NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title:		College Algebra
Course Prefix & Number:			MATH 1314	Section Number:	311	Semester/Year:	Spring 2019
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
Required or Recommended Course Materials: College Algebra, Lial/Hornsby/Schneider/Daniels, 12th edition, Pearson, 2017 or MyMathLab access code (e-text included in MML) Scientific calculator, TI-30X IIS is recommended Graphing calculators and phone calculators will not be allowed on exams.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Melissa Bird
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth Campus, COR201
Office Hours:	12-1 pm Tues./Thurs. via email; Canvas Conferences by appointment
E-mail Address:	mbird@nctc.edu (best way to contact 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
41	Homework/Assignments (Online)	20%
3	Exams (On-campus)	60%
1	Final Exam (On-campus)	20%

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

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (TENTATIVE EXAM SCHEDULE)

Exam 1	20% of overall grade	Group Dates:	Wed., 2/20 (6 - 8pm)	Testing Center Window: Monday-Wednesday of group testing week (appointment required)
Exam 2	20% of overall grade		Wed., 3/27 (6 - 8pm)
Exam 3	20% of overall grade		Wed., 4/24 (6 - 8pm)
Final Exam	20% of overall grade		Wed., 5/15 (6 - 8pm)

Method of Study: As this is an online course, students are responsible for their own learning. Since there is no traditional class time, students are expected to effectively prepare for all exams, including the final exam, by reviewing the textbook sections, viewing all assigned course videos, completing online homework assignments prior to their due dates, using a scientific calculator, and completing any other assignments required by the professor.

 

A common misconception is that online classes are easy to complete or take less time than traditional college classes.  In a full semester class, a student should expect to spend a minimum of 4 hours a week for each credit hour. This means 12 hours minimum for a three-credit hour course.

 

Online Access Information: This course requires the use of MyMathLab, which is an online component. You must register for MyMathLab via Canvas – NOT the Pearson website. The course code for this class is bird05293. The name listed on your MyMathLab account must match the name on your student account at the college. Information on how to register with MyMathLab 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 homework, three on-campus proctored exams, and a comprehensive on-campus proctored final.

 

All homework will be completed online.
•	The Getting Started Module is an online orientation assignment which will be accessed and completed through Canvas.  The module explains how to get started in the course, register for MyMathLab, and testing procedures.  (Completion of the module, including the Syllabus Agreement Form, is required prior to starting on online homework or taking an exam.)
•	Online homework assignments will be assigned and completed through MyMathLab, which can be accessed through Canvas (see Canvas for further instructions). Students are responsible for completing these assignments prior to 11:59 pm on their due dates.
All exams (including the final exam) will be completed on-campus.
•	There will be three regular exams and a comprehensive final exam, which must be proctored on-campus – these are NOT online EVER. No make-up/retake exams will be given. Formula sheets will NOT be allowed during exams.
•	There are two options for taking these exams: either on the group testing days, OR by a scheduled appointment in one of the NCTC campus testing centers on designated day ranges. More information will be available through Canvas.
•	The final exam is a comprehensive exam and must be taken by all students as it is a department requirement. Not taking it means missing out on 20% of the total course grade.

 

 

All assignments (except exams) are available from the first day of class. 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.

 

Online Homework
•	No late homework assignments will be accepted. 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.
•	This policy also means that assignments will NOT be opened again at the end of the semester.
On-Campus Exams
•	No late exams will be given. If you anticipate not being able to take the exam on the schedule group testing date, s/he must schedule an appointment with the testing center during the provided testing window and inform the professor. Remember 48 hours’ notice is required to make an appointment in the testing centers.
•	No make-up exams (“retakes”) will be given.
**Exceptions to this 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.

This 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.). While this is NOT a “safety net” for dropping low assignment grades or boosting overall course grades, it is a courtesy that applies to all students.

 

At the end of the semester,

•	The two lowest homework grades will be dropped.
•	The lowest of the regular 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 the unexpected life events describe above) with no penalty.
NOTE:	The final exam will never be dropped or replaced as it is a department requirement.

 

The college and professors will communicate with students via Canvas and Lion Pride email. Students are responsible for all information provided via these medias. Access Canvas and Lion Pride email daily. Similarly, students should use Canvas or Lion Pride email when contacting professors, as no sensitive information will be sent to a non-school email account.

 

To promote a positive learning environment, be courteous to classmates, faculty, and staff at all times.  Disruptive or disrespectful behavior of any kind will NOT be tolerated. This behavior will be reported.

 

When situations arise that can affect the ability to complete assignments or exams, first refer to the Late Work Policy and the Drop/Replace Policy in this syllabus. After reading and understanding those policies, contact your professor as soon as possible so that she is aware of the details of the situation.

 

COURSE CALENDAR (This schedule is tentative and subject to change.)

Due Dates	Topics	Assignments Due
Friday, January 25th	Getting Started Module	Syllabus Agreement Form Introductions Discussion Post MyMathLab Orientation
Monday, January 28th	1.1 Solving Linear Equations 1.2 Applications of Linear Equations	Homework for Sections 1.1, 1.2
Monday, February 4th	1.3 Complex Numbers 1.4 Quadratic Equations 1.5 Applications with Formulas & Quadratics	Homework for Sections 1.3, 1.4, 1.5
Monday, February 11th	1.6 Rational and Radical Equations 1.7 Linear and Compound Inequalities 1.8 Absolute Value Equations & Inequalities	Homework for Sections 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 Exam 1 Survey
Monday, February 18th	2.1 Coordinate Plane: Distance & Midpoint 2.2 Circles 2.3 Functions	Homework for Sections 2.1, 2.2. 2.3
Wednesday, February 20th	Exam 1 (over 1.1 – 1.8 and 2.1 – 2.3)
Monday, February 25th	2.4 Linear Functions 2.5 Equations of Lines	Homework for Sections 2.4, 2.5
Monday, March 4th	2.6 Graphs of Basic Functions 2.7 Graphing Techniques 2.8 Function Operations & Composition	Homework for Sections 2.6, 2.7, 2.8
Spring Break Holiday: 3/11 – 3/15
Monday, March 18th	3.1 Quadratic Functions & Models 3.2 Synthetic Division 3.3 Finding Zeros of Polynomials	Homework for Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 Exam 2 Survey
Monday, March 25th	3.4 Graphs of Polynomials 3.5 Rational Graphs	Homework for Sections 3.4, 3.5
Wednesday, March 27th	Exam 2 (over 2.4 – 2.8 and 3.1 – 3.5)
Monday, April 1st	3.6 Variation 4.1 Inverse Functions	Homework for Sections 3.6, 4.1
Thursday, April 4th is the last day to drop the course with a W
Monday, April 8th	4.2 Exponential Functions 4.3 Logarithmic Functions 4.4 Logs with Calculators	Homework for Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
Monday, April 15th	4.5 Exponential & Logarithmic Equations 4.6 Applications of Growth & Decay	Homework for Sections 4.5, 4.6 Exam 3 Survey
Monday, April 22nd	5.1 Systems of Linear Equations 5.5 Systems of Nonlinear Equations	Homework for Sections 5.1, 5.5
Wednesday, April 24th	Exam 3 (over 3.6, 4.1 – 4.6, 5.1 and 5.5)
Monday, April 29th	5.2 Solving Systems Using Matrices 5.3 Determinants & Cramer's Rules	Homework for Sections 5.2, 5.3
Monday, May 6th	5.7 Properties of Matrices 7.1 Sequences & Series	Homework for Sections 5.7, 7.1 Final Exam Survey
Wednesday, May 15th	Final Exam (Required and Comprehensive)

 

 

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 from a 16-week course with a “W” is Thursday, April 4, 2019.

 

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 – 2nd floor in MSU Mon & Thurs 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Mon – Thurs 8:30 am – 6:30 pm Mon & Wed 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Tues & Wed 9:00 am – 5:00 pm   Tues & Thurs 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Sun 1:00 – 5:00 pm Sat 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

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/student-services/office-students-with-disabilities.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

 

x          Critical Thinking

x          Communication

x          Empirical and Quantitative

 

o           Teamwork

o           Personal Responsibility

o           Social Responsibility

COURSE TYPE

STUDENT HANDBOOK

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAMPUS RESTRICTIONS