NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

College Algebra

Course Prefix & Number: 

MATH1314

Section Number: 

0401

Semester/Year:

Spring 2020

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:

Required:        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:

Jill Yoder

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth Campus, Room 208

Office Hours:

MW 10 -12, 1:30 - 2

TR 11 – 1:30  

Telephone Number:

940-498-6282, Ext. 6269

E-mail Address:

jyoder@nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

15

Quizzes (online and group)

20%

4

Exams

60%

1

Final Exam

20

 

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

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE

 

MyLab Math is an online system used in place of a textbook.  The eText is included in MyLab Math.  It is also how you will access quizzes and practice homework, as well as supplemental material such as videos and PowerPoint notes.  You need to buy access to MyLab Math---either by buying an access code in the bookstore, or using a credit card and buying access directly online.  More information is posted in the modules in Canvas.

 

Class Notes:  I have made PowerPoint notes for each chapter, and will post them in Canvas in two formats.  The first is a pdf format with 2 slides to a page.  The second is the original PowerPoint format.  You need to have these notes in front of you during lecture.  Either print them out and bring to class, or bring your laptop.

Practice homework is something you will want to try and work on every day.  There are suggested due dates for each assignment.   However, you may work on it anytime after the due date.  It is very important to work on, even though it is for practice (not for a grade).    It is where you really learn the material.  You may do practice homework two ways----do problems from the eText or online problems in MyLab Stats.

 

Quizzes are worth 20% of your grade.  There are two types of quizzes:

        Online quizzes are done through MyLab Math.  They will be due most Fridays by 11:59pm.  This is an exact due date.  You may not work on the quizzes after they are due.  You have 5 attempts at each quiz, and the highest grade for each is recorded.

        Group quizzes are done in class in groups.  Groups will be assigned, and may be changed for each quiz.   There will be five of these (usually on Wednesdays) throughout the semester.  While you are expected to work together to do the quiz, each student will hand in their own assignment.  You must be in class do to this type of quiz. 

 

Exams will be given in class.    Bring to the test several pens/pencils and a calculator.  You may not use a graphing calculator on the tests.  Only a scientific one.

You are expected to be in class for the exams.  If you are unable to be there, you must notify the instructor on or before the scheduled day.  Then a make-up can be discussed.  If you do not notify the instructor or are unable to take it before the test is handed back to the class, you may not take it.  Contact the instructor for alternatives. 

 

Exam Schedule

Exam #1:  Wednesday, February 12

Exam #2:  Wednesday, March 4

Exam #3:  Wednesday, April 1

Exam #4:  Wednesday, April 22

Final Exam:  Wednesday, May 13

*The final exam is a departmental comprehensive algebra exam and must be taken by all students.

 

Test Revisions:  You may choose one of the 4 exams (not the final) that you have taken, and both re-do and explain how to do any problem you missed points on.  You can get back up to half the points you missed.  It is an optional assignment and will be due the week before finals week.   See Canvas for more specific instructions on what to do for the revisions.

 

 

 

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR

Please do not talk to classmates while the instructor is lecturing.  You may ask questions of the instructor at any time.

Please do not leave the classroom during lecture.  It is distracting to others.   There will be a 10 minute break about half-way through the class time.

Please do not be on your cell phones during lectures.  Ideally they should be on silent and out of sight

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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)

2. Enter your password (your NCTC Student ID Number, either 7 or 9 numbers).

3. From the list of Microsoft icons, choose 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) 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 any school policy. Be sure to regularly check BOTH the Lion Pride email as well as the Canvas inbox for important messages and information.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  Valid reasons for absence do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. 

If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to get the notes from another student, and look at the material in MyLab Math to learn what you missed. 

I do not drop students for absences.   If you want to drop the class, you must do so yourself before the drop date.

 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW

Last day to withdraw with a “W” is Friday, April 3, 2020.

 

 

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 campuses at http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/student-success/tutoring/mathematics-lab.html

 

 

 

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).    https://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

 

 

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. https://www.nctc.edu/_documents/academics/student-handbook.pdf

 

 

 

 

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:

Mary Martinson

Office Location:

Gainesville 1404

Telephone Number:

940.668.7731 ext. 4377

E-mail Address:

mmartinson@nctc.edu

 

CAMPUS POLICIES

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 https://www.nctc.edu/campus-safety/campus-carry.html.

 

Parking Permits: The North Central Texas Community College District has managed traffic and parking regulations in order to ensure the safety of the campus community related to the operation and parking of vehicles on campus. These regulations apply to all operators of motor vehicles on campus. For parking permits and more information, see the website at https://www.nctc.edu/campus-safety/transportation-parking.html.

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