Syllabus

 

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

College Algebra

Course Prefix & Number: 

MATH1314

Section Number: 

403

Semester/Year:

Fall 2018

Semester Credit Hours:

3

Lecture Hours:

48

Lab Hours:

NA

 

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

 

 

Required or Recommended Course Materials:

College Algebra, Lial/Hornsby/Schneider/Daniels, 12th edition, Pearson, 2017 or MyMathLab access code (e-text included in MML)

Calculators may be permitted.  *** NO GRAPHING CALCULATORS NOR CELL PHONE CALCULATORS ALLOWED – ONLY SCIENTIFIC CALCULATORS ALLOWED WITH INSTRUCTOR PERMISSION ***              TI-30X IIS is highly recommended.

 

                 

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Jason Rutledge

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth – Room 206

Office Hours:

Corinth: MW 9:30 – 10:30 and 12:30 – 1:30pm

UNT: TR 11am – noon and 5 – 6pm

Online: W 8 – 10pm

Telephone Number:

(940) 498 – 6286

E-mail Address:

jrutledge@nctc.edu

 

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

MML Quizzes: (20% of Overall Average)*

The quizzes are done online using MML, which should be accessed through Canvas. The quizzes are in the “Assignments” or “MyLab and Mastering” tabs in Canvas. You can work these quizzes up to 5 times BEFORE the due date/time, which are given in Canvas. 

 

Tests and the Final Exam: (80% of Overall Average)**

There will be 5 tests and a comprehensive Final Exam. Each test is worth 13% of your overall average and the Final will be worth 15%, for a grand total of 80%. You want to make sure you are super ready for each test. NO MAKE-UP TESTS. You will be allowed pen/pencil, scratch paper (supplied by the instructor) and an appropriate calculator (when authorized by the instructor).

 

Note: Leaving and re-entering the classroom after a test has begun will not be allowed unless details to do so have been worked out with the instructor BEFORE the test. This means there are no bathroom breaks, so make sure you plan ahead for test.

 

*The five (5) lowest quizzes will be dropped from the calculations of the final grade.

**The final exam is a departmental, comprehensive algebra exam and must be taken by all students. The final exam may also be used to replace the lowest intrasemester test grade. 

 

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

 

HOMEWORK (NOT FOR A GRADE)

The online homework is not a graded component of this course. However, choosing not to do them will GREATLY increase your chances of failing the course. Use these as practice to better understand the material and a source to ask questions for clarification. Quality is better than quantity.

 

A limitation of MSL is that the final answer is all that matters. As you will soon learn, on my tests the work that supports that final answer is FAR more important. (To be honest, on the tests I am far less concerned with whether or not your final answer is right or wrong. How well does the work you supply support that response?)

 

MOBILE DEVICE POLICY

All cell phones, tablets, laptops and other electronic devices need to be put away during lecture and only used in class when directed by the instructor. It is distracting and rude to have these devices out during most meetings; however discreet you think you might be. Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis, so bring those to me individually. Any time you need to use these devices, quietly remove yourself from class, attend to your business and quietly return.

Recording Lectures: The use of any audio or visual devices to record any part of the course lecture needs to be cleared by the instructor BEFORE that class session begins. This does include but is not limited to video/audio recordings and pictures from a cell phone.

 

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

 

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 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)

 

TENATIVE SCHEDULE

Monday

Wednesday

27-Aug

Introduction and Section 1.1

29-Aug

Sections 1.2 and 1.3

   

 

 

3-Sep

No School

5-Sep

Sections 1.4 and 1.5

10-Sep

Sections 1.6 and 1.7

12-Sep

Section 1.8

17-Sep

Test #1

19-Sep

Sections 2.1 and 2.2

24-Sep

Sections 2.3 and 2.4

26-Sep

Sections 2.5 and 2.6

   

 

 

1-Oct

Sections 2.7 and 2.8

3-Oct

Review for Chapter 2

8-Oct

Test #2

10-Oct

Sections 3.1 and 3.2

15-Oct

Sections 3.3 and 3.4

17-Oct

Section 3.5 and 3.6

22-Oct

Review for Chapter 3

24-Oct

Test #3

29-Oct

Sections 4.1 and 4.2

31-Oct

Sections 4.3 and 4.4

   

 

 

5-Nov

Sections 4.5 and 4.6

7-Nov

Review of Chapter 4

12-Nov

Test #4

14-Nov

Sections 5.1 and 5.3

19-Nov

Sections 5.5 and 5.7

21-Nov

No School

26-Nov

Section 7.1

28-Nov

Test #5

   

 

 

3-Dec

Review for Final

5-Dec

Review for Final

10-Dec

Final Exam

12-Dec

No Class

 

 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW

Last day to withdraw from a 16-week course with a “W” is Thursday, November 8, 2018.

 

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 - MSU

M 12:00pm – 6:00pm

MW 8:00am – 6:00pm

MWR 9:00am – 3:00pm

T 9:00am – 6:00pm

TR 9:00am – 7:00pm

T 9:00am – 4:00pm

Sun 1:00pm – 5:00pm

F 9:00am – 12:00pm

F 9:00am – 12:00pm

 

Sat. 10am – 1pm

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS

Should you have any questions or concerns about the course, material, instructor or any other aspect of your NCTC experience, you should contact your instructor first using the information given at the beginning of this syllabus. If that fails to resolve the issue(s) you may contact the Division Chair, Dr. Elizabeth Howell. If that contact fails to resolve the issue(s) you may contact the Instructional Dean, Sara Flusche. (The contact information for both the Division Chair and Instructional Dean can be found at the NCTC website, www.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

There are no Handouts for this set.