Syllabus

 

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

College Algebra

Course Prefix & Number: 

MATH 1314

Section Number: 

841

Semester/Year:

Spring 2019

Semester Credit Hours:

3

Lecture Hours:

48

Lab Hours:

0

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:

Amanda Steffan

Campus/Office Location:

FMHS Room 2570

Office Hours:

Friday 11:42-1:57

Telephone Number:

FMHS: (469) 713-5192

E-mail Address:

asteffan@nctc.edu or steffana@lisd.net

 

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

33

Homework

20

11

Quizzes (Lowest Score Dropped)

10

5

Tests

50

1

Final

20

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

 

Grading Criteria Continued

Your grade will consist of online homework and quizzes, 5 intra-semester paper exams, and a paper comprehensive final exam.  The final exam and your homework average will be weighted as 20% of your grade each. Each test will count as 10% of your grade. The top ten quiz grades will average to make up the remaining ten percent of your grade. There will be no make-up exams or quizzes.   If your final exam score is higher than the lowest of the 5 intra-semester exams, then the final exam score will replace the lowest of the 5 exam grades.  In this case, the final exam score will be weighted 30% of your overall grade.

 

 *The final exam is a departmental comprehensive algebra exam and must be taken by all students. Therefore, no seniors will be exempt from taking the final.

 

 

Learning Procedures

After you have read through this entire syllabus, access both the NCTC Math1314 Canvas page and the LISD Independent Study Canvas page. Read the welcome messages, announcements, and begin reviewing the general information modules. You can wait to familiarize yourself with the MyLab and Mastering tab as we will purchase the access codes to this program on January 14th or 15th in class. MyLab Math is the program that will house all of our online homework and quizzes. This is also where you will see your grades for the Math1314 course. The Independent Study course grades will be housed on Skyward.

 

I highly recommend you watch each video lesson and do the optional practice assignments in MyLab Math.  These are not part of your grade, but will give you feedback as to whether or not you understand the material.  Within the Independent Study Canvas page, you will see that I suggest reading the textbook and reviewing PowerPoint slides on each section. You may find that you like reading through these in addition to watching the videos or you may find them to be repetitive. These resources are not graded but are supplied to help those of you who may struggle in the course. They are also supplied to help you complete the collaborative documents assigned for a grade in the Independent Study course.

 

At the end of each unit I will supply you with a paper and pencil review. Completing this review will be part of your Independent Study grade and should help you thoroughly prepare for the test.

 

 

Graded Quiz Information & Procedures

There are 33 homework assignments. You get three attempts at each homework question as well as three similar examples per question. This means that you have 9 total attempts to get each homework question correct. I strongly recommend that you re-work each homework problem until you receive a homework score of 100%.

 

There will be 11 graded online quizzes. You get two attempts at each quiz and the highest of each attempt will count towards your overall quiz average. In addition, lowest quiz score from the average will be dropped.

 

 

Exam Information & Procedures

The exams are not online.  They are pencil & paper and will be taken in class.

 

You must bring to each exam:  pencils, a scientific calculator (non-graphing), and a photo ID. No notes of any kind will be allowed during exams.   

 

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

Exam 1

February 4/5

10% of final grade

Exam 2

February 27/28

10% of final grade

Exam 3

March 27/28

10% of final grade

Exam 4

April 10/11

10% of final grade

Exam 5

May 1/2

10% of final grade

Final Exam

May 13/14

20% of final grade

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students will be held to both the LISD attendance policies as well as the following policies from NCTC:

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

NCTC ADMINISTRATORS                                                                                                                  

 

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.