NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title:		Contemporary Mathematics			Course Modality:	Online
Course Prefix & Number:		MATH 1332	Section Number:	0230	Class Day/Time:	Asynchronous
Semester Credit Hours:		3	Lecture Hours:	48	Semester/Year:	Winter Mini-Mester 2021
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 Course Materials: Reliable Internet Access Up to date PC, MAC, or tablet MyLab Access to Thinking Mathematically, Robert F. Blitzer, 7th edition, Pearson, 2019 Scientific calculator with STAT functions (Phone calculators and math websites are not allowed for use on exams.) Webcam or smartphone camera for web-conferencing Scanner or smartphone app that can create pdf document files.   Required or Recommended Course Materials: Calculator: TI-30X IIS is recommended

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Aziel Wilson
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth
Office Hours:	Week 1: Wed (general) 10 am – 12 pm,                  Fri (by appt)   10 am – 12 pm Week 2-4: TBD
Telephone Number:	940.498.6227
E-mail Address:	awilson@nctc.edu

 

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.

 

General office hours will be much like stopping by to ask question.  The space is open to all students to come and go as needed. Questions will be handled on first come/first serve basis.  Access general office hours by selecting the Cisco WebEx link in Canvas, then the join button next to the appropriate day/time. 

 

By appointment office hours are held one-on-one.  Students create an appointment to reserve a 15-minute time slot.  Only the instructor and the student that created the appointment meet online.  

Create an office hours appointment by selecting the Cisco WebEx link in Canvas.  Then select the Office Hours link to view and select available appointment times.  Select and appointment time, then Save.  The confirmation of the appointment and the link to the web conference will be forwarded to the student’s Lion Pride email account.    

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
10	Participation	10%
10	Quizzes	20%
4	Unit Tests	70%

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

Participation: Participation assignments may include discussions boards, class surveys, and class activities and lecture/video watching and MyLab homework.  Students should check Canvas Announcements and Inbox regularly for updates.

 

Homework: Homework problems are available on MyLab and consists of exercises to practice skills and reinforce concepts learned in class.  Homework will contribute to the grades as part of participation.   Students that are within 2 percentage points of a higher letter grade, and have a homework average at or above 80%  on January 5^th, will receive the higher letter grade.  

 

 

Quizzes: Students will have at least 3 attempts on online quizzes (MyLab). I will keep the highest scores for each online quiz.  Quizzes are timed.  On average quizzes take between 30 to 60 minutes to complete for well-prepared students.

 

Unit Tests: There will be four unit tests online (MyLab).  Students will have one attempt to take the test.   Unit Tests will be timed (between 60 and 90 minutes).  Students must upload their supporting work to the unit test dropbox.   Students that notify the instructor of a conflict prior to a unit test may, at the instructor’s discretion, be allowed to take the test on an alternate date.  

 

• Work not submitted as a pdf file or that is submitted via email will not be accepted. 
• Students must number the answers of their work page to correspond with the question number on the assignment.
• Points will deducted for work not shown, illegible or illogical.  
• Students that miss a unit test will earn a zero score on that test.

 

Concept Mastery (CM): The Concept Mastery assessment is an optional monitored comprehensive assessment that may replace the lowest unit test score. Students must make an appointment to test on campus during the testing period (January 5 -6) at an NCTC testing center  or preapproved testing center.

 

Other policies:    

Students will be withdrawn from the course for the following:

• Failure to register for MyLab and Mastering on or before December 14^th.
• Allowing MyLab and Mastering temporary access to expire.
• Earning a zero by not submitting two unit tests by their due dates. 

 

Absence due to military service: The military service stipulation is offered only to the military personnel himself/herself. Students who need to miss class to meet a military service requirement during the semester should contact me in advance of leaving for service so we can determine how to proceed with schoolwork. If a student is unexpectedly called into service to assist with a crisis/disaster (e.g. as occurred during Hurricane Harvey a few years ago), please notify me via email as soon as the you are notified so I may anticipate necessary adjustments. Usually, there will not be issues with these adjustments, so do not worry. Feel free to email me any questions on this matter.  Albeit a stressful time for the family of the service person, extensions for assignments do not extend to significant others of the service person.  

 

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE

Note:  This is a suggested schedule. Due to the accelerated pace of the Winter mini-mester course, I recommend students work on the material at least 5 days per week.  A suggested schedule will be provided each week to assist students in arranging the workload. Dates suggested may be earlier that the required due date.  Specific due dates are the last day that an assignment may be submitted without penalty.  All specific due dates will be provided in Canvas. 

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Tentative Schedule)

Date	Topics/Text Sections	Assignments
Week 1 – 12/13 – 12/19	Sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 4.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 8.1	Quiz 1, 2, 3, Unit 1 Test (chapters 1 and 2)
Week 2 – 12/20 – 12/26	Sections 8.3, 8.4, 8.2, 8.7, 11.1 -11.3, 11.4, 11.6,	Quiz 4, 5, 6 Unit 2 Test (chapter 8)
Week 3 – 12/27 – 1/2	Sections 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4A	Quiz 7, 8, 9 Unit 3 Test (chapters 11 and 12)
Week 4 – 1/3 – 1/6	Sections 3.4B, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7	Quiz 10 Unit 4 Test (chapter 3)

The faculty member reserves the right to amend or update this schedule as needed to respond to course needs and guidelines.  Students will be notified of changes to this tentative schedule in Canvas.  Changes will take effect immediately.

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

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.

 

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 completing 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. Students will be dropped from the class if they do not acquire or maintain the required course materials.  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)

Testing may be administered in a variety of ways and the mode of testing may change during the semester as deemed appropriate by the instructor.  When possible, in-person proctored testing is preferred.  For in-person classes testing will occur during the designated class times.  For online classes in-person proctored testing may be required.  On site testing may be done in an NCTC testing center, at test locations provided by the math division, or at another authorized testing site.

 

When online testing is used students may be required to use a webcam while testing.  For online testing students will be required to scan and upload supporting documents.  Any student may be asked to demonstrate knowledge/skills in a one-on-one conference, if deemed necessary by the instructor. 

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.

 

Assessment name	Tentative Test Window
Test 1	12/16-12/18
Test 2	12/22-12/23
Test 3	12/28 – 12/29
Test 4	1/5-1/6
Final Exam	1/6 (optional) In-Person at NCTC testing center

Last day to withdraw from this Winter Mini-Mester course with a “W” is Tuesday, December 28, 2021.

 

Students who need help with any math class can visit the NCTC Mathematics Lab to receive assistance. Sign up for an appointment or see the most current tutoring hours for all campuses at http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/student-success/tutoring/mathematics-lab.html. 

 

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)__              ______

           Communication

X            Mathematics

           Life and Physical Science

           Language, Philosophy & Culture

           Creative Arts

           American History

           Government/Political Science

           Social and Behavioral Sciences

           Component Area Option

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)                                                                                          

X            Critical Thinking

X            Communication

X            Empirical and Quantitative

           Teamwork

           Personal Responsibility

           Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE                                                                                                                                                                  

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

X            Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

           WECM Course

 

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

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 Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

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

 

Name of Chair:	Ben Owens
Office Location:	Corinth 170
Telephone Number:	940.498.6209
E-mail Address:	bowens@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

 

Syllabi statement regarding potential Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19 or other health related crisis, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 27, 2021 and are subject to change as conditions change.

 

Syllabi Statement Regarding Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students are not required to wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. In May, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott released an Executive Order prohibiting Government entities from mandating the use of masks. As a political subdivision of the State of Texas, NCTC will follow the Governor’s Executive Order for Government entities and effective immediately NCTC is no longer mandating the use of masks while on campus. This order does not mean that you cannot choose to wear a mask, rather it is no longer allowed to be mandated. These policies and procedures were updated on May 19, 2021 and are subject to change.

 

Return to Standard Attendance Protocol for Face-to-Face Meetings: In spring 2020, we faced an unprecedented situation in which all of us had to be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.

 

Faculty will:

 

• Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.

 

Students should:

• Provide notification to campus officials if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
• Notify instructors in advance of the absence.
• Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
• Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
• Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
• Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
• Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.

During the fall 2021 semester, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website.

Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html

 

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 https://www.nctc.edu/campus-safety/campus-carry.html.

 

Parking Permits: The North Central Texas Community College District has managed traffic and parking regulations in order to ensure the safety of the campus community related to the operation and parking of vehicles on campus. These regulations apply to all operators of motor vehicles on campus. For parking permits and more information, see the website at https://www.nctc.edu/campus-safety/transportation-parking.html.