COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

OVERVIEW

Course Title:  College Algebra

Course prefix, number, and section number:  MATH 1314 0341

Semester/Year of course:  Fall 2024

Semester start and end dates: 8/26/2024 – 12/11/2024 (16-week session)    

Semester credit hours:  3 (Lecture hours: 48)

Instructor:  Nena Kabranski

E-mail: Please use Canvas Messaging

Student Hours: Online Office Hours via email/canvas or scheduled through WebEx every Monday from 11-12 pm & Wednesday from 7-8 pm. Other times are available upon request.

Modality:  Asynchronous online with In-Person Proctored Exams

•  Online course using NCTC Canvas and MyMathLab
•  All notes, lecture videos, and assignments are posted online through Canvas and MyMathLab.
•  Midterm and Final Exams are in person scheduled and proctored on the NCTC campus in the testing center or an approved testing environment. 

On-Campus Exam Dates:

• Midterm Exam: Week 8 - Due by Noon on Friday, October 18.
• Final Exam: Week 16 - Due by Noon on Wednesday, December 11.

Communication: Communication primarily occurs via Canvas Messaging. Regular Canvas checks are imperative to stay updated on course announcements, instructions, and assignments. Messages should be addressed with the subject line "MATH 1314-0341" and uphold decorum to ensure timely responses. Expect responses from Monday to Friday, with occasional delays during weekends.

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: 

• Access Code for MyMathLab: 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.  
• How to Retrieve Your 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)
• Optional course materials: College Algebra Textbook, Lial/Hornsby/Schneider/Daniels, 13^th edition, Pearson, 2021 (MyMathLab will provide an e-text so you do not need the hardcopy)
• Scientific Calculator. Graphing calculators and phone calculators will not be allowed on exams.

Technology requirements for all online courses:

• A PC or Mac computer or laptop with a broadband or similar Internet connection. 
• Access to a backup computer with internet access in case of temporary technology issues.             
• Adobe Reader (to view .pdfs).
• Speakers or headsets for listening to video or audio files.

  Technology recommendations for all online courses: 

• Updated antivirus software. 
• Flashdrive or Cloud drive to back up all documents and work.

STUDENT HOURS (OFFICE HOURS)

Instructors have time set aside each week 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 above for instructions on where/when/how instructors will offer student hours in this class.

<< For online office hours, students can schedule an appointment by selecting the Cisco Webex option in Canvas and navigating to the “Office Hour” tab.  The times that the instructor is available will be displayed there and a student may schedule a meeting by choosing a time and selecting “Confirm Meeting” at the bottom of the page.>>

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 in writing.

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

Course Assignments & Assessments: The semester will encompass approximately 32 objectives spread across 6 chapters, segmented into 5 modules.

• The midterm exam covers the material from the first two Module Exams and must be taken by all students. The Midterm Exam may also be used to replace one of the first two NONZERO Module Exam grades.
• 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 any other NONZERO exam grade.

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

GRADING CRITERIA

Grading: Grades will be instantly accessible via the Canvas grade book.

List of graded assignments: 

   Assignments          20%

   MML Quizzes        10%

4 Module Exams      20%

1 Midterm Exam      25%

1 Final Exam             25%

FINAL GRADE SCALE

90 – 100% = A;  

80 – 89% = B;

70 – 79% = C; 

60 – 69% = D; 

Below 60% = F

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 suspected to be 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

GUIDELINES ON THE USE OF GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TOOLS AND MATH-SOLVING APPS AT NCTC:

Course Overview and Technology Integration Statement: At NCTC, we recognize the evolving landscape of educational technology. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and math-solving applications offer unique opportunities for learning and problem-solving. However, their use comes with responsibilities. This syllabus section provides guidelines and expectations regarding the ethical and responsible integration of these tools in this course.

Generative AI Overview: Generative AI can produce or modify content, such as text, images, and music, based on learned patterns from vast datasets. While these tools can be valuable for tasks ranging from content creation to data analysis, they require careful consideration to ensure ethical and academic integrity.

Math-Solving Applications Overview: Math-solving applications are digital tools designed to assist students in solving mathematical problems, ranging from basic arithmetic to advanced calculus. These apps can be instrumental in practicing, verifying solutions, and understanding complex mathematical concepts. However, reliance on them without understanding can hinder genuine learning.

Challenges and Opportunities:

• Challenges:

1. Bias and Misinformation: Generative AI outputs may reflect inherent biases.
2. Intellectual Property: AI-generated content can have copyright implications.
3. Academic Integrity: Improper use can lead to plagiarism or unethical submissions.
4. Over-reliance on Tools: Dependency on math-solving apps can hinder conceptual understanding.

• Opportunities:

1. Personalization: AI tools can tailor content to individual student interests.
2. Collaboration: Facilitate collaborative tasks through shared AI-generated content.
3. Enhanced Problem-solving: Math apps can offer step-by-step solutions, aiding in understanding.

Guidelines for Technology Use in this Course:

Limited AI/Math App Use with Permission: If AI or math app integration is necessary for specific tasks, students must seek explicit faculty permission and provide proper citations or references for content or solutions obtained.

For Students:

• Foster your AI and math app literacy. Understand how to critically evaluate these tools.
• Always cite and attribute content or solutions obtained from AI or math apps.
• Engage in ethical use, ensuring genuine learning and understanding.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Regular attendance is expected and necessary for student success in this course. For more information on attendance regulations please see the 2024-2025 NCTC Catalog.  (https://www.nctc.edu/catalog; Click on 2024-2025 CATALOG and go to page 138 to see Attendance Regulations)

• While lessons are asynchronous, proactive participation is mandatory. Attendance is marked based on assignment submission frequencies.
• Requirements include:
  1. Completion of the online course orientation and its associated assignments.
  2. Active engagement: daily email checks, timely assignment submissions, forum participation, and adherence to test schedules.
• Lack of orientation completion or participation might result in course removal. Qwickly Attendance monitors absences and sends alerts.
• With 32 scheduled sessions, missing 5 assignments could lead to potential course expulsion.

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.

The last day to withdraw from a 16-week course with a “W” is Monday, November 4, 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 the 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 concerning 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.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

The student should contact the instructor for 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