NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

 

 

Course title: College Algebra

Course prefix, number, and section number: MATH 1314 0340

Semester/Year of course: Spring 2026

Semester start and end dates: 1/12/2026 – 5/9/2026 (16-week)

Modality: Asynchronous online

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

 

Name of instructor: Cody Malone

Office location: Virtual

Email address: cmalone@nctc.edu

 

Preferred Communication: Canvas messages are the quickest way to reach me. I check them regularly throughout the week and usually respond within a short timeframe. You may also contact me by email if needed, but please note that Canvas is often the faster option for a reply. If you use email, be sure to send it from your official college account to ensure smooth communication.

 

Required course materials:

Included in Lion Book Bundle

MyMathLab access (courseware and e-text included in MML)

 

Not included in Lion Book Bundle

Scientific calculator, TI-30X IIS is recommended

Note: Graphing calculators and phone calculators will not be allowed on exams.

 

Optional course materials: College Algebra with Integrated Review (physical textbook) Lial/Hornsby/Schneider/Daniels, 13^th 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 with the 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

 

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.

 

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 one 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. 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.

 

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

Graded Course Elements	Percentage	Number of graded course elements
Homework	10%	34
Quizzes	10%	10
Unit Tests	60%	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 algebra exam and must be taken by all students. The final exam may also be used to replace the lowest unit test grade.

 

 

Late work policy: 

• Homework and Quizzes: Late submissions will incur a 30% penalty on the final score.
• Exams: Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances. All exams must be completed within the designated one-week window at the testing center or during any evening opportunities provided (if applicable). Alternative arrangements will only be considered in extreme circumstances and must be requested and approved in advance.

 

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 of being engaged in academic dishonesty. See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Code of Conduct” for more details.  

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

1. Zero on the assignment
2. 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 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.

 

Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is expected and necessary for student success in this course. For more information on attendance regulations please see the NCTC Catalog. (Attendance Regulations – NCTC 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 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:

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