Welcome to the MTLC MATH 005 Fall 2009

Welcome to the MTLC Instructors Nathan Jackson

Textbook Package Textbook—Beginning Algebra, 10 th Edition by Lial, Hornsby, and McGinnis This course is a computer based course. All assignments for this course will accessed through a publisher’s website. ( 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 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 mylabsenterprise website set up for your specific math course. Again, no work can be completed until you have entered your access code into your account.

Access Codes –Repeating Students If you are repeating the course, then you should be able to log in to the new course by automatically re-activating your previous access code. If you have any trouble, then be sure to come to the MTLC for assistance.

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 Math 005 is a pre-requisite for your next math class so you want to do as well as you can! Math 005 is a no credit class. Grades will be assigned in this course. Possible grades are P or F. You need to earn a minimum of 700 points to pass this course. A grade of F means you did not successfully pass this course and will need to take it again. The last day to withdraw from the course is 10/28/09. 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 (17 points each test period) 68 pts Class Attendance (3 pts each attended class) 30 pts Lab Attendance (3 pts each week) 42 pts Survey 2 pts TOTAL 1002 pts

Class Attendance Orientation will be Thursday 8/20. Every student is required to come to the lab at their scheduled class time on Mondays for their weekly class meeting. These meetings start Tuesday 8/25. (Note: We will not meet during test weeks) For each class meeting you attend (in its entirety) and sign the roll, you earn 3 class attendance points.  Your time for the class meeting is ALSO counted toward your 4 hours of lab attendance, PROVIDED YOU SWIPE YOUR ACT CARD WHEN YOU ENTER AND EXIT THE LAB. Anyone caught swiping another student’s ID will be charged with academic misconduct.

Homework & Quizzes There will be homework assignments for each section and they will be graded. Be sure to click on the “Submit work” button for your homework to count. There will be a quiz given after each section. You will be given 2 tries on each quiz. Only your highest score will be counted You will be allowed to drop your lowest homework grade and your lowest quiz grade for each test period.

Homework & Quizzes Homework is worth 17 points each test period. Quizzes are worth 40 points each test period. 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 first quiz contains questions about the syllabus. This quiz MUST be taken in the MTLC. It is password protected. You may take this quiz (and only 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.

Tests There will 4 tests and a comprehensive final given during the semester. All tests combined count for 70% of your grade. You will need to register for a test time during a test registration week as noted on 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.

Test Deadlines Test 1 Tuesday September 15 Test 2Monday-Wednesday October 5-7 Test 3 Tuesday October 27 Test 4 Tuesday November 17 Final Exam: Monday 12/7 - Friday 12/11 Only the testing page, along with the computer calculator may be opened during a test!!! Refer to the syllabus/ s for Test Rules.

Replacement Policy Everyone 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 and if the petition request panel approves the excuse.

Lab Hours Students need to spend a minimum of 4 hours a week in the MTLC doing work. Time spent working on the computer, attending help sessions, or taking tests will count toward this requirement. BE SURE TO SWIPE YOUR ACT CARD WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE LAB. Students will earn 3 points a week toward the lab attendance grade for meeting this requirement. Lab attendance points will also be given if EACH section assignment (homework and quiz) for the week is completed with a grade of 70% or higher by the given deadline.

Lab Hours If you miss any assignment for the week then your lab attendance/hours is automatically based on your actual hours in the MTLC for the week. This is due to the fact that one of your assignments would not have a score of at least 70. This is true even if you are planning on using your missed assignment as one of your drop grades.

Working at Home Students can do homework from home by downloading all of the necessary plug-ins. Web page: Use the installation wizard on the announcement page 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.

Acknowledgement Form An acknowledgement form stating that you have read the syllabus and understand the policies set by this course must be completed in MyLabsEnterprise (the math software) with 100% before you will be allowed to access any homework, quizzes or tests.

Computer Access Login Every student must login to the A&S computer for use. Your login for the computer will be your own personal crimson account information. If you do not know this information, please go to Seebeck help desk located in 125 Gordon Palmer.

Software Login Information Registration in the software has already been completed for you. However, you will need to bring your MyLabsPlus access code with you to activate the software.

Math Software Login Information Your software user name will be the prefix to your crimson mail account followed and your password will be your 8-digit campus- wide ID. Username: Password:

CTL (Center of Teaching and Learning)  Free personal tutor appointments are available in Osband Hall. Call to schedule an appointment.  Check the CTL website for additional support material at

MTLC Information Hours of Operation Sunday:4:00pm – 10:00pm Mon. – Thursday: 8:00am – 10:00pm Friday:8:00am – 5:00pm Closings Labor Day : Sunday 9/6 & Monday 9/7 Fall Break: Thursday 10/8 until 8am Monday 10/12 Thanksgiving: 5pm Tuesday 11/24 until 8am Monday 11/30 Last day for help in the MTLC will be Sunday 12/6 Phone Number: 348 – 2592 Website: Please put your instructor’s name in the subject box for .

Common Rules for the Center ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD, DRINKS, CELL PHONES, COMPANIONS, TOBACCO PRODUCTS,OR PROFANITY ARE ALLOWED. NO EXCEPTIONS!!

Prep Work Assignment Sections 1.2, 1.5, and 1.6 will not be part of the Math 005 curriculum and lectures. However, these sections are very important in your success of this course! These sections will make up a single 50 problem homework assignment that will be due on Thursday., 8/27. Do not put it off, begin right away.

Final thoughts We are looking forward to you being successful in this course. If you need help, we are here to assist you, but get help early on… do not procrastinate! Work hard!