NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title:  Beginning Algebra

Course prefix, number, and section number:  MATH 0305 0101

Semester/Year of course:  Fall 2023

Semester start and end dates: 8/28/2023 – 12/16/2023

Modality:  Face to face

Class meeting location, days, and times: Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 to 10:50,

Gainesville room 810

Semester credit hours:  3 (Lecture hours: 48)

Course description:  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 prerequisites:  Appropriate placement score on TSI or other approved assessment test.

Required course materials:

Registration in the course gives you the access code to the online learning platform and e-book needed for MATH 0305 (MyLab Math for Developmental Math: Basic, Intro & Interm Algebra Access Code – 18- week access).  You do not need to purchase a separate access code.  Instructions can be found in a separate document on the Course Homepage. (see * Follett ACCESS for more information)

Current email address (default email address is Lion Pride)

Non-graphing scientific calculators are permitted.  

*** NO GRAPHING CALCULATORS NOR CELL PHONE CALCULATORS ALLOWED – ONLY SCIENTIFIC CALCULATORS ALLOWED. *** TI-30X IIS is highly recommended.

Free scanner app?

Notebook(s) for homework, graph paper, ruler, and earbuds. There are no formula notecards for tests.

Optional:

Squires/Wyrick, Developmental Mathematics: Basic Math, Introductory Algebra, & Intermediate Algebra Notebook, 2^nd Edition (paper workbook)

Name of instructor: Kathryn Fritz

Office location: Gainesville, room MSS 821

Telephone number: 940 -668-4214

E-mail address: Please use Canvas emails.

Office hours for students:

MTWR 7:30 – 8 am in room 811

MW: 10 am to 11 am room 821

MW: 12:30 to 2:30 room 821

Friday: Meetings 2 hours

Subject to change if class schedule changes

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.

You will not need an appointment for tutoring, but it may help. If you wish to make an appointment, please use Canvas email to request a day and time during my listed office hours you wish to meet.  Otherwise, ask during class.

MATH TUTORING LAB

Students who need help with any math class can visit the NCTC Mathematics Lab to receive assistance.  There are math tutors available on every campus and online.  This service is free for all students enrolled in an NCTC math class. Sign up for an appointment or see the most current tutoring hours for all campuses at https://www.nctc.edu/math-lab. 

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

List of graded assignments:

Graded Course Elements       Percentage                  Number of assignments

Homework                              15%                             approx. 35

Quizzes/Attendance               5%                               Approx 15/15

Unit Tests                                60%                             4

Final Exam                              20%                             1

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

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

The final may replace your lowest failed unit test grade.

Late work policy:

In MyMathLab, the homework and quizzes are set with soft due dates and set-in-stone due dates.  The soft due dates are due each week, and the set-in-stone due dates are the last day of each chapter test.  After each chapter test, each assignment that is not started will be set to zero for your score.

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

COURSE POLICIES

Academic Integrity Policy:

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 Code of Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”.  

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

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

Attendance Policy:

Regular attendance is expected and necessary for student success in this course. For more information on attendance regulations please see the 2022-2023 NCTC Catalog.  (https://www.nctc.edu/catalog; Click on 2022-2023 CATALOG and go to page 138 to see Attendance Regulations)

Withdrawal Policy

A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: Monday, November 6, 2023

Student Learning Outcomes:  At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1. Use appropriate symbolic notation and vocabulary to communicate, interpret, and explain mathematical concepts.
2. Define, represent, and perform operations on real numbers, applying numeric reasoning to investigate and describe quantitative relationships and solve real world problems in a variety of contexts.
3. Use algebraic reasoning to solve problems that require ratios, rates, percentages, and proportions in a variety of contexts using multiple representations.
4. Apply algebraic reasoning to manipulate expressions and equations to solve real world problems.
5. Use graphs, tables, and technology to analyze, interpret, and compare data sets.
6. Construct and use mathematical models in verbal, algebraic, graphical, and tabular form to solve problems from a variety of contexts and to make predictions and decisions.

COLLEGE POLICIES

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook. To access Student Handbook go to NCTC homepage (www.nctc.edu), scroll to bottom and click “Student Handbook”.

ADA STATEMENT

NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations.  See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.

 
STUDENT SERVICES

NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students.  See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.

* Follett ACCESS

Follett ACCESS is a partnership between the NCTC Bookstore and Pearson Education to provide the best learning resources on the first day of class. Students can gain access to Pearson’s adaptive online platform with the latest version of the eBook at a discount. If students would like to purchase a physical copy of the textbook, they can order it through the bookstore.

Students who drop before the add/drop date will have their book fees credited back to their student account, and students who remain in the course will be charged a materials fee by the school to have continued access of the online platforms.  If you remain enrolled in the course but wish to opt-out of access to the book please email the NCTC Bookstore within the first two weeks of class with your name and student number to 1263mgr@follett.com.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS