NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title:  Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences

Course prefix, number, and section number:  MATH 1324 0311

Semester/Year of course:  Fall 2023

Semester start and end dates: 8/28/2023 – 12/16/2023

Modality:  Asynchronous online

Semester credit hours:  3 (Lecture hours: 48)

Course description:  The application of common algebraic functions, including polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and rational, to problems in business, economics, and the social sciences are addressed. The applications include mathematics of finance, including simple and compound interest and annuities; systems of linear equations; matrices; linear programming; and probability, including expected value.

Course prerequisites:  Meet TSI college-readiness standard for College Algebra or equivalent

Required course materials:  MyLab Math access code (e-text included in MyLab Math access)

Scientific calculator, TI-30X IIS is recommended

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

Optional course materials:  Mathematics with Applications in the Management, Natural, and Social Sciences, Lial/Hungerford/Holcomb/Mullins, 13th edition, Pearson, 2024

Name of instructor: Barbara Bernal

Office location: 107 FLM

Telephone number:

E-mail address: bbernal@nctc.edu 

Office hours for students: MW 10am – 12pm

STUDENT HOURS (OFFICE HOURS)

Each week instructors have time set aside to meet with students outside of class. (Traditionally these times have been 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.

During office hours, students can enter the office with no appointment, although prior notice is appreciated. If you would like to meet outside of scheduled office hours, email me with your availability and we may be able to find another time or we can meet online. For online meetings, I will send you a link to BigBlueButton in Canvas or 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 every campus 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: 

Homework (approx. 14), on paper: 10%

Quiz (approx. 14), through MyLab: 5%

Discussions (approx. 20), through Canvas: 5%

Midterm Tests (3), in person: 60%

Final Exam (1), in person: 20%

Final grade scale:  90 – 100% = A;   80 – 89% = B; 70 – 79% = C;  60 – 69% = D;  Below 60% = F

Homework: Complete using the book, available through MyLab with purchase of your access code. You will need to show your work and indicate your answers clearly on your own paper. Scan and submit through Canvas. Late work is not accepted for any reason. Complete ahead of time if your internet connection is unreliable. The single lowest homework grade is dropped at the end of the semester.

Quiz: Complete online in MyLab and Mastering. Submit through MyLab and Mastering. No extensions given for any reason. Complete ahead of time if your internet connection is unreliable. The single lowest quiz grade is dropped at the end of the semester.

Discussions: Complete on Canvas in discussion boards. No extensions given for any reason. Complete ahead of time if your internet connection is unreliable. The single lowest discussion grade is dropped at the end of the semester.

Midterm tests: Given in person, on the Corinth campus, 6:30 – 8 pm. Arrive at 6:30 to get the full time. Make up tests are not allowed for any reason. If you know ahead of time that you will miss a test, contact me to schedule a test early. Otherwise, you will receive a zero for the missed test. The final exam grade may be used to replace your single lowest test grade

Final Exam: Given in person, on the Corinth campus, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Arrive at 6:30 to get the full time. Make ups are not allowed for any reason. If you know you cannot make our scheduled test date, contact me ahead of time to schedule an earlier test date.

The final exam may also be used to replace the lowest unit test grade.

Late work policy: Late work is not accepted for credit any reason. Grading has built-in fail-safes, whether dropping or replacing the lowest grade. See above categories.

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 ([FLB(LOCAL)]”.  

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

1. Zero on the assignment
2. 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 2022-2023 NCTC Catalog.  (https://www.nctc.edu/catalog; Click on 2022-2023 CATALOG and go to page 138 to see Attendance Regulations)

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 this course with a “W” is: Monday, November 6, 2023

Student Learning Outcomes:  At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1. Apply elementary functions, including linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and exponential functions to solving real-world problems.
2. Solve mathematics of finance problems, including the computation of interest, annuities, and amortization of loans.
3. Apply basic matrix operations, including linear programming methods, to solve application problems.
4. Demonstrate fundamental probability techniques and application of those techniques, including expected value, to solve problems.
5. Apply matrix skills and probability analyses to model applications to solve real-world problems.

Core Objectives:

X          Critical Thinking

X          Communication

X          Empirical and Quantitative

Teamwork

Personal Responsibility

Social Responsibility

COLLEGE POLICIES

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook. To access Student Handbook go to NCTC homepage (www.nctc.edu), scroll to bottom and click “Student Handbook”.

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.

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