NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

 

 

Course title:  College Algebra

Course prefix, number, and section number:  MATH 1314 0503

Semester/Year of course:  Spring 2024

Semester start and end dates: 1/16/2024 – 5/11/2024 (16-week session)

                                               

Modality:  Face to face

Class meeting location, days, and times: Monday and Wednesday 9:30 am – 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: 

Registration in the course automatically adds a textbook fee to your NCTC tuition and fees which gives you access 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 on how to get your access code can be found in a document on the Course Homepage or in the course Modules. (see * Inclusive Access below for more information)

 

Scientific calculator, TI-30X IIS is recommended

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

 

Optional course materials:  College Algebra, Lial/Hornsby/Schneider/Daniels, 13^th edition, Pearson, 2021

 

Name of instructor: Barbara Bernal

Office location: FLM 107

Telephone number:

E-mail address: bbernal@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: M W 11 am – noon, or online by appointment

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.

 

In person office hours are walk-in (no appointment necessary), though I would appreciate some kind of advanced notice if you plan to come. For online meetings, please email with your preferred meeting time(s) and we can set up an appointment. I’ll send you a link to join through Canvas in Big Blue Button.

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: 

 

Homework (approx. 40): 10%

Quizzes (approx. 12): 14%

Midterm Tests (3): 57%

Final Exam: 19%

 

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: Late work is not accepted for credit any reason. Grading has built-in fail-safes, whether dropping or replacing the lowest grade. See below categories.

 

Homework is to be completed through MyLab and Mastering. Extensions will not be given for any reason. Complete early if your internet connection is unstable. The lowest homework grade will be dropped.

 

Quizzes will be given in class, on paper. Make ups will not be allowed. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

 

Midterm tests will be given in class, on paper. Make ups are not allowed for any reason. If you know ahead of time that you will miss a test, contact me before the test and you can likely take the test early. Otherwise, the final exam grade will replace that test grade. If you miss more than one test, you will receive a zero for the missing tests with no chance of replacement.

 

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 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, April 1, 2024

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.

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.

 

* Inclusive Access

The NCTC Bookstore and Pearson Education have partnered to provide the best learning resources on the first day of class so that 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 purchase 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.

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QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS