NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title:		College Algebra			Course Modality:	online
Course Prefix & Number:		MATH 1314	Section Number:	0830 & 0831	Class Day/Time:
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:	Sara Cooper
Campus/Office Location:	Online Canvas Conferences
Office Hours:	TBD
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:	sacooper@nctc.edu

 

STUDENT HOURS (OFFICE HOURS)

Each week instructors have time set aside to meet with students outside of class. (Traditionally these times have been called “office hours”.) This is a time when a student may ask questions regarding the class, or discuss a particular problem/topic with an instructor one-on-one.  Student hours may be held in-person or online.  See below for instructions on where/when/how instructors will offer student hours in this class.

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
	Homework	10
	Quiz	20
5	Test	50
1	Final Exam	20

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

MyMathLab is an online system where you will be spending most of your time working on homework, quizzes, and tests.  You will also have some test problems to work by hand and submit (in addition to submitting your scratch work from your test.) You will access MML through the Canvas course page using the MyLab and Mastering tab.  It has video lectures, podcasts of lectures, PowerPoint notes, and other means of helping you learn the material.  It also gives you access to the ebook, so you don’t need to purchase a textbook.  MML is where you will work on homework, quizzes, and portions of your tests. 

Homework

Homework is 10% of your grade.  It will be divided into sections based on the sections of the textbook.  For most of the homework problems, except some multiple choice problems, you will have 3 chances to get the problem correct.  If you are not correct on the third try, it is marked wrong.  However, you can click on the button at the bottom of the homework window that says “try again”.  You will get a whole new problem (similar to the original), that you can have another 3 chances at (and if you get this one correct, then it is not marked wrong anymore).  In other words, you have 15 chances to get most problems correct.  So there really is little reason why you cannot get near 100% on all the homework assignments!

At the end of the semester, I will drop your 5 lowest homework grades.

Quizzes

Quizzes are 20% of your grade.  You cannot check each problem separately in the quizzes as you can in the homework.  You must complete the entire quiz and submit it.  Then you will be told your grade, and you can review problems you missed.  You may take each quiz five times, and your highest grade will be the one recorded.  It is a good idea to try your quizzes without your notes to help you prepare for your exam.  At the end of the semester, I will drop your 2 lowest quiz grades.

A scientific calculator is required for this class.  The recommended one is the TI-30X IIS.  You may not use your cellphone (iPad, tablet, etc.) calculators for tests.

Exams

Exams will be 50% of your grade.  The exams will be on MML You will also have some problems that will be worked out by hand and submitted on test days.  You are expected to do your own work.  I reserve the right to schedule a conference with you and ask you to work a similar problem. You are expected to do your own work, notes are not allowed.  Remember, you are in this class mainly to prepare for Calculus or another STEM track. You may take your test anytime between 7 am and 11 pm on the day of the test.  You will have 2 hours to complete your test and should do so in one attempt.  You will submit your scratch work which will be neat and numbered.  If you fail to submit your work, your test grade may not be accepted.  Tentatively, exams will be given on the following days.

Exam #1:  September 24 (Chapter 1).

Exam #2:  October 15 (Chapter 2).

Exam #3:  November 5 (Chapter 3)

Exam #4:  November 19 (Chapter 4)

Exam #5:  December 3 (Chapter 5 and 7.1)

 

Final exam will be 20% of your final grade.  It will also be given on MML and you will submit your scratch work. 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. 

 

Final Exam:  December 8 (Comprehensive).

 

 

 

See Canvas for the tentative schedule.

 

 

 

*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. 

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE See tentative calendar in Canvas

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

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)

Testing may be administered in a variety of ways and the mode of testing may change during the semester as deemed appropriate by the instructor.  When possible, in-person proctored testing is preferred.    For online classes in-person proctored testing may be required.  On site testing may be done in an NCTC testing center, at test locations provided by the math division, or at another authorized testing site.  If online testing is used students may be required to use a webcam while testing.  For online testing students will be required to scan and upload supporting documents.  Students may be asked to demonstrate knowledge/skills in a one-on-one conference if deemed necessary by the instructor.  Most of you will be testing at your high school.  If that won’t work for you, please let me know as soon as possible.

This schedule is tentative and will most likely change as the semester progresses.  It is provided so that you have a general idea of the order and speed with which we will be covering the material.

 

Assessment name	Tentative Date
Test 1	Friday, Sept 24
Test 2	Friday, Oct 15
Test 3	Friday Nov 5
Test 4	Friday, Nov 19
Test 5	Friday, Dec 3
Final Exam	Wednesday, Dec 8

 

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.