NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title: Beginning Algebra

Course Prefix & Number: MATH 0305

Section Number:  0110

Semester: Spring 2020

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 48

Lab Hours: 0

Course Prefix & Number: NCBM 0205

Section Number:  0110

Semester: Spring 2020

Semester Credit Hours: 2

Lecture Hours: 32

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.

 

 

NCBM0205 – 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 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-30XS Multiview is highly recommended (under $20). The second best is Scientific Calculator, TI-30X 11S (under $10).

 

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Clara N. Ward

Campus/Office Location

Gainesville Room MSS 809

Office Hours:

TR 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM and MW 8:30am – 9:20am

Telephone Number:

 

E-mail Address:

cward@nctc.edu

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA MATH0305

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

At least 46

Class Activities/Homework

10%

Up to 30

                          Quizzes, worksheets

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

Students are expected to be in class for all tests.  If a test is missed due to an absent that is excused by the instructor the student must make arrangement for a suitable time to take the test with the instructor.  NO make up test will be given after the graded test is handed back.  In class quizzes will be given the first 10 or 15 min of class.

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA NCBM0200

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

30

Attendance

50%

1

Lion Pride email

5%

3

Mindset

10%

At least 5

Time Management

10%

At least 6

Class activities (games, worksheets, etc.)

25%

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

 

 

 

 

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 any school policy. 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 can result in a student being WITHDRAWN from the college preparatory courses (MATH 0305 and NCBM 0205). 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 classes for which they have registered. 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. Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

 

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Math 0305 plus NCBM 0205 Spring 2020 Weekly Schedule

 

Week Date NCBM Topic Math Topic  
1 1/20/2020 2.5 - 3 hours NCTC closed 1/20 for MLK Day
    Intro, Syllabus      
    Set up NCTC Lion Pride Email Log into CANVAS  
    Note-Taking Discussion Get into MML  
        Pre-Test  
      1.5 Adding Real Numbers  
    Expectations in the classroom 1.6 Subtracting Real Numbers  
    Attendance 1.7 Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers  
2 1/27/2020        
    Mindset #1 1.3 Simplifying Fractions  
    Time Management Worksheet 1.3 Adding and Subtracting Fractions  
    Percents, Rounding, and Estimating 1.3 Multiplying and Dividing Fractions  
    Attendance   Using Decimals (HW in MML)  
3 2/3/2020        
    Test-Taking Discussion 1.4 Exponents  
    TM Worksheet due 1.4 Order of Operations, grouping symbols  
    Attendance   *numeric expressions only (to ex #5)  
      1.4 Simplifying expressions,   
    Card game   Using Substitution to Evaluate Algebraic   
    Dice game   Expressions and Formulas  
        Post test  
4 2/10/2020   2.1 Using the Distributive Property to Simplify  
    Learning Styles Inventory    Algebraic Expressions, Combining Like Terms  
    Variables contributing to 2.2 Addition and Multiplication Property of   
    to academic success team   Equality (first separately, then together)  
    Attendance 2.3 Solving linear equations, incl. fractions, decimals  
5 2/17/2020 Attendance 2.4 Using Equations to Solve Word Problems  
      2.8 Solving linear Inequalities  
    Mindset #2   Review Chapter 2  
        Test #1 over Chapter 2 (2.1 - 2.4, 2.8)  
      3.1 Coordinate system  
           
           
6 2/24/2020   3.2 Graphing lines  
    Attendance 3.3 Intercepts, horizontal and vertical lines  
      3.4 Slope  
           
    Career exploration - have a speaker from downstairs      
7 3/2/2020 Attendance 9.4 Graphing inequalities (through example 5)  
      3.5 Writing equations  
    Mindset #3 3.6 Functions (what is it, vertical line test, f(x) notation)
        worksheet or games  
8 3/9/2020 Attendance   Review  Chapter 3 & 9.4  
        Test #2 over Chapter 3 & 9.4   
           
           
        worksheet or games  
  3/16/2020 NCTC closed 3/16 - 3/21 for Spring Break
9 3/23/2020 Attendance 4.1-4.3 Intro to systems (basic only)*  
      2.5 Formulas and problem solving   
      2.6 Percents and mixture problems  
      2.7 More problem solving -DRT  
        Review  Chapter 2.5 -2.7 & 4.1 - 4.3   
    worksheet or games      
10 3/30/2020 Attendance   Test #3 over Sections 2.5 - 2.7 & 4.1 - 4.3   
      5.1 Exponents  
      5.2 Add, Subtract Polynomials  
      5.3 Multiplying Polynomials  
      5.4 Special Products  
      5.5 Negative Exponents  
    worksheet or games **Last day to withdraw from a class with a "W" is Friday 4/3*
11 4/6/2020   5.6 Dividing Polynomials (no long division)  
    Attendance 5.7 Synthetic division  
    Advising Activity:  Review  Chapter 5   
    Options for Spring Semester Test #3 over Chapter 5    
           
12 4/13/2020 Attendance 6.1 Factoring by removing GCF  
      6.2 Factoring simple trinomials  
      6.3 Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax2 + bx + c and Perfect Square Trinomials  
13 4/20/2020 Attendance 6.4 Factoring by grouping   
      6.5 Factoring Binomials (omit cubes)  
           
    worksheet or games 6.5 Factoring Binomials (omit cubes)  
14 4/27/2020 Attendance 6.6 Solving quadraic equations by factoring  
        Review Chapter 6  
        Test #5 over Chapter 6  
15 5/4/2020 Attendance Review for Final Exam    
16 5/11/2020 Final Exam Week Final Exam Week  
      Final Exam -Tues., May 12,  8:00am-9:50am  

 

CLASS RULES

  1. Turn off all electronic devices prior to entering class.  Cells and laptops must be turned off and out of sight.
  2. Administrative policy prohibits food or drink in classrooms.
  3. Be courteous to your fellow classmates.
  4. Maintain a positive professional attitude.  The use of profanity is not allowed in class.
  5. Ask questions, get involved, and do your homework.  Ask for help early.
  6. Notice to students.  You will not pass this class if you only work during class time.  Please schedule at least three to eight hours per week outside of class to complete homework, quizzes, and test reviews.
  7.  While taking each quiz and test, you are NOT to use any notes or information from the book.
  8. The Final Exam will be comprehensive and is required of all students.
  9. Before a test starts, turn off your cell phone and follow the instructor’s directions.
  10. This is a working syllabus and is subject to change.

 

 

 

 

MATH LAB

Students who need help with any math class can visit the NCTC MaAsthematics Lab to receive assistance. No appointments are necessary. See the most current tutoring hours for all campuses at http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/student-success/tutoring/mathematics-lab.html

 

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).   https://www.nctc.edu/catalog/student-services/office-students-with-disabilities.html.

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

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

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

  1.  Zero on the assignment
  2. Failing grade for the course

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Dr. Elizabeth Howell

Office Location:

Corinth 236

Telephone Number:

940.498.6209

E-mail Address:

ehowell@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Mary Martinson

Office Location:

Gainesville 1404

Telephone Number:

940.668.7731 ext. 4377

E-mail Address:

mmartinson@nctc.edu

 

CAMPUS POLICIES

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 https://www.nctc.edu/campus-safety/campus-carry.html.

 

Parking Permits: The North Central Texas Community College District has managed traffic and parking regulations in order to ensure the safety of the campus community related to the operation and parking of vehicles on campus. These regulations apply to all operators of motor vehicles on campus. For parking permits and more information, see the website at https://www.nctc.edu/campus-safety/transportation-parking.html.