NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course Title: Integrated Beginning Algebra
Course Prefix, Number and Section Number: MATH 0305 0520 / NCBM 0205 0520
Semester/Year of Course: Fall 2025
Semester Start and End Dates: 8/25/2025 – 12/13/2025
Modality: Face to face
Class Meeting Location: Flower Mound Campus, Room 207
Class Days and Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30am to 1:50pm
Semester Credit Hours: 5 (Lecture hours: 80)
Course Description: MATH 0305 – Beginning Algebra (3 credit hours)
This course supports students in developing skills, strategies, and reasoning needed to succeed in mathematics, including communication and appropriate use of technology. Topics include the study of numeracy and the real number system; algebraic concepts, notation, and reasoning including algebraic expressions and equations, factoring polynomials and graphing; quantitative relationships; mathematical models; and problem solving. This course does not count toward graduation at NCTC.
NCBM 0205 – BASE NON-COURSED BASED OPTION FOR MATH (2 credit hours)
This course is designed for those students with little algebra background, and must be taken concurrently with MATH 0305. 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.
Course Prerequisites: Appropriate placement score on TSI or other approved assessment test.
Course Materials:
- REQUIRED Textbook: Lynn Marecek, Maryanne Anthony-Smith, Andrea Honeycutt Mathis. Prealgebra. 2nd edition. Openstax. 2020.
This textbook is an OER (Open Education Resource) textbook and is therefore free to view online or download as a PDF. There is a PDF posted in Canvas, ready for you to download.
Name of instructor: Jason Rutledge
Office location: Flower Mound Room: 107
Telephone number: NA
E-mail address: jrutledge@nctc.edu (or send messages via Canvas)
OFFICE HOURS
Email is the best way to contact the instructor. From there you can request a face-to-face meeting, online via WebEx or set up a time for a phone conversation. (WebEx is a real time video conference application adopted by NCTC.) Any issues related to content, grading, technical issues or any other aspect of the class can be dealt with through email if meets the need of both the student and instructor.
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 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
FOR MATH 0305
List of graded assignments:
Tests (Including Final Exam) 5 Tests (Lowest grade dropped) 100% (Each test is 25%)
Final grade scale: 90 – 100% = A; 80 – 89% = B; 70 – 79% = C; 60 – 69% = D; Below 60% = F
Tests and Final Exam:
There will be 4 tests and a comprehensive Final Exam. All tests (including the Final Exam) will be completed in class and you will be given 2 hours for each test. (Note, this is NOT the full 2 hours and 20 minutes of class.) Of those 5 assessments only 4 will be used to calculate for overall average in the course, so each test counts for 25% of your grade. Make-up tests will be administered according to the guidelines spelled out in the “Information about Assignments for Beginning Algebra” document posted in Canvas. Dates for each test will be announced as needed.
Test #1 (Unit 1 – Basic Operations)
Test #2 (Unit 2 – Introduction to Algebra)
Test #3 (Unit 3 – Percentages and Graphing)
Test #4 (Unit 4 – Introduction to Polynomials and Factoring)
Final Exam (Units 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Homework:
Homework is NOT calculated as a part of your course grade. All homework comes straight from the book and there are selected problems assigned with the “Homework for Beginning Algebra” document. As you finish these problems, bring/send your solutions to the instructor for feedback. There are a LOT of problems selected and you are not expected work every problem, unless you need to. You work enough problems to master the material...that is it.
Quizzes:
Quizzes are NOT calculated as a part of your course grade and will be taken in class. Quiz dates will be announced in class in order to allow for time to prepare for each quiz. Review the document “Information about Assignments for Beginning Algebra” for more details.
FOR NCBM 0520
To earn a P (or Pass) in this course, you must earn an A, B or C in Math 0305 0520.
To earn an F (or Fail) in this course, you must earn a D or F in Math 0305 0520.
Final grade scale: The NCBM course will be graded on a P/F basis.
FOR BOTH MATH 0305 AND NCBM 0520
Late work policy: No late work is 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:
- Zero on the assignment
- 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 2024-2025 NCTC Catalog. (https://www.nctc.edu/catalog)
Attendance will be recorded each day and it is the student’s responsibility to be counted as “present” for any given class they attend. The attendance record for this course will be accessible to the student via Canvas using the “Quickly Attendance” tab.
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 a Fall 2025 course with a “W” is: Monday, November 3, 2025
Student Learning Outcomes: At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
MATH 0305 and NCBM 0205:
- Use appropriate symbolic notation and vocabulary to communicate, interpret, and explain mathematical concepts.
- 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.
- Use algebraic reasoning to solve problems that require ratios, rates, percentages, and proportions in a variety of contexts using multiple representations.
- Apply algebraic reasoning to manipulate expressions and equations to solve real world problems.
- Use graphs, tables, and technology to analyze, interpret, and compare data sets.
- 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.
Core Objectives:
ü Critical Thinking û Teamwork
ü Communication û Personal Responsibility
ü Empirical and Quantitative û Social Responsibility
Electronic Devices
No electronic devices are allowed to interfere with the learning environment while class is in session. This does mean all cell phones, laptops, tablets, earbuds/headphones and any other electronic devices need to be put away during our class sessions, unless specifically noted by the instructor.
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 (from NCTC)
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 STATEMENT (from the Math Division)
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.
AI STATEMENT (from the Instructor)
While there are many great resources available to you, keep in mind that for this class ChatGPT, Desmos, Wolfram-Alpha, Chegg, Symbolab, and similar programs should only be used to help you understand the material we are covering in the class. Any student suspected of submitting work that is not their own (whether it is copied from another student or from technology) will be required to meet with me. If a student is found to have presented work that is not their own, they will be subject to the academic integrity policy. If you would not be able to explain to me how to work a similar problem, you should not submit the solution as your own.
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.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
The student should contact the instructor (contact information is given at the beginning of this syllabus) 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 Chair/Coordinator: Ben Owens
Office location: Corinth Campus, room 174
Telephone number: 940.498.6209
E-mail address: bowens@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean: Mary Martinson
Office location: Gainesville Campus, room 1403
Telephone number: 940.668.7731 ext. 4377
E-mail address: mmartinson@nctc.edu