NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title:  College Algebra

Course prefix, number, and section number:  MATH 1314 section: 0977

Semester/Year of course:  Spring 2024

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

Modality:  Face to face:  Graham campus

Class meeting location, days, and times: Monday & Wednesday, 8:00AM-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 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 exams.

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

Name of instructor:  Cammy Boaz, B.S., M.S. Mathematics, M.S. Data Science

Office location:  Bowie campus, Room 131

Telephone number:  (940) 872-4002

E-mail address:  cboaz@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: schedule posted in Canvas

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 student 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 when posing a question.

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: 

Participation assignments                                                                    5%

Pearson MyLab Homework                                                                15%

Pearson MyLab Quizzes                                                                      20%

Unit Exams                                                                                          40%

Final Exam *                                                                                        20%

 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.

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:

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 will need to follow browser specific instructions, provided by the instructor, to gain access to their learning resources.  Please refer to Canvas for detailed instructions.

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.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS