NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: Beginning Algebra
Course Prefix & Number: MATH 0305	Section Number:  421/423	Semester: Spring 2017
Semester Credit Hours: 3	Lecture Hours: 3	Lab Hours: 0
Course Prefix & Number: NCBM 0200	Section Number:  421/423	Semester: Spring 2017
Semester Credit Hours: 2	Lecture Hours: 2	Lab Hours: 0
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): MATH0305 – Beginning Algebra (3 credit hours) 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.   NCBM0200 – BASE NON-COURSED BASED OPTION FOR MATH (2 credit hours) This course is a BASE developmental education intervention and supports foundational topics in mathematics such as fractions, integers, decimals, percent, algebraic concepts, solving equations, graphing, and polynomials. This course is designed for those students with little algebra background, and must be taken concurrently with MATH0305. Course may include basic study skills, note-taking, time management, learning styles, math anxiety, and test-taking strategies. This course does not count toward graduation at NCTC. 32 lecture hours.
Course Prerequisite(s): Appropriate placement score on TSI or other approved assessment test.
Required: MyLabsPlus  Access code Current email address (default email address is Lion Pride) Non-graphing scientific calculator (*No graphing calculators, or any other electronic devices allowed)  *TI-30X IIS is highly recommended Notebook/binder, spiral, paper, writing utensil, and index cards   Optional: Textbook: Elayn Martin-Gay: Beginning & Intermediate Algebra, Pearson, 2017, 6th ed.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Mrs. Marsha Gossett
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth/203
Office Hours:	MWF:  9:00 - 11:00 am TR:  10:30 am - 11:00 am, and 12:30 – 2:00 pm Virtual Hours: Monday 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Telephone Number:	940-498-6282 ex 6233
E-mail Address:	mgossett@nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA MATH0305

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
Approx. 35	Class Activities/Homework	10%
12-14	Weekly Quizzes	10%
5	Unit Tests (in class)	60%
1	Final Exam	20%

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

 

All assignments are completed online using MyLabsPlus (MLP). 

The grade book in MLP keeps a running average of your grade.  DO NOT check your grade in CANVAS unless specified otherwise by your instructor.

 

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 for our course. I will NOT modify due dates because you did not purchase your access code.

 

There will be no make-up assignments (including tests). The final exam is comprehensive and must be taken by all students. The final exam may also be used to replace one low test grade.

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA NCBM0200

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
15	Attendance	50%
2	Notebook	20%
1	Time Management Worksheet/Activity	10%
1	Learning Styles Worksheet/Activity	10%
1	Lion Pride Email	5%
1	Advising Activity	5%

Grade Scale:   70 – 100% = P;   Below 70% = F

Your grade for NCBM will be maintained in CANVAS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

STUDENT EMAIL

All students at NCTC are assigned a student email address, also known as Lion Pride email. Lion Pride email can be accessed on the NCTC home page by clicking on MyNCTC, then the link “Lion Pride Email” to the left. After clicking the Lion Pride Email link, the Microsoft Office 365 window will open.
1. Enter your NCTC student e-mail address. (for example, Smithj123456@student.nctc.edu)

2. Enter your password (your NCTC Student ID Number, either 7 or 9 numbers).
3. From the list of Microsoft icons, choose MAIL.
4. You will be asked to set your language and local time zone (Central Time). Your account is now activated.

 

**It is the student’s responsibility to activate and regularly monitor the assigned NCTC (Lion Pride) e-mail account. Important announcements and notifications from the Admissions office, Financial Aid, or other college staff will be sent via the Lion Pride student email system.

 

For communicating with classmates and instructors, students also have an option to communicate through Canvas. Canvas messaging is NOT the same as Lion Pride e-mail. Failure to read and/or receive NCTC e-mails (either in Lion Pride or in Canvas) is no excuse for not complying with the College Prep Attendance Policy or any other school policies. Be sure to regularly check BOTH the Lion Pride email as well as the Canvas inbox for important messages and information.

 

 

 

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.  Faculty in the Department of College Preparatory Studies will notify students of absences on a regular basis and one courtesy warning e-mail notification will be sent to the students’ current NCTC student e-mail address (Lion Pride email and/or Canvas email) when the student accrues 1 week absence (not necessarily consecutive days) in a course. Please check your NCTC student email (Lion Pride) frequently to ensure that you are receiving notifications from the college and from your instructors. Some faculty may send notifications in Canvas as well. 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 days), 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.

Also, since punctuality has become a problem in recent semesters, three tardies may be considered one absence. Coming in late disrupts the class. Occasions do occur that you will need to be tardy, but not on a consistent basis.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

See CANVAS

 

 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Thursday, April 6, 2017.

 

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 BASED ON TUTOR AVAILABILITY: GAINESVILLE – 1403 (Library) CORINTH – 182 FLOWER MOUND - 111 Mon through Thurs 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Mon through Thurs 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Mon & Wed 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 2:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Tues & Thurs 9:00 am – 3:00 pm   Sat 10:00 am – 1:00 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 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/2016-2017/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

 

CAMPUS RESTRICTIONS

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

 

Campus Carry: Current law prohibits the open carry of firearms on college campuses including all property such as parking lots.  For more information, see the website at http://www.nctc.edu/Police/gun-laws-campus-carry

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SUBJECT MATTER FOR EACH LECTURE/DISCUSSION

Topic	General Description of Subject Matter
The Whole Numbers	Perform multi-step problems using order of operations
Integers & Intro to Solving Equations	Basic operations with positive and negative numbers; solving one step equations
Fractions & Mixed Numbers	Basic operations with fractions, as well as with mixed numbers; solve application problems involving fractional units
Decimals & Intro to Statistics	Calculate the mean, median, and mode for a set of data
Ratio, Proportion, & Triangle Applications	Set up ratios; determine if ratios are proportional; use proportions to solve problems; solve problems involving similar triangles
Percent	Covert between  decimal, fraction,  and percent; translate and solve problems involving percents, money, and simple interest
Algebraic Expressions, Equations, Inequalities, & Applications	Add and subtract algebraic expressions by combining like terms, translating words to algebraic expressions and equations, solving linear equations involving multiple steps, solve linear inequalities, solve application problems for an unknown amount
Graphing & Functions	Graphing points in the coordinate plane; finding the slope of a line; graphing lines using slope and intercept; writing equations of lines; and introduction to functions and functional notation
Systems of Linear Equations	Solving systems of linear equations using various methods; solve application problems for two unknown amounts
Exponents & Polynomials	Simplify algebraic expressions using exponent rules; multiply and divide in scientific notation; combine polynomials with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
Factoring	Use the Greatest Common Factor to factor expressions; recognize and use factoring patters for various types of polynomials; solve quadratic equations by factoring
Geometry	Solve for perimeter of rectangles and triangles involving unknown amounts