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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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Contemporary Mathematics
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Course Prefix & Number:
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MATH 1332
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Section Number:
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0330
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Semester/Year:
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Summer 2020
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Semester Credit Hours:
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3
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Lecture Hours:
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48
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Lab Hours:
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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.
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Course Prerequisite(s): Meet TSI college-readiness standard for Contemporary Mathematics; or equivalent.
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Required Course Materials:
Pearson MyMathLab access (may be purchased directly via the MyLab and Mastering content link in Canvas or through the NCTC bookstore)
Current e-mail address
Scientific calculator, TI-30X IIS is recommended
Recommended Course Materials:
Textbook optional: Thinking Mathematically, Robert F. Blitzer, 7th edition, Pearson, 2019
(**e-textbook is included with the MyLab and Mastering Access Code)
Headphones (for online lectures and webcasts)
Notebook for class handouts, notes, etc.
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Dr. Elizabeth Howell
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Campus/Office Location:
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COR 236 (*I am off campus this summer!)
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Office Hours:
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Mon – Thurs 10 am – 4 pm; other hours by appointment
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6209 (please do not leave a message – I am off campus!)
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E-mail Address:
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ehowell@nctc.edu (**best way to reach me**)
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GRADING CRITERIA
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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34
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Homework
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10%
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7
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Quizzes
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10%
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3
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Tests
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55%
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1
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Final Exam
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20%
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10
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Weekly Attendance and Participation
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5%
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Grade Scale: 90 – 100% = A; 80 – 89% = B; 70 – 79% = C; 60 – 69% = D; Below 60% = F
*No late homework or quizzes will be allowed, and individual make-up exams will be given in rare cases and only with instructor approval.
*The final examination is a comprehensive exam and is required of all students. The final exam may also replace a low or missing test grade.
*Any student who accumulates in excess of 2 weeks of absence in the class may be dropped from the course.
*The grading policy may be amended during the semester at the instructor’s discretion.
HOMEWORK, QUIZZES, AND TESTS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
All homework and quizzes will be completed online in MyMathLab (MML). You will need an access code that can be purchased in the bookstore or online after you log into MyMathLab. Read the announcements in Canvas for all instructions.
Learning New Content
Each week, your instructor will hold 1 or 2 webcasts to give an overview of the material you will be learning that week. The webcasts will be held in Canvas in the Conferences tab of the course. If you miss a live webcast, you can watch the recording in Conferences for 14 days, or the link will be posted in the weekly module.
In addition to the webcasts, you have access to the section video presentations in MyMathLab. These videos can be accessed from the Chapter Contents menu or in the assignments list in MML. This takes the place of going to class in a traditional course. If you do not have a high-speed Internet connection, it may be difficult to view the videos. The videos contain instruction on each objective that is to be covered in the course. If you don’t watch the webcasts and/or videos, it is equivalent to not coming to class, and will make the HW difficult to complete. There is also a power point presentation for each section within 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 ebook, so you don’t need to purchase a textbook. MML is where you will work on homework and quizzes.
Homework
Homework is 10% of your grade. It will be divided into sections based on the sections of the textbook. 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 unlimited 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 3 lowest homework grades.
Quizzes
Weekly quizzes are 10% 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 three 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 lowest quiz grade.
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.
Participation tasks
Each week you will have 2-3 participation grades, which are based on you completing tasks that you are asked to do that week. This is an easy grade if you just follow directions and stay checked in from week to week. Participation tasks may include but are not limited to the following: weekly attendance, weekly check-ins in Canvas.
Exams
Exams will be 55% of your grade. The exams will be taken online in MyLabs, similar to a quiz. More details will be given prior to each exam. Exams will be given on the following days:
Exam #1: Tues 6/30 (Chapters 1, 2, and 3)
Exam #2: Thurs 7/16 (Chapters 6, 7, and 8)
Exam #3: Thurs 8/6 (Chapters 11 and 12)
Final Exam: Thurs Aug 13 (Comprehensive)
**If you are unable to take a test on the above dates, please contact me ASAP to make other arrangements.
**Students will be allowed to use a scientific calculator on the tests. No make-up exams will be given, but the final exam can replace your lowest test grade.
**Final exam will be 20% of your final grade. Your final exam may also replace your lowest test grade.
OTHER INFORMATION
Gradebook
The gradebooks in MML and in Canvas keep a running average of your grade. I will review all quizzes in order to assign partial credit where possible. (*I look for answers that are technically correct but have not been submitted in ‘good form’. An example would be an answer of 14/16 that has not been simplified to 7/8. Your answers will be more complicated than this example, but you get the idea that I will be looking for answers that are technically correct.) I will NOT review HW answers because you have unlimited attempts for each problem.
CLASS RULES
- Regular participation and attendance is VERY IMPORTANT in this class! You are enrolling in a 10 week math course, so expect to work on your Math work very frequently. Waiting to work on one day at the end of the week would be disastrous for this ten week course!! Assignments will be broken up into two units each week. Failure to complete work in each unit will result in an absence – see below.
- An absence in this online course is defined as the following: Our typical ‘week’ will be broken into two units: Monday to Wednesday, and Thursday to Sunday. All assignments for the week will typically open on Monday, and the first unit homework section(s) will close on Wednesday. The second unit homework section(s) will close on Saturday, and the weekly quiz closes on Sunday.
- You must log in and complete required assignments at least once every unit (so at least twice a week) or you will be considered absent for the unit and/or week. Optional activities such as study plan or videos do not satisfy the attendance requirement. To be counted present, you must log in and complete at least ONE graded assignment per unit (e.g., homework, quiz, practice test, or test) with a score greater than 50%. If needed, seek help so that you can re-take quizzes or re-try homework in order to get your grade up.
- To be clear: from the first day of the semester, even if you are ahead of the due dates, you must log in at least twice every week and work on assignments until you have completed all the assignments and taken the final.
- Please do not ask me to extend the due dates. Work ahead on the assignments instead (remember… if something can go wrong, it will).
- If you need additional help, please ask! I am happy to meet you online to give you extra help if needed. Also, remember that you have access to free online tutoring in Canvas. Students also have access to online tutoring through Upswing.
- If you have concerns and need to talk, please let me know! We can meet online with Canvas or WebEx, and we can talk by phone if necessary. The best way to contact me is via email, ehowell@nctc.edu.
COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE See tentative calendar in canvas
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog)
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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1
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Apply the language and notation of sets.
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2
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Determine the validity of an argument or statement and provide mathematical evidence.
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3
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Solve problems in mathematics of finance.
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4
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Demonstrate fundamental probability/counting techniques and apply those techniques to solve problems.
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5
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Interpret and analyze various representations of data.
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6
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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.
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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.
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 from a Summer III course with a “W” is Saturday, July 18, 2020.
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 campuses at http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/student-success/tutoring/mathematics-lab.html.
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)________