Grade Components

Exit Exam: 50%

ALEKS Progress: 35%

Participation: 15%

Grading Scale

A: 90 - 100

B: 80 – 89

C: 70 – 79

D: 60 – 69

F: < 60

What will we do in this class?

Working in ALEKS: Students will work in ALEKS with faculty support. Students will take an initial knowledge check in the NCBM 0244 ALEKS pie, which will generate their individualized path through necessary just-in-time review topics. 

Exit Exam: The Exit Exam is worth 50% of your course grade. Students who pass MATH 1414 can substitute their final grade in MATH 1414 for the Exit Exam Grade. Students who are not doing well in MATH 1414 will want to take the exit exam after completing the prerequisite material through at least section 9.1 in the College Algebra textbook (systems of linear equations in two variables) in order to pass NCBM 0244 and become TSI complete (if not already TSI complete). Students may have TWO attempts to pass the exit exam and must request the second attempt only after completing their first attempt.

The exit exam will be taken within Blackboard. Specifics on whether you should prepare and how to prepare for the exit exam and the method of proctoring will be given later in the semester. Review for the exit exam will be provided. This exam will be timed with a limit of 2 hours and you are expected to show work and be able to scan and submit that work. Receiving a grade of 70% or higher in this course and a 60% or higher on the exit exam are the requirements for passing this course. Students who do not meet these percentages will earn either a D or F in NCBM 0244.

TSI Completeness: Students who receive a grade of C or higher in this course will be considered TSI complete in mathematics.

ALEKS Progress: Throughout the semester, your instructor will update your ALEKS progress grade. This is the average of your percent progress in any of the ALEKS chapter objectives for which the due date has passed. For example, once the Chapter 3 Objective is due, your instructor will enter the percentage that you have completed in ALEKS for Chapter 3 as of the due date, and at the same time your instructor will update the percentages for Chapters 1 and 2 Objectives as well, assuming you have improved those percentages between due dates. You may continue to improve your ALEKS Progress grade throughout the semester.

Attendance Grade: Attendance is required for this class.  Required time in ALEKS each class is 40 min.-55 min.  Mini lectures may also be given during class up to 15 minutes.  For each absence, tardy, early departure, attendance points will be deducted (up to 3 per day).

Expectations

• Attend all classes
• Arrive on time to class and stay for the duration of class
• Participate during class time and spend time outside of class working on homework
• Refrain from any inappropriate use of cell phones or other technology during class
• Work at least 7 hour per week in ALEKS. If objectives for the week are finished, students may work ahead or improve past objectives.

What happens if I miss something?

Dropped Grade Policy: 4 lowest daily grades will be dropped.

Late Work Policy: Student may return to the prior objectives to improve or complete them, when current objectives are completed.  No late penalty will be applied.

Missed Exam Policy: Students will take the Exit Exam on April 24, Students with a B or higher after test 3 are not required to take the EXIT Exam for NCBM 0244.  The grade for Math 1414 will replace the Exit Exam grade. 

Required Materials 

The materials provided by First Day Access for MATH 1414, College Algebra for Precalculus will also be used for this course.

Supplemental Materials Needed: Binder, graph paper, note paper, scientific calculator, pencil

Other Technology: Access to a webcam and microphone are required for this course. Eligible students can check out required technology at https://www.austincc.edu/students/student-technology-services.

Calendar

Important Dates

Last day for 70% refund: Feb. 6

Last day to withdraw: April 24

Holidays: Spring break, March 13-17, College closed March 18-19, Easter, April 9

 (Please note these are the ONLY holidays this semester.)

Course Description

Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 2

NCBM 0244 – Support for College Algebra for Precalculus (2-2-0). This course is designed to support students concurrently enrolled in MATH 1414 by providing additional focus on MATH 1414 topics and just-in-time review of prerequisite topics, as needed. Topics include review of properties of real numbers, functions, algebra of functions, inequalities, polynomials and factoring, rational expressions and equations, radical expressions and equations, quadratic functions and their graphs, solving quadratic equations, and exponential functions. This course is not for college-level credit.

Course Rationale

This course is intended to provide support to students who are taking MATH 1414.  It should be taken along with MATH 1414 and is required for students who do not meet the prerequisites to take MATH 1414 as a stand-alone course.  Upon completion of NCBM 0244 with a C or higher (with concurrent enrollment in MATH 1414), a student will be considered TSI complete in mathematics.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of properties of functions, which include evaluation, domain and range, related equations, and basic operations.
2. Simplify, factor, and perform basic operations on algebraic expressions, including polynomials, rational and radical expressions, complex fractions, and complex numbers.
3. Solve linear, absolute value, rational, and radical equations, quadratic equations by symbolic methods including completing the square, and linear inequalities.
4. Appropriately use forms and formulas, including quadratic formula, midpoint, distance, and equations of circles and lines.
5. Graph linear equations and inequalities, including systems of each, as well as quadratic functions, and circles.
6. Solve application problems using linear and quadratic models, direct and inverse variation, and 2x2 systems of linear equations.