Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: Beginning Algebra

Course Prefix & Number: MATH 0305

Section Number:  310/340

Semester: 161s

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

This course includes basic algebraic concepts and notations; algebraic expressions and equations, factoring polynomials and graphing. Some algebra is required. This course does not count toward graduation at NCTC.

Course Prerequisite(s): Appropriate placement score on TSI or other approved assessment test.

Required or Recommended Course Materials:

Required:

MyLabsPlus Access Code

Current email address (default email address is Lion Pride)

Non-graphing scientific calculator (*No graphing calculators allowed)

Notebook/binder, spiral, paper, writing utensil, and index cards

 

Recommended:

Elayn Martin-Gay: Beginning & Intermediate Algebra, Pearson, 2017, 6th ed.

 (**e-textbook is included with the MyLabsPlus  Access Code)

TI-30X IIS calculator is highly recommended.

 

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Mrs. Marsha Gossett

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth/203

Office Hours:

MWF:  8:00 -9:00 am, and 12:00 – 1:00 pm

TR:  10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Friday: 8:00 – 9:00 am, 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Telephone Number:

940-498-6282 ex 6233

E-mail Address:

mgossett@nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

1 – 3 per week (varies)

Homework

10%

11

Quizzes

15%

15 (weekly)

Attendance

5%

4

Regular Exams

50%

1

Final Exam

20%

Grade Scale:   90 – 100% = A;   80 – 89% = B; 70 – 79% = C;     Below 70% = F

All homework, quizzes, and tests, and final are completed online using MyLabsPlus (MLP). 

Check MLP for all due dates.  Do not ask to extend due dates.

The grade book in MLP keeps a running average of your grade.  DO NOT check your grade in CANVAS.

 

If you are waiting for Finical Aid please use the Temporary Access Code.  The access code is necessary to register and unlock all the features including homework/quizzes/tests for our course. I will NOT modify due dates because you did not purchase your access code.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1.

Define, represent, and perform operations on real numbers.

2.

Recognize, understand, and analyze features of a function.

3.

Recognize and use algebraic (field) properties, concepts, procedures (including factoring), and algorithms to combine, transform, and evaluate polynomial expressions.

4.

Identify and solve polynomial equations.

5.

Identify and solve linear inequalities.

6.

Model, interpret and justify mathematical ideas and concepts using multiple representations.

7.

Connect and use multiple strands of mathematics in situations and problems, as well as in the study of other disciplines.

 

TSI COMPLIANCE

At North Central Texas College, students who test but do not meet the passing scores in ALL sections of the TSI Assessment or any other THECB approved testing measurements are required by state law to obtain TSI advising and continuously enroll in a formal college preparatory studies (developmental) program every semester until all TSI requirements are satisfied. TSI program attendance is MANDATORY. Non-compliance with the rules of attendance will result in a student being WITHDRAWN from the college preparatory course and possibly from North Central Texas College. Withdrawals are subject to college policies as set forth in the college catalog.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all College Prep classes for which they have registered. There are NO excused absences. The Department of College Preparatory Studies will notify students of absences reported by instructors and one courtesy warning e-mail notification (Lion Pride email) will be sent to the students’ current NCTC student e-mail address (Lion Pride) when the student accrues 1 week absence in a course. Failure to read and/or receive NCTC e-mail (Lion Pride) is no excuse for not complying with the Attendance Policy. It is the student's responsibility to maintain correct and current e-mail and local and permanent addresses with the college.

After a student has been absent from class 2 weeks (not necessarily consecutive), the student may be dropped. If the student is dropped from the only College Prep class in which he/she is enrolled and is TSI liable, the student may be DROPPED from all remaining courses for that semester.

Inform the instructor in writing during the first week of class of any religious holidays observed this semester. Documentation must be given to the instructor at the class following the holiday.

 

HOMEWORK, QUIZZES, AND TESTS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

All homework, quizzes, and tests, and final are completed online in MyLabPlus (MLP). You will need an access code that can be purchased in the bookstore or online after you log into MyLabsPlus. Read the announcements in Canvas for all instructions. The Attendance Policy Notification must be ‘signed’ and submitted during the first week of classes.

 

MyLabsPlus (MLP) tech support phone 888-883-1299 or online http://247support.custhelp.com for live chat.

 

Homework:

All due dates are listed in MLP. Complete the assignments by 11:59 pm of the due date listed. The homework may be attempted multiple times in order to increase your homework grade. Homework is used to reinforce the topics in each section.

 

Quizzes:

Weekly quizzes will be due.  All due dates are listed in MLP.  Quizzes may be attempted three times, and quizzes may have a time limit (pay attention to details on MLP).  Only the highest score will be counted. Students should attempt the quiz multiple times in order to be prepared for the unit test. Due dates will not be extended.

 

Tests:

Four unit tests are scheduled for this course. Each test must be taken on an NCTC campus in a proctored setting. Please see the attached schedule for testing dates and times. Testing times are scheduled by availability, so please plan accordingly.

The tests will be given on MLP using the NCTC computers. You will have only one attempt. Each test will have a time limit.

Students will be allowed to use a non-graphing calculator on the tests.

No make-up exams will be given, but the final exam will replace your lowest test grade.

 

Final:

The final exam will be comprehensive and is required of all students. The final exam will be on an NCTC campus in a proctored setting. Please see attached schedule for the final exam test date and times. The final will be given on MLP using the NCTC computers. The final exam may be used to replace your lowest regular exam grade.

Attendance Grade:

The Attendance Policy Notification (TSI FORM) must be ‘signed’ and submitted in the CANVAS drop box (DO NOT EMAIL it to me). You will not be able to continue working in MLP until the TSI form has been submitted (detailed instructions on CANVAS).

Even though this is an on-line course you will earn an attendance grade each week.  You must log in and complete at least one assignment each week with a MINIMUM score of 50%.  If you do not complete any assignments within a week, then you will get a zero for the attendance grade for that week.  One week is the same as three attendance hours – please read ATTENDANCE POLICY below.  You will be DROPPED from this course if you have more than TWO zero’s for your attendance grades (or 6 hours of absences).  Your grade will be kept in the MLP gradebook (DO NOT check your grade on CANVAS unless instructor specifies otherwise).

 

Gradebook: The grade book in MLP keeps a running average of your grade. I go over all quizzes and tests.  I look for answers that are technically correct, but have not been submitted in ‘good form’. An example would be an answer of 14/16 that has not been simplified to 7/8. Your answers will be more complicated than this example, but you get the idea that I will be looking for answers that are technically correct.

 

CLASS RULES

  1. ABSENCES DEFINED

You must log in and complete at least one assignment with a minimum score of 50% on a weekly basis. (Even if you are ahead you must still log in and complete an assignment).  I will keep track of the number of absences in the MLP gradebook.  (See ATTENDANCE GRADE above). If you do not complete any assignments within a week then you will get a zero for the attendance grade for that week.  (One week is the same as three attendance hours .) You will be DROPPED from this course if you have more than TWO zero’s for attendance grades.  Your grade will be kept in the MLP gradebook (DO NOT check grades on CANVAS unless the instructor specifies otherwise).

  1. Do not ask me to extend the due dates. Work ahead on the assignments instead (remember if something can go wrong it will).
  2. Our ‘week’ will run from Sunday to Saturday every week except for the beginning week, with the first day of class starting on Monday August 22, 2016. All assignments open Sunday and close on Saturday. All assignments will be due at 11:59 pm on Saturday nights.  The only exception will be the last week of the semester and the due date for the final exam-see MLP for due dates on assignments, and the Tentative Calendar. 
  3. If you live by one of the NCTC campuses you may go to the Math Lab during their posted hours for additional help.
  4. You are welcome to come to my office during my posted hours. E-mail is the best and easiest way to contact me mgossett@nctc.edu . You can send me messages in CANVAS, but remember to check your LION Pride email as well.
  5. I check my email daily. Please email me with any questions, problems, or concerns you have.  Remember to allow response time; you will not get ‘immediate’ I teach regular classes and therefore I am not on the computer 24/7. You can email me directly from MLP. You can also send me a message from CANVAS. (Email and CANVAS are two separate entities).
  6. Please use your NCTC e-mail address for all email correspondence.
  7. You need to log into CANVAS in order to access MyLabsPlus. Your current grade will be located on MyLabsPlus. I will periodically update the grades in CANVAS and will send notifications when I have done so.   

 

 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Thursday, November 3, 2016.

 

MATH LAB

Students who need help with any math class can visit the NCTC Mathematics Lab to receive assistance. No appointments are necessary. See the most current tutoring hours for all five campuses at http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Tutoring.aspx.

 

TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE:

GAINESVILLE – 1403 (Library)

CORINTH – 182

FLOWER MOUND - 111

Mon, Tues, & Thurs

9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Mon through Thurs

9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Mon 10:30 am – 2:00 pm

Wed 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Fri 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Tues & Thurs 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Fri 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Sat 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Wed 12:30 – 3:00 pm

 

 

Fri 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-498-6207.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).   http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2014-2015/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook

 

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Elizabeth Howell

Office Location:

Corinth 324

Telephone Number:

940.498.6209

E-mail Address:

ehowell@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Sara Alford

Office Location:

Flower Mound Suite 200

Telephone Number:

972.899.8401

E-mail Address:

salford@nctc.edu

 

Tobacco-Free Campus

NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco, on campus property.

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