NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title: First Year Experience Course

Course prefix, number, and section number: NCTC 1001.0318

Semester/Year of course: Fall 2025

Semester start and end dates: Fall 2025 August 25th - October 18th, 2025

Course modality (Face to face/Synchronous online/Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Asynchronous Online

Class meeting location, days and times:  Canvas    

Lab meeting location, days and times: N/A

Semester credit hours: 0 (Institutional Requirement)

Course description: The First Year Experience Course is a required non-credit, 4-week course designed to provide students with the tools needed to persist and succeed at North Central Texas College.  Topics covered in the course include: NCTC technology, campus resources, college classroom expectations, study techniques, test-taking, financial literacy, and campus safety resources.  First time college students (excluding dual credit) are required to pass NCTC 1001.  The course does not satisfy requirements for any degree plan at NCTC, has no prerequisites, and is non-transferable. 

Course prerequisites: none

Required course materials: Materials Provided in Canvas

Name of instructor:  Martha Van Slyke

Office location: Flower Mound 114

Telephone number: 972-899-8364

E-mail address: mvanslyke@nctc.edu

Student office hours: By Appointment https://calendly.com/mvanslyke-nctc

 

 SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

List of graded assignments:

 

1          Attendance and Participation                                    100 points

4          Assignments                                                              400 points

2          Writing Reflections/Discussion                                  400 points

1          Career- Aspire to be Hired Assignment                     100 points

 

Total Points                                                                           1000 points

 

You are required to meet a minimum of 600 points to pass this course. 

Final grade scale:

P= 600-1000 points

F = 0-599 points

 

Late Work Policy: Late work is not accepted

There is a chance for extra credit available. Your grade will be based on the above graded elements listed. 

 

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

 

COURSE POLICIES

 

Academic Integrity Policy:

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

1. The student will receive a failing grade of "O" on the assignment. If the assignment is within a group in which the lowest assignment is dropped, the assignment will not be able to count as a dropped score. It will count as part of the grade.
2. A "Scholastic Dishonesty Report Form" will be submitted regarding the incident
3. Student may be dropped from the course with a failing grade (letter grade of “F”)

 

Attendance Policy: Participation is a part of attendance. If you are absent or do not participate in more than 4 classes/weekly assignments, you could be dropped. 

 

Withdrawal Policy:

A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is September 29th

 

 Student Learning Outcomes:

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1. Think, Know, Act, and Go.
2. Identify and demonstrate study and time management and success strategies,
3. Apply relevant academic policies, processes and procedures related to academic planning and career exploration, and demonstrate how to effectively evaluate information sources and
4. Utilize NCTC resources and information systems for academic inquiry.

Core Objectives: Critical Thinking, Communication, Social Responsibility, Teamwork

COLLEGE POLICIES

 ADA STATEMENT

NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations.  See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.

AI STATEMENT

Absent a clear statement from a course instructor, use of or consultation with generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or other similar technologies shall be treated analogously to assistance from another person, agency, or entity. In particular, using generative AI tools to substantially complete an assignment or exam is not permitted. Students should acknowledge the use of generative AI (other than incidental use) and default to disclosing such assistance when in doubt.

When students use generative AI to replace the rigorous demands of personal engagement with their coursework, it runs counter to the educational mission of the college and undermines the heart of education itself. Artificial Intelligence, large language models, and technologies hold promise for deploying knowledge in service to others and accelerating the discovery of new knowledge. However, such technology poses new challenges to pedagogy and to integrity. Within the context of the teaching mission of the college and consistent with the Student Code of Conduct, the authority to define the appropriate use, study, and deployment of these technologies rests with the faculty.

Individual course instructors, in coordination with their divisions, set policies regulating the use of generative AI tools in their courses, including allowing or disallowing some or all uses of such tools. Course instructors will set such policies in their course syllabi and clearly communicate such policies to students. Students who are unsure of policies regarding generative AI tools are encouraged to ask their instructors for clarification.

Student Handbook

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.

 

Student Services

NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students.  See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

 

The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class.  If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division.  If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator: Amy Klohn

Office location: Corinth Campus, Suite 180

Telephone number: 940-498-6416

E-mail address: aklohn@nctc.edu

 

Name of Instructional Dean: Mary Martinson

Office location: Gainesville Campus

Telephone number: 940-668-4209 ext. 4377

E-mail address: mmartinson@nctc.edu