Course Materials FAQ - Spring 2017

MATH 1342 Materials

The course first-day handout (View Download) describes the course materials. Please read that first.

FAQ: (For questions not answered here, email mparker@austincc.edu)

What's the cheapest way to get the textbook?

Answer: Purchase LaunchPad software for this course (which includes the book in electronic form and other resources) from the publisher. Just under $100. This does not include a printed book. You'll have to be connected to the Internet to do any work in the course if you choose this option.

What if I don't have money to buy your course materials before the first day of class?

Answer: You can use LaunchPad for 20 days before you have to pay.

You can download and install a free 30-day trial of Minitab. (After that, you can never download the trial version again using that email address, nor can you install it again on your computer.)

Do I have to purchase Minitab or JMP?

Answer: You must be able to use one of these while you are working on homework and quizzes in the course during Chs, 1, 2, 4, 5, 20 - 27, and for part of the Final Exam. These must be installed on a computer (not a mobile device.) Minitab is available in the ACC general-purpose computer labs. To use that, you will need to go to the lab at least three times each week during Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.

What are the computer requirements?

For LaunchPad: The browser Firefox or Internet Explorer. Not appropriate: Chrome and Safari. (The e-book is visible on these to some extent, but the interactive material is not.)

For Minitab 17 (PC): http://www.minitab.com/en-us/products/minitab/system-requirements/

For Minitab Express (Mac) http://www.minitab.com/en-us/products/express/system-requirements/

How much does Minitab / Minitab Express cost?

Answer: $30 to rent for 6 months. http://www.minitab.com/ and choose "Academic." You'll need to prove you are a student by using your ACC email address.

You can get a one-time 30-day free trial. (After that, you can never download the trial version again using that email address, nor can you install it again on your computer.)

Where do I find help with using Minitab?

See these resources. You can also ask your instructor or the stat tutors in ACC's Learning Lab.

How much does JMP cost?

Answer: JMP is free with LaunchPad. (Like Minitab, you have to install it on your computer.) It is not what ACC normally uses, so you'll need to be able to "troubleshoot" for yourself if you use it. There are resources in LaunchPad to help you learn to use JMP. Illustration of how to find "Resources" View Download

In LaunchPad, find both the link "Access to JMP" and the links for videos to help you with JMP from the "Resources" icon on the menu on the left in LaunchPad. (Illustration of how to find "Resources" View Download)

"Access to JMP" is a link from the top of that menu and the general resources are in alphabetical order, so the JMP videos are in the list just before the Minitab videos.

What if I purchase the materials and then drop the course? Can I use them again next semester?

Answer: Your LaunchPad license allows you to use it for one calendar year. You will not be able to stay in this semester's course, but when it ends, you'll have access to the "generic course" from the publisher. That has all the LaunchPad resources.

The standard rental period for Minitab is 6 months.