Syllabus

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: Pre Algebra

Course Prefix & Number: NCTM 0341/0343

Section Number: 002

Semester: Spring 2019

 

Semester Credit Hours: 5

Lecture Hours: 80

Lab Hours: 0

 

 

Course Description:

NCTM 0341/0343 Pre Algebra (5 credit hours)

This course includes basic algebraic concepts and notations; algebraic expressions and equations, factoring polynomials and graphing. Some algebra is required. Additional course topics include foundational topics in mathematics such as fractions, integers, decimals, percent, and algebraic concepts. Course may include basic study skills, note-taking, time management, learning styles, math anxiety, and test-taking strategies. (80 contact hours.)

 

 

Course Prerequisite(s): Satisfactory TSI placement score.

 

 

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 WITH INSTRUCTOR PERMISSION *** TI-30X IIS is highly recommended.

 

         

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Jason Rutledge

Campus/Office Location:

GAB 463

Office Hours:

Corinth: TR 11:30am – 12:30pm and 2:30 – 3:30pm

UNT: MW noon – 1pm and 3 – 4pm

Online: W 8 – 10pm

Telephone Number:

940.498.6286

E-mail Address:

Jason.rutledge@unt.edu

Name of TSI Coordinator:

Melanie Mitchell and Melissa Schneider

Office Location:

Learning Center Sage 315

Telephone Number:

940-369-7006

E-mail Address:

TSI@unt.edu

 

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 University of North Texas, students who test but do not meet the passing scores in any section(s) of the TSI Assessment 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.

 

GRADING CRITERIA NCTM 0341/0343

MML Homework: (10% of Overall Average)*

The homework is done online using MML, which should be accessed through Canvas. The homework assignments are in the “MyLab and Mastering” tab in Canvas. All of the due dates/times are given with each homework assignment.

 

MML Quizzes: (10% of Overall Average)**

The quizzes are done online using MML, which should be accessed through Canvas. The quizzes are in the “MyLab and Mastering” tab in Canvas. You can work these quizzes up to 5 times BEFORE the due date/time, which are given in Canvas. All of the due dates/times are given with each quiz in MML.

 

Tests and the Final Exam: (80% of Overall Average)***

There will be 5 tests and a comprehensive Final Exam. Each test is worth 13% of your overall average and the Final will be worth 15%, for a grand total of 80%. You want to make sure you are super ready for each test. NO MAKE-UP TESTS. You will be allowed pen/pencil, scratch paper (supplied by the instructor) and an appropriate calculator (when authorized by the instructor).

 

Note: Leaving and re-entering the classroom after a test has begun will not be allowed unless details to do so have been worked out with the instructor BEFORE the test. This means there are no bathroom breaks, so make sure you plan ahead for each test.

 

*The five (5) lowest homework grades will be dropped from the calculations of the final grade.

**The two (2) lowest quiz grades will be dropped from the calculations of the final grade.

***The final exam is a comprehensive algebra exam and must be taken by all students. The final exam may also be used to replace the lowest intrasemester test grade.  

 

Grade Scale:   90 – 100% = A;   80 – 89% = B; 70 – 79% = C;  60 – 69% = D;  Below 60% = F

Study Skills Grades to be based on the following:

The grade for the Study Skills portion of this course will be as follows, an overall grade of C or better for the course material will result in a pass. Less than a C will result in a fail.

 

MOBILE DEVICE POLICY

All cell phones, tablets, laptops and other electronic devices need to be put away during lecture and only used in class when directed by the instructor. It is distracting and rude to have these devices out during most meetings; however discreet you think you might be. Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis, so bring those to me individually. Any time you need to use these devices, quietly remove yourself from class, attend to your business and quietly return.

Recording Lectures: The use of any audio or visual devices to record any part of the course lecture needs to be cleared by the instructor BEFORE that class session begins. This does include but is not limited to video/audio recordings and pictures from a cell phone.

 

Tenative Schedule

Monday

Wednesday

Friday

14-Jan

Introduction

16-Jan

Section 1.3

18-Jan

Sections 1.5 and 1.6

21-Jan

No Class

23-Jan

Section 1.7

25-Jan

Section 1.4

28-Jan

Review for Test #1

30-Jan

Test #1

   
           
       

1-Feb

Section 2.1

4-Feb

Sections 2.2 and 2.3

6-Feb

Sections 2.4 and 2.5

8-Feb

Section 2.5

11-Feb

Sections 2.6 and 2.7

13-Feb

Sections 2.7 and 2.8

15-Feb

Section 2.8

18-Feb

Test #2

20-Feb

Sections 3.1 and 3.2

22-Feb

Section 3.3

25-Feb

Sections 3.4 and 3.5

27-Feb

Sections 3.6 and 9.4

1-Mar

Section 9.4

           

4-Mar

Review for Test #3

6-Mar

Test #3

8-Mar

Review Day

11-Mar

Spring Break

13-Mar

Spring Break

15-Mar

Spring Break

18-Mar

Chapter 4 (Part I)

20-Mar

Chapter 4 (Part II)

22-Mar

Section 5.1

25-Mar

Section 5.5

27-Mar

Sections 5.2 and 5.3

29-Mar

Section 5.4

           

1-Apr

Review for Test #4

3-Apr

Test #4

5-Apr

Chapter 6 (Part I)

8-Apr

Chapter 6 (Part II)

10-Apr

Chapter 6 (Part III)

12-Apr

Tables and Graphs

15-Apr

Central Tendency and Range

17-Apr

Probability

19-Apr

Review of Stats

22-Apr

Review for Test #5

24-Apr

Test #5

26-Apr

Review for Final

29-Apr

Review for Final

       
           
   

1-May

Review for Final

3-May

Review for Final

6-May

No Class

8-May

No Class

10-May

No Class

 

 

Our Final exam will be given on: SATURDAY – May 4th from 10:30am to 12:30pm

(This is the Saturday BEFORE the week of Final Exams.)

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all NCTM 0341/0343 classes for which they have registered. Course grades may be adversely affected by non-attendance. Students may receive attendance warnings from their instructor at the UNT student email address when the student accrues excessive absences in a course. It is the student's responsibility to maintain correct and current e-mail and local and permanent addresses with the university.

 

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. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies.  It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval by the faculty member.  Approved college-sponsored activities are also excused absences.  The instructor is responsible for judging the validity of any reason given for an absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless the absence is documented and excused by the instructor. 

 

Also, since punctuality has become a problem in recent semesters, three tardies will 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. Please refer to the UNT website for specific questions regarding absences and excused absences.

 

MATH LAB

The Math Lab serves students enrolled in UNT Math classes at the 0300-2000 level. If you are enrolled in one of these classes, you are eligible to utilize Math Lab services. The Math Lab is located in the General Academics Building (GAB), Room 440. The Math Lab is closed Sundays, all official UNT holidays, and during Final Exams. The Math Lab hours vary by semester. Go to http://math.unt.edu/mathlab for more information.

 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Monday, April 1st, 2019.

 

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

ADA statement

The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at www.unt.edu/oda . You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323. Located in Sage Hall 167.

FRIDAY CLASSES

As you have noticed we only meet for an hour on Fridays. (As opposed to our 2 hour class sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays.) Each of these Fridays is required for our class time each week, a.k.a. NOT optional. However, as an extra bonus, for each Friday session you fully attend and are completely participatory in you will receive an extra bonus point on a test. Showing up late, leaving early or choosing not to participate in the class activites will be grounds for forfature of that point for that day. The instructor will be the one determining whether each of these conditions has been met and will decide which test(s) the points will be applied to. (If you have any questions or concerns about those choices you are more than welcomed to meet with the instructor to discuss those decisions.)

 

Acceptable Student Behavior

Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students' opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and the instructor may refer the student to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities to consider whether the student's conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct. The university's expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university and electronic classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at www.unt.edu/csrr

 

Cheating and Plagiarism

Students caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a "0" for that particular assignment or exam. Additionally, the incident will be reported to the Office of Academic Integrity which may impose further penalties. According to the UNT catalog, the term "cheating" includes, but is not limited to: a. use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; b. dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; c. the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a faculty or staff member of the university; d. dual submission of a paper or project, or resubmission of a paper or project to a different class without express permission from the instructor(s); or e. any other act designed to give a student an unfair advantage. The term "plagiarism" includes, but is not limited to: a. the knowing or negligent use by paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment; and b. the knowing or negligent unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook.  Which can be found on the Student affairs website: http://studentaffairs.unt.edu/explore?category=41

 

Tobacco-Free Campus

The University of North Texas is a tobacco-free campus, restricting the use of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco, on campus

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