NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE PRE-CALCULUS COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:	Pre-Calculus Math
Course Prefix & Number:	MATH 2412	Section Number:	500	Semester/Year:	Fall 2017
Semester Credit Hours:	4	Lecture Hours:	48	Lab Hours:
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): In-depth combined study of algebra, trigonometry, and other topics for calculus readiness.
Course Prerequisite(s): MATH 1314 College Algebra or the equivalent preparation.
Required or Recommended Course Materials: Pre-calculus Author: Edward B. Burger Publisher: Thinkwell We will have these books provided for you in the library, but you will have to purchase an access code for the online component. (You can do this thru Canvas) Calculator - TI-30X IIS or equivalent.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Ronald Bautch
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth 313       Flower Mound 107
Office Hours:	Flm    M - F     7:00 - 8:00 Flm    MW     9:30 - 12:30 Flm    TR      11:00 - 12:30 Other times by appointment
Telephone Number:	940-498-6242
E-mail Address:	rbautch@nctc.edu

 

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:
	Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions
	Recognize and apply algebraic and transcendental functions and solve related equations
	Apply graphing techniques to algebraic and transcendental functions.
	Compute the values of trigonometric functions for key angles in all quadrants of the unit circle measured in both degrees and radians.
	Prove trigonometric identities.
	Solve right and oblique triangles.

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
5	Semester Exams	500 pts
35	Homework Assignments	35 pts
14	Quizzes	65 pts
3	Off-Line Homework	10 pts

 

TENTATIVE TEST SCHEDULE

MWF Test Schedule   8:00 - 9:30

Test 1   September 15, 2017  (Friday)

Test 2   October 04, 2017

Test 3   October 25, 2017

Test 4   November 15, 2017

Test 5   December 06, 2017

Final    December 11, 2017  (Monday)

 

GRADE CALCULATION

Your grade will be the average of five class tests, homework, quizzes and the mandatory comprehensive final examination, which could count twice.  These nine scores will be equally weighted, except that:

• The lowest test score may be replaced by the final exam if higher.
• There will be no make-up tests or final exam.
• Each test will contain approximately 11 problems of which one problem will not be counted in determining your test score.
• The homework and quizzes will be on Thinkwell.
• Homework and quizzes are worth 35 & 65 points respectively...
• Homework and quizzes combined equal 1 test grade (100 points).
• Border-line grades will determined by attendance and effort on homework & quizzes.
• There is no extra credit available in this course.
• If your grade is not within ½ % point of the upper grade it will not be rounded up.

 

Scenario 1                                                              Scenario 2

1)  Four semester tests     400 pts                1)  Five semester tests    500 pts

2)  Homework                   35 pts                 2)  Homework                 35 pts

3)  Quizzes                        65 pts                 3)  Quizzes                      65 pts

4)  Off-Line Homework    10 pts                 4)  Off-Line Homework  10 pts

5)  Final exam                  200 pts                5)  Final exam                100 pts

6)  Total                           710 pts                 6)  Total                         710 pts

 

Grade Scale

A = 90 - 100;    B = 80 - 89;    C = 70 - 79;    D = 60 - 69;    F = 0 – 59

 

Students must ask questions about their returned exams before they leave the classroom.  Once you leave the classroom the grade you have is the grade you keep.

 

Exam, quiz, & homework scores will be posted on the Canvas website.

 

Your Final Letter Grade will be posted on My NCTC website.

 

Exams will graded and scores posted on the Canvas website within one week.

 

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

 

HOMEWORK AND TESTS

All homework and quizzes are due at 11:59 p.m. on the assigned due date for full credit.  Homework and quizzes may be printed to allow you to work on it away from the computer, but must be submitted in Thinkwell. 

 

The tests and final exam will be administered in the classroom.  Sample tests are posted on Canvas/Modules, they will not be counted for credit, and may include concepts that we did not cover in class.

 

I know each student within the semester will have their own specific challenges that they face privately but each one of you need to execute each task as best as you can and soldier on.  This is life. Please do not ask for “grace” or extensions because this is unfair to those who kept their

 

OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

• Monday September 04, 2017  Labor Day Holiday - College Closed
• Thursday November 9, 2017 Last day to drop a class with a grade of W
• November 22-25, 2017 Thanksgiving Holiday - College Closed
• December 09-14, 2017 FINAL EXAMS

 

At no point within the semester should students contact me with respect to them dropping.  It is a highly personal decision that can only be made by each student and their academic advisors.

 

• Questions on the homework will be discussed at the beginning of each class. Homework is very important and it is absolutely necessary for successful completion of the course.  Mathematics is not a spectator sport.

 

• All cell phones, i-phones, etc. must be kept out of sight, in your car, purse, backpack, etc. You may be asked to leave for the day if your phone goes off, even on test days, for your first violation.  You may be dropped from the course on your second violation.  You may be dropped from the course if you are at any time caught text-messaging and/or checking emails.  In addition, students are not allowed to study for other classes, read newspapers, and /or sleep in class.

 

• BE COURTEOUS TO YOUR FELLOW CLASSMATES.

 

• The instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus at any time during the semester.

 

• Any announcements/information disseminated during class will take precedence over the syllabus.

 

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 course with a “W” is Thursday, November 9, 2017.

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: GAINESVILLE – 1403 (Library) CORINTH – 186 FLOWER MOUND - 111 Mon 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Mon through Thurs 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Mon & Wed 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Tues, Wed, Thurs 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Tues & Thurs 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Sat 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

 

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).   http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/disability-services.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

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)

 

             Critical Thinking

             Communication

             Empirical and Quantitative

 

             Teamwork

             Personal Responsibility

             Social Responsibility

 

 

COURSE TYPE

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

          Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

          WECM Course

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://www.nctc.edu/catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook/nctc-student-handbook.html. 

 

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:

• Zero on the assignment/quiz/exam
• Failing grade for the course

 

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?

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:	Sara Flusche
Office Location:	Gainesville 1306
Telephone Number:	940.668.3351
E-mail Address:	sflusche@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.

 

 

 

 

E-MAILS

I will check emails periodically Monday thru Friday and will try to respond within 24 hours.  However, I will likely check my email at least once per day when I am not on campus.  Email will not be checked over the weekend, holidays, or after 4 pm on any weekday.  Although Canvas is available to students 24/7, it is unrealistic to expect that the instructors will be.  Keep in mind if there are any emails that are urgent over the weekend TRY not to panic.  The solution probably can be resolved quickly upon the beginning of the week. 

 

Reasons why I will not reply to your email:

-Question can be answered within the syllabus

-If emails resemble text messages to your buddies

-Include substantially poor grammar

-Not coherent

-Extra credit to boost grade

-Future point totals to make a certain grade; do your own math

-Asking for more time to do an assignment

-Asking for special consideration over other students for any reason

-Questions regarding an assignment with less than 12 hours before a due-date

 

Be mindful of the tone that is presented in emails.  If it is aggressive, unprofessional, or is academically offensive in anyway, the professor will not reply.  Know that the student’s name may be given to the Associate Dean of Denton County Campuses for further review. 

 

RELIABLE TECHNOLOGY

In an effort to keep everyone within this class on an equal playing field regarding IT issues, everyone will be held to the same process and standards. 

Be sure that you are doing all of your assignments on a reliable computer with sufficient battery life and appropriate Internet connectivity.   The instructor cannot help instances of computers “shutting down,” “crashing,” “running slow,” or “electrical outages due to a storm,” etc.  Be mindful of this before you begin any assignments.   The burden rests solely on the student if there is a problem mid-assignment and it truly rests with someone other than the student, you will have to:

 

1.Create an e-ticket at  http://www.nctc.edu/eLearning_Department/Support.aspx

Select “submit a request.” 

Describe the problem to the e-Learning Department and produce the evidence to support your technological issue.  Include screenshots via computer or phone of the error message or issue.  In addition, include dates and times within the screenshots or photos.

 

2. Forward the emailed response to the instructor from the e-Learning Department if there is evidence to support your claim. That includes the response that the Canvas help desk delivered with the overwhelming amount of data regarding your issue to indicate that the technical difficulty was through no fault of the students’. Do not email the instructor if the e-Learning Department cannot verify your technical difficulty.  Please include your “request number” in parenthesis which can be found in the email from e-Learning.

 

3. Then the instructor will gather all evidence from the student, e-Learning, and from the student activity from within Canvas to make an appropriate decision in moving forward with the request to re-open assignments. If students do not provide a good defense, the instructor will not likely re-open any assignments.

 

4. Finally, THE INSTRUCTOR WILL LOOK AT THE ENTIRE RECORD OF THE STUDENTS’ ACTIVITY ON CANVAS. If the student makes a false claim regarding technical difficulties, they should expect to be dropped from the course at the point of the offense. This is child’s play to look at students’ Canvas activity so avoid being inventive of any fictitious IT stories.

On a personal note:   This syllabus is our contract; it cannot and will not be amended by students for personal issues.  This is not limited to birthdays, deaths, hospital / incarceration stays, or minor holidays.  Everyone is held to the same standard in this class.

Decreased stress for this class can be traced back to utilizing a calendar system (for all assignment due dates), working on a reliable computer, and not waiting until the last minute to get started on assignments (cheating, plagiarism, creating fictitious I.T. stories, and sloppy work can get the very best under these conditions). 

Overall, I would respect a student more if they honestly could not complete an assignment rather than to invent creative stories, blame others, or recycle assignments or copy other work.  In short, these issues just waste my time and could get the student in more academic trouble and potentially expelled from college.

EEOC STATEMENT

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.