NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

Contemporary Mathematics

Course Prefix & Number: 

MATH 1332

Section Number: 

311

Semester/Year:

Fall 2019

Semester Credit Hours:

3

Lecture Hours:

48

Lab Hours:

 

Course Description (NCTC Catalog): Intended for Non STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) majors. Topics include introductory treatments of sets and logic, financial mathematics, probability and statistics with appropriate applications. Number sense, proportional reasoning, estimation, technology, and communication should be embedded throughout the course. Additional topics may be covered.          

Course Prerequisite(s): Meet TSI college-readiness standard for Contemporary Mathematics; or equivalent.

Required or Recommended Course Materials:

  • Textbook is optional: Thinking Mathematically, Robert F. Blitzer, 7th edition, Pearson, 2019
  • Required: MyMathLab access code (e-Text included in MML)
  • Scientific calculator, TI-30X IIS or TI-30XS are recommended

 

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

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Linda Fuqua

Campus/Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Office 822

Telephone Number:

940-668-4221

E-mail Address:

lfuqua@nctc.edu (LFUQUA à lowercase “L” and “Q” (not G))

 

OFFICE HOURS

Mondays

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Thursdays

Fridays

 

9:30 – 11:00

 

9:30 – 11:00

By

12:00 – 12:30

12:00 – 1:00

12:00 – 12:30

12:00 – 1:00

Appoint-

2:00 – 2:30

 

2:00 – 2:30

 

ment

2:30 - 3:30 online hours

3:30 – 4:00

2:30 – 3:30 online hours

3:30 – 4:00

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

40

Homework

15%

10

Quizzes

15%

4

Exams

50%

1

Final exam

20%

Grade Scale:   90 – 100% = A;   80 – 89% = B; 70 – 79% = C;  60 – 69% = D;  Below 60% = F

 

  • MyMathLab (MML)

MyMathLab is an online system where you will be spending most of your time working on homework and quizzes. You will access MML through the Canvas course page using the MyLab and Mastering tab.  It has video lectures, podcasts of lectures, PowerPoint notes, and other means of helping you learn the material.  It also gives you access to the eText, so you don’t need to purchase a textbook.  MML is where you will work on homework and quizzes. 

 

  • Homework

Homework is 15% of your grade. For most of the homework problems, except some multiple choice problems, you will have 3 chances to get the problem correct.  If you are not correct on the third try, it is marked wrong.  However, you can click on the button at the bottom of the homework window that says “try again”.  You will get a whole new problem (similar to the original), that you can have another 3 chances at (and if you get this one correct, then it is not marked wrong anymore).  In other words, you have 15 chances to get most problems correct.  So there really is little reason why you cannot get near 100% on all the homework assignments! At the end of the semester, I will drop your 5 lowest homework grades. Since most homework and quizzes are due at 11:59pm (Texas time), don’t wait until then to start your work or you will not meet the deadline. 

 

  • Quizzes

Quizzes are 15% of your grade.  You cannot check each problem separately in the quizzes as you can in the homework.  You must complete the entire quiz and submit it.  Then you will be told your grade, and you can review problems you missed.  You may take each quiz five times, and your highest grade will be the one recorded.  It is a good idea to try your quizzes without your notes to help you prepare for your exam.  At the end of the semester, I will drop your 2 lowest quiz grades.

 

  • Calculators

A scientific calculator is required for this class.  The recommended one is the TI-30X IIS.  You may not use your cellphone (iPad, tablet, etc.) calculators for tests.

 

  • Exams

All exams are proctored. Exams will be 50% of your grade.  The exams will be paper and pencil and will be given on the Gainesville Campus in room TBA.  Tests will be given from 6:00-8:00 pm on Thursday evenings.  Tentatively, exams will be given on the following days.

 

Exam #1:  September 19 (Chapter 1 and 2).

Exam #2:  October 17 (Chapter 11 and 12).

Exam #3:  November 14 (Chapter 3 and 4.2)

Exam #4:  December 5 (Chapter 8)

If you are not able to make it to the Gainesville Campus on these days and times, please let me know as soon as possible. We can make arrangements for you to take your test with another instructor on the Corinth Campus, or in the Testing Center. The Testing Center has limited days and times, so we try to proctor our own tests as much as possible

 

  • Final exam 

The final exam is comprehensive and will be 20% of your final grade.  You can substitute your lowest test grade with the final exam grade at the end of the semester.

 

Final Exam:  December 12 (Comprehensive).

 

 

  • Online Office Hours

I will be online in Canvas using the Conference feature on Mondays and Wednesdays 2:30-3:30 pm to answer any questions that you might have. I will post PDFs of the lecture slides that may print to follow along. The video of the Conferences are available for 2 weeks after the live session.

 

 

  • Importance of Communication

Since you should be accessing MML through Canvas, be sure that you are also looking around in Canvas for information that I have posted. 

 

 

  • Because this is an online class and I can’t see your face, you will have to ask me questions if you don’t understand something.  When you sign up for MML, be sure to use an email address that you check regularly.  In MML, there is a way to “ask my instructor” which will send me the homework question that you have having trouble with and I can respond with an answer.

 

 

  • Importance of Attendance

If you miss in excess of two weeks of class, you may be dropped for non-attendance.

 

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog)

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

1

Apply the language and notation of sets.

2

Determine the validity of an argument or statement and provide mathematical evidence.

3

Solve problems in mathematics of finance.

4

Demonstrate fundamental probability/counting techniques and apply those techniques to solve problems.

5

Interpret and analyze various representations of data.

6

Demonstrate the ability to choose and analyze mathematical models to solve problems from real-world settings, including, but not limited to, personal finance, health literacy, and civic engagement.

 

 

 

STUDENT EMAIL

All students at NCTC are assigned a student email address, also known as Lion Pride email. Lion Pride email can be accessed on the NCTC home page by clicking on MyNCTC, then the link “Lion Pride Email” to the left. After clicking the Lion Pride Email link, the Microsoft Office 365 window will open.
1. Enter your NCTC student e-mail address. (for example, Smithj123456@student.nctc.edu)

2. Enter your password (your NCTC Student ID Number, either 7 or 9 numbers).

3. From the list of Microsoft icons, choose MAIL.

4. You will be asked to set your language and local time zone (Central Time). Your account is now activated.

 

**It is the student’s responsibility to activate and regularly monitor the assigned NCTC (Lion Pride) e-mail account. Important announcements and notifications from the Admissions office, Financial Aid, or other college staff will be sent via the Lion Pride student email system.

 

For communicating with classmates and instructors, students also have an option to communicate through Canvas. Canvas messaging is NOT the same as Lion Pride e-mail. Failure to read and/or receive NCTC e-mails (either in Lion Pride or in Canvas) is no excuse for not complying with any school policy. Be sure to regularly check BOTH the Lion Pride email as well as the Canvas inbox for important messages and information.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies. It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval by the faculty member. Approved college-sponsored activities are also excused absences. The instructor is responsible for judging the validity of any reason given for an absence. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless the absence is documented and excused by the instructor. Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW

Last day to withdraw from a 16-week course with a “W” is Friday, November 1, 2019.

 

MATH LAB

Students who need help with any math class can visit the NCTC Mathematics Lab to receive assistance. No appointments are necessary. See the most current tutoring hours for all five campuses at  http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/student-success/tutoring/mathematics-lab.html

 

TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON TUTOR AVAILABILITY:

Corinth Math Lab – 186

Gainesville – 1403 (inside library)

 

Monday – Thursday          8:30 am – 6:30 pm

Monday 8:00am – 5:00pm

 

Friday                                    8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Tuesday & Thursday  9:00am – 4:00pm

 

Saturday                             10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Wednesday 9:00am – 2:00pm

 

 

Sunday 1:00pm – 5:00pm

 

 

 

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-498-6207.

North Central Texas College is committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).   https://www.nctc.edu/catalog/student-services/office-students-with-disabilities.html

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)________          


o        Communication

x        Mathematics             

o        Life and Physical Science

o        Language, Philosophy & Culture

o        Creative Arts

o        American History

 

o        Government/Political Science

o        Social and Behavioral Sciences

o        Component Area Option

 


 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)


x          Critical Thinking

x          Communication

x          Empirical and Quantitative

 

o           Teamwork

o           Personal Responsibility

o           Social Responsibility


COURSE TYPE

o           Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

x        Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. https://www.nctc.edu/_documents/academics/student-handbook.pdfl

 

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  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 Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

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

 

Name of Chair :

Dr. Elizabeth Howell

Office Location:

Corinth 236

Telephone Number:

940.498.6209

E-mail Address:

ehowell@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Mary Martinson

Office Location:

Gainesville 1404

Telephone Number:

940.668.7731 ext. 4377

E-mail Address:

mmartinson@nctc.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAMPUS RESTRICTIONS

Tobacco-Free Campus:  NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco, on campus property.

 

Campus Carry: Effective August 1, 2017, a license holder may carry a concealed handgun on or about the license holder's person while the license holder is on the campus of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education in this state. For more information, see the website at http://www.nctc.edu/police/campus-carry.html.

 

Parking Permits (new this fall!): http://www.nctc.edu/campus-safety/transportation-parking.html

 

There are no Handouts for this set.