Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: Intermediate Algebra  Intermediate ONLINE  

Course Prefix & Number: MATH 0310

Section Number:  310

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:

MyLabsPlus Access Code

Current email address (default email address is Lion Pride)

Non-graphing scientific calculator (*No graphing calculators allowed)

 

Recommended:

Elayn Martin-Gay: Beginning & Intermediate Algebra, Pearson, 2017, 6th ed.

 (**e-textbook is included with the MyLabsPlus  Access Code)

TI-30X IIS calculator is highly recommended.

Headphones (for online lectures)

Notebook

 

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

Telephone Number:

TR 7:30 – 8am MSS809, T 11am -12:30, R 11am -12pm  

E-mail Address:

Gainesville only 940-668-4214 (Canvas emails are best)

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

30

Homework

10%

15

Quizzes

15%

15

Attendance

5%

Up to 4

Regular Exams

50%

1

Final Exam

20%

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

 

 

 

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)

  1. Enter your password (your NCTC Student ID Number, either 7 or 9 numbers).
  2. From the list of Microsoft icons, choose MAIL.
  3. 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.

 

 

HOMEWORK, QUIZZES, AND TESTS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

All homework, quizzes, and tests are completed online in MyLabPlus (MLP). You will need an access code that can be purchased in the bookstore or online after you log into MyLabsPlus. Read the announcements in Canvas for all instructions. The Attendance Policy Notification (TSI FORM) must be ‘signed’ and submitted no later than January 23, 2017.

 

For Technical Help:

MyLabsPlus (MLP) tech support phone 888-883-1299 or online http://247support.custhelp.com for live chat.

 

Homework:

All due dates are listed in MLP. Complete the assignments by 11:59 pm of the due date listed. The homework may be attempted multiple times in order to increase your homework grade.

HINT: You are expected to watch all section video presentations in the MyLabsPlus classroom. These videos can be accessed from the Chapter Contents menu. This takes the place of going to class in a traditional course. If you do not have a high-speed Internet connection, it may be difficult to view the videos. The videos contain instruction on each objective that is to be covered in the course. If you don’t watch the videos it is equivalent to not coming to class, and will make the HW difficult to complete. You can also access a power point presentation for each section.

 

Quizzes:

Weekly quizzes will be due.  All due dates are listed in MLP.  Quizzes may be attempted five times, and each quiz attempt has a time limit.  Only the highest score will be counted. Students should attempt the quiz multiple times in order to be prepared for the unit test.

 

Tests:

Four unit tests are scheduled during the semester and a comprehensive final exam. Make sure to follow the deadline dates listed in MLP, and watch for the test announcements.  The tests will be given on MLP, but you will take the test in a proctored setting. You will have only one attempt. Each test will have a time limit of 60 minutes. Students will be allowed to use a non-graphing calculator on the tests. No make-up exams will be given, but the final exam can replace your lowest test grade.

 

The final exam will be comprehensive and is required of all students. The final exam will also be given on MLP. The final exam may be used to replace your lowest regular exam grade. The final exam must be completed by Sat May 6th.  No exceptions.

 

The test dates for this semester are listed below:

Exam #1 – week 4 - Saturday Feb 11

Exam #2 – week 8 - Saturday March 11 (Sat at the start of Spring Break)

Exam #3 – week 11 – Saturday April 8

Exam #4 – week 14 – Saturday April 29

FINAL EXAM – week 15 – Saturday May 6

 

**If you are unable to take a test on the Corinth campus on the above dates, you are welcome to take a test in a campus Testing Center that is closer to you or in an alternate proctored setting. The dates above are the LAST DAY to take the test, so any Testing Center or alternate testing must happen prior to the dates listed for each unit test. Please contact me ASAP if you have concerns about the testing dates.

 Testing times are scheduled by availability, so please plan accordingly.  A link will be sent to you so that you will be able to sign up.    Students will be allowed to use a non-graphing calculator on the tests PROVIDED by the proctor at the testing site. No make-up exams will be given, but the final exam can replace your lowest test grade.

 

Spring 2017

NCTC

MATH 0310

Tentative Weekly Schedule

 

Date

Starting

Topic/Assignments

More 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 22

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

Homework and quizzes close on Saturday, January 28.

Have you scheduled your chapter 6?

Week 3

January 29

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

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.

 

Hw & Quiz closes on Feb. 4

Week 4

February 5

TEST #1: Chapter 6

7.1 Rational Functions and Simplifying Rational Expressions

Quiz 7.1

 

 Chapter 6 Test  by Feb 11

HW & Quiz closes on Feb. 10

Week 5

February 12

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

HW & Quiz closes on Feb18

Week 6

February 19

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

HW & Quiz closes on Feb 25

 

Have you scheduled your chapter 7 test?

Week 7

Feb 26

*7.7 Simplifying Complex Fractions – OPTIONAL

Quiz Chapter 7 Review

HW and Quiz Closes on Mar. 4

 

Week 8

March

5

TEST #2: Chapter 7

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

 HW and Quiz Closes on Mar 10

Chapter 7 Test  by March 11

Week 9

March

19

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

HW and Quiz Closes on Mar. 25

Have you scheduled your chapter 10 test?

Week 10

March

26

10.6 Radical Equations and Problem Solving

10.7 Complex Numbers

Quiz Chapter 10 Review

HW and Quiz Closes on Apr 1

 

 

 

 

Week 11

April

2

TEST #3: Chapter 10

11.1 Solving Quadratic Equation by Completing the Square (and the Square Root Property)

Quiz 11.1

HW & QUIZ  Closes on Apr 7

**Last Day to Drop with a W  is April 6**

Chp 10 Test by Apr 8

Week 12

April

9

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

HW and Quiz Closes on 15

 

Have you scheduled your chapter 9 & 11 test?

Week 13

April

16

11.6 Further Graphing of Quadratic Functions

2.8 Linear Inequalities (REVIEW ONLY)

9.1 Compound Inequalities

Quiz 11.6 & 9.1

HW and Quiz Closes on Apr. 22

Week 14

April

23

9.2 Absolute Value Equations

9.3 Absolute Value Inequalities

Quiz Chapters 11 & 9 Review

TEST # 4: Chapter 9 & 11

HW and Quiz Closes on 28

Chapter 9 & 11 by Apr 29

Week 15

April 30

Review for Final Exam

 

Week 16

May 6

 

FINAL EXAM WEEK

Final  By May 6

 

 

** 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 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.

 

**Final exam is scheduled for ____Saturday, May 6, 2017

 

 

Gradebook:

The grade book in MLP keeps a running average of your grade. I review all tests in order to assign partial credit where possible.  I look for answers that are technically correct, but have not been submitted in ‘good form’. An example would be an answer of 14/16 that has not been simplified to 7/8. Your answers will be more complicated than this example, but you get the idea that I will be looking for answers that are technically correct.

 

CLASS RULES

  1. Attendance is VERY IMPORTANT in this class! An absence in this online course is defined as the following:
  2. Our typical ‘week’ will run from Sunday to Saturday every week. (The first week is a little different, since the first day of class is Tuesday January 17.)  Assignments for the week will open on Sunday, the homework, and quizzes will close on Friday, and the tests on Saturday.
  3. You must log in and complete required assignments at least once every week (at any time during the week) or you will be considered absent for the week. Optional activities such as study plan, or videos do not satisfy the attendance requirement. To be counted present, you must log in and complete at least ONE graded assignment (e.g., homework, quiz, practice test, or test) with a score greater than 50%. If needed, seek help so that you can re-take quizzes or re-try homework in order to get your grade up.
  4. To be clear: from the first day of the semester, even if you are ahead of the due dates, you must log in every week and work on assignments until you have completed all the assignments and taken the final.
  5. Do not ask me to extend the due dates. Work ahead on the assignments instead (remember… if something can go wrong, it will).
  6. If you live by one of the NCTC campuses you may go to the Math Lab during their posted hours for additional help.
  7. You are welcome to come to my office during my posted hours. We can talk by phone if necessary. The best way to contact me is via email, kfritz@nctc.edu

 

 

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

 

There are no Handouts for this set.