NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course title: College Algebra
Course prefix, number, and section number: MATH 1314 0910_0315
Semester/Year of course: Spring 2026
Semester start and end dates: 1/12/2026 – 5/9/2026 (16-week)
Modality: Face to Face AND Synchronous Online (webex activation guide)
Class meeting location, days, and times: Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30 – 11:50am
Gainesville Campus, 500 building, room 503
Support course (if needed): NCBM 0214 0910_0315
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 included in Lion Book Bundle (see Purchasing Course Materials below): MyMathLab access (courseware and e-text included in MML)
Required but not included in Lion Book Bundle:
TI-30X IIS or TI – 30XS Multiview scientific calculator is highly recommended
***Graphing calculators and phone calculators will not be allowed on exams.
Optional course materials (not recommended): College Algebra with Integrated Review (physical textbook) Lial/Hornsby/Schneider/Daniels, 13th edition, Pearson, 2021 (updated 2024)
Purchasing Course Materials: Starting in Spring 2026, NCTC is partnering with Barnes & Noble College (BNC) to make purchasing course materials easy and affordable. When students register for classes, they are automatically opted in to the Lion Book Bundle which will provide students first day access to course materials. In this program, students are charged $24 per credit hour ($72 for a 3-hour class) as a fee on their NCTC student account. (These are labeled as “Book Fees” on NCTC invoice). Students may choose to opt out of this program, but would then be expected to purchase needed class materials on their own. If opting out, students would receive a refund on their NCTC student account. Students may choose to opt out starting one month prior to classes beginning through the first week of class. Students might benefit from opting out if they are enrolled in classes that use OER (free course materials). Note: The Lion Book Bundle applies to all classes a student is registered for in a given semester (both 16-week and 8-week). A student must either opt in or out for all classes—not each class individually. If you want to take advantage of the Lion Book Bundle, no action is needed as students are automatically opted in. If you would like to opt out of the program, you must go to the Opt-out page (click link below). Click here for more information: Lion Book Bundle information
Name of instructor: Linda Fuqua
Office location: Gainesville Campus, room 822 in the 800 building
Telephone number: 940-668-4221
E-mail address: lfuqua@nctc.edu (lowercase “L” and lowercase “Q”)
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.
STUDENT HOURS (OFFICE HOURS)
Each week I have time set aside to meet with students outside of class. This is a time when you may ask questions regarding the class, discuss a particular problem/topic, ask general questions about the college, or ask about available resources. I can meet with you one-on-one, or even with a small group. This time can be in person, or live online via Webex. I am posting my availability during my daytime working hours, but I can be available in the evenings, by request, for those who work, or are not available during the day. Webex Activation guide.
Mondays and Wednesdays: 11:00am – 1:30pm
Tuesday and Thursdays: still to be determined
Fridays: by appointment only
SUMMARY OF MATH 1314 COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
Graded Course Elements Percentage Number of graded course elements
Homework 10% approx. 35
Quizzes 10% approx. 15
Attendance & Participation 10% approx. 30
Unit Tests 50% 4
Final Exam 20% 1
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 exam and must be taken by all students. The final exam may also be used to replace the lowest unit test grade.
*There are no make-up tests.
*Homework and quizzes are due twice a week and are completed in Access Pearson MyMathLab.
Late work policy: No late work will be accepted.
SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.
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. For on-campus tutoring no appointment is needed. For online tutoring, go to UpSwing tutoring in OneLogin to make an appointment.
Tutor schedules and more information: www.nctc.edu/math-lab.
COURSE POLICIES
Synchronous Online Expectations (webex activation guide):
What makes this class different from a typical (normal) online class is that we do meet “face to face” and live, online, in an application called Cisco Webex that is accessed from within our Canvas course. Our class does have set days and times to meet, just like with a normal face to face class. You are expected to have a working camera/webcam and to have it on during the entire class time. I want to see your face the entire time, just as if you are sitting in a chair in the classroom with me. I do not want to see your ceiling/ceiling fan, I want to see you. I want to see everybody. If you do not want anyone to see your background, there are virtual backgrounds available in Webex.
What else is expected from you? You are expected to be present (in front of your camera) taking notes, writing down the examples, working out extra problems I may have, asking questions, answering questions, etc…. just as if we were all in the same classroom and you are sitting in class. You are expected to be paying attention and not watching tv, not playing video games, not preparing lunch, not driving down the road, not working at a job. If you are doing any of these activities, then you are not in the classroom with me, taking notes, asking questions, and learning. You do need to make sure that your environment is as distraction free as possible during this time.
Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is expected and necessary for student success in this course. If you miss in excess of two weeks of class, you will be withdrawn from this course by your instructor. For more information on attendance regulations please see the NCTC Catalog. (Attendance Regulations – NCTC Catalog)
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” for more details.
Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:
- Zero on the assignment
- Failing grade for the course
Canvas Access: All students must have complete access to Canvas and other online course materials for the entire semester. It is the student’s responsibility to have access to the internet, as well as all needed programs to complete both in-person and online courses. Students are not to give any other person access to his/her Canvas or online course platforms. Students can be removed from the course immediately upon violating this rule. Once a student his given another person access to his/her Canvas account, the credibility of any work completed becomes questionable.
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 Spring 2026 course with a “W” is: Monday, March 30, 2026
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
COLLEGE POLICIES