NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course title: College Algebra
Course prefix, number, and section number: MATH 1314 0970
Semester/Year of course: Fall 2023
Semester start and end dates: 8/28/2023 – 12/16/2023 (16-week session)
Modality: In-person classroom, Bowie campus
Class meeting location, days, and times: Tuesday & Thursday 8:00-9:20AM
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:
- Registration in the course gives you the access code to the online learning platform and e-book needed for MATH 1314 (MyLab Math). You do not need to purchase a separate access code. Instructions can be found in a separate document on the Course Homepage. (see * Follett ACCESS below for more information)
- Scientific calculator, TI-30X IIS is required. NOTE: Graphing calculators and phone calculators will not be allowed on exams.
- Required Technology: Computer with dependable, fast-speed internet capabilities.
- Free scanner app downloaded to student cell phone.
Optional course materials:
- College Algebra, Lial/Hornsby/Schneider/Daniels, 13th edition, Pearson, 2021
- A web camera and headphones with a microphone are needed for WebEx office hours.
Name of instructor: Cammy Boaz, B.S., M.S. Mathematics, M.S. Data Science
Office location: Bowie campus, Office #131
Telephone number: (940) 872-4002 (front office)
E-mail address: cboaz@nctc.edu
Office hours for students:
Group Tutoring (following class): Tuesday 9:20AM – 10:00AM
Thursday 9:20AM – 10:00AM
WebEx online (by appointment): Wednesday 4:00PM – 6:00PM
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.
Your questions and concerns are important to me. Here are your options to schedule individual time with me:
- Scheduling Online Office Hours: Students who wish to make an appointment to meet online with the instructor using WebEx will refer to the Canvas Home page icon named ‘Office Hours’. This module contains a link to the Calendly scheduler. Students will select a date and time as desired. The student will receive a confirmation email containing the required WebEx meeting link for the designated date and time. Save and utilize this link to join the instructor at the requested date and time. Students can cancel and/or reschedule an appointment using this resource.
- Asking Questions using Email: Students are always welcome to communicate their questions or concerns using their preferred Lion Pride Email account. Students may also send questions using the Pearson ‘Ask the Instructor’ option available in each homework component. Students are expected to clearly identify themselves and use professional communication skills.
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. This service is free for all students enrolled in an NCTC math class. Sign up for an appointment or see the most current tutoring hours for all campuses at https://www.nctc.edu/math-lab.
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:
Pearson MyLab Homework 15%
Pearson MyLab Quizzes 20%
Participation assignments (weekly) 5%
Unit Exams (4) 45%
Final Exam * (1) 15%
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.
GRADING POLICY
Pearson Homework: All homework will be completed online using MyLab following the scheduled due dates. You will have unlimited attempts to maximize your score by the assigned due date.
Pearson Quizzes: All quiz assignments will be completed online using MyLab following the scheduled due dates. You will have three (3) attempts to maximize your score by the assigned due date. The highest score will be recorded.
Late Pearson Homework/Quizzes policy: Due dates on homework/quizzes will not be extended but students can continue to improve assignments, after the due date for a 10% penalty.
TESTING POLICY
Unit Exams & Final Exam: All unit exams and the final exam will be completed ‘In-person’ and proctored by the NCTC Testing Center. Students will be provided with instructions on how and when to schedule a testing appointment with the NCTC Campus Testing Center of your choice. This is a requirement of every mathematics course. No online testing is offered.
Testing Feedback: Students have 48-hours, following the return of testing feedback, to raise questions or concerns about grading. After the 48-hours have expired, students can no longer contest a test grade. There will be no feedback provided following the final exam. The grade book in Canvas is the official record keeper of this course.
Missed Testing policy: There will be no late testing after the testing window closes. If you are aware of a necessary absence, please plan with your instructor to test early. This applies to unit exams and the final exam. Any missed exams will earn a zero. The final exam is comprehensive and must be taken by all students or a zero will be recorded. Make-up testing or re-takes are not offered for any reason.
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:
- Zero on the assignment
- Failing grade for the course
Attendance Policy:
Regular attendance is expected and necessary for student success in this course. For more information on attendance regulations please see the 2022-2023 NCTC Catalog. (https://www.nctc.edu/catalog; Click on 2022-2023 CATALOG and go to page 138 to see Attendance Regulations)
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 a 16-week course with a “W” is: Monday, November 6, 2023
Student Learning Outcomes: At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions, including domain and range, operations, compositions, and inverses.
- Recognize and apply polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions and solve related equations.
- Apply graphing techniques.
- Evaluate all roots of higher degree polynomial and rational functions.
- 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.
To access Student Handbook go to NCTC homepage (www.nctc.edu), scroll to bottom and click “Student Handbook”.
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.
* Follett ACCESS
Follett ACCESS is a partnership between the NCTC Bookstore and Pearson Education to provide the best learning resources on the first day of class. Students can gain access to Pearson’s adaptive online platform with the latest version of the eBook at a discount. If students would like to purchase a physical copy of the textbook, they can order it through the bookstore.
Students who drop before the add/drop date will have their book fees credited back to their student account, and students who remain in the course will be charged a materials fee by the school to have continued access of the online platforms. If you remain enrolled in the course but wish to opt-out of access to the book please email the NCTC Bookstore within the first two weeks of class with your name and student number to 1263mgr@follett.com.
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 174
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