Course Syllabus

Class Information

Recording of the courtesy orientation from Tuesday 6/20/23 at 10:00 am 

Ticket # 22399

Semester: Summer 2023                                   Room: Online                                         Jun 20, 2023 - July 27, 2023

Instructor: Daniela Cortez                         e-mail: dcortez@cerritos.edu                   Phone: 562-860-2451 ext. 2664 (N/A during Summer 2023)

 

Office Hours

Office hours for Summer 2023 mid-session are on the following Thursdays from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Just click on the link below to join the meetings.

Thursday 6/22/23, Thursday 6/29/23, Thursday 7/13/23, Thursday 7/20/23 and Thursday 7/27/23.

 

Embedded Tutoring 

Via TechConnect Zoom (Tab on the left) or click on the links below

Mondays and Tuesdays 11:00 am - 12:00 pm:  https://cerritos-edu.zoom.us/j/82721040147
Thursdays 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm: https://cerritos-edu.zoom.us/j/89590808998

Letter of Introduction from your Embedded Tutor

 

Course Description

This course is designed for students majoring in life or social sciences. The main topics to be covered include linear and quadratic equations and inequalities, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions and their graphs, systems of linear equations, matrices, sequences and series, combinatorics, and the Binomial Theorem. 

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of linear, non-linear and functions, and use them to evaluate expressions, solve equations, and solve applications
  • Use technology appropriately to explore and analyze linear, non-linear and functions
  • Use simple linear algebra techniques to solve systems of equations
  • Explore and analyze conic sections
  • Differentiate between arithmetic and geometric sequences and series and use the binomial theorem to expand the power of a binomial

Textbook and Required Materials

Great news: your textbook for this class is available for free.  You can access it through Modules, Online, or download a PDF version.  
College Algebra 2e from OpenStax, ISBN 1-947172-12-3

You have several options to obtain this book:

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.

Required Materials: Access to Knewton Alta ($44.95), a TI-83/84 graphing calculator, and access to a device to complete online work (not a cell phone).

Student Expectations

  • Read and understand the syllabus.
  • Log into the course regularly (everyday).
  • Check announcements regularly for important information regarding the course.
  • Watch the lecture videos and take notes before starting your Knewton assignments.
  • Complete all Knewton assignments (homework) in a timely manner.
  • Complete all discussions.
  • Complete all online quizzes and submit your work.
  • Complete all online exams (3 total) and online final exam and submit your work.
  • Attend office hours and/or embedded tutoring sessions if you have any questions on the homework.

Grading and Assignment Policy

Your grades are updated regularly in the gradebook on Canvas. If you have any questions about your grade, contact the instructor immediately. Your final grade for this course will be determined by the following:

Your final grade is based on the following grading scale.

Grade scale

Letter Grade

Percent %

A

90 - 100

B

80 – 89

C

70 – 79

D

60 - 69

F

0 - 59

The grade for this course will be determined according to the following formula.

Weighted grades

Course Assignments

% of Final Grade

Homework/Quizzes/Discussion/Notes

40%

Exams

40%

Final Exam

20%

Course Policies

Discussions 

  • There will be two discussions at the beginning of the summer session.
  • Your response will post before seeing other students’ responses 
  • Employ proper “netiquette” (or “net etiquette”) in your online communications. For your convenience examples of netiquette are included on the syllabus

Video Assignments

  • Each set of guided notes is worth 10 points.
  • Expect to watch lecture videos for each section while following along with the guided notes.  Guided notes for each chapter are attached to the first lecture video of the chapter.   
  • Complete the lecture videos according to the weekly schedule.  You may move quicker through the material but make sure you keep on track for the exams. 
  • All video lectures covered for each assessment will be due on the Sunday (by 11:59 pm) on which the homework for that section is due..

Knewton Assignments (Homework) 

  • Each homework assignment is worth 100 points
  • All homework will be completed in Canvas through a program called Knewton. 
  • All assignments (as shown on the weekly schedule) are due on the Sunday (by 11:59 pm) of each of the five weeks of the summer session.  
  • All late homework will result in zero. Late homework cannot be made up.  
  • Make sure you complete your homework in a timely manner as late work will result in zero points and cannot be made up.
  • You will need to purchase an access code for Knewton Alta, which can be purchased directly through Canvas. (a two-week trial period is available).

Quizzes 

  • The only quiz during this summer session is the syllabus quiz and it must be completed during the first day of class.

Exams (40%) and Final Exam (20%)

  • There will be a total of 3 exams and 1 final exam, with 1 attempt.
  • No makeups will be allowed for exams and final exams.
  • Each exam will be open for two days as shown on the weekly calendar.
  • The final exam will be available on Canvas for a 48-hour period from Wednesday at 12am to Thursday at 11:59pm during the last week (6th week).
  • All exams and the final exam will have a 2.5-hour window to complete.
  • Once you start the exam or final exam you must complete it in one sitting.    
  • You will be required to submit your work in PDF form.
  • If your work is not justified or submitted, then you will receive a zero for the exams and final exam.  
  • It is suggested that you work out all exam and final exam problems online using pencil and paper and keep this work until the course is successfully completed. All work you submit must be your own.  At any point in the semester, you may be asked to meet with an instructor via Zoom to justify your solution process to select problems and/or discuss concepts you have demonstrated in your work.  You must set aside this time to meet within one week of notification from your instructor.  If you are unable to properly justify your submitted work, you will forfeit credit on the corresponding exam or final exam.  Failure to attend requested meetings will result in a zero score on the corresponding exam/final exam. 
  • Exams or final exam that are not properly justified are considered violations of academic honesty and will be treated with the same penalties as outlined in the Academic Honesty Policy in this syllabus.
  • Email me, ASAP, if you have any technical difficulties during an exam/final exam.
  • Final exam will be cumulative and scheduled during finals week.
  • You must take the final exam to pass the course.

Important Notes

  • Important dates
    • Last day for instructor initiated add: 6/26/23
    • Last day to drop with no ‘W” grade: 6/25/23
    • Last day to elect pass/no pass: 6/29/23
    • Last day to drop with a “W” grade: 7/19/23
  • Netiquette 
    • It is important to be intentional about making sure we “see” each other in an online community. You can do this by making sure that everyone in the course has at least one response. 
      • Tip: If you are unsure who to respond to, try looking for posts that have not yet received a reply.
    • Your contributions to our discussion are important, but our learning community will not benefit from them unless you post on time.
      • Tip: Set calendar reminders to make sure you contribute on time.
    • Do not use all uppercase letters in online communication, it is usually interpreted as yelling.
    • Sarcasm does not translate well in an online environment. It is best to avoid the potential pitfalls of misunderstood messages.
  • Attendance

    • Students showing no activity during the first week of classes will be dropped.  Students must log in regularly to Canvas/Knewton.  If there is no activity for 3 days in a row, then you may be dropped from the course. 

  • Academic Accommodations 

    • If you have a documented disability and need academic accommodations, you are encouraged to contact not only your professor, but also a Student Accessibility Services (SAS) counselor as soon as possible. SAS is located on the first floor of the Liberal Arts and Disabled Students Programs and Services Building. For more information, visit the SAS website.

  • Student Conduct Policy

  • Academic honesty/dishonesty policy

    • Academic dishonesty is defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for work using any dishonest, deceptive or fraudulent means. If you are found violating the academic honestly-dishonesty policy, you will receive a failing grade on that assignment. Repeat offenders will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Grievances for further administrative action, such as suspension or expulsion from Cerritos College. For more information, visit the Academic Honesty -Dishonesty Policy.

  • Basic needs
    • Cerritos College Food and Housing Insecurity Taskforce seeks to improve student’s ability to access food and housing resources. The taskforce is committed to fostering community partnerships, increasing awareness, advocating for resources, and addressing barriers to create a safe and supportive campus for our students to be successful.  For more information, visit the Falcon Basic Needs website.
  • Finding your Path
    • Choosing a major can be hard. Find the right program to meet your academic and career goals through our Learning and Career Pathways (LCPs)! Whether you're planning to transfer, earn an associate degree, or develop new skills for the workforce, Cerritos College has a pathway to help you cross the finish line. The programs at Cerritos College are organized into 8 LCPs, based on broad areas of interest. Each LCP has its own Success Team made up of individuals to help you on your journey at Cerritos.
    • Explore our Learning and Career Pathways to find your path by going to Learning and Career Pathways

 

Web Etiquete

  • Be Respectful to your fellow classmates and instructor
  • Be aware that what you write may be misconstrued, so think about it before you send it.
  • Do not write in all capitals. This is considered SHOUTING
  • Do not belittle any of your classmates opinions and ideas. Everyone is entitled to their own ides whether you like it or not, it is ok to disagree in a constructive way
  • Do not write in texting language. If you are "U" make sure you spell out you
  • Do not expect immediate responses to questions. Just because this is an online class does not mean that fellow students and/or instructor is always
  • online and available. All questions will be answered within 24 hours unless it is the weekend, then questions will be answered on Monday

Academic Integrity

If you are caught participating in an act of academic dishonesty, you will receive a disciplinary F in the course and your name will be reported to the appropriate academic dean. 


Student-Teacher Communication

You may contact me:

Via Canvas (Inbox): Anytime during the semester. Please allow one to two days for a response.

Via e-mail to dcortez@cerritos.edu: Anytime during the semester. Please allow one to two days for a response. 

Via voicemail: 562-860-2451 Ext: 2664. Please allow one to two days for a response.

How to communicate via email:

  • Under subject: Full Name and Course you are enrolled
  • Reason for your email: Concise and clear

Technology Requirements

 Basic Computer Skills

In order to succeed in a Mathematics online course, it is important for you to have access to a computer as well as general computer skills. You must be able to connect to and navigate the internet as well as use e-mail comfortably. 

 

Supplies

You will need a computer with the ability to open Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Word, Power Point and Adobe Flash to play videos.

 

Cerritos College Computer Lab

As a registered student you may access this course using any properly equipped Cerritos College computer lab computer. You will need a current Cerritos College Student ID in order to use the campus lab facilities. Even if you rely on machines in the campus labs, to utilize the email aspect of a course, you must have your own email account. Free email accounts are readily available from many online sources such as Google, Yahoo, and Hotmail.

 

Technical Support

Please contact me via the Inbox or email (dcortez@cerritos.edu) early in the week if you do not understand instructions.  Do not wait until the day an assignment is due or even the weekend the assignment is due to work on the assignment. If you have problems then, I will not be able to help you.  Remember, late assignments, for whatever reason, will be considered late.

If you have technical problems, please contact the Online E-Courses Technical Support link (TNStudentHelp@cerritos.edu).  I cannot help you with technical problems however, you may wish to let me know that you are having technical problems and that you have contacted Tech Support.

 You may also be able to get assistance from the Student Success Center. Their Web site can be found at: http://cms.cerritos.edu/sc/.