Syllabus

 

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

College Algebra

Course Prefix & Number: 

MATH1314

Section Number: 

420

Semester/Year:

Summer 2018

Semester Credit Hours:

3

Lecture Hours:

48

Lab Hours:

 

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.       

Course Prerequisite(s): Meet TSI college-readiness standard for College Algebra; or equivalent

Recommended Course Materials:

Binder or notebook  for class handouts, notes, etc.

Current e-mail address

Scientific calculator, TI-30X IIS is recommended

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

                 

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Dr. Elizabeth Howell

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth campus COR 236

Office Hours:

Mon – Thurs, 12 pm – 5 pm on most days

*Unless I am in a meeting – please let me know if you plan to stop by!

Telephone Number:

940-498-6209

E-mail Address:

ehowell@nctc.edu **the best way to reach me!!**

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1

Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions, including domain and range, operations, compositions, and inverses.

2

Recognize and apply polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions and solve related equations.

3

Apply graphing techniques.

4

Evaluate all roots of higher degree polynomial and rational functions.

5

Recognize, solve, and apply systems of linear equations using matrices.

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

Approx. 12

Daily Quizzes

20%

3

Unit Tests

60%

1

Final Exam

20%

 

Grade Scale:   90 – 100% = A;   80 – 89% = B; 70 – 79% = C;  60 – 69% = D;  Below 60% = F

 

*No late quizzes will be allowed, and individual make-up exams will be given in rare cases and only with instructor approval. 

*The lowest two quiz grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.

*The final examination is a departmental comprehensive algebra exam and is required of all students.  The final exam may also replace a low or missing test grade.

*Any student who accumulates in excess of 2 weeks of absence in the class may be dropped. 

*The grading policy may be amended during the semester at the instructor’s discretion.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual 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 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 Summer II course with a “W” is Thursday, August 2, 2018.

 

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 school policies. Be sure to regularly check BOTH the Lion Pride email as well as the Canvas inbox for important messages and information.

 

CLASS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

**Because this class is so fast-paced, regular attendance and participation are  extremely important!**

You are enrolling in a rigorous math course, so expect to work on your Math work EVERY DAY. 

 

Homework:

Practice problems will be assigned daily, but will not be taken for a grade. Rather, homework is to help you to be prepared for the quiz.

 

Quizzes:

Each class will start with a short quiz assessing understanding of the material covered in the previous class. If you arrive late, you will probably miss the quiz, without an opportunity to make it up, so be on time. Quizzes cannot be made up, but I will drop the two lowest quiz grades at the end of the semester.

 

Tests:

Three unit tests are scheduled during the semester and a comprehensive final exam. Make sure to follow the class calendar and watch for the test announcements.  The tests will be given in class on specified dates, and will take approximately 90 minutes. Students will be allowed to use a non-graphing calculator on the tests. No make-up exams will be given without prior approval from the instructor, 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 in class, on the last day of the summer session. The final exam may be used to replace your lowest regular exam grade. The final exam must be completed by Thurs August 9th.  No exceptions.

 

Gradebook:

The gradebook in Canvas keeps a running average of your grade. Please check it often to be aware of your standing in the class.

 

 TENTATIVE  SCHEDULE

The schedule posted in Canvas is tentative and may change slightly as the semester progresses.  It is provided so that you have a general idea of the order and speed with which we will be covering the material.

 

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/student-services/student-success/tutoring/mathematics-lab.html

 

TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON TUTOR AVAILABILITY:

GAINESVILLE – 1403 (Library)

CORINTH – 182

FLOWER MOUND - 111

TBA

M T W R

M W 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

 

9:00 am – 5:00 pm

T R 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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/catalog/north-central-texas-college-student-handbook/section-i/special-accommodations-office-students-with-disabilities/osd-department-contacts.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:

  1.  Zero on the assignment
  2. Failing grade for the course

 

Division Chair :

Dr. Elizabeth Howell

Office Location:

Corinth 236

Telephone Number:

940-498-6209

E-mail Address:

ehowell@nctc.edu

Instructional Dean:

Sara Flusche

Office Location:

Gainesville 1306

Telephone Number:

940.668.3351

E-mail Address:

sflusche@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: 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.