NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title:	Pre-Calculus Math			Course Modality:	Face-to-Face
Course Prefix & Number:	MATH 2412	Section Number:	0401	Class Day/Time:	MW 2 – 4:20pm
Semester Credit Hours:	4	Lecture Hours:	80	Semester/Year:	Fall 2021
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: Textbook – Precalculus, Robert Blitzer, 6th edition, Pearson, 2017. [Optional] MyMathLab (MML) Access Code – There is a copy of the e-text included. [Required] A scientific (NON-GRAPHING) calculator will be required for this course. The TI-30X IIS is the recommended calculator. NOTE: Phone calculators and graphing calculators will NOT be allowed on exams.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Jason Rutledge
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth – Room: 206
Office Hours:	We can always set up a time to meet. Email me with your availability and I will do my best to work around your schedule. We can meet face to face or through a video and audio conference through WebEx.
Telephone Number:	(940) 498 – 6286 [Office phone] or (214) 814 – 5634 [Google number to my cell phone]
E-mail Address:	jrutledge@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.

Email is the best way to contact the instructor either with the email address given above or through Canvas.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
1	Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions.
2	Recognize and apply algebraic and transcendental functions and solve related equations.
3	Apply graphing techniques to algebraic and transcendental functions.
4	Compute the values of trigonometric functions for key angles in all quadrants of the unit circle measured in both degrees and radians.
5	Prove trigonometric identities.
6	Solve right and oblique triangles.

MOBILE DEVICE POLICY

All cell phones, tablets, laptops and other electronic devices need to be put away during lecture and only used in class when directed by the instructor. It is distracting and rude to have these devices out during most meetings; however discreet you think you might be. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis, so bring those to the instructor individually. Any time you need to use these devices, quietly remove yourself from class, attend to your business and quietly return.

 

Recording Lectures: The use of any audio or visual devices to record any part of the course lecture needs to be cleared by the instructor BEFORE that class session begins. This does include but is not limited to video/audio recordings and pictures from a cell phone.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

PART I – MML Quizzes: (20% of Overall Average)

All of the quizzes are done online using MyMathLab (MML), which should be accessed through Canvas. You will be able to attempt each quiz at most 5 times before the due date and time. All of the due dates and times for the quizzes are given in Canvas under the “Assignments” tab as well as through the “My Labs and Mastering” tab.

 

The quizzes are built to be a starting point for each chapter and as a nice way to wrap up what you have learned. So if you only work the quizzes without using the MML homework and the handouts/videos I have provided in Canvas, you can rest assured you will fail the tests. Use ALL of the materials at your disposal to master the material. The three (3) lowest quiz grades will be dropped from the calculations of the final grade.

 

There will be a few quizzes administered in-class and NOT online. Dates for each of those will be announced in advance and appropriate details will be given at those times.

 

PART II – Tests and the Final Exam: (80% of Overall Average)

There will be 5 tests and a comprehensive Final Exam. Each test is worth 13% of your overall average and the Final will be worth 15%, for a grand total of 80%. You want to make sure you are super ready for each test. NO MAKE-UP TESTS. Tests will be administered in class and you will be allowed pen/pencil, scratch paper (supplied by the instructor) and an appropriate calculator (when authorized by the instructor). The final exam may also be used to replace the lowest intra-semester test grade.

 

Test #1 – Wednesday, September 8^th – Chapter 1 and Section 2.6

Test #2 – Monday, September 27^th – Chapter 3

Test #3 – Monday, October 11^th – Sections 1.9 and Chapter 9

Test #4 – Wednesday, October 27^th – Chapter 4

Test #5 – Monday, November 22^nd – Chapters 5 and 6

Final Exam – Wednesday, December 8^th from 2 – 3:50pm – Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9

 

PART III – Homework (NOT FOR A GRADE)

The online homework is not a graded component of this course. However, choosing not to do them will GREATLY increase your chances of failing the course. Use these as practice to better understand the material and a source to ask questions for clarification. Quality is better than quantity. A limitation of MML is that the final answer is all that matters. As you will soon learn, on my tests the work that supports that final answer is FAR more important. (To be honest, on the tests I am far less concerned with whether or not your final answer is right or wrong. How well does the work you supply support that response?)

 

Non-Online Homework: I am planning to NOT supply answer keys for any of the homework done offline. “Jason, how are we supposed to know if we are on the right track and getting good answers?” Simple…ask. Either inside or outside of class, bring in samples of your work for me to give you some input and in that way help you to score better on that test. The tutors in the Math Lab can also be of use as well as various other online resources not officially tied to our course.

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

Tentative Schedule

The following sections will be covered on the days indicated. All of the due dates for the quizzes can be found in Canvas or MML. Make sure you are checking those regularly. The content and test dates are subject to change as the semester progresses.

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 Monday, November 1, 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.pdf. 

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

 

Should you have any questions or concerns about the course, material, instructor or any other aspect of your NCTC experience, you should contact your instructor first using the information given at the beginning of this syllabus. If that fails to resolve the issue(s) you may contact the Division Chair, Ben Owens. If that contact fails to resolve the issue(s) you may contact the Instructional Dean, Mary Martinson.

Ben Owens – Corinth Office 170 – bowens@nctc.edu – (940) 498-6209

               Mary Martinson – Gainesville Office 1404 – mmartinson@nctc.edu – (940) 668-7731 ext. 4377

 

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