NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: Beginning Algebra
Course Prefix & Number: MATH 0305	Section Number:  406	Semester: Spring 2019
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: MyMathLab  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:	Jo Ellen Bobo
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth campus
Office Hours:	I will be available before class and after class.  I will be available by email.
Telephone Number:	940-498-6262 (leave a message. Do not text)
E-mail Address:	jbobo@nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
35-40	Homework (done in MyMathLab)	10%
10	Quizzes (done in MyMathLab)	10%
4	Unit Tests (done in class)	60%
1	Final Exam (done in class)	20%

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

 

Important Information:  Homework will be assigned for each section through MyMathLab and is expected to be completed before the next class. Each week, homework/quizzes that are not compete will be graded as a zero.  They will then reopen until the night of the chapter test. Homework/quizzes will be due the night of the Chapter Test.  Students have the option of re-doing assignments for higher grades until the test is taken for that unit/chapter.  Once the test is taken for each unit/chapter, assignments that have not been completed will be graded as zeros. There is a test given for each unit.    Once the test is started you may not leave the room until the test is turned in.  Scientific calculators may be used on the test.  Graphing calculators, cell phone calculators, laptops or tablets may not be used on the test.

 

Please be aware that missing one evening class is equivalent to missing a full week of class.   Please be on time to class. Punctuality has become a problem in recent semesters, three tardies may be considered one absence. Coming in late disrupts the class. Leaving early twice my also count as an absence.  Leaving early also distributes the class.  Occasions do occur that you will need to be tardy or leave early, but not on a consistent basis. 

 

No make-up tests are given.   The final exam may be used to replace one low (or missed) unit test grade.  (The final can ONLY replace ONE test grade.  If you miss more than one exam, you will receive a zero for that exam).   The final exam is comprehensive and must be taken by all students.

 

1. Please silence all electronic devices prior to class beginning.
2. Do not read or send text messages during class.  If you have an emergency, please step into the hall to take care of it.  Please do not be on your phone during class.
3. Be courteous to your fellow classmates.
4. Maintain a positive and professional attitude.

 

Ask questions, get involved, and do your homework.

 

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

 

See posted schedule in Canvas and in MyMathLab.  This schedule may change as needed.

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Thursday, April 4, 2019.

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 – 2nd floor in MSU Mon & Thurs 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Mon – Thurs 8:30 am – 6:30 pm Mon & Wed 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Tues & Wed 9:00 am – 5:00 pm   Tues & Thurs 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Sun 1:00 – 5:00 pm Sat 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

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/student-services/office-students-with-disabilities.html  

 

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. https://www.nctc.edu/_documents/academics/student-handbook.pdf

 

 

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

 

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.