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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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504
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Semester/Year:
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Fall 2018
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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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0
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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 Course Materials:
Pearson MyMathLab access (may be purchased directly via the MyLab and Mastering content link in Canvas or through the NCTC bookstore)
Current e-mail address
Scientific calculator, TI-30X IIS is recommended
**Graphing calculators and phone calculators will not be allowed on exams.
Recommended Course Materials:
College Algebra, Lial/Hornsby/Schneider/Daniels, 12th edition, Pearson, 2017
(**e-textbook is included with MyMathLab and Mastering (MML) Access Code)
Notebook or binder for class handouts, notes, etc.
Spiral for notetaking
Headphones (for any online videos or tutorials)
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Barbara Wright
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Campus/Office Location:
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NCTC/Room 107
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Office Hours:
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Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:45-7:45 PM
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6208 (Math Department Office)
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E-mail Address:
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bjwright@nctc.edu **this is the best method to use**
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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 or Point Values
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Approx. 35
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Homework
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10%
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Approx. 8
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Quizzes
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10%
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3
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Tests
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60%
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1
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Final Exam
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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
*No late homework or quizzes will be allowed. Individual make-up exams will be given in rare cases with instructor approval.
*The lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.
*The lowest two homework grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.
*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 unit test grade.
*Any student who accumulates absences in excess of two weeks in the class may be dropped.
*The grading policy may be amended during the semester at the instructor’s discretion.
COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)
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Homework
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Assigned every T/R
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Online homework allows for multiple attempts
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Quizzes
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Weekly on Thursdays; occasionally take-home
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Lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.
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Test #1 – Chapter 1, 2.1-2.3
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9/20 at 8 PM
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Students can receive partial credit on problems with wrong solutions because of technical errors if process is shown and correct.
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Test #2 – 2.4 – 2.8, 3.1 – 3.4
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10/18 at 8 PM
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Students can receive partial credit on problems with wrong solutions because of technical errors if process is shown and correct.
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Test 3 – 3.5 – 3.6, Chapters 4 & 5
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11/27 at 8 PM
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Students can receive partial credit on problems with wrong solutions because of technical errors if process is shown and correct.
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Final Exam
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12/13 at 8 PM
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*dates may be amended per instructor discretion and course pacing
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)
Last day to withdraw from a 16-week course with a “W” is Thursday, November 8, 2018.
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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.
STUDENT EMAIL
All students at NCTC are assigned a student email address, also known as a 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 email 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, chose 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) email account. Important announcements and notifications from the Admissions office, Financial Aid, or other college staff will be sent via 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 email. Failure to read and/or receive NCTC emails (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 Canvas inbox for important messages and information.
HOMEWORK, QUIZZES, AND TESTS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Homework and quizzes will be completed on paper or online. In order to do assignments online, you will need an access code that can be purchased in the bookstore or online after you log into MyMathLab. Pay attention to instructions with assignments for online options.
Learning New Content
During lecture, concepts will be presented and practiced. Your active participation by taking notes and working practice problems together will help ignite your learning and prepare you for homework practice. Homework practice helps you practice the new skills and further explore concepts, so you can master required content. Some concepts and skills will be more difficult than others. The online homework gives you immediate feedback and allows you multiple attempts to help you refine your thinking or approach to the problem. Do not expect perfection. You learn through your mistakes in math!
In Canvas, there are links to resources to help you succeed if you become stuck on a problem or need another explanation about a topic or another example to read. Students who need help with a math class can visit the math lab during listed hours for assistance or may attend instructor office hours.
Homework
All HW due dates are listed My Math Lab (MML) You can complete the assignments until 5:00 PM of the due date listed. Homework may be attempted multiple times to increase your grade for the assignment.
Quizzes
Weekly quizzes will be given. Some will be in class at the beginning of class on Tuesdays and some will be online quizzes that you may complete by the due date listed. Reminders will be posted on Canvas, and all online quiz due dates will be listed in MML. Quizzes may be attempted three times, and each quiz attempt has a time limit. Only the highest score will be counted. Students should attempt online quizzes multiple times in order to be prepared for the test. Quizzes in class will be returned the following class with feedback from the instructor. Extra quiz practice by topic is available in MML should you wish to have extra practice before a test.
Tests
Three unit tests are scheduled during the semester and a comprehensive final exam will be administered at the end of the term. Make sure to follow dates listed by instructor and also pay attention to test announcements via Lion Pride email and Canvas. Tests will be given in a proctored setting. Students will take the test on the date scheduled in class at 8 PM. You will have only one attempt. No make-up exams will be given without prior approval from the instructor, but the final exam can replace your lowest test grade.
Cell phones, smart watches and other personal communication devices are not allowed during tests. Backpacks, handbags, and other items will be placed in the front of the class during testing and returned to students when tests are turned in. Cell phones/smart watches should be turned off and placed in bags prior to testing. Any student who is found to have any of these devices in their possession during a test or in-class quiz will be given a zero and referred to the appropriate NCTC personnel for academic dishonesty.
The final exam is comprehensive and is required of all students. The final exam will be given in a proctored setting. The final exam may be used to replace your lowest test grade. The final exam must be completed Tuesday, December 13 in class at 8 PM.
Gradebook
The gradebooks in MML and Canvas will keep a running average of your homework grade. I will review all online quizzes 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 a fraction 1/3 that is submitted as 2/6. While answers will be more complicated than this example, this gives you the idea of how I will evaluate answers that are technically correct but marked incorrect. ) I will not review HW answers because you have unlimited attempts for each problem. In-class quizzes and tests will be graded and posted in Canvas.
CLASS RULES
- Regular participation and attendance is VERY IMPORTANT in this class! You are enrolling in a rigorous math course, so expect to work on your math very frequently. Waiting to work on one day at the end of the week would be disastrous for this course!! Assignments will be broken up in two sections each week to correspond with class days. Do not fall behind.
- Class attendance is mandatory. Active participation is necessary to learn challenging concepts. If you need help with learning how to study your notes, please ask.
- If you live near one of the NCTC campuses, you are welcome to visit the on-campus Math Lab during their posted hours for additional help.
- You are welcome to come to my office during my posted hours. My NCTC office is in room 107 at the Flower Mound campus. We can talk by phone if necessary. The best way to contact me is via email, bjwright@nctc.edu.
SCHEDULE
Our class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 pm until 9:20 pm on the Flower Mound campus in room 204 (FLM 204).
Dates on the syllabus could change slightly as the semester progresses. It is provided so you have a general idea of order of concepts and speed 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 tutoring tips and 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:
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GAINESVILLE – 1403 (Library)
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CORINTH – 186
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FLOWER MOUND – 111 (MSU)
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MON 12 PM – 6 PM
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M W 8 AM – 6 PM
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M W 12 PM – 4 PM
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TUES 9 AM – 6 PM
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T R 9 AM – 7 PM
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T R 9 AM – 1 PM
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SUN 1 PM – 5 PM
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FRI 9 AM – 12 PM
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SAT 10 AM – 1 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/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
o Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
x Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
o WECM Course
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.
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
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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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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