using multiple representations.
  8. Calculate and interpret measures of central tendency and dispersion.
  9. Calculate and interpret measures of location (percentiles and quartiles).
  10. Solve applications using the normal distribution.
  11. Solve applications involving loans and amortizations.
  12. Solve applications involving annuities.
  13. Calculate the annual interest rate given the annual yield and visa versa.
  14. Solve real-life problems using exponential growth.
  15. Use appropriate formulas and units of measure for composite geometric shapes and figures from real life problems.
  16. Apply unit analysis skills to solve applied problems.
  17. Use dimensional analysis to convert units of measurement between different systems.
  18. Use written and verbal communication to describe process and results.
  19. Model and solve real-world problems.

Course Requirements

  1. You must complete all assignments in the course to be eligible to get a passing grade.
  2. Examinations: There are two required in-person examinations (a midterm and a final). You must take both of them in person. You can contact the Testing Center for location and hours. It is strongly recommended that you do all the reviews prior to the midterm and final. See the Exams section below for more information on taking your Midterm and Final exams.
  3. Note: You must earn a combined average of at least 60% on the midterm and final exams in order to pass the course.

Note: Keep a record of everything you submit!

Time Requirements

Remember that this is a three credit-hour class. As such, you will need to dedicate significant time to this course. Plan to spend at least three hours on course content and at least six hours on homework for a total of at least nine hours each week. Be prepared to double your weekly class and study time if you choose an accelerated calendar.

Course Abstract

College Mathematics is an introduction to modern mathematics from an elementary point of view so that it is understandable to non-mathematics majors and non-science majors. The course will foster an appreciation for the art, beauty, history, and applications of mathematics. The students will be required to stay alert and extend themselves but the rewards are in the revelations that mathematics can be interesting and even exciting. The major areas of emphases will be: set theory, probability, statistics, finance, geometry, using current technology to analyze and perform mathematical tasks, and inductive and deductive reasoning.

Studying mathematics allows students to develop the ability to:

  • Be patient.
  • Rely on oneself to be an independent thinker.
  • Perform a complicated task that requires in-depth concentration and has many steps-a skill useful in any field of endeavor.
  • Read and follow detailed instructions.
  • Analyze material and extract the relevant facts.
  • Draw logical conclusions.
  • Determine that not enough information is given to solve a problem.
  • Find a solution by synthesizing unrelated bits of data.
  • Effectively and efficiently organize one's thoughts.
  • Follow precise rules, make no unwarranted assumptions and yet keep an open mind for information that alters or influences a situation to evaluate formulas-the need for this skill is increasing in many career fields such as business and social science.1

From Adjunct Mentor: Article, by Joyce Marie Hibbs, St. Phillips College, San Antonio, TX.

Students who have been away from mathematics for a long period of time or who have experienced recurring difficulties with mathematics in the past should consider the type of class format quite carefully. Experience shows that a traditional in-person classroom setting may be the method of choice for these students, especially if the student has had no prior exposure to a distance learning class. In this distance learning class, in order to be successful, do study all required material by doing on-line homework assignments prior to working on, and turning in, each on-line Quiz. Both homework and the on-line Quizzes can be found on the website MyMathLab.com. Remember, the homework assignments are to be done at your discretion and are not worth points in the course; it is the Quizzes that are counted for points.

Course Outline

  1. Set Theory
    1. Venn diagrams
    2. Set operations
  2. Probability
    1. Experimental vs. theoretical probability
    2. Conditional
    3. Odds
    4. Permutations and Combinations
  3. Statistics
    1. Descriptive
    2. Normal distribution
    3. Percentiles and quartiles
  4. Finance
    1. Annuities
    2. Simple vs. compound interest
    3. Exponential growth
    4. Loans
    5. Rates vs. Yield
  5. Geometry
    1. Perimeter/area/volume
    2. Unit conversions
  6. Additional Topics - Departments may include one or more of the following topics in the course.
    1. Logic
    2. Numeration systems
    3. Inferential statistics
    4. Voting theory
    5. Math of music
    6. Index numbers
    7. Graph theory
    8. Geometry topics
      1. Symmetry
      2. Tessellations
      3. Fractals

Assignment Information

Each lesson, this class generally covers a varying number of sections in the textbook. In order to master the material presented in the textbook, students need to rework the examples shown in the textbook and to work a number of problems in each set of exercises. Many problems are intentionally somewhat repetitive in type and computational method. The intent in assigning several homework problems per section is to make sure you have sufficient reinforcement to enable you to remember what you have learned, which in turn will help you be successful on the on-line Quizzes.

Experience has shown that without rather extensive practice, these skills and ideas are all too easily forgotten. Since what is learned in later assignments usually depends heavily on remembering earlier work, it is essential that you not only complete your homework, but also that you work as many problems as you feel is necessary for you to master (and remember) the material. We repeat: The key to success is getting the concepts and skills into your long-term memory. Review what you know frequently!

Again when using the website MyMathLab.com, you will have the opportunity to do a homework assignment for each chapter that the course covers.

The online Quizzes are worth 30 points each. The total number of points for the quizzes is 330. In order to truly master the competencies of the course so that you are successful on the exams, you very well may need more practice with certain concepts. Therefore, you are encouraged to work as many homework problems as you feel necessary for you to understand the material covered during a given week. However, only the online Quizzes will be graded and counted toward completing this portion of the course requirement. You will also be required to take a midterm and final exam. Each of these exams is worth 660 points. And, again, you must take both the midterm and the final exams, (with an overall exam average of at least 60%) to pass MAT 142.

  1. It is a good idea to make up a checklist to use in order to make sure your quiz is completed to your satisfaction. This habit alone could make as much as a letter grade difference in your next math course, and many other courses as well. (it's a good idea to run through such a checklist mentally before handing in exams, too!).

  2. It is recommended that you find time to work on your mathematics assignments everyday. Research shows that people cannot generally study mathematics for long periods of time. A Harvard professor stated that the maximum time that he can maintain concentrated study of mathematics is three hours. Therefore, set aside somewhat less time to perform daily work on the assignments, say one to two-hour blocks at a time. If you set a goal of completing a minimum number of problems every day, you can have your weekends free!

  3. You can read the textbook, discuss mathematics with your instructor over the phone, or you may get help from our tutors, but it is not until you personally WORK A LOT OF PROBLEMS that true understanding of problem solving takes place.

Assessment Policy

Learning First: The assessment philosophy of Rio Salado College. Rio Salado College focuses on assessment-directed improvement for increasing student learning and improving the teaching and learning process. We believe that 1) learning is the primary purpose of assessment, 2) assessment should lead to improvement and not be an end unto itself, and 3) that faculty and students who understand the value of assessment and participate in assessment activities benefit most from this work. Therefore, the college expects every individual to participate fully in this effort.

Grading Procedure and Scale

Grading Procedure

Letter grades for examinations and the course will be determined by the following criteria:

11 Quizzes @ 30 each 330 Points
Midterm 660 Points
Final 660 Points
Total Points: 1650 Points

Grading Scale

The final course grades will be determined by the following scale:

Grade Determination
Grade Points Percentage
A 1485 - 1650 points 90%-100%
B 1320 - 1484 points 80%-89%
C 1155 - 1319 points 70%-79%
D 990 - 1154 points 60%-69%
F 0 - 989 points 0%-59%

Please note: The grading procedure for this course is based on the total number of points possible.

The grading scale is administered equally to all students in the course. Do not expect to receive a grade that is higher than that earned by your total points. There will be no point adjustments made for such things as class participation or other subjective factors.

Extra credit is not available for this course.

Exams

This course contains in-person exams which must be completed at an approved testing site. Students who live within Maricopa county please see Midterm and Final Exam Information for Rio Salado testing sites and hours of operation.

Students who live outside of Maricopa county or are registered with Disability Resources and Services must request to have exams proctored by submitting the Proctored Test Request Form during the first two weeks of class. This form and additional information regarding proctoring and proctoring services may be found here.

Contact the Testing Center at (480) 517-8560 or (866) 517-8560 (Toll-Free) with any questions.

Final Grade Options

  • Letter grade (A, B, C, D, F) - awarded if the student completes all work, including the final exams.
  • Extension (in lieu of Incomplete grade) - Students may request an extension because of illness or other extenuating circumstances, if they have been doing acceptable work. The instructor will define the requirements and timelines to complete the course. Please Note: Instructors are not obligated to give extensions.
  • Withdrawal-Students may submit a withdrawal request on or prior to the “Last Date to Withdraw” indicated in their RioLearn Gradebook.  

    Students should not contact their instructor to request a withdrawal. A student wishing to withdraw from a class within the stated timeline must do so by visiting my.maricopa.edu. In extreme circumstances, students do have the option of requesting a complete withdrawal from the college by providing Student Enrollment Services with appropriate documentation.

  • Credit/No Credit Option (P/Z)-This course may not be taken on a credit/no credit basis.

Late or Missing Assignments

Assignments that have due dates are due on time according to the due dates in your gradebook. If you need to request an extension for an assignment, a request must be made to your instructor via RioLearn at least one week prior to the due date. You can request a due date change from the "Modify Due Dates" button in the "Due Dates" tab of your RioLearn Gradebook.

Late points may be applied at the instructor's discretion.

Submitting Assignments

All assignments are located in MyMathLab.

Note to students: Keep a record of everything that you submit.

Course Completion Policy

A student who registers for a Distance Learning course is assigned a "start date" and an "end date." It is the student's responsibility to note due dates for assignments and to keep up with the course work.

If a student falls behind, she/he must contact the instructor and request an extension of her/his end date in order to complete the course.

It is the prerogative of the instructor to decide whether or not to grant the request.

Copyright Acknowledgements

Some images used in courses are licensed as follows: Accunet/AP Multimedia Archive, http://www.clipart.com, http://www.jupiterimages.com, EBSCO Image Collection, ARTstor Image Collection.

Submitting Assignments

Online Submission Platform

The assignment due dates in this course are structured to complete all the lessons over the span of the course. Regular and consistent progress is expected in the course through the submission of assignments. The submission of an assignment can be no earlier than 7 days prior to the due date. Consult your course gradebook for specific due dates. Assignments/acknowledgments must be submitted through the online submission platform unless otherwise directed.

Final Grade Options

  • Letter grade (A, B, C, D, F)

  • Extension (in lieu of an incomplete grade): Students may request an assessment extension because of illness or other extenuating circumstances, if they have been doing acceptable work. Assessment extensions may extend up to two weeks beyond the established course end as indicated in the gradebook. Please Note: Assessment extensions are given at the instructor’s discretion. Instructors are not obligated to give extensions.

  • Withdrawn Failing (Y) – Students may be removed from their classes with a Withdrawn Failing (Y) grade for non-participation, which counts like an F in GPA calculation.

  • Withdrawal (W) - Students may submit a withdrawal request on or prior to the "Last Date to Withdraw" indicated in their RioLearn Gradebook.

  • Instructors are unable to submit a withdrawal (W) on behalf of a student. A student wishing to withdraw from a class within the stated timeline must do so by visiting View My Classes/Schedule in the Student Center, and selecting Drop Classes. In extreme circumstances, students do have the option of requesting a complete withdrawal from the college by submitting a "Request for Complete Withdrawal From All Courses" available under the Records heading on Rio’s Important Forms page.

    Before withdrawing, students should consider contacting their instructor and/or Rio's Counseling Services to see what options are available to help them stay in class.

    STUDENTS – STOP Before You Drop! A withdrawal request is irrevocable, and may affect future Financial Aid, Visa status, Veteran benefit eligibility, scholarship eligibility and may delay graduation. Please be sure that it is the right option for you before submission.

    STOP BEFORE YOU DROP

  • Credit/No Credit Option (P/Z) - Some courses may be offered with a credit/no credit option which, if offered, would be identified in the Grading Procedure and Scale section of this syllabus. See detailed information about the (P/Z) option here.

  • Note: Choosing the P/Z option is a permanent change to the gradebook. A P/Z grade will not be changed to a letter grade after the course end date.

Regular and Substantive Faculty-Student Interaction

The Rio Salado College faculty provide learners with frequent opportunities for regular and substantive interaction, which are critical components of a quality online program. At a minimum, faculty teaching online courses for credit monitor weekly due dates and initiate contact with students, post course announcements and/or "From Your Instructor" (FYI) notes that are academic and relevant, respond to academic inquiries within 72 hours, and provide detailed, personalized, and timely feedback. In addition, faculty regularly engage in synchronous and/or asynchronous interaction with students via tools such as discussion boards, rubrics, voice threads, video conferences, audio recordings, phone calls, email and/or text messages, social media, and online collaboration software. Though faculty members are responsible for initiating interaction, providing academic information, and facilitating learning, Rio students are responsible for remaining in regular contact with their instructors and engaging with the course content as active participants in the educational experience.

Requirement for Active Class Participation

Withdrawal for Non-Participation (Y) – Students need to communicate regularly with their instructor and engage in academic activities as determined by the instructor and department. Students may be removed from their classes after 14 days of non-participation with a Withdrawn Failing (Y) grade, which counts like an F in GPA calculation.

If you receive financial aid of any kind, it is your responsibility to protect your eligibility to receive financial aid by meeting the active participation requirements of this class.

Pregnant and Parenting Students

Students will not be discriminated against on the basis of a disclosed pregnancy. This includes discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. As a result, a pregnant or parenting student (a student during a defined postpartum period lasting up to 8 weeks after delivery), may be provided adjustments so they are able to access and participate in their educational program or activity.

Please visit the Working with Pregnant and Parenting webpage to learn more about this policy, reasonable adjustments and complete the Pregnancy Adjustment Form. If you have questions about the policy, please contact Rio Salado College’s Title IX/504 Coordinator Tafari Osayande at o.tafari.osayande@riosalado.edu or (480) 517-8196.

In the event of certain pregnancy-related medical complications, contact Disability.Services@riosalado.edu or call (480) 517-8562 for assistance in providing accommodations/academic adjustments.

Basic Needs

If a lack of basic needs such as food, transportation, school supplies, etc. is affecting your participation and/or performance in this course, please contact the Rio Salado Counseling Department at 480-517-8785 or via email at counseling.receptionist@riosalado.edu.

For additional services and resources:

Rio Salado College Counseling and Career Services
Maricopa Basic Needs and Community Resources

Library Services

The Rio Salado Library is committed to student success and provides a variety of materials and services to enhance student learning. Utilizing Rio’s online library for your research is the best way to ensure that your sources are validated, authoritative, and appropriate for college-level coursework. The library's Video Tutorials page provides instruction on how to use the online library to find books, articles, ebooks, and more. Librarians are available to help you at all times via our Ask a Librarian live chat service.

Please note that when library materials (e.g., articles, ebooks, and streaming media) are integrated into your lesson content, you will see the notation “…provided to you through the Rio Salado Library.

Academic Misconduct

Academic Misconduct includes cheating, conspiring to cheat, soliciting to cheat, attempting to cheat, plagiarism, fabrication on an assignment, or other forms of dishonest presentation.

Posting assessments on an unauthorized web site, soliciting assessment answers and the unauthorized acquisition of assessments, assessment answers, or other academic material is cheating. Turning in content created by essay generators or other types of artificial intelligence platforms is also academic misconduct.

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use of paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling or sharing of term papers or other academic materials. Information gathered from the Internet and not properly identified is also considered plagiarism.

We expect every student to produce his/her original, independent work. Any student whose work indicates a violation of the MCCCD Academic Misconduct Policy (including cheating and plagiarism) can expect sanctions as specified in the college catalog.

Rio Salado College uses software that uncovers plagiarism from student to student and other data sources on the Internet. If a student is found to have plagiarized content, grade consequences will be applied in accordance with departmental policies.

Civility Policy

The faculty of Rio Salado place a high value on the importance of general ethical standards of academic behavior and expect that communication between students and instructors or among students shall maintain the level of formality and mutual respect appropriate to any college teaching/learning situation.

Language or behavior that is rude, abusive, profane, disruptive, or threatening will not be tolerated. Activity of this type is Academic Misconduct as defined in MCCCD Policy AR 2.3.11. Students engaging in such behavior will be removed from the course with a failing grade. Additional sanctions may be applied pursuant to AR 2.3.11.

Honors Program

If you are taking this course for Honors credit, you must complete all assessments, including the Honors Project(s). The Honors Project(s) are listed in one or more lessons of the course and are designated for "Honors Students." Failure to complete the Honors Project(s) will result in a failing grade in the course and a loss of Honors credit.

Honors students are also enrolled in a non-credit Honors Achievement Award (HAA) or Presidential Honors Scholarship (PHS) section within RioLearn to submit co-curricular activity submissions. Co-curriculars must be completed in order to receive funding.

The Honors Department is here to support you! Connect with the college and other Honors students in our INSCRIBE community.

The Honors Department is available to provide additional resources and support to support your journey. Please contact the Honors department at RioSalado.Honors@riosalado.edu.

Classroom Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and its associated colleges are committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities to students with documented disabilities (e.g. mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical). Visit district.maricopa.edu/mandatory-drs-title-ix-syllabus-statements for more information.

Religious Accommodations

Rio Salado College will reasonably accommodate the religious needs, observances, and practices of their students, when requested and the requests are made in accordance with the procedures set forth in ND-4. Any student may request a religious accommodation by making a written request for an accommodation to the appropriate faculty member using the Religious Accommodation Request form. To the extent possible, requests must be made at least two (2) weeks before the requested absence from class due to religious holiday or day of observance.

Addressing Incidents of Sexual Harassment/Assault, Dating/Domestic Violence, and Stalking

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, MCCCD prohibits unlawful sex discrimination against any participant in its education programs or activities. The District also prohibits sexual harassment—including sexual violence—committed by or against students, District employees, and visitors to campus. As outlined in District policy, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are considered forms of "Sexual Misconduct" prohibited by District policy. Visit district.maricopa.edu/mandatory-drs-title-ix-syllabus-statements for more information.

Student Solution Center

Rio Salado College is dedicated to a quality learning experience and has provided the Student Solution Center webpage as a resource for students to raise issues to our attention. We look forward to the opportunity to provide an equitable solution for all involved parties. For grading or instructional issues, students should first contact their faculty member(s) in accordance with the Instructional Grievance Process. For non-instructional complaints, students may contact Institutional Integrity and Compliance by submitting the non-instructional complaint form, emailing studentcomplaints@riosalado.edu, or calling 480-517-8505. Students may also contact their state regulatory agency; the Arizona SARA Council; and/or the Higher Learning Commission to escalate their concerns.

Change of Address

Please notify Course Support at (480) 517-8243 or 1-800-729-1197 or by email at course.support@riosalado.edu. Please include your name, student number, phone number, and new address including city, state, and zip code.

Contact Us

Please see the following page for contact information.

Disclaimer

Course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of this particular group.

Rio Salado College Copyright

Course Content © Copyright 2021 Rio Salado College. All Rights Reserved.