NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title:  Beginning Algebra

Course prefix, number, and section number:  MATH 0305 0402

Semester/Year of course:  Spring 2024

Semester start and end dates: 1/15/2024 – 5/11/2024

Modality:  Face to face

Class meeting location, days, and times:

Corinth Campus Room 326, Tuesday and Thursday 11:00 AM – 12:20 PM

Semester credit hours:  3 (Lecture hours: 48)

Course description:  MATH 0305 – Beginning Algebra (3 credit hours)

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.

- Current email address (default email address is Lion Pride)

- A 3-ring binder.

- TI-30X IIS or TI – 30XS Multiview scientific calculator is highly recommended.

Non-graphing scientific calculators are permitted.  
*** NO GRAPHING CALCULATORS NOR CELL PHONE CALCULATORS ALLOWED – ONLY SCIENTIFIC CALCULATORS ALLOWED. ***

Free scanner app

Notebook

Optional:

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

Name of instructor: Katheryn Carmichael

Office location: None. Office hours will be over WebEx. 

E-mail address: KCarmichael@nctc.edu

STUDENT HOURS (OFFICE HOURS)
Each week I have time set aside to meet with students outside of class. This is a time when you may ask questions regarding the class, discuss a particular problem/topic, ask general questions about the college, or ask about available resources. I can meet with you one-on-one, or even with a small group. This time will be scheduled live online via WebEx.  Please email me if you would like to meet via WebEx at an alternate time. 

Office Hours will be held over WebEx using this link:   https://nctclions.webex.com/meet/kcarmichael

See Canvas announcements for further details. 

Otherwise by appointment.  Please email me at KCarmichael@nctc.edu if you would like to set up an appointment. 

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 MATH 0305 COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

Graded Course Elements                      Percentage                           Number of graded course elements

Homework                                                20%                                 approx. 50

Quizzes                                                      10%                                 approx. 13

Attendance and Participation                10%                                 approx. 40

Unit Tests                                                   45%                                 4

Final Exam                                                 15%                                 1

Final grade scale:  MATH 0305: 90 – 100% = A;   80 – 89% = B; 70 – 79% = C;     Below 70% = F

*Grade of D is NOT an option in this course. 

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

GRADING POLICIES

LATE WORK will not be accepted.  Due dates will not be extended, but students can continue to improve Pearson Homework and Quizzes after the due date for a 10% penalty. 

EXAMS will be completed “in-person” and proctored either in class or by the NCTC Testing Center.  No online testing is offered. 

ANY MISSED EXAMS will earn a grade of zero.  There are no make-up exams, and there is no late testing after the test window closes.  If you are aware of a necessary absence, please plan with your instructor to schedule an EARLY EXAM.  The final exam is comprehensive and must be taken by all students or a zero will be recorded. 

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, April 1, 2024

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.

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.

Inclusive Access

The NCTC Bookstore and Pearson Education have partnered to provide the best learning resources on the first day of class so that 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 purchase 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.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS