NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: Beginning Algebra
Course Prefix & Number: MATH 0305	Section Number:  101	Semester: Spring 2018
Semester Credit Hours: 3	Lecture Hours: 48	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: MyLabsPlus  Access code – required  Elayn Martin-Gay: Beginning & Intermediate Algebra, Pearson, 2017, 6th ed. - Optional Calculators are permitted.  *** NO GRAPHING CALCULATORS NOR CELL PHONE CALCULATORS ALLOWED – ONLY SCIENTIFIC CALCULATORS ALLOWED. *** TI-30X IIS is highly recommended.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Clara N. Ward
Campus/Office Location:	Rm. 809
Office Hours:	Mon. and Wed. 9:30-11:20
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:	cward@nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
Approx. 37	Homework	10%
Approx. 18	Quizzes	10%
4	Chapter Tests	60%
1	Final Exam	20%

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

No make-up tests given.  The final will replace your lowest test grade.

 

CLASS RULES:

1. Turn off all electronic devices prior to entering the class.
2. Do not read or send text messages during class.
3. Being on unapproved websites such as Facebook, or homework for another class, and you will be asked to leave class and be counted absent.
4. This class will run from Mon. to Sun. each week. The homework may be turned in late.  The quizzes need to be turned in on time. On week 15 the Quizzes will re-open so you may raise your grade.  If you fall more than a week behind you may not be able to finish the class and may receive an “F”.
5. When I am giving a class lecture, do not be logged into a computer.
6. Be courteous to your fellow classmates.
7. Maintain a positive and professional attitude.
8. Ask questions, get involved and Do your homework. Ask for Help Early.
9. You will not pass the class if you only work during class hours. Please schedule at least 3 to 5 hours per week outside of class to complete homework, quizzes and pre-tests.
10. You may not use notes or the text while talking tests and quizzes.
11. The final exam is comprehensive and required of all students.
12. This is a working Syllabus and subject to change.

 

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 being placed on academic hold at 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 teaching College Preparatory courses 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. After a student receives an F/W in the same College Prep course twice, the student will receive an academic hold so that the student is blocked from enrolling in any other course except the required College Prep courses in the subsequent semester. This hold will be enforced even in summer.

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

Spring 2018

NCTC

MATH 0305.101 MW 8am – 9:20 

Tentative Weekly Schedule

Please have all homework and quiz assignments completed before each section test day.

 

Date	Starting	Topic	Assignment
Week 1	Jan 15 –     Jan 21	Introduction; Review of Chapter 1 Real number Review Order of Operations Fraction Review Exponent Review	MLK Holiday 1/15/18 Read and understand syllabus and course expectations Chp 1 Review due Jan 21.
Week 2	Jan 22  - Jan 28	2.1 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions 2.2 The Addition & Multiplication Properties of Equality 2.3 Solving Linear Equations	Hw 2.1 -2.3 Quiz 2.1-2.3 Financial Aid in the Book Store is January 8-26 ONLY.
Week 3	Jan 29 – Feb 4	2.4 An Introduction to Problem Solving 2.5 Formulas & Problem Solving 2.6 Percent & Mixture Problem Solving	Hw 2.4 – 2.6 Quiz 2.4 -2.6 Check your Lion Pride Email
Week 4	Feb 5 – Feb 11	2.7 Further Problem Solving 2.8 Solving Linear Inequalities Quiz Review Chapter 2 TEST: Chapter 2	Hw 2.7 – 2.8 Quiz chapter 2 review Complete quiz before the test. Test chapter 2 is on the second day
Week 5	Feb 12 – Feb 18	5.1 Exponents 5.2 Polynomial Operations	Hw 5.1 – 5.2 Quiz 5.1-5.2
Week 6	Feb 19 – Feb 25	5.3 Multiplying polynomials 5.4 Special Products	Hw 5.3-5.4 Quiz 5.3 – 5.4
Week 7	Feb 26 – March 4	5.5 Negative Exponents & Scientific Notation 5.6 Dividing polynomials (monomial only) 6.1 Greatest common factor	Hw 5.5 – 6.1 Quiz 5.5-6.1
Week 8	March 5 – March 18	6.2 Factoring Trinomials Quiz Review Chapter 5 & 6.1 – 6.2 TEST: Chapter 5 & 6.1 – 6.2	Hw 6.2 Quiz review Chp 5 &  6 Test  is the second day. SPRING BREAK March 12 - 16
Week 9	March 19 – March 25	Intro to Statistics (supplemental) Reading tables & graphs Appendix F – mean, median, mode Analyzing Data – range, midpoint Simple Probability (coin toss, cards) Quiz Review Intro to Statistics	Hw Intro to Statistics All sections Quiz review Intro to Stats Check Lion Pride Email
Week 10	March 26 – April 1	3.1 Reading Graphs & the Coordinate plane 3.2 Graphing lines 3.3 Intercepts 3.4 Slope & Rate of Change	Hw 3.1 – 3.2 Quiz 3.1 Hw 3.3 – 3.4 Quiz 3.2 – 3.3
Week 11	April 2 – April 8	3.4 Slope & Rate of Change Quiz Review Chp 3.1 – 3.4	**Last Day to Drop with a W  is Thurs 4/5** Hw 3.4 &  Quiz review Complete this weekend
Week 12	April 9 – April 15	TEST STAT & CHP 3.1-3.4 9.4 Graphing Inequalities 3.5 Equations of Lines	Hw 3.5-3.6 Test is on the first day.
Week 13	April 16 – April 22	3.6 Functions 4.1 – 4.3 Systems of equations (basic only)	Quiz 9.4 &  3.5 -3.6 Hw 4.1 -4.3 Quiz Chp 3 & 4 & 9.4 complete this weekend.
Week 14	April 23 – April 29	Quiz Review Chapter 3 & 4.1 – 4.3 & 9.4 TEST: Chapter 3.5 -3.6 & 4.1 - 4.3 & 9.4	This is a paper test and will be given on the second day. Test is the second day.
Week 15	April 30 – May 6	Quiz Review for Final Exam	You may take one missed or failed test.
Week 16	May 7 – May 10	Final’s week Only go to your class on the day of your final.

 

**Final exam is scheduled: _____________________________________

 

 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Thursday, April 5, 2018.

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/student-services/student-success/tutoring/mathematics-lab.html.     TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON TUTOR AVAILABILITY: GAINESVILLE – 1403 (Library) CORINTH – 182 FLOWER MOUND - 111 Mon & Thurs 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Mon through Thurs 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Mon & Wed 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Tues & Wed 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Tues & Thurs 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Sat 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 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/catalog/north-central-texas-college-student-handbook/section-i/special-accommodations-office-students-with-disabilities/osd-department-contacts.html  

 

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://www.nctc.edu/catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook/nctc-student-handbook.html.  

 

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Elizabeth Howell
Office Location:	Corinth 236
Telephone Number:	940.498.6209
E-mail Address:	ehowell@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Sara Flusche
Office Location:	Gainesville 1306
Telephone Number:	940.668.3351
E-mail Address:	sflusche@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: Effective August 1, 2017, a license holder may carry a concealed handgun on or about the license holder's person while the license holder is on the campus of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education in this state. For more information, see the website at http://www.nctc.edu/police/campus-carry.html.