Daphne Rossiter

MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
 

Section  #25509, #25515

Course ID:  rossiter42942

Textbook:  College Algebra - Concepts Through Functions by Sullivan & Sullivan

Website:  http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/~rossiter

Office:  MC 168

Phone:  (480) 461-7349

FAX:  (480) 461-7710

Email:  daphne.rossiter@mcmail.maricopa.edu

Address:   Mesa Community College

                  Department of Mathematics and Computer Science            

                  1833 W. Southern Ave.

                  Mesa, AZ  85202-4868

                  Attn:  Daphne Rossiter – Mathematics Department             

Office Hours:  MTWRF  11:00-11:50 a.m.

Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in MAT 120, MAT 121, MAT 122 or equivalent, or satisfactory score on placement exam.  It is the responsibility of each student to determine his/her readiness for this class.

Course Objectives:  Analysis and interpretation of the behavior and nature of functions involving polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, power, absolute value, and piecewise-defined functions, systems of equations, modeling and solving real world problems.  Additional topics include matrices, combinatorics, sequences and series, and conics.

Required Materials:  Textbook (listed above), Graphing Calculator, A Reliable PC Computer, A Permanent Reliable MCC E-Mail Account, A Reliable E-Mail Connection

Attendance:  If a student fails to submit work via the computer over a seven-day period, the student may be withdrawn from the class.  If you wish to drop the class, it is your responsibility to take that action.  If  you stop submitting work via the computer and do not drop the course yourself, you will earn a grade of W, Y, or F. 

Tests:  There will be seven (7) online tests.  There is also a mid-term exam and a final exam that must be taken at MCC at Southern and Dobson.  Graphing calculators may be used on all tests and the final exam, unless otherwise stated.  The mid-term and the final exam will be administered in a testing area that we set up specifically for distance learning.  As the time gets closer, I will give you the details as to how the mid-term and the final exam will be administered.  You will be required to show a photo I.D. to take the tests.  Failure to take a test by the assigned date will result in a score of zero for that test.  NO make-up tests will be given. 

Grades:   Your grade for the course will be determined as follows:

Grading Scale:   Standard Grading Scale.  The average will be translated in to one of the following letter grades.  Traditional rounding will be employed.

                         A  -  90% - 100%      

                         B  -  80% -  89%                     

                         C  -  70% -  79%       

                         D  -  60% -  69%       

                         F      Below  60%  

I encourage you to check your grades through Course Compass, but be aware that the average they give you is only for the work completed at the Course Compass website.  It does not, in any way, reflect your grade for the class.  The final course grades are outlined above as to how they are weighted and calculated. 

Schedule:  Please check the schedule often to assure that you are staying on schedule and to be certain you are ready to take the tests on the assigned dates.  Please check the announcements DAILY on the Course Compass website as that is my way of communicating with you.  Also, check your email daily and if your email address changes for any reason, it is your responsibility to notify me of the change.

EARS - MCC Early Alert Program (EARS) – Mesa Community College is committed to the success of all our students.  Numerous campus support services are available throughout your academic journey to assist you in achieving your educational goals.  MCC has adopted an Early Alert Referral System (EARS) as part of a student success initiative to aid students in their educational pursuits.  Faculty and Staff participate by alerting and referring students to campus services for added support.  Students may receive a follow up call from various campus services as a result of being referred to EARS.  Students are encouraged to participate, but these services are optional.  Early Alert Web Page with Campus Resource Information can be located at:  http://www.mesacc.edu/students/ears or at the “Early Alert” selection at the MyMCC link from MCC’s home page.

Dishonesty:  The college regards acts of academic dishonesty, including such activities as plagiarism, cheating and/or violations of integrity in information technology, as very serious offenses.  Students found completing work for other students may result in one or both of the student's expulsion from the college.  If cheating or dishonesty of any form occurs, action will be taken as outlined in the Student Handbook. 

Special Needs:  If you have any special needs, please see me to discuss the appropriate accommodations for limitations due to any disability, including learning disabilities.  You can contact Disability Support Services at 480-461-7447.  The paperwork prescribing the necessary accommodations can be completed through this office.

Learning Assistance Options (Getting Help):  There are numerous options to assist you in learning the material required in this class.

    1.  Instructor - I will help you as much as possible online or during my office hours.  Please email me at any time if you feel you need extra help.  Phoning is also an option, but you will get a faster turn-around with email.

    2.  On-Campus Tutoring - Check my website for Tutoring availability on campus.

   3.  Textbook Publisher Tutoring - As a member of this class, you have access to tutors through the publisher of the textbook.  You can find information for contacting the publisher's tutors within each chapter in the course shell (under Course Documents).  MCC is not responsible for the quality of tutoring that the publisher provides.

Technical Assistance:  The publisher of your textbook has established technical support for you if you experience technical problems while using Course Compass.  If you are experiencing technical problems, please call 1-800-677-6337.  You are responsible for the course requirements despite any computer difficulties you may have.  Computer problems is not an acceptable excuse for not completing course assignments and tests on time.  Often, rebooting your computer or temporarily disabling your virus scanner can solve some difficulties.  It is your responsibility to have the latest plug-ins installed for the class.  I can not help you with any technical questions, as I am here to help you with the mathematics portion of the course.

Technical Problems on The Publisher's End:  Because this is a class that extensively utilizes technology, there are bound to be problems.  If this happens, and you can not access the course, don't panic.  I will not be able to access the course either.  If this should happen when you are to complete an online test, I will simply extend the deadlines.  Read your textbook and complete the textbook exercises to keep up your progress.  Course Compass technicians will put messages on the Course Compass screen when technical issues arise.  If there is ever a problem, as soon as I am able to log on to Course Compass, I will have an announcement for you with further instructions.

Computer Resources:  It is your responsibility to make sure that your computer is functioning properly and that the plug-ins are installed and working.  There are computers on the Southern and Dobson and Red Mountain campuses that you can use to access the course if an emergency should arise.  It may be necessary for you to install the plug-ins on these machines if they are not already available.  Even if you have computer problems, you are still responsible for meeting all deadlines.  Check with the library for operating hours.  You can obtain a free email account from MCC at http://www.mc.maricopa.edu. 

Student/Instructor Correspondence:  Please feel free to contact me by email, telephone, or by visiting me in my office.  You will find that email is the most efficient way to correspond with me.  Unfortunately, due to the amount on spam email messages per day, I will need your help in identifying yourself from others.  Please use the following template for your subject line:  MAT 151: "question topic": Your Name".  If you do not include a subject in your email, I will not receive it.  I can not guarantee that my spam filters will not delete your email, so if you do not get a response within 24 hours, please re-send your message. 

Assessment Items That Count Towards Your Grade: 

Non-graded Assessment Items:

Textbook Exercises & Practice Tests:  Recommended textbook exercises will be available in the homework assignments link within the course shell.  I strongly recommend that you complete them and all other homework problems from your textbook as your midterm and final exam will be handwritten problems similar to those found in the textbook.  There are also sample tests available online and in your textbook, for additional practice.  Remember, practice makes perfect.

Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the course software.  Remember, this is an online course, so it is very important to keep up with the pace of the course that is outlined in the course schedule.
 

Students are responsible for college policies that are included in the college catalog and the student handbook.  Please read the syllabus and schedule carefully as you are responsible for the information outlined for our course. 

I reserve the right to add to or amend the above requirements.