Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

 

Course title:    Beginning Algebra

Course prefix, number, and section number: MATH 0305 0310

Semester/Year of course:  Fall 2024

Semester start and end dates: 8/26/2024 – 12/14/2024

Modality: Asynchronous Online -  Tests are on campus and proctored

Class meeting location, days, and times:  Online

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 automatically adds a textbook fee to your NCTC tuition and fees which gives you access to the online learning platform and e-book needed for MATH 0305 (MyLab Math).  You do not need to purchase a separate access code.  Instructions on how to retrieve your access code can be found in a document on the Course Homepage and in Course Modules. (see * Inclusive Access below for more information).

You will also need:

- A current email address (default email address is Lion Pride)

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

***Graphing calculators and phone calculators will not be allowed on exams.

- A 3-ring binder.

- Free scanner app

 

Optional (but STRONGLY Recommended):

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

 

Name of instructor: Linda Fuqua

Office location: Gainesville Campus, room 822 in the 800 building

Telephone number: 940-668-4221

E-mail address: lfuqua@nctc.edu (lowercase “L” and lowercase “Q”)

 

 

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 can be in person, or live online via Webex. I am posting my availability during my daytime working hours, but I can be available in the evenings, by request, for those who work, or are not available during the day. 

 

Mondays:         11:00am – 2:00pm

Tuesdays:         11:00am – 12:30pm

Wednesdays:   11:00am – 2:00pm

Thursdays:        11:00am – 12:30pm

Fridays: by appointment only

 

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 most campuses 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                                                 10%                                  approx. 35

Quizzes                                                        10%                                  approx. 15

Attendance and Participation               10%                                  30

Unit Tests                                                   50%                                  3

Final Exam                                                  20%                                  1

 

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

 

Late work policy: No late work accepted.

 

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. If you miss in excess of two weeks of class, you will be withdrawn from this course by your instructor. See Course Policies in the Canvas Course for more information regarding attendance particular to this course. For more information on attendance regulations please see the 2024-2025 NCTC Catalog.  (https://www.nctc.edu/catalog)

 

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 4

 

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

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.


AI STATEMENT

Absent a clear statement from a course instructor, use of or consultation with generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or other similar technologies shall be treated analogously to assistance from another person, agency, or entity. In particular, using generative AI tools to substantially complete an assignment or exam is not permitted. Students should acknowledge the use of generative AI (other than incidental use) and default to disclosing such assistance when in doubt.

 

When students use generative AI to replace the rigorous demands of personal engagement with their coursework, it runs counter to the educational mission of the college and undermines the heart of education itself. Artificial Intelligence, large language models, and other such technologies hold promise for deploying knowledge in service to others and accelerating the discovery of new knowledge. However, such technology poses new challenges to pedagogy and to integrity. Within the context of the teaching mission of the college and consistent with the Student Code of Conduct, the authority to define the appropriate use, study, and deployment of these technologies rests with the faculty.

 

Individual course instructors, in coordination with their divisions, set policies regulating the use of generative AI tools in their courses, including allowing or disallowing some or all uses of such tools. Course instructors will set such policies in their course syllabi and clearly communicate such policies to students. Students who are unsure of policies regarding generative AI tools are encouraged to ask their instructors for clarification.

 

AI MATH DIVISION STATEMENT

Many online calculators, equation solvers, and graphing tools exist that may aid students in computing and visualizing math problems. These tools are a great resource for helping better understand how to work problems and can be a huge help in studying. However, these tools can be misused/overused. Math classes require students to develop a certain level of skill that a student must be able to demonstrate without the aid of these tools. Often a student may become reliant on these tools or have false sense of confidence in their knowledge and skills. Generally, if a student is using tools or resources to help learn material, eventually they must take away those resources to ensure they are able to work problems with only the tools allowed in the class. In short, we encourage students to use whatever tools they find useful in developing their knowledge and skills. But, these tools must be used thoughtfully so that true understanding and proficiency are developed. 

 

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.

 

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.

 

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

 

 

The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class.  If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division.  If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.

 

Name of instructor: Linda Fuqua

Office location: Gainesville Campus, room 822 in the 800 building

Telephone number: 940-668-4221

E-mail address: lfuqua@nctc.edu (lowercase “L” and lowercase “Q”)

 

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:  Ben Owens

Office location:  Corinth 174

Telephone number:  940.498.6209

E-mail address:  bowens@nctc.edu

 

Name of Instructional Dean:  Mary Martinson

Office location:  Gainesville 1403

Telephone number:  940.668.7731 ext. 4377

E-mail address:  mmartinson@nctc.edu