COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course Title: College Algebra
Course prefix, number, and section number: MATH 1314 0341
Semester/Year of course: Fall 2025
Semester start and end dates: 8/25/2025 - 12/13/2025
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 3 - Due by noon October 17.
- Final Exam: Due by December 10.
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.
- Current email address (default email address is Lion Pride)
*** NO GRAPHING CALCULATORS NOR CELL PHONE CALCULATORS ALLOWED – ONLY SCIENTIFIC CALCULATORS ALLOWED. ***
Optional course materials:
College Algebra with Integrated Review, Lial/Hornsby/Schneider/Daniels, 13th edition, Pearson, 2021
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.
Instructor: Nena Kabranski
E-mail: nkabranski@nctc.edu
For faster responses, please use Canvas Messaging. Emails will be answered within 24 hours. Regular Canvas checks are essential to stay updated on course announcements, instructions, and assignments.
STUDENTS SUPPORT
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 online. See below for instructions on where/when/how instructors will offer student hours in this class.
Online Student Hours: Appointments for virtual meetings can be made by clicking this Cisco Webex Link in Canvas and selecting the “Office Hours” option at the top. Please make appointments at least a day in advance.
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.
SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
Course Assignments & Assessments: The semester will encompass approximately 32 objectives spread across 6 chapters, segmented into 4 modules.
Canvas Interface: Access lesson materials under the Modules tab in the Course Menu on Canvas. Lessons are systematically organized for each exam, comprising Lesson Overviews, lecture resources, and practice exercises.
Homework & Quizzes:
- Each Canvas lesson links directly to the corresponding MyMathLab homework & quizzes.
- Students can attempt homework infinitely many times & quizzes twice.
- All assignments are open until the end of the semester and can be completed for a late grade.
- There is a weekly discussion board assignments and completing all discussion boards is a prerequisite to continue working in the class.
- Late work policy: Homework, Chapter Quizzes, and Module Exams (In MML) may be worked past their due date with a 20% late grade penalty.
Examinations & Assessments:
- Four Module tests will be hosted on MyMathLab. No notes are permissible during these exams. These exams constitute 20% of the final grade and can be taken twice. Any type of calculator are allowed on those exams.
- Make-up Exams won't be provided unless you have prior permission.
- Occasional pop-up quizzes on Canvas will ensure daily student engagement.
- There is No makeup exams for Midterm or Final will be allowed. They must be completed on or before their due date.
- After the final exam, there is NO more work a student can do to improve their grade.
- 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.
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:
- 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 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:
- Completion of the online course orientation and its associated assignments.
- 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 is November 3.
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
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.
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 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