NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title:		College Algebra			Course Modality:	Online
Course Prefix & Number:		MATH 1314	Section Number:	0342	Class Day/Time:	Online
Semester Credit Hours:		3	Lecture Hours:	48	Semester/Year:	Fall 2021
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, 13th edition, Pearson, 2021 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:	Ravi Kumar
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth 207
Office Hours:	Virtual: By Appointment Only
Telephone Number:	940-498-6282, ext. 6355
E-mail Address:	rkumar@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

All office hours will be held online this semester.  Students can schedule an appointment by email and setting up an appointment. A virtual meeting can be held through The Cisco Webex option in Canvas.  The times that the instructor is available will vary.  

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
34	Homework	15%
11	Quizzes	10%
4	Exams	60%
1	Final Exam	15%

 

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

 

 

 

HOMEWORK, AND QUIZZES POLICIES

All homework, and quizzes  are completed online in MyMathLab. The first day of class; please log into Canvas and click on the MyLab and Mastering link. If for any reason you cannot log into MyMathLab from Canvas email me immediately. Everyone needs an access code for MyMathLab before they may complete any assignments. If you do not have the money at this time to purchase the access code you may use the temporary access.

You will be permitted temporary access for the first 14 days after you log into your course. At the end of that time, you will be prompted again for a new access code. If you are waiting for Financial Aid, please use the Temporary Access Code, but buy the code as soon as your Financial Aid money is in the bookstore. Do not enter the new code until you are prompted by MyMathLab, otherwise it will create a new account.

 

Homework: Please complete all scheduled homework assignments by the date listed in MyMathLab. Each homework question may be attempted five times in order to increase your homework grade. To do this click on the Similar Exercise button located at the bottom of the page (this button replaces Check Answer).

 

Quizzes: Please complete all scheduled quizzes by the date listed in MyMathLab. Quizzes may be attempted three times. You may review your quiz by going into your Gradebook and select your quiz. Do NOT use any notes or help to complete quizzes while testing.

 

Plug-ins: At home, you will need to download some plug-ins before viewing assignments. There are several places in MLP for you to run the Installation Wizard. These plug-ins do not take very long to download. They are required for you to view the assignments and to generate new problems. Please call Tech Support Number for Priority Schools: Students and Instructors. 1-855-875-1797. If you have any issues downloading the plug-ins, you may also use the 24/7 web site if you are having technical problems with MyLabsPlus, contact the Customer Technical Support Team at http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com.

 

TEST POLICES & PROCEDURES

The exams are not online. They are pencil & paper and must be proctored. 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.            TENTATIVE TEST SCHEDULE   Exam 1:   Covering sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 2.1, 2.2      September 15, 2021 Exam 2:   Covering sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 3.1, 3.2                    October 13, 2021 Exam 3:   Covering sections 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4                    November 10, 2021 Exam 4:   Covering sections 4.5, 4. 6, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.5, 5.7, 7.1                   December 1, 2021   Final Exam             Comprehensive                                                                    December 6, 2021 This schedule is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.   Students who are unable to attend the above primary exam dates & times on the Corinth campus may, with the instructor’s approval, test at another NCTC campus testing center, or at another institution’s official testing center.  These alternate testing arrangements must be communicated to the instructor at least 2 weeks prior to the primary testing date and may be approved at the instructor’s discretion.  If approved for an alternate testing location, the student must schedule the exam on any day before the primary Wednesday date for that exam.   Contact information for the NCTC Counseling & Testing Centers may be found at: http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting/Makeupexams.aspx (Links to an external site.)   Exams will generally be graded in about a week.  Once graded, the grades will be posted in our Canvas course site.  You can pick up your graded exams on the Corinth campus, room 207. If you e-mail me, I can arrange for you to pick up an exam at another NCTC campus, or to have it scanned and e-mailed to you.

There will be no make-up exams or quizzes.   If your final exam score is higher than the lowest of the 4 intra-semester exams, then the final exam score will replace the lowest of the 4 exam grades. 

 

I know each student within the semester will have their own specific challenges that they face privately but each one of you need to execute each task as best as you can and soldier on.  This is life. Please do not ask for “grace” or extensions because this is unfair to those who kept their challenges to themselves and did not ask for this.  In short, complete tasks in timely manner.

 

Tentative Weekly Schedule

	Date	Topic
1	Aug.23-29	Introduction Linear Equations Refresh on Greatest Common Factor (R.6)
		Applications and Modeling with Linear Equation (Mixture and Motion only) Refresh on Factoring Polynomials (R.6) 1.3 Complex Numbers
2	Aug.30-Sep.5	1.4 Quadratic Equations
		1.5 Applications and Modeling with Quadratic Equations 1.6 Other Types of Equations and Applications (Omit work rate and equations of quadratic form)   1.7 Inequalities-( Linear and 3- part only)
3	Sep. 6- Sep. 12	No Class- MON SEPTEMBER 6– Labor Day holiday
		1.8 Absolute value equations and inequalities (Linear only- Eqs. & Ineqs.) 2.1 Rectangular Coordinates and Graphs (omit midpoint formula) 2.2 Circles
4	Sep.13-Sep. 19
		TEST #1: September 15 2.3 Functions
5	Sep. 20-Sep.26	2.4 Linear Functions
		2.5 Equations of lines (Omit modeling data and solving in one var. by graphing) 2.6 Graphs of Basic functions (Omit continuity and x = y2)
6	Sep.27-Oct. 3	2.7 Graphing Techniques (Omit symmetry, even and odd)
		2.8 Function Operations on Functions and Composition
7	Oct. 4- Oct.10	3.1 Quadratic functions and Models
		3.2 Synthetic division
8	Oct.11- 17	TEST # 2: October 13
		3.3 Zeros of Polynomial Functions (omit Descartes’ rule of signs)
9	Oct. 18-24	3.4 Polynomial functions and graphs (Omit Intermediate Value and        Boundedness Theorems, Approx. of Real Zeros, and Polynomial models)
		3.5 Rational Graphs (Omit oblique asymptotes and holes)
10	Oct. 25-31	3.7 Variation
		4.1 Inverse functions (Omit Application)
11	Nov 1 -Nov 7	4.2 Exponential Functions (Omit Modelling Growth) 4.3 Logarithmic Functions (Omit graphing logs) 4.4 Evaluating Logarithms and the Change-of-Base Theorem (Omit Applications)     **Last Day to Drop with a W is Monday 11/1***
12	Nov 8- 14	TEST #3: November 10
		4.5 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations (Omit Applications) 4.6 Applications of Exponential Growth and Decay (omit Models)
13	Nov15- 21	5.1 Systems of Linear Equations (omit Applications)
		5.3 Determinants solutions of Linear equations (omit Cofactors and Determinant Thm) 5.5 Non-linear systems of Equations (omit Applications)
14	Nov 22-28	5.7 Properties of Matrices (omit Applications) 7.1 Sequences & Series
		Thanksgiving Holiday Break - Wed., Nov 24 – 28
15	Nov 29-Dec 5	Test # 4: December 1 Review for Final Exam
16		Final Exams Dec 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

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.

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 Monday, November 1, 2021.

 

Students who need help with any math class can visit the NCTC Mathematics Lab to receive assistance. Sign up for an appointment or see the most current tutoring hours for all campuses at http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/student-success/tutoring/mathematics-lab.html. 

 

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 160 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  

 

           Communication

X            Mathematics                  

           Life and Physical Science

           Language, Philosophy & Culture

           Creative Arts

           American History

           Government/Political Science

           Social and Behavioral Sciences

           Component Area Option

 

X            Critical Thinking

X            Communication

X            Empirical and Quantitative

           Teamwork

           Personal Responsibility

           Social Responsibility

 

           Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

X            Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

           WECM Course

 

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. https://www.nctc.edu/_documents/academics/student-handbook.pdf. 

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  The use of online math solvers with submitted work is considered academic dishonesty.  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:	Ben Owens
Office Location:	Corinth 170
Telephone Number:	940-498-6209
E-mail Address:	bowens@nctc.edu
Instructional Dean:	Mary Martinson
Office Location:	Gainesville 1404
Telephone Number:	940.668.7731 ext. 4377
E-mail Address:	mmartinson@nctc.edu

 

Syllabi statement regarding potential Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19 or other health related crisis, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 27, 2021 and are subject to change as conditions change.

 

Syllabi Statement Regarding Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students are not required to wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. In May, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott released an Executive Order prohibiting Government entities from mandating the use of masks. As a political subdivision of the State of Texas, NCTC will follow the Governor’s Executive Order for Government entities and effective immediately NCTC is no longer mandating the use of masks while on campus. This order does not mean that you cannot choose to wear a mask, rather it is no longer allowed to be mandated. These policies and procedures were updated on May 19, 2021 and are subject to change.

 

Return to Standard Attendance Protocol for Face-to-Face Meetings: In spring 2020, we faced an unprecedented situation in which all of us had to be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.

 

Faculty will:

 

• Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.

 

Students should:

• Provide notification to campus officials if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
• Notify instructors in advance of the absence.
• Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
• Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
• Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
• Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
• Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.

During the fall 2021 semester, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website.

Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html

 

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.