NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

 

 

Course title:  College Algebra

Course prefix, number, and section number:  MATH 1314 0380

Semester/Year of course: Spring 2026

Semester start and end dates: 1/12/2026 – 3/7/2026 (1^st 8-week session)

Modality: Asynchronous online

Class meeting location, days, and times:  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:  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).

 

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 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.

 

In-person student hours:  By Appointment Only. If you find that you need help one-on-one in person, please email me at least 1 weekday 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; I am only available after 4 pm Mondays- Thursdays.

 

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. 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

 

 

List of graded assignments: 

 

Number of Graded Elements	Title of Graded Element	Percentage of Total Grade
60 (of 65)	Assignments (MyLab/Pearson, Canvas activities, written assignments)	30%
3	Written Midterm Exams	50%
1	Written Final Exam*	20%

 

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.

 

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.

 

Graded Activities

1. Homework: 30%

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:

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 “Access Pearson” or the assignments in the Modules. 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.

MyLab Math assignments have two important due dates: The due date is scheduled in the syllabus, Canvas, and MyLabMath/Pearson. 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  correctly prior to the due date 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.) After the deadline date for an assignment, you may review the assignment without penalty.

 

• Canvas Activities:

These are activities that help you interact with the instructor individually and discussion boards that help you interact with other students in class. The end of semester reflection provides the opportunity for you to reflect back on what you have learned about you as a student in addition to the math over the semester.

 

• Written Assignments:

These are content-based written assignments spread throughout all four modules. Because the exams are written exams, on which you must show work in order to receive credit for your answers to problems, these written assignments are designed so that you may garner feedback prior to the written Midterm Exams and written Final Exam on different problems and concepts throughout the course. These are problem sets to be handwritten and submitted in Canvas.

 

2. Exams (70%)

Written exams give you the opportunity to present what you know to the instructor in a proctored environment. There are two types of exams in this course:

• Midterm Exams (50%):

There are 3 Midterm Exams covering each of the first three modules. These are timed (80 minutes) in-person proctored exams 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. Module 4 does not have its own exam.

A brief description of exam policies:

• The exams are timed at 80 minutes each. You are responsible for keeping track of your time. The Testing Center provides the time started and the time finished. There is a 1 point penalty for each minute beyond the 1 hour 20 minute limit.
• You may use a scientific calculator only, but all work must be shown. “Done on the calculator” is not “work” for the problem.
• There are no make-up Midterm exams: If you find that you will not be available to take one of the Midterm exams 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 a 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.  The replacement will only occur one time. A second missed exam will remain with a grade of zero (0).

• You need to schedule your exams with the Testing Center of your choice, prior to the exam date. A missed test due to no appointment or missing your appointment will earn the grade of zero.

 

• Final Exam (20%): 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. You may use a scientific calculator, but you must still show work.

• The exam is timed at 120 minutes. You are responsible for keeping track of your time. The Testing Center provides the time started and the time finished. There is a 2 point penalty for each minute beyond the 2 hour limit.
• The final has 200 points. The score on the final exam is recorded as 200 ÷ 2 (to put it out of 100.)
• 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 a Midterm exam was not taken, its 0 will be replaced by 75% of the score earned on the final exam.
• If a 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. This opportunity is forfeited if the lowest exam grade is a 0 earned due to academic dishonesty.

 

Late work policy: 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. Exams must be taken on or before the scheduled dates; there are no make up exams. Midterm exams are timed at 80 minutes and have a 1 point penalty for each minute over the 80. The Final exam is timed at 2 hours (120 minutes) and has a 2 point penalty for each minute over 120.

 

EXAM DATES: 

Midterm Exam #1:      Tuesday, January 27

Midterm Exam #2:      Tuesday, February 10

Midterm Exam #3:      Wednesday, February 25

FINAL EXAM:                 Thursday, March 5

 

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 , 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” for more details.  

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

1. Zero on the assignment
2. Failing grade for the course

 

The opportunity to replace the lowest exam grade with the score on the final exam (if the final exam has a higher score) is forfeited if the lowest exam grade is a 0 earned due to academic dishonesty.

 

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 has given another person access to his/her Canvas account, the credibility of any work completed becomes questionable.

 

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 NCTC Catalog.  (Attendance Regulations – NCTC Catalog)

 

In order to be considered “present”, you must work actively for at least 6 hours each week. Meeting all due dates during the week will satisfy this, provided the activity dates lie during that week. (For example, jumping ahead during week 1 and completing or working on an assignment in Pearson later in the course does not satisfy the work for that later week, only the week during which it was actually completed.)

 

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 1^st 8-week Spring 2026 course with a “W” is: Monday, February 16, 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