Precalculus - Math 1127

Spring 2009

Professor:            Carrie Naughton

Office:                   Library L247

Hours:                   MWF: 7:30-7:50 am, 9:30-10:50 am or by appt.

Phone:                   651-554-3785                     

Email:                   cnaught@inverhills.mnscu.edu

Website:                http://faculty.inverhills.edu/cnaught/

 

Prerequisite:        Placement in Math 1127 from the IHCC Assessment, or successful completion with a B or better of Math 99

 

Course Objectives:  This course is a preparation for the calculus sequence.  Topics include the study of algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions; graphs of absolute value, radical, polynomial, rational, logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions; graph reading, transformations; additional topics include solving equations, inequalities, trigonmetric identities, right triangle trig, polar coordinate and binomial theorem.

 

Learning Outcomes:  The students will be able to demonstrate the:

1.     Ability to understand the concept of function, and functional attributes such as domain, range, oddness/evenness, increasing/decreasing, and symmetry.  Ability to determine these attributes for a function given its graph and/or equation.  Ability to perform the algebra of functions: sum, difference, product, quotient, composite, and inverse.

2.     Ability to graph absolute value, reciprocal, square root, polynomial, rational, piecewise defined, logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions and the ability to use such graphs to solve applied problems and to understand the significance of attributes of the graph to such applied problems.

3.     Ability to solve appropriate applications of determining maximum or minimum of a quadratic function, zeros of polynomials, compound interest, and exponential growth and decay.  The ability to identify and articulate the significance of graphical components such as x-intercepts, horizontal asymptotes, intervals of increasing or decreasing in a mathematical model/application.

4.     Ability to verify trig identities, solve trig equations, and solve applied trig problems.

5.     Ability to analyze data and use technology to find functions which best describe the data.

 

Text:                   Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus, 5th edition by Stewart, Redlin & Watson.

You will also need one Math 1127 Course Packet with my name listed on the cover.

 

Calculators:         A graphing calculator is highly required. I recommend a TI-83 or TI-86.

 

Math Center:       Help is available in the Math Learning Center.  The hours are M-Th: 9-6, and F: 9-1.

 

Grading Criteria:

Quizzes:                                worth approximately 100 points (no make-ups)

Classwork/Projects:          worth approximately 100 points

Exams:                                  4 exams each worth 100 points (no unexcused make-ups)

Final Exam:                        worth 200 points 

 

Grade Scale:                        A = 90-100%

                                                B = 80-89%                                                          

                                                C = 70-79%                                                         

                                                D = 60-69%                                                         

                                                F = Below 60

                                                P = Minimum of 70

 

Important Dates:                                               

January 12, Classes begin                                  March 16-20, Spring Break

January 19, No class                                           April 17, No Class

February 16, No Class                                        April 24, No Class

February 24, Student Success Day                  April 22, Last Day to Withdraw

February 27, No class                                         May 5/13, Final Exam 7-10 am

                                               

               

Homework:

Homework will not be graded on a regular basis, but a list of homework problems will be provided.  It is expected that students do the homework problems so that they have a solid understanding of the material.  If you have questions on any homework problems it is your responsibility to ask for help in class, during office hours, or in the math center.  Keep up with your assignments, because daily work done completely will make test and quiz preparation significantly easier.  Occasionally problem sets, supplemental worksheets and review sheets for exams will be collected and graded for accuracy.

 

Quizzes:

Quizzes are given about once a week and cover the previous week’s material.  These may be in-class quizzes or take-home quizzes.  Each is worth 10 points. Keeping up with daily work will give you better success on these weekly quizzes! The lowest quiz score during the course will be dropped and the remaining scores will be averaged together for approximately 100 points.  IF YOU ARE ABSENT FOR A QUIZ, THEN THIS WILL BE COUNTED AS YOUR DROPPED QUIZ.  NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES WILL BE GIVEN!  Situations (e.g., extended illness, death in family, etc.) that cause many missed classes will be dealt with on a student-by-student basis.

 

Classwork:

Occasionally there will be individual or group assignments during the class period that will be collected.  These are meant for additional practice and problem solving.  They will be graded on completeness and correctness.  If you are absent for a classwork assignment, it is your responsibility to make it up in a timely manner.  There may also be take-home assignments or group projects that will be graded as well.  These assignments will total no more than 100 points of your final grade.

 

Exams:

There will be four exams worth 100 points each.  There will be one graphing gateway exam worth 50 points.  The final exam will be comprehensive and worth 200 points.  YOU MUST CALL OR SPEAK TO ME WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE EXAM DAY IN ORDER TO BE ALLOWED TO SCHEDULE A MAKE-UP EXAM.  All make-up exams need to be completed before I hand back the exams.  IF NO CONTACT IS MADE, THEN NO MAKE-UP WILL BE ALLOWED.

 

Attendance:

Even though no official attendance is taken, regular attendance is recommended and crucial in a mathematics class since subsequent classes are based on ideas developed in previous classes.  If you do have to miss a class, you are still responsible for learning the material that was taught in that class and for any exams, quizzes, classwork or homework missed or due the next class.  YOU WILL STILL BE EXPECTED TO TAKE AN EXAM OR QUIZ ON THE SCHEDULED DAY EVEN IF YOU WERE ABSENT THE DAY BEFORE.  All make-up work needs to be completed in a timely manner at the discretion of the instructor.  If an absence is unexcused, then make-up work may not be accepted.

 

Other Policies:

As a courtesy to all, please be sure that your cell phone and pager are turned off during class. 

Be on time.  It is very disruptive to those around you if you come in late.

Be courteous.

Be in class to be successful. 

You are responsible for what happens in class whether you are in attendance or not.

Do not cheat.  Any cheating will result in a zero on that test, quiz, homework or classwork. Other actions may be taken at the discretion of the instructor.

 

Access/Accommodations:

Any student who feels that he or she may need an accommodation for a disability can contact the Disabilities Service Office at (651) 450-8628, or visit them on the second floor of the Library Building.

 

Satisfactory Academic Progress:

Students need to maintain both a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and cumulative completion rate of at least 67% of all attempted credits for each term of attendance.  If a student fails to meet these requirements, they will be placed on academic and/or financial aid probation.