Welcome to the MTLC MATH 115 Fall 2010 Course Requirements Prerequisites Grade of A+ in Math 100 Minimum of 380 on the placement test Every student must have an active University “crimson” e-mail account for computer/course login. Textbook and access code Textbook—Algebra and Trigonometry, 4th edition by Blitzer. This course is a computer based course. All assignments for this course will be accessed through a publisher’s website, www.ua.mylabsplus.com. An access code will be necessary to complete your assignments. No work can be completed until you have entered an access code into your account. Access Codes Every student must have a new access code to access to the publisher’s online website where assignments can be completed. An access code gives you access to the ua.mylabsplus website where you will find your assignments. The code gives you access to an online textbook, video lectures, examples of assignments and many more useful tools to help you be successful in this course. Access Codes Access codes may be purchased with or without a printed version of the textbook. You may purchase the code with the textbook at any of the bookstores in town. You may purchase the code without a printed version of the book either at one of the bookstores in town or online on the mylabsplus website set up for your specific math course. Again, no work can be completed until you have entered your access code into your account. Calculator Only the calculator on the computer is allowed in this course. No other calculators are allowed during testing. It is the student’s responsibility to learn how to operate the computer calculator before testing. Course Grades Possible grades in this course are A, B, C, (+/-), or NC. A grade of NC means you receive no credit for this course. A grade of NC will not affect your GPA but you will need to retake the course. The last day to withdraw from the course is Wednesday, October 27. No withdrawals will be given after this date. Course Grades 4 tests (100 points each) 400 pts Final Exam 300 pts Quiz average (40 points each test period) 160 pts Homework average (25 points each test period) 100 pts Class Meetings (1 point per class) 40 pts TOTAL 1000 pts Students must earn a minimum of 700 points to successfully pass this course. Class Attendance Math 115 meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each class meeting counts for 1 point for a total of 40 points for the semester. If you have 3 or fewer unexcused absences then you are allowed to replace your lowest test score with the grade made on your final exam. Homework & Quizzes There will be homework assignments for each section and they will be graded. Homework assignments usually have around 20 questions. Homework assignments can be worked until you have a 100. For every problem, you can select similar exercise and re-work that type of problem to get it correct. Everyone should have a 100 on every homework assignment. If you need help, come to the lab for assistance. You can review homework anytime during the semester under the unofficial grade book in the software. NOTE: There will not be any example buttons on the homework assignments. Use your class notes to help. Homework & Quizzes There will also be a quiz given after each section. Only one attempt is allowed on quizzes. You will be shown the correct answers on the quiz once it is graded. You can only review the quiz immediately after it has been scored. So be sure to notice which questions you missed and why. You will be allowed to drop your lowest 2 homework grades and your lowest 2 quiz grades each test period. Homework & Quizzes Homework is worth 25 points each test period. Quizzes are worth 40 points each test period. Quizzes are worth about twice as much as homework. So prepare accordingly. If you missed any assignment and have a serious verifiable excuse, then you can fill out a petition request form in 345 Gordon Palmer asking for permission to make up your missed work. NOTE: The MTLC staff will help you with your homework. However, no help will be given on quizzes. Once you have graded your quiz, then we will be more than happy to help you understand any problems that you missed. Syllabus Quiz The Syllabus quiz contains questions about the syllabus. You may take this quiz as many times as you like, and you may have your syllabus with you when you take it. The purpose of the quiz is to make sure that you understand the policies set out in the syllabus should it become necessary to refer to them later, so take this quiz very seriously. This quiz must be taken in the MTLC. It is password protected. Tests There will be 4 tests and a comprehensive final given during the semester. All tests combined count for 70% of your grade. Tests days are shown on the front page of your syllabus. The lab will be closed during the day for testing during test weeks. Help will be available from 8-10pm M-TR each test week except Test 4. The MTLC will be closed for testing only during the three testing days for Test 4. You will need to register for a test time during a test registration week as noted on the front page of your syllabus. Details will be discussed later in class as test 1 gets near. There are penalties for failure to register on time. Read test rules on syllabus for more information. Replacement Policy Students with 3 or less unexcused absences will be allowed to replace his or her lowest test grade with the grade made on the final exam. Zero grades due to unexcused absences or academic misconduct will not be replaced. If a test is missed due to a serious, verifiable circumstance, the zero test grade will also be replaced with the final exam grade, but only if a petition request form is filed within 2 days at Room 345 Gordon Palmer and if the petition request panel approves the excuse. Working at Home Students can do homework from home by downloading all of the necessary plug-ins. Web page: http://www.ua.mylabsplus.com Use the installation wizard in the software. Be sure to check for ALL components and install all necessary plug-ins. Tests must be completed in the MTLC. Homework and quizzes may be completed at home. However, if grades are not successfully sent from home for any reason, you will not be able to retry the work after the deadline has passed. If you work from home, there is a risk your grades may not be properly saved. Software Login Username: your crimson email address Password: your CWID Example: Username: jksmith@crimson.ua.edu Password: 12345678 (This login has already been created for you. If you cannot log in for any reason, you need to come to the MTLC for assistance.) You will find your course for this semester under Alabama Fall 2010 Term Acknowledgement Form An acknowledgment form stating that you have read the syllabus and understand the policies set by this course must be completed in the software before you will be allowed to begin any assignments. You must complete it with a score of a 100%. The acknowledgement form can be found under the “Orientation” folder in the software. Getting Started Log into software Make sure you have an access code (or credit card to purchase one online) Select Math 115 course, enter in access code (or purchase online) and take Syllabus Acknowledgement form. Come to MTLC and take Syllabus Quiz First assignments are due by Monday at 8am. Have questions? Email your instructor or come to the lab. Problems or Questions If you have any trouble logging into the software or finding your assignments, then you need to come by the MTLC during operating hours and let someone assist you. Remember you cannot complete any assignments until you have entered your access code. MTLC Information—B1 Tutwiler Hours of Operation Sunday: 4:00pm – 10:00pm Mon. – Thursday: 8:00am – 10:00pm Friday: 8:00am – 4:45pm Closings Labor Day: Sunday 9/5 & Monday 9/6 Fall Break: Thursday 10/28 at 10pm until 8am Monday 11/1 Football Game: Thursday 11/18. Thanksgiving: Tuesday 11/23 at 5pm until 8am Monday 11/29. Last day for help in the MTLC will be Sunday 12/5 from 4-6:30pm Phone Number: 348 – 2592 Website: www.mtlc.ua.edu EMAIL: ma115mtl@bama.ua.edu Please put your instructor’s name in the subject box for email. Common Rules for the MTLC ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD, DRINKS, TOBACCO PRODUCTS, CELL PHONES, COMPANIONS, OR PROFANITY ARE ALLOWED. NO EXCEPTIONS!! Need Extra Help The MTLC is open 71 hours each week for help. Center for Teaching and Learning(CTL) offers weekly help sessions and private tutoring sessions. Check the CTL website (www.ctl.ua.edu) for days/times of weekly help sessions. Free personal tutorial appointments are available at the CTL in Osband Hall. Call 348-8854 to schedule an appointment. Final thoughts We are looking forward to your success in this course. Work hard Get help Enjoy the semester!