INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

GRADING CRITERIA

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

Grade scale for NCBM 0142 or NCBM 0242:  70 - 100% = P;  Below 70% = F

*There is no extra credit available in this course.

*Traditional rounding rules are applied. 

*Please avoid asking for special consideration to End of Course grades by taking advantages given early in the semester to enhance grade earning opportunities.

*No make-up exams will be given without prior notice of an excusable absence. 

*The comprehensive final examination is required of all students or a zero will be recorded. The final exam score, if better, may also be used to replace the lowest Knowledge Checkpoint score. 

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

*Students have 24 hours, after the return of each exam, to contact the instructor with questions on grading.  After that point, the student forfeits the opportunity to contest an exam grade.

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

MYSTATLAB (MSL Access Code):  purchase required

MyStatLab will provide you access to the E-textbook, multimedia resources, homework help resources, needed for this course.  All graded homework units will be completed online through Canvas in MyStatLab (MSL). You will need an access code that can be purchased in the bookstore or online after you click the Canvas link for MyLab & Mastering. Read the Getting Started Module in Canvas for all instructions.

Learning New Content:

You are expected to watch all section video presentations in the MyStatLab multimedia library. These videos can be accessed from the Chapter Contents menu or in the assignments list in MSL. This provides additional support 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 videos it will make the HW difficult to complete. There is also a power point presentation for each section.  In addition to the videos provided by MyStatLab, your instructor may post videos to give an overview of more difficult material you will be learning. 

Homework:

All due dates are listed in MSL and are intended to keep you in pace with the course and the testing schedule. You can complete the assignments until 11:59 pm of the due date listed. The homework may be attempted unlimited times in order to increase your homework grade. You may return to improve homework grades after the listed due date, but any changes made to homework after the listed due date will receive a penalty.  Missing or un-attempted homework units will receive a zero at the end of the semester.

Need homework help?  You have several options: A) MyStatLab offers guided question help resources, B) If you live close to one of the NCTC campuses, you are welcome to visit the on-campus Math Lab during their posted hours for additional help, C) Canvas offers FREE ONLINE TUTORING – click the link from the left side bar, D) make an appointment with your instructor during the posted office hours, E)  send your instructor the homework question using ASK My Instructor link from MyStatLab.  Any of these options will get you a starting place for assistance.  The important part is ASKING and NOT WAITING!

Exam Policies:

Four unit Knowledge Checkpoints are scheduled during the semester and one comprehensive final exam. Make sure to follow the deadline dates listed in Canvas. The checkpoints/exams will be given in our lecture class time.

Students can optionally take a knowledge checkpoint/exam in a NCTC campus testing center prior to our scheduled exam date if you know in advance of an absence. If you need to take the exam early, please get the instructor’s permission FIRST, then contact the NCTC campus testing center (of your choice) immediately to set a date/time prior to the scheduled exam date.  You must contact your instructor immediately upon completing your reservation with the NCTC Testing center to inform of date/time and NCTC location.  No less than 72-hours notice must be given to the instructor, so material can be prepared and submitted to the NCTC Testing center. 

Each student will have only one attempt at each checkpoint/exam.  Students will be allowed to prepare a handwritten 3x5 index card memory enhancer for each checkpoint as well as use a non-web based, course approved calculator. No make-up knowledge checkpoints will be given after the scheduled date, but the final exam can replace your lowest unit checkpoint grade.  Students have 24 hours, after the return of each exam, to contact the instructor by email with questions on grading.  After that point, the student forfeits the opportunity to contest an exam grade.

               The final exam will be comprehensive and is required of all students. Students will be allowed to prepare a handwritten 8.5x11 page memory enhancer as well as use a non-web based, course approved calculator for the final exam. The final exam will also be given in our lecture class time according to the NCTC Final Exam schedule. The final exam is set for Tuesday, May 12, 2020 from 8am-9:50am.  No make-up knowledge checkpoints will be given, but the final exam can replace your lowest unit checkpoint grade – nothing replaces the final exam.

Gradebook:

The gradebooks in MSL and in Canvas are sync’d and will keep a running average of your grade with the exception of homework that goes un-attempted which will receive a zero at the end of the semester.

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

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. 

Attendance grade earned by: One point is earned for each Tuesday of class you attend during Week 1-Week 15. Attendance is defined as being physically present in lecture, arriving by or before 8:00am and no later than 8:10am and stays for the duration of the lecture class.  This is a HYBRID course which meets with an instructor on Tuesday only.  All other instruction is self-guided and independent.

All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies (documented by a physician).  It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval by the faculty member.  Approved college-sponsored activities are considered excused absences with documentation.  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 assignments and exams.  Plan ahead -- Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence without prior authorization from the instructor (see Exam Policies and Procedures).    

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)________          

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

x          Critical Thinking

x          Communication

x          Empirical and Quantitative

o           Teamwork

o           Personal Responsibility

o           Social Responsibility