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 0350

Semester/Year of course:  Spring 2024

Semester start and end dates: 1/16/2024 – 5/11/2024

Modality:  Asynchronous online

Support course (if needed): NCBM 0224 0350

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: Marla Owens

Office location: COR / Rm 206

Telephone number: 940 498 6226

E-mail address: mowens@nctc.edu

When emailing, please give your name and class (course and section, or course and time)

Office hours for students:

Tuesday: 9:00 – 9:30 am; 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Thursday: 9:00 – 9:30 am; 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Virtually and other times – By appointment

STUDENT HOURS (OFFICE HOURS)

I am here for you! Student Hours are times that I have set aside on a weekly basis to help guide you through anything you find difficult, to review homework, quizzes or exams, and to discuss anything that is getting in your way of being successful in this course. Student hours are a great time to discuss study habits and get some great tips from me on how to be successful on the upcoming exams. Student hours also build student -instructor relationships, which are shown to have a positive influence on motivation and persistence in difficult subject areas.  I am available for you in my office during these hours, however if these hours do not work for you, please let me know and we can find another time to meet. Please feel free to drop in or to set up an appointment by emailing me via Webex.  I hope to see you soon! When emailing, please give your name and class (course and section, or course and time)

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: 

# of Graded Elements               Title of Graded Element                 Percentage

15                                                  Attendance                                 5%

Approximately 35                      Homework                                  5%

 >10                                               Quizzes                                         10%

 3                                                   Tests                                             60%

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

**Homework and Quiz Assignments that are Online are in MyMathLab**

** All Tests and Final Exam will be in person. **

Homework: All homework assignments are to be completed on the computer using
MyMathLab (MML). Homework is an important component in student success for this course.

Homework reinforces the topics from each section. Homework assignments in MML will have
unlimited number of attempts and the highest score will be recorded.

Quizzes: Quizzes are assigned using MyMathLab. Students will have three attempts for each
online quiz. Some quizzes may have time limits. The highest score will be recorded.

Tests: Three tests will be given according to the tentative calendar. Tests will be taken in a PROCTORED environment. The tests will be given in person by the instructor or by the testing center. There will be one attempt, and a time limit. There are no make-up tests.

This schedule is tentative and will most likely change as the semester progresses.  It is provided so that you have a general idea of the order and speed with which we will be covering the material.

• Test 1                Week 4     February 9 by Noon
• Test 2                Week 8     March 8 by Noon
• Test 3                Week 14   April 19 by Noon
• Final Exam       Week 16   May 8 by 5:00 pm

Late work policy: Homework and quizzes may be worked past the original due date with a 25%
penalty up until the test for that section. There is no need to ask the instructor to modify due
dates because of this policy.

Final Exam:

The final exam will be comprehensive and is required of all students. The final exam will also be given in person, in the classroom. The final exam will be administered on be completed before or on May 8, by 5:00 pm.  No exceptions. The final exam is comprehensive and must be taken by all students. The final exam may also be used to replace the lowest test grade. (Only if you missed 6 hours of class or less) No work will be excepted after the final exam.

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, April 1, 2024

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