Welcome to the MTLC

MATH 121Fall 2009

Course Requirements Prerequisites

Grade of C– or better in Math 112 Minimum of 440 on the placement test

Every student must have an active University “crimson” e-mail account for computer/course login.

Textbook and access code Textbook—Calculus with Applications: Brief

Version, 9th edition by Lial, Greenwell, and Ritchey.

This course is a computer based course. All assignments for this course will be accessed through a publisher’s website.

(www.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 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.

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.

Initial Skills AssessmentWhen you login to MyLabsPlus you will see two links, a course link and a link for the MyMathTest:

Math121_Smith_Math121_01 Alabama Skills Assessment

Math121_SmithBEFORE beginning your work in your class, click the Skills Assessment link, click the Placement button on the left of the screen, and take a brief skills assessment.

Important assessment tool for us Will NOT hurt your grade in the course, could

help it PLEASE take it seriously

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, D, F, (+/-). A grade of D or F will affect your GPA

and you would need to retake the course.

The last day to withdraw from the course is Wednesday, October 28. No withdrawals will be given after this date.

Course Grades

4 tests (100 points each) 400 pts Final Exam 300 pts Quiz average (43 points each test period) 172 pts Homework average (22 points each test period) 88

pts Class Meetings (1 or 1.5 points for each class) 42 pts Lab Survey 2 pts TOTAL 1004 pts

Students must earn a minimum of 700 points to successfully pass this course.

Class Attendance Math 121 meets everyday your

schedule shows. (MWF or TR) Each class meeting counts for points. MWF—1 point each TR—1.5 points each

Success Rates based onClass Attendance—MWF

3 or fewer absences 4 or more absences

A 40 40.8% A 23 10.1%

B 31 31.6% B 40 17.7%

C 22 22.5% C 73 32.3%

Below 70% 5 5.1%

Below 70% 90 39.8%

Avg   86 Avg   62

Passing   94.9% Passing   60.2%

Success Rates based onClass Attendance—TR

2 or fewer absences 3 or more absences

A 27 53% A 32 12.7%

B 9 17.6% B 47 18.7%

C 14 27.5% C 58 23.1%

Below 70% 1 2%

Below 70% 114 45.4%

Avg   87 Avg   51

Passing   98.0% Passing   54.6%

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. You get 3 attempts per homework problem before it is counted incorrect. You then 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.

Homework & Quizzes There will also be a quiz given after each section.

Only one attempt is allowed on quizzes. Each quiz has approximately 10 questions.

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 one lowest homework grade and one lowest quiz grade each test period.

Homework & Quizzes Homework is worth 22 points each test period. Quizzes are worth 43 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.

Importance ofHomework and Quizzes (from Fall

2007)

80% or above average Below 80%

A 125 40.8% A 3 .9%

B 100 32.7% B 24 7.5%

C 72 23.5% C 93 29.1%

Below 70% 9 2.9%

Below 70% 200 62.5%

Avg   85.5 Avg   46.7

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.

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 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 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.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 addressPassword: your CWID

Example:Username: jksmith@crimson.ua.eduPassword: 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 2009 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 “Test 1 Work” folder in the software.

Log into Software

Select Course—under course list

Getting Started

After logging into MyLabsPlus and selecting your course from course list:

Install the plug-ins on your own computer if necessary using the installation wizard found on the screen on the right.

Read the announcements, then click on the Test 1 Work tab.

Select Acknowledgement form link. You will now be prompted for your access code.

All information from today’s orientation can also be found in the link for orientation.

Basic Look of software

Finding your assignmentsClick on Folder for work

Orientation Everyone must fill out syllabus ack.

form

Each sectionVideos, textbook, practice, homework, and

quiz

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 Hours of Operation

Sunday: 4:00pm – 10:00pm Mon. – Thursday: 8:00am – 10:00pm Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm**This first week the MTLC will close at 5pm each day.

Normal hours will begin Sunday 8/23. 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: www.mtlc.ua.edu EMAIL: ma121mtl@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.

What to do this week Log into software Take the Initial Skills Assessment under the Alabama Skills Assessment course link. Make sure you have an access code (or credit card to purchase one online) Select Math 121 course, enter in access code (or purchase online) and take Syllabus Acknowledgement form. Come to MTLC and take Syllabus Quiz Have questions? Email your instructor

Final thoughts We are looking forward to your

success in this course. Work hard Get help Enjoy the semester!