MATH 1314 0311 - COLLEGE ALGEBRA

Introduction

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Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

 

Course title:  College Algebra

Course prefix, number, and section number:  MATH 1314 0311

Semester/Year of course:  Summer 2025

Semester start and end dates: 6/9/2025 – 7/10/2025 (1st 5-week session Summer I)

Modality: Asynchronous online

Class meeting location, days, and times:  Online using NCTC Canvas and MyMathLab with scheduled proctored exams in an NCTC Testing Center (or other approved testing environment). 

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:
MyMathLab access code (e-text included in MML)
Scientific calculator, TI-30X IIS is recommended
Graphing calculators and phone calculators will not be allowed on exams.


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

 

Name of instructor:  Dr Hernandez

Email address:  cphernandez@nctc.edu

I have no on-campus office or phone number at any of the campuses.

 

Communicating with your instructor: The preferred method for communication is through NCTC Canvas Inbox. However, if you send an email, it should be sent from your NCTC email address and must include your course and section number in the subject line. Emails sent from an address other than your NCTC email address and/or without the course and section number in the subject line may not receive a reply. I will endeavor to respond within 24 hours during the week. In general, emails received after noon on Friday (or the day before a College holiday) may not receive a response until the Monday morning (or the morning after a College holiday).

 

 

STUDENT HOURS (OFFICE HOURS)

Each week instructors have time set aside to meet with students outside of class. (Traditionally these times are 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 student hours: By Appointment Only. If you find that you need help one-on-one in person, please email me at least 3 weekdays in advance so that we may schedule a time that works for both of us. A campus meeting will occur at the Corinth campus only; the campus is only open M-Th in the summer. 

 

Online student hours:  By Appointment Only. If you find that you need help one-on-one online, please email me at least 1 weekday in advance so that we may schedule a time that works for both of us. Online or virtual meetings will take place using Canvas Cisco Webex.

 

 

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 most campuses 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: 

 

Number of Graded Elements

Title of Graded Element

Percentage of Total Grade

35

Assignments in MyLabMath

15%

4

Engagement Activities in Canvas

4%

4

Written Assignments

15%

4

Quizzes in MyLabMath

16

1

Written Mid-term Exam

25%

1

Written Final Exam

25%

 

Final grade scale: 

              (i.e. 90 to 100)

              (i.e. 80 to 89)

              (i.e. 70 – 79)

             (i.e. 60 – 69)

             (i.e. 0 – 59)

 

Please Note: Grades are based solely on your performance and the results you achieve on the graded activities for this course. I do not grade on a curve, as that would be a comparison of your outcomes to others. No extra work or assignments exist to raise your grade or to make up a grade.  (This includes after final grades are submitted at the end of the semester.)

If you find you are not earning the grade you want or need, please ask questions of me by email, meet with a tutor or develop a study group, or contact me for a potential appointment.

 

Homework

Homework is an important component in student success for this course. Homework reinforces the topics from each section. There are three types of homework in this course.

 

Assignments in MyLabMath (15%):  These are assignments that cover the content of the course and are completed in MyLabMath (MLM) through Access Pearson. These are accessed on the computer through Pearson. Most problems have multiple (but not unlimited) attempts and the highest score is kept for each assignment. Most assignments contain videos that must be watched in order to continue on with the problems in the assignment. The top 35 assignments will be used for the assignment average.

MyLab Math assignments have two important dates: The due date is scheduled in the syllabus, canvas, and MyLabMath. This is the due date by which full credit may be earned on any problem answered correctly in an assignment. All of the assignments in a unit should be completed by the deadline for the unit assignments, which is the same as the due date for the Unit review assignment. Problems on any given assignment completed after the assignment’s due date and before the deadline will receive a 15% deduction in credit.

There is no need to ask the instructor to modify due dates because of this policy. (Caution: If you finished a problem prior to the due date correctly and you rework it after the due date, it will accrue the 15% penalty. Use the Study plan to work on those problems, not the assignment.)

 

Engagement Assignments in Canvas (4%): This consists of 4 assignments: 1 Information Sheet and 3 Discussion boards. The information sheet is information for the instructor. The discussion boards provide engagement with fellow students and with the instructor.

 

Written Assignments in Canvas (15%): There are 4 content-based written assignments that are handwritten and submitted in Canvas. There is one at the end of each content Module. These written submissions are written math assignments in order for the student to garner feedback prior to the written Midterm Exam and written final exam.

 

Late work policy:  In general, late work is not accepted. This applies to all assignments in Canvas and MyLabMath (MLM). The due dates are available in the syllabus calendar and in Canvas. Assignments in MLM should be completed by the due dates on the calendar and in Canvas, and must be completed by the deadline in MyLabMath.

 

Quizzes (16%): There are four quizzes that are given in MyLabs. There is one at the end of each content Module. They are timed at 60 minutes each.  You will have two (2) attempts at each quiz. The highest score will be kept. In general, the quizzes will open on Thursdays and are due by 11:59 pm on Sunday. Both attempts must be completed by 11:59 pm on the due date.

 

Midterm Exam (25%): The Midterm Exam is an in-person proctored exam administered at an NCTC campus testing center or another approved testing facility (with permission of instructor) according to the schedule below and in the calendar. The exam is timed at 80 minutes and only one attempt is allowed. It covers  the content in Modules 1 and 2.

  • There is no make-up Midterm exam: If you find that you will not be available to take the Midterm exam on its scheduled date, please email me at least 1 week in advance so that we may schedule a date prior to the exam for you to take it.
  • In case you miss the Midterm exam: A missed exam receives the grade of zero (0). Seventy-five percent (75%) of the score earned on the Final exam will replace the 0 on the missed exam. 

 

Final Exam (25%): The Final Exam is a written comprehensive departmental exam and is required of all students. It is timed at 120 minutes. It covers the content of all 4 modules. The Final exam is an in-person proctored exam administered at an NCTC campus testing center or another approved testing facility (with permission of instructor) according to the schedule below and in the calendar.

  • If you know you cannot take it on the scheduled date, you may take it one day early. A missed final exam receives the grade of zero (0). There is no make-up or replacement for a missed final exam.
  • If the Midterm exam was not taken, its 0 will be replaced by 75% of the score earned on the final exam.
  • If the Midterm exam was taken and its score is less than the score earned on the Final exam, the score earned on the Final exam will replace the score on the Midterm.

 

 

QUIZ and EXAM DATES: 

Quiz #1:           Thursday 6/12/2025 - Sunday 6/15/2025

Quiz #2:           Thursday 6/19/2025 - Sunday 6/22/2025

Midterm:         Wednesday 6/25/2025

Quiz #3:           Thursday 6/26/2025 - Sunday 6/29/2025

Quiz #4:           Thursday 7/3/2025 - Monday 7/7/2025 (Campuses are closed 7/3 – 7/6)

FINAL EXAM:   Thursday, 7/10/2025

 

After the final exam there is NO more work a student can do to improve their grade. The final exam marks the end of the course.

 

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, CONTENT 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

 

Artificial Intelligence Policy:  Submission of AI generated responses on Discussion boards or for written assignments is considered academic dishonesty. You can use AI for help, but do not submit it as your own work. See the AI policies below. If you use AI for support, you should acknowledge the use of generative AI (other than incidental use) and default to disclosing such assistance when in doubt.

 

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)

 

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 Summer I course with a “W” is: Monday, June 30, 2025

 

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

 

 

 

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.


AI STATEMENT

Absent a clear statement from a course instructor, use of or consultation with generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or other similar technologies shall be treated analogously to assistance from another person, agency, or entity. In particular, using generative AI tools to substantially complete an assignment or exam is not permitted. Students should acknowledge the use of generative AI (other than incidental use) and default to disclosing such assistance when in doubt.

 

When students use generative AI to replace the rigorous demands of personal engagement with their coursework, it runs counter to the educational mission of the college and undermines the heart of education itself. Artificial Intelligence, large language models, and other such technologies hold promise for deploying knowledge in service to others and accelerating the discovery of new knowledge. However, such technology poses new challenges to pedagogy and to integrity. Within the context of the teaching mission of the college and consistent with the Student Code of Conduct, the authority to define the appropriate use, study, and deployment of these technologies rests with the faculty.

 

Individual course instructors, in coordination with their divisions, set policies regulating the use of generative AI tools in their courses, including allowing or disallowing some or all uses of such tools. Course instructors will set such policies in their course syllabi and clearly communicate such policies to students. Students who are unsure of policies regarding generative AI tools are encouraged to ask their instructors for clarification.

 

AI MATH DIVISION STATEMENT

Many online calculators, equation solvers, and graphing tools exist that may aid students in computing and visualizing math problems. These tools are a great resource for helping better understand how to work problems and can be a huge help in studying. However, these tools can be misused/overused. Math classes require students to develop a certain level of skill that a student must be able to demonstrate without the aid of these tools. Often a student may become reliant on these tools or have false sense of confidence in their knowledge and skills. Generally, if a student is using tools or resources to help learn material, eventually they must take away those resources to ensure they are able to work problems with only the tools allowed in the class. In short, we encourage students to use whatever tools they find useful in developing their knowledge and skills. But, these tools must be used thoughtfully so that true understanding and proficiency are developed. 

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.

 

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 Instructor:  Dr. C. Hernandez

E-mail address:  cphernandez@nctc.edu

 

Name of Chair:  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

 

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