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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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College Algebra
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Course Prefix & Number:
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MATH1314
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Section Number:
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345
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Semester/Year:
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Fall 2017
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Semester Credit Hours:
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3
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Lecture Hours:
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48
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Lab Hours:
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Course Description (NCTC Catalog): In-depth study and applications of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions, and systems of equations using matrices. Additional topics such as sequences, series, probability, and conics may be included.
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Course Prerequisite(s): Meet TSI college-readiness standard for College Algebra; or equivalent
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Required or Recommended Course Materials:
Thinkwell College Algebra access (may be purchased directly via the Thinkwell Content link in Canvas or through the NCTC bookstore)
Scientific calculator, such as the TI-30X IIS
Graphing calculators and phone calculators will not be allowed on exams.
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Melissa Bird
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Campus/Office Location:
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Corinth Campus, COR201
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Office Hours:
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Sunday & Thursday 7:00 – 8:00 pm (via online chat in Canvas)
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E-mail Address:
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mbird@nctc.edu (best way to contact me)
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog)
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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1
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Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions, including domain and range, operations, compositions, and inverses.
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2
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Recognize and apply polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions and solve related equations.
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3
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Apply graphing techniques.
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4
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Evaluate all roots of higher degree polynomial and rational functions.
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5
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Recognize, solve and apply systems of linear equations using matrices.
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GRADING CRITERIA
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage
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34
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Quizzes (Online)
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20%
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3
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Exams (On-campus)
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60%
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1
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Final Exam (On-campus)
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20%
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Grade Scale: 90 – 100% = A; 80 – 89% = B; 70 – 79% = C; 60 – 69% = D; Below 60% = F
COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (TENTATIVE EXAM SCHEDULE)
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Exam 1
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Saturday, September 30th
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20% of overall grade
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Exam 2
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Saturday, October 28th
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20% of overall grade
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Exam 3
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Saturday, November 18th
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20% of overall grade
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Final Exam
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Saturday, December 9th
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20% of overall grade
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GRADING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Course Requirements: As this is an online course, students are responsible for their own learning. This course requires the use of Thinkwell, which is an online component that has been integrated into Canvas. Information on how to register and get started with Thinkwell can be found in the “Getting Started” module in Canvas. Active participation throughout the course is mandatory in order to succeed.
Method of Evaluation: The grade for the course will be based on online quizzes, as well as three on-campus proctored exams and a comprehensive on-campus proctored final.
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All online study, practice quizzes, and graded quizzes will be completed online.
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All online study and ungraded practice quizzes will be available in Canvas under “Thinkwell Content.” Though ungraded, all assignments are expected to be completed as this will help prepare students for the exams.
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All graded quizzes will be available in Canvas under “Assignments.” The sections covered will be due on their due dates at 11:59 pm.
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All exams (including the final exam) will be completed on-campus.
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There will be three exams and a comprehensive final exam, which must be proctored on-campus – these are NOT online.
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There are two options for taking these exams: either on designated days listed on the course calendar, OR by a scheduled appointment in one of the NCTC campus testing centers a few days before the scheduled group testing day.
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More information will be available through Canvas.
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LATE WORK POLICY
Students are responsible for completing and submitting all assignments by the posted due dates, as well as preparing for and attending all scheduled exams. Late work is not acceptable. When situations arise that can affect the ability to complete assignments or exams, first refer to the following information.
This late work policy is designed to alleviate missed assignments due to any unexpected life events (including but not limited to personal and medical emergencies, technical issues, etc.). This is NOT a “safety net” for dropping low assignment grades. It is a courtesy. Some life events cannot be planned for, so expect that they will happen and get the work done early.
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Online Graded Quizzes
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No late quiz assignments will be accepted. Each student is expected to work on the assignments prior to the due date. Do not wait until the day an assignment is due to begin working in it. Computer problems and other life events do happen, so assume they will, and get the assignment done early.
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This policy also means that quiz assignments will not be opened again at the end of the semester.
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At the end of the semester, the two lowest homework grades will be dropped.
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On-Campus Exams
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No late exams will be given. If a student anticipates not being able to take the exam on the schedule group testing date, s/he must inform the professor via email as soon as possible to schedule to take the exam early in the testing center. Remember 48 hours notice is required to make an appointment in the testing centers.
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At the end of the semester, the lowest of these exam scores may be replaced with the final exam score, if the final exam grade is higher. This policy allows a student to miss one exam (due to events describe above) with no penalty.
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*The final exam is a departmental comprehensive algebra exam and must be taken by all students.
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**Exceptions to the Late Work Policy will only be made in extreme and well-documented circumstances and only at the discretion of the professor. If you feel your situation fits this description, contact your professor via email as soon as possible with documentation ready to determine if an exception can be made.
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COURSE CALENDAR (This schedule is tentative and subject to change.)
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Due Dates
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Topics
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Assignments Due at 11:59pm
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Friday, September 1st
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Introduction to the Course
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Getting Started Module
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Monday, September 4th is Labor Day - College Closed
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Tuesday, September 5th
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2.1: Solving Linear Equations
2.2: Modeling Linear Equations
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Graded Quizzes for
Sections 2.1 and 2.2
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Monday, September 11th
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2.3: Quadratic Equations
2.4: Other Types of Equations
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Graded Quizzes for
Sections 2.3a, 2.3b, and 2.4
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Monday, September 18th
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2.5: Inequalities
3.1: Coordinates and Graphs
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Graded Quizzes for
Sections 2.5 and 3.1
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Monday, September 25th
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3.2: Slope and the Equation of a Line
3.3: Variation
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Graded Quizzes for
Sections 3.2 and 3.3
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Saturday, September 30th
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Exam 1 (over 2.1-3.3)
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Monday, October 2nd
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3.4: Functions
3.5: Graphs of Functions
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Graded Quizzes for
Sections 3.4 and 3.5
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Monday, October 9th
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3.6: Transformations of Functions
3.7: Combining Functions
3.8: Inverse Functions
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Graded Quizzes for
Sections 3.6, 3.7, and 3.8
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Monday, October 16th
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4.1: Quadratic Functions & Models
4.2: Polynomial Functions & Graphs
4.3: Dividing Polynomials
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Graded Quizzes for
Sections 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3
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Monday, October 23rd
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4.4: Real Zeros of Polynomials
4.5: Complex Zeros & the F.T.A.
5.1: Graphing Rational Functions
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Graded Quizzes for
Sections 4.4, 4.5, and 5.1
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Saturday, October 28th
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Exam 2 (over 3.4-5.1)
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Monday, October 30th
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6.1: Exponential Functions
6.1b: One-to-One Property
6.2: Logarithmic Functions
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Graded Quizzes for
Sections 6.1, 6.1b, and 6.2
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Monday, November 6th
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6.3: Properties of Logarithms
6.4: Exponential & Log Equations
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Graded Quizzes for
Sections 6.3 and 6.4
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Thursday, November 9th is the last day to drop the course with a W
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Monday, November 13th
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6.5: Exponential & Logarithm Models
7.1: Solving Systems of Two Linear Equations
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Graded Quizzes for
Sections 6.5 and 7.1
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Saturday, November 18th
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Exam 3 (over 6.1-7.1)
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Monday, November 20th
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7.2: Nonlinear Systems
7.4: Multivariable Linear Systems
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Graded Quizzes for
Sections 7.2 and 7.4
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November 22-25 (Wednesday-Friday) is Thanksgiving Break - College Closed
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Monday, November 27th
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8.1: Matrices
8.2: Operations of Matrices
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Graded Quizzes for
Sections 8.1 and 8.2
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Monday, December 4th
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8.3: Determinants & Cramer’s Rule
9.1: Sequences and Series
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Graded Quizzes for
Sections 8.3 and 9.1
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Saturday, December 9th
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Final Exam (Required and Comprehensive)
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COMMUNICATION POLICY
Communication is an integral part of the learning process. The college and professors will communicate with students via Canvas and NCTC email, so please access those daily. Similarly, students should use Canvas or NCTC email when contacting professors, as no sensitive information will be sent to a non-school email account.
When situations arise that can affect the ability to complete assignments or exams, first refer to the Late Work Policy in this syllabus. After reading and understanding the policy, contact your professor as soon as possible so that she is aware of the details of the situation.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular and weekly online attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies. It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval by the faculty member. Approved college-sponsored activities are also excused absences. The instructor is responsible for judging the validity of any reason given for an absence. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless the absence is documented and excused by the instructor. Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Thursday, November 9, 2017.
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GAINESVILLE – 1403 (Library)
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CORINTH – 186
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FLOWER MOUND - 111
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Mon
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
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Mon through Thurs
9:00 am – 6:00 pm
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Mon & Wed
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
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Tues, Wed, Thurs
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
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Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
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Tues & Thurs
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
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Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
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Sat 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
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Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
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Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
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DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)
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/student-services/disability-services.html.
CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)________
o Communication
x Mathematics
o Life and Physical Science
o Language, Philosophy & Culture
o Creative Arts
o American History
o Government/Political Science
o Social and Behavioral Sciences
o Component Area Option
REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)
x Critical Thinking
x Communication
x Empirical and Quantitative
o Teamwork
o Personal Responsibility
o Social Responsibility
COURSE TYPE
o Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
x Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
o WECM Course
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://www.nctc.edu/catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook/nctc-student-handbook.html.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion. 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 Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”.
Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:
- Zero on the assignment
- Failing grade for the course
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?
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Division Chair :
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Dr. Elizabeth Howell
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Office Location:
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Corinth 236
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6209
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E-mail Address:
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ehowell@nctc.edu
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Instructional Dean:
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Sara Flusche
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Office Location:
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Gainesville 1306
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Telephone Number:
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940.668.3351
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E-mail Address:
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sflusche@nctc.edu
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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: Effective August 1, 2017, a license holder may carry a concealed handgun on or about the license holder's person while the license holder is on the campus of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education in this state. For more information, see the website at http://www.nctc.edu/police/campus-carry.html.