Course Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

 

 

 

Course title:  College Algebra

Course prefix, number, and section number:  MATH 1314 504

Semester/Year of course:  Spring 2022

Semester start and end dates: (16-wk) 1/18/2022 – 5/14/2022;

Modality:  Face to face Tue/Thurs 9:30-10:50 am

 

Semester credit hours:  3 (Lecture hours: 48)

 

Course description:  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 prerequisites:  Meet TSI college-readiness standard for College Algebra or equivalent

 

Required course materials:  College Algebra, Lial/Hornsby/Schneider/Daniels, 13th edition, Pearson, 2021 or MyLab Math access code (e-text included in MyLab Math)

Scientific calculator, TI-30X IIS is recommended

Graphing calculators and phone calculators will not be allowed on exams.

 

Name of instructor:  Cary Crawford

Office location: Flower Mound Campus, room 107

Telephone number:

E-mail address: ccrawford@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: Mon/Wed 12:30-2:00; Tue/Thu 11-12

 

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.

 

Email me at ccrawford@nctc.edu to set up an appointment or come by my office during the above listed times.

 

MATH TUTORING LAB

 

Students who need help with any math class can visit the NCTC Mathematics Lab to receive assistance.  There are math tutors available on every campus and online.  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

 

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

 

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

 

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

 

List of graded assignments: 

 

1.1 Solving Linear Equations                                                                               Jan 20

1.2 Mixture and Motion Problems                                                                     Jan 23

1.3 Complex Numbers                                                                                          Jan 23

Quiz 1 (1.1-1.3)                                                                                                      Jan 25

1.4 Quadratic Equations                                                                                      Jan 27

1.5 Quadratic Applications                                                                                  Jan 30

1.6 Rational and Radical Equations                                                                    Jan 30

1.7 Inequalities                                                                                                     Feb 3

1.8 Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities                                               Feb 3

Quiz 2 (1.4-1.8)                                                                                                      Feb 6

EXAM 1 (1.1-1.8)                                                                                                   Feb 8

2.1 Distance Formula                                                                                           Feb 13

2.2 Circles                                                                                                               Feb 17

2.3 Functions                                                                                                         Feb 17

2.4 Slope And Graphing                                                                                       Feb 20

Quiz 3 (2.1-2.4)                                                                                                      Feb 22

2.5 Writing Equations of Lines                                                                            Feb 24 

2.6 Parent Functions and Piecewise Functions                                               Feb 27

2.7 Transformations                                                                                             Feb 27

Graph Shifting – OFFLINE HWK DUE IN CLASS                                                 Mar 1

2.8 Composite Functions/Difference Quotient                                               Mar 1

Quiz 4 (2.5-2.8)                                                                                                      Mar 2

EXAM 2 (2.1-2.8)                                                                                                   Mar 3

3.1 Quadratic Functions and Graphing                                                             Mar 10

3.2 Synthetic Division; Remainder Theorem                                                   Mar 20

3.3 Factor Theorem                                                                                              Mar 20

Quiz 5 (3.1-3.3)                                                                                                      Mar 22

3.4 Polynomial Graphs                                                                                        Mar 24

Polynomial - OFFLINE HWK DUE IN CLASS                                                        Mar 24

3.5 Rational Graphs                                                                                              Mar 27

Rational  – OFFLINE HWK DUE IN CLASS                                                           Mar 29

3.6 Variation                                                                                                          Mar 27

4.1 Inverse Functions                                                                                           Mar 31

4.2 Exponential Functions                                                                                   Mar 31

Quiz 6 (3.4-4.2)                                                                                                      Apr 3

Exponential – OFFLINE HWK DUE IN CLASS                                                      Apr 5

EXAM 3 (3.1-3.6, 4.1-4.2)                                                                                    Apr 5

4.3 Logarithmic Functions                                                                                   Apr 10

4.4 Logs with Calculators; Change of Base Rule                                              Apr 14

4.5 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations                                                    Apr 14

4.6 Log Applications                                                                                             Apr 17

Quiz 7 (4.3-4.6)                                                                                                      Apr 19

5.1 Solving Systems – Substitution/Elimination                                              Apr 21

5.5 Non – Linear Systems                                                                                    Apr 21

5.2 Solving Systems with Matrices                                                                    Apr 24

5.7 Matrix Properties, Operations                                                                     Apr 28

5.3 Determinants and Cramer’s Rule                                                                Apr 28

7.1 Sequences, Sums, Sigma Notation                                                              May 1

Quiz 8 (5.1-5.3, 5.5, 5.7, 7.1)                                                                               May 1

EXAM 4 (4.3-7.1)                                                                                                   May 3

Final (Comprehensive)                                                                                        May 12

 

Homework assignments are worth 10% of the final grade

Quizzes are worth 15% of the final grade

Exams are 75% of the final grade

             

Final grade scale:  90 – 100% = A;   80 – 89% = B; 70 – 79% = C;  60 – 69% = D;  Below 60% = F

*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.

 

Late work policy:  Homework may be completed late for 20% off.  No late quizzes will be accepted.  I will allow one make-up exam IF you notify me ahead of time.

 

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

 


 

COURSE POLICIES

 

 

Academic Integrity Policy:

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 Code of Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”.  

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

  1. Zero on the assignment
  2. Failing grade for the course

 

Attendance Policy:

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)

 

Withdrawal Policy

A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

 

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: (16-wk) Monday, April 4, 2022

 

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.

 

Core Objectives:

X            Critical Thinking

X            Communication

X            Empirical and Quantitative

Teamwork

Personal Responsibility

Social Responsibility

 

COLLEGE POLICIES

 

 

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

 

ADA STATEMENT

NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations.  See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.


STUDENT SERVICES

NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students.  See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

 

 

 

The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class.  If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division.  If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:  Ben Owens

Office location:  Corinth 173

Telephone number:  940.498.6209

E-mail address:  bowens@nctc.edu

 

Name of Instructional Dean:  Mary Martinson

Office location:  Gainesville 1403

Telephone number:  940.668.7731 ext. 4377

E-mail address:  mmartinson@nctc.edu