NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title:	Beginning Algebra			Course Modality:	In-person
Course Prefix & Number:	MATH 0305	Section Number:	0101	Class Day/Time:	T&Th 9:30 – 10:50am
Semester Credit Hours:	3	Lecture Hours:	48	Semester/Year:	Fall 2021
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): A study of relations and functions, inequalities, algebraic expressions and equations (absolute value, polynomial, radical, rational), with a special emphasis on linear and quadratic expressions and equations. 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: Required: MyMathLab Access Code: MyLab Math for Developmental Math: Basic, Intro & Interm Algebra Access Code (e-Notebook included with the MyLab Math access code) (18 week access) Current email address (default email address is Lion Pride) Non-graphing scientific calculator (*No graphing calculators allowed) Free scanner app Recommended: Squires/Wyrick, MyLab Math for Developmental Math: Basic, Intro & Interm Algebra, 2nd Edition (paper notebook + 24 week access) Scientific calculator, TI-30X IIS or TI-30XS are recommended Notebook/Binder  *** NO GRAPHING CALCULATORS NOR CELL PHONE CALCULATORS ALLOWED – ONLY SCIENTIFIC CALCULATORS ALLOWED. ***

 

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Linda Fuqua
Campus/Office Location:	Gainesville Campus, Office 822
Telephone Number:	940-668-4221
E-mail Address:	lfuqua@nctc.edu (lower case “L” and “Q” (not G))

 

 

STUDENT HOURS (OFFICE HOURS)

Each week instructors have time set aside to meet with students outside of class. (Traditionally these times have been called “office hours”.) This is a time when a student may ask questions regarding the class, or discuss a particular problem/topic with an instructor one-on-one.  Student hours may be held in-person or online.  See below for instructions on where/when/how instructors will offer student hours in this class.

 

Mondays	Tuesdays	Wednesdays	Thursdays	Fridays
11:00 – 12:30	11:00 – 12:30	11:00 – 12:30	11:00 – 12:30	By
3:00 – 3:30	2:00 – 3:30		2:00 – 3:00	appointment

***hours subject to change after the start of the semester

• You are welcome to come to my office during the posted office hours to ask for help.
• If you would like to set up an online meeting in Webex, go to the Webex link in our course, then click on office hours, and then click the time option. Webex will send an email to your Lion Pride email (not to Canvas) with a personal link to Webex.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

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

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

 

• Graphing calculators and cell phone calculators are not allowed on exams. Please try not to use these on your homework/quizzes. Scientific calculators only may be used on exams.

• All homework, quizzes, and test reviews are completed in MyMathLab (MML). The due dates are listed in MML as well as the weekly schedule. No late homework will be accepted. 
• There will be 4 regular exams during the semester. No individual make-up exams will be given. If you know you are going to miss a test in advance, you can make an appointment with me to take the test early. The tests will be taken during class time in Webex.
• The final exam is comprehensive and must be taken by all students. The lowest test grade may be substituted with the final exam grade.
• Email is the quickest way to contact me. I do try to respond within the same day, except Friday evening to Saturday evening.
• Any student who accumulates in excess of 2 weeks of absence in the class may be dropped (attendance).  Please read the TSI Compliance and Attendance Policy in this syllabus.
• The grading policy may be amended during the semester at the instructor’s discretion.

 

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

Fall 2021

NCTC

MATH 0305 Beginning Algebra Tentative Weekly Schedule

 

Week	Week of	Topic
1	August 23	Introduction, Syllabus,
		14.1 Introduction to Expressions 14.2 Evaluating Algebraic Expressions 14.3 Simplifying Expression 14.4 Simplifying Expressions with Parentheses
2	August 30	14.5 Translating Words into Symbols 15.1 Translating Words into Equations 15.2 Linear Equations and Solutions
		15.3 Using the Addition Property 15.4 Using the Multiplication Property of Equality
3	September 6	Labor Day, Monday September 6th. College Closed. 15.5 Using the Addition and Multiplication Property 6.7 The Percent Equation 6.9 Percent Applications
		16.1 Solving Equations with Variables on Both sides 16.2 Solving Equations with Parentheses
4	September 13	16.3 Solving Equations with Fractions 16.4 Solving A Variety of Equations Review for Test 1
		Test #1: 14.1 –16.2, 6.7, 6.9
5	September 20	16.5 Solving Equations and Formulas for a Variable 16.6 Solving and Graphing Linear Inequalities 16.7 Applications of Linear Equations and Inequalities 17.1 The Rectangular Coordinate System 17.2 Graphing Linear Equations by Plotting points
6	September 27	17.3 Graphing Linear Equations Using Intercepts 17.4 Graphing Linear Equations of the forms x = a, y = b 17.5 Applications of Graphing Linear Equations
		18.1 The Slope of a Line 18.2 Slope-Intercept Form 18.3 Graphing Lines Using the Slope and y-Intercept
7	October 4	18.4 Writing Equations of lines using a point & slope 18.5 Writing Equations of lines using two points 18.6 Writing Equations of parallel & perpendicular lines
		18.7 Graphing Linear Inequalities in two variables 19.1 Relations and Functions
8	October 11	19.2 The vertical line test 19.3 Function Notation 19.4 Evaluating Functions Review for Test 2
		Test #2: 16.3 – 19.1
9	October 18	20.1 Introduction to Systems of Linear Equations 20.2 Solve by the Graphing Method 20.3 Solve by the Substitution Method
		20.4 Solve by the Elimination Method 21.1 Introduction of Polynomials
10	October 25	21.2 Addition of Polynomials 21.3 Subtraction of Polynomials 21.4 Product Rule for Exponents
		21.5 Power Rule for Exponents 22.1 Multiplying by a Monomial **Last Day to Drop with a W is Monday 11/1 (make sure offices will be open!!!)
11	November 1	22.2 Multiplying Binomials 22.3 Multiplying Polynomials 22.4 Multiplying the Sum & Difference of Two terms
		22.5 Squaring Binomials 23.1 The Quotient Rule
12	November 8	23.2 Integer Exponents 23.4 Dividing a Polynomial by a Monomial C.4 Synthetic Division Review for Test 3
		Test #3: 19.2 – 23.1
13	November 15	24.1 Greatest Common Factor (GCF) 24.2 Factoring by Grouping 24.3 Factoring Trinomials
		24.4 Factoring Trinomials of the form ax2+bx+c 25.3 Factoring the Sum and Differences (omit Cubes)
14	November 22	25.4 Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring Review for Test 4
	November 24	Thanksgiving Break November 24 - 28. College Closed.
15	November 29	Test #4 over Mini-Mod 21 - 23
		Review for Final Exam Final Exams May 10-15
16	December 6- 11	Finals Week

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Final exam is scheduled for: Thursday, December 9^th, 9:30 – 11:20am   

 

This schedule is tentative and will most likely change as the semester progresses.  It is provided so that you have a general idea of the order and speed with which we will be covering the material.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

	At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
1.	Define, represent, and perform operations on real and complex 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 absolute value, polynomial, radical, and rational expressions.
4.	Identify and solve absolute value, polynomial, radical, and rational equations.
5.	Identify and solve absolute value and 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 any school policy. 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 can result in a student being WITHDRAWN from the college preparatory course. Withdrawals are subject to college policies as set forth in the college catalog.

 

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)

Testing may be administered in a variety of ways and the mode of testing may change during the semester as deemed appropriate by the instructor.  When possible, in-person proctored testing is preferred.  For in-person classes testing will occur during the designated class times.  For online classes in-person proctored testing may be required.  On site testing may be done in an NCTC testing center, at test locations provided by the math division, or at another authorized testing site.  If online testing is used students may be required to use a webcam while testing.  For online testing students will be required to scan and upload supporting documents.  Students may be asked to demonstrate knowledge/skills in a one-on-one conference if deemed necessary by the instructor. 

 

Last day to withdraw from a 16-week course with a “W” is Monday, November 1, 2021.

Students who need help with any math class can visit the NCTC Mathematics Lab to receive assistance. Sign up for an appointment or see the most current tutoring hours for all campuses at http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/student-success/tutoring/mathematics-lab.html. 

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 160 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.  

 

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

 

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  The use of online math solvers with submitted work is considered academic dishonesty.  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

 

Division Chair:	Ben Owens
Office Location:	Corinth 170
Telephone Number:	940.498.6209
E-mail Address:	bowens@nctc.edu
Instructional Dean:	Mary Martinson
Office Location:	Gainesville 1404
Telephone Number:	940.668.7731 ext. 4377
E-mail Address:	mmartinson@nctc.edu

 

Syllabi statement regarding potential Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19 or other health related crisis, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 27, 2021 and are subject to change as conditions change.

 

Syllabi Statement Regarding Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students are not required to wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. In May, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott released an Executive Order prohibiting Government entities from mandating the use of masks. As a political subdivision of the State of Texas, NCTC will follow the Governor’s Executive Order for Government entities and effective immediately NCTC is no longer mandating the use of masks while on campus. This order does not mean that you cannot choose to wear a mask, rather it is no longer allowed to be mandated. These policies and procedures were updated on May 19, 2021 and are subject to change.

 

Return to Standard Attendance Protocol for Face-to-Face Meetings: In spring 2020, we faced an unprecedented situation in which all of us had to be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.

 

Faculty will:

 

• Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.

 

Students should:

• Provide notification to campus officials if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
• Notify instructors in advance of the absence.
• Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
• Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
• Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
• Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
• Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.

During the fall 2021 semester, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website.

Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html

 

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.