INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

GRADING CRITERIA

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

No late quizzes will be allowed without a penalty, and individual make-up exams will be given in rare cases and only with instructor approval. The lowest test grade can be substituted with your final exam grade at the end of the semester.

*The lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.

*The final examination is a departmental comprehensive algebra exam and is required of all students. 

MyStatLab is an online system where you will be spending most of your time in this course. You will access MSL 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.  MSL is where you will work on homework and quizzes.  These assignments are due on Sundays at 11:59 pm (unless otherwise noted).

Homework

Homework is 5% of your grade.  It will be divided into sections based on the sections of the textbook.  There will be anywhere from 2 to 4 homework sections due in a week.  They will be due every Sunday at 11:59 pm.

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!

Quizzes

Quizzes are 15% of your grade.  You will have 1-3 quizzes each week, over the same sections as the homework.  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.  These will also be due Sundays at 11:59pm.

Projects

The projects are 5% of your grade.  They are located in Canvas. There will be 4 projects throughout the semester.  They will also be due on Sundays at 11:59. It is a good idea to get started on these as soon as you complete the appropriate chapter. Do no wait until the last minute to get started on these.

More detailed information will be posted in Canvas. 

Tests

The exams are NOT online. They are pencil and paper.  If you are within driving distance of the Corinth campus, you are expected to come to the Corinth campus and take the test there.  You may also take the test in a testing center at any of our other campuses.  If that does not work, you need to find a proctor to administer the tests (the proctor must be approved in advance by your instructor). The Saturday test dates at the Corinth campus are:

            Test 1 (10am-12noon): 02/15/20

            Test 2 (10am-12noon): 03/07/20

            Test 3 (10am-12noon): 04/11/20

            Test 4 (10am-12noon): 05/02/20

The final exam has a different day for the test (grades are due on that Saturday). Please make a note of the date and time.

Final Exam (6:30pm-8:30pm): Thursday, 05/14/20

The test dates and times for the exams are posted on the calendar and in Canvas. You will take the test in a classroom (announced later) with me. If you take a test at a testing center or with a proctor, you need to take it by Friday of that week.  It is your responsibility to email and schedule a time to test and then let me know at least 24 hours before you plan to test.

More information about tests, proctors and alternate times are posted in the Course Information Module in Canvas. Testing room at Corinth campus will be announced in Canvas.

Calculators

A scientific calculator is required for this class.  The recommended one is the TI-30X IIS.  There will be specific instructions on how to use this calculator for some statistical calculations posted in Canvas and MSL. A graphing calculator is not required, but not forbidden either.  The textbook and MSL do give instructions on how to do different procedures with one. 

You may not use your cellphone (iPad, tablet, etc.) calculators for tests.

*The grading policy may be amended during the semester at the instructor’s discretion.

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

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 16-week course with a “W” is Friday, April 3, 2020.

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

        Mathematics              

        Life and Physical Science

        Language, Philosophy & Culture

        Creative Arts

        American History

        Government/Political Science

        Social and Behavioral Sciences

        Component Area Option

        Critical Thinking

            Communication

            Empirical and Quantitative

             Teamwork

             Personal Responsibility

             Social Responsibility