Fall 2006 Syllabus MAT 142 College Mathematics

Instructor: Jay Abramson	SLN: 61648, 58134, 57493
Office: PSA 745 Phone: 480/965-5007	Dates/ Location/ Time:
abramson@math.la.asu.edu	http://math.la.asu.edu/~abramson/

Text(s): LITERACY AND MATHEMATICS, 2nd Edition, A Contemporary Approach to Quantitative Literacy, by Jay P. Abramson and Matthew A. Isom.

Prerequisites and Placement: Students MUST take the Placement Test before enrolling in MAT142. The prerequisite Math 106 (Intermediate Algebra). Students should have prior understanding of basic concepts of algebra, which are reviewed at appropriate times in the course. Students with no previous experience with algebra are advised to complete Math 106, Intermediate Algebra, prior to enrolling in Math 142.

Purpose: This class is specifically designed for students whose majors do not require College Algebra (Math 117). It is designed to satisfy the mathematics requirement for these students, and is not designed as a prerequisite for higher level mathematics courses. Students should check with their departmental advisors to verify that this class is accepted for credit. Math 142 is a three hour course designed to be a terminal math course for students who are in, or plan to be in, non-technical majors. Individual colleges determine if Math 142 is sufficient for their major requirements, or if other courses are required. At the present time, Math 142 fulfills the MA requirement.

Calculators with QWERTY keyboards or those that do symbolic algebra, such at the Casio FX2 or 9970Gs, cannot be used in class or during an exam.

Grade Allocation:
A: 90% - 100%
B: 80% - 89%
C: 70% - 79%
D: 60% - 69%
E: Below 60 %

Assessment	Percent of Grade
Homework	12.5
Quizzes	12.5
Test 1	17
Test 2	17
Test 3	16
Final Exam	25
	100 percent total

· Daily quizzes are administered and will be graded. They will reflect material that has been discussed in class that day.

· Students may work together on homework and quizzes, but each individual student is required to turn in their own work.

· Students are responsible for reading each section before it is taught in class.

Final Exam: The final exam will be announced in class. There will be no makeup's given for the final, and no finals will be rescheduled for personal reasons, including a non-refundable airplane tickets.

Tutor Center: The Math Tutor Center in PSA 116 will be open M-Th 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 12 - 4 pm.

In order to enter the Tutor Center each student must have a valid ASU "Sun Card".

Math Testing Center: The Mathematics Department Testing Center is in PSA 21 (basement). In order to be admitted to the Testing Center each student must have a valid ASU "Sun Card" and an official testing center label. The testing center is open 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. M-Th and 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Fri. You must arrive before 6:30p.m. M-Th (3:30 Fri.), and the testing center employees are very prompt and unbending about locking you out! Students should take exams as early as possible during the allotted time frame, as the center can get extremely busy late in the day. See http://fym.la.asu.edu/~fym/TestingCenter/tstcenter.shtml

Departmental Drop Back: Based on results of a readiness test and advising from the course instructor, a student may elect to drop back to a lower level math course before the drop back deadline. The student should go to the Undergraduate Mathematics Office in PS A211 to initiate a drop back request.

Instructor Initiated Drop: At the instructor's discretion, any student who has not attended class during the first week of classes may be administratively dropped from the course. However, students should be aware that non-attendance would NOT automatically result in their being dropped from the course. Thus, a student should not assume they are no longer registered for a course simply because they did not attend class during the first week. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of their registration status.

Final Exam Make-up Policy: The final exam schedule listed in the Schedule of Classes will be strictly followed. Exceptions to the schedule and requests for make-up examinations can be granted only by the Department Chair, Associate Department Chair or the Director of First Year Mathematics, and for one of the following reasons:
1. Religious conflict (e.g., the student celebrates the Sabbath on Saturday)
2. The student has more than three exams scheduled on the same day as the math final
3. There is a time conflict between the math final and another final exam.

Incomplete: If there is a last minute personal or medical emergency, the student may receive a grade of Incomplete and make up the final within one calendar year. The student must provide written documentation and be passing the class at the time to receive an Incomplete. Make-up exams will NOT be given for reasons of a non-refundable airline tickets, vacation plans, work schedules, weddings, family reunions, and other such activities. Students should consult the final exam schedule before making end-of-semester travel plans. The Dean of the student’s college must approve any exceptions to these rules.

Honor Policy: The highest standards of academic integrity are expected of all students. The failure of any student to meet these standards may result in suspension or expulsion from the University or other sanctions as specified in the University Student Academic Integrity Policy. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, cheating, fabrication, tampering, plagiarism or facilitating such activities.

The grade of XE: A grade of XE is reserved for "failure for academic dishonesty." The grade goes on the student's transcript; the student needs to petition to have it removed after 1 year.

Ethics: It's highly unethical to bring to your instructor's attention the possible impact of your mathematics grade on your future plans, including graduation, scholarships, jobs, etc. The instructor may exercise an option to withdraw you from the course if they think you are compromising the ability to assess your work independently of any other consideration. Students found to be involved in academic dishonesty will be removed from the class and a grade of XE for the course will be submitted to the registrar. The student will be advised to repeat the course with another professor, possibly at another institution. This is the least action taken. Further, more serious actions may be taken if the situation indicated that such actions are appropriate. We will act very harshly against cheating during Quizzes or Exams.