NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: Intermediate Algebra            Intermediate Algebra  TR 9:30 – 10:50     MSS809
Course Prefix & Number: MATH 0310	Section Number:  100	Semester: Spring 2017
Semester Credit Hours: 3	Lecture Hours: 3	Lab Hours: 0
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): Concepts instructed in this course are algebraic including polynomials and rational expressions, linear expressions and inequalities, exponents and radicals, absolute value equations and inequalities, factoring, and quadratic equations and graphs. This course does not count toward graduation at NCTC.
Course Prerequisite(s): Pass Math 0305 with a “C” or better, or earn satisfactory TSI Assessment placement score, or earn satisfactory placement score on another approved assessment.
Required or Recommended Course Materials: Required Course Material: MyLabsPlus  Access code,  headphones or ear buds (for online lectures or music) Notebook to keep lecture notes.   Recommended Course Material: Elayn Martin-Gay: Beginning & Intermediate Algebra, Pearson, 2017, 6th ed (YOU only need the code!) Calculators are permitted.  *** NO GRAPHING CALCULATORS NOR CELL PHONE CALCULATORS ALLOWED – ONLY SCIENTIFIC CALCULATORS ALLOWED. *** TI-30X IIS is highly recommended.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Kathryn Fritz
Campus/Office Location:	MWF Corinth campus COR307 and TR Gainesville campus MSS821
Office Hours:	MW 7:30-8am COR326, MW 10am-12 COR307, F 10am-11am COR307 TR 7:30 – 8am MSS809, T 11am -12:30, R 11am -12pm
Telephone Number:	Gainesville only 940-668-4214 (Canvas emails are best)
E-mail Address:	kfritz@nctc.edu Please include your name and class information.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
30	Homework	10%
15	Quizzes	10%
Up to 4	Chapter Tests	60%
1	Final	20%

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

Missed tests will be given with the instructor’s permission on an individual basics.

 

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.

 

STUDENT EMAIL

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 the College Prep Attendance Policy or any other school policies. Be sure to regularly check BOTH the Lion Pride email as well as the Canvas inbox for important messages and information.

 

TSI COMPLIANCE

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 will result in a student being WITHDRAWN from the college preparatory course and possibly from North Central Texas College. Withdrawals are subject to college policies as set forth in the college catalog.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all College Prep classes for which they have registered. There are NO excused absences.  Faculty in the Department of College Preparatory Studies will notify students of absences on a regular basis and one courtesy warning e-mail notification will be sent to the students’ current NCTC student e-mail address (Lion Pride email and/or Canvas email) when the student accrues 1 week absence (not necessarily consecutive days) in a course. Please check your NCTC student email (Lion Pride) frequently to ensure that you are receiving notifications from the college and from your instructors. Some faculty may send notifications in Canvas as well. Failure to read and/or receive NCTC e-mail (Lion Pride) is no excuse for not complying with the Attendance Policy. It is the student's responsibility to maintain correct and current e-mail and local and permanent addresses with the college.

 

After a student has been absent from class 2 weeks (not necessarily consecutive days), the student may be dropped. If the student is dropped from the only College Prep class in which he/she is enrolled and is TSI liable, the student may be DROPPED from all remaining courses for that semester.

Inform the instructor in writing during the first week of class of any religious holidays observed this semester. Documentation must be given to the instructor at the class following the holiday.

Also, since punctuality has become a problem in recent semesters, three tardies may be considered one absence. Coming in late disrupts the class. Occasions do occur that you will need to be tardy, but not on a consistent basis.

 

CLASS RULES

1. Turn off all electronic devices prior to entering class.
2. Do not read or send text messages during class. You will be counted absent for the day and asked to leave class if you use your cell.
3. Being on unapproved websites as in Facebook or homework for another class, you will be asked to leave class and will be counted as absent for the day.
4. This class will run from Monday to Sunday each week.   If you fall more than one week behind you may not be able to finish this class. This means you will receive a letter grade of “ F”.
5. When I am giving a class lecture, students are not to be log into any computers
6. Administrative policy prohibits food or drink in classrooms.
7. Be courteous to your fellow classmates.
8. Maintain a positive and professional attitude.
9. The use of profanity is prohibited in the classroom. I will ask you to leave the classroom and count you absent for the day.
10. Ask questions, get involved, and do your homework .Ask for help early.
11. Notice to Students: You will not pass this class if you only work during class time. Please schedule at least three to five hours per week outside of class to complete homework, quizzes and pre-tests.
12. While taking each quiz and test, you are NOT to use any notes or information from the book.
13. The final exam will be comprehensive and is required of all students.
14. Please do not embarrass your fellow classmates by wearing sagging pants. You will be asked to leave the classroom and meet with the Dean of Students before you come back to class.
15. This is a working syllabus and is subject to change.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Spring 2017

NCTC

MATH 0310

Tentative Weekly Schedule

 

Date	Starting	Topic/ Assignments	Other Assignment
Week 1	January 17	Introduction, Syllabus, Calendar, & TSI forms 6.1 Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping 6.2 Factoring Trinomials Quiz 6.1 & 6.2	Sign TSI forms Read and understand syllabus and course expectations MLK HOLIDAY 1/16/17
Week 2	January 23	6.3 Factoring Trinomials and Perfect Square Trinomials 6.4  Factoring Trinomials by Grouping 6.5 Factoring Binomials Quiz 6.3, 6.4, & 6.5	It is the student’s responsibility to check email each week in Lion Pride and Canvas. Recall MLP emails will be in your Lion Pride account.
Week 3	January 30	6.6 Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring Pg 414 Integrated Review: Choosing a Factoring Strategy 6.7 Quadratic Equations and Problem Solving Quiz Chapter 6 Review
Week 4	February 6	TEST #1: Chapter 6 7.1 Rational Functions and Simplifying Rational Expressions Quiz 7.1	Test #1 in Class
Week 5	February 13	7.2 Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions 7.3 Add/Subtract Rational Expressions with Common Denominators and LCD  7.4 Add/Subtract Rational Expressions with Unlike Denominators Quiz 7.2, 7.3, & 7.4
Week 6	February 20	7.5 Solving Equations Containing Rational Equations Pg 485 Integrated Review: Summary on Rational Expressions 7.6 Proportions and Problem Solving with Rational Expressions Quiz 7.5 & 7.6
Week 7	February 27	*7.7 Simplifying Complex Fractions – OPTIONAL Quiz Chapter 7 Review TEST #2: Chapter 7	Test #2 in Class
Week 8	March 6	10.1 Radicals and Rational Functions 10.2 Rational Exponents 10.3 Simplifying Radical Expressions – Objectives 1, 2, & 3 ONLY (Examples 1 – 5) Quiz 10.1, & 10.2, & 10.3
Week 9	March 20	10.4 Add/Subtract/Multiply Radical Expressions 10.5 Rationalizing Denominators and Numerators of Radical Expressions Pg 632 Integrated Review – Radicals and Rational Exponents Quiz 10.4 & 10.5
Week 10	March 27	10.6 Radical Equations and Problem Solving 10.7 Complex Numbers Quiz Chapter 10 Review
Week 11	April 3	TEST #3: Chapter 10 11.1 Solving Quadratic Equation by Completing the Square (and the Square Root Property) Quiz 11.1	**Last Day to Drop with a W  is April 6** Test #3 in Class
Week 12	April 10	11.2 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic Formula 11.3 Solving Equations by Using Quadratic Methods: Examples 1, 2, 3, 6, & 7 Quiz 11.2 & 11.3
Week 13	April 17	11.6 Further Graphing of Quadratic Functions 2.8 Linear Inequalities (REVIEW ONLY) 9.1 Compound Inequalities Quiz 11.6 & 9.1
Week 14	April 24	9.2 Absolute Value Equations 9.3 Absolute Value Inequalities Quiz Chapters 11, 2.8, & 9 Review
Week 15	May 1	TEST # 4: Chapter 9 &11 Review for Final Exam	Test #4 in Class
Week 16	May 8	FINAL EXAM WEEK	CHECK FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE

Hint to pass my class: You must work on your assignments outside of class time. You will not complete the course if you only work during schedule class hours. Please plan to work 3 to 5 hours a week in homework and quizzes. It is to your benefit to read the ebook sections before the lectures. Do not fall behind in your assignments. And most importantly:

**Homework grades should be in the 90% range.

**Quiz grades should be in the 80% range.

 

** Do NOT use notes while taking a quiz or test.

**Do NOT use Help Me Solve This or View an Example without being able to do a Similar Question 3 times without looking.

** Do NOT wait until week 15 to ask for help; please ask for help as soon as you do not understand your homework.

** DO NOT sit in a lecture class lost; ask a question or for a process to be repeated.

 

 

 

**Final exam is scheduled for ___Thursday, May 11 at 9:30 to 11:20 MSS809_________

 

 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Thursday, April 6, 2017.

MATH LAB Students who need help with any math class can visit the NCTC Mathematics Lab to receive assistance. No appointments are necessary. See the most current tutoring hours for all five campuses at http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Tutoring.aspx.   TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON TUTOR AVAILABILITY: GAINESVILLE – 1403 (Library) CORINTH – 182 FLOWER MOUND - 111 Mon through Thurs 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Mon through Thurs 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Mon & Wed 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 2:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Tues & Thurs 9:00 am – 3:00 pm   Sat 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 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).   http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2016-2017/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook

 

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Elizabeth Howell
Office Location:	Corinth 324
Telephone Number:	940.498.6209
E-mail Address:	ehowell@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Sara Alford
Office Location:	Flower Mound Suite 200
Telephone Number:	972.899.8401
E-mail Address:	salford@nctc.edu

 

CAMPUS RESTRICTIONS

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: Current law prohibits the open carry of firearms on college campuses including all property such as parking lots.  For more information, see the website at http://www.nctc.edu/Police/gun-laws-campus-carry