A basic algebra review of exponents, complex fractions, factoring, linear and quadratic equations, and inequalities. Functions are examined in depth both from a definitional and graphical perspective. Exponential and logarithmic functions, their graphs, and applications are reviewed/introduced. Basic trigonometric functions and identities are covered as well as their applications. The course is designed as a preparation for calculus. A TI-83 or higher graphing calculator is required.
Prerequisites: none.
Stewart, Redlin, and Saleem; Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus, 4th ed., Brooks/Cole, 2002. ISBN: 0-534-43421-5.
The course description states, "A TI-83 or higher graphing calculator is required", however a scientific calculator would be sufficient for most of this course. Since one typically takes this course as preparation for calculus, it may be wise to invest in a graphing calculator at this time.
The Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus retails for about $85 to $95. The TI-84, TI-89, and Voyage 200 calculators offer more features, but of course at a higher cost.
Grades are based on the following assessment items:
A final average is calculated according the the weights above and are rounded to the nearest full percent. The final grade is awarded according to the following scale:
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Tests will consist of problems similar to those assigned as homework and done in class. Your instructor will announce the specific topics to be covered on each test about a week prior to the test date.
The format of the final exam will be the same as that of the tests, but longer. The final exam is comprehensive.
Assignments will be given roughly every other week, and serve as an interim assessment between tests. These are essentially "take-home quizzes", and are to represent the student's individual effort. Collaboration of any kind is not allowed (see policy on Honor Philosophy).
Although not factored into the student's grade, homework is an essential component contributing to the student's success in a mathematics course. It is intended for practice, skills development, and reinforcement of course concepts. With few exceptions, homework will be assigned for each class meeting. Each homework assignment will be announced in class and will also be posted in a password-protected area of your instructor's web site.
Answers to homework problems will usually be found in the back of the textbook, and are provided for the student to check her work. However, the answers do not necessarily give insight into how one arrives at the answer. The student should feel comfortable that she can arrive at the expected answer, and seek help if having difficulty doing so.
Collaboration on homework is permitted and encouraged.
Regular attendance is an important factor contributing to the student's success in the class. Although much of the material covered in class comes from the textbook, some course content comes from the instructor's notes or other resources, and may be delivered only in lecture form. The student is responsible for all material covered in class, and should arrange to get notes from another student in the event of absence from class. The instructor's notes are not available for perusal by the students.
Your instructor keeps an attendance record for the class, however this record does not directly affect the student's grade. If a student has excessive absence and is not showing responsibility for the course material, a report of concern will be issued to the Advising Center.
If the student is absent on the day of a test, arrangements for a makeup must be made in advance of the test. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero for the test.
Your instructor will announce the date and time that each assignment is due. This information will also appear on your instructor's web site. Note that, for some classes, assignment due dates might not correspond to class meeting dates.
By turning in assignments on time your work will be graded and returned in a timely manner (usually within one week), and with comments as appropriate.
Late work will be accepted up to two weeks past the due date and will be subject to any or all of the following:
Any work that is not turned in within two weeks of the due date will receive a grade of zero.
The Cedar Crest College Student Guide includes the following under Honor Philosophy, Community Standards for Academic Conduct, Academic Integrity:
Academic integrity and ethics remain steadfast, withstanding technological change. Cedar Crest College academic standards therefore apply to all academic work, including, but not limited to, handwritten or computer-generated documents, video or audio recordings, and telecommunications.
All Cedar Crest students shall:
- Only submit work which is his/her own.
- Adhere to the rules of acknowledging outside sources, as defined by the instructor, never plagiarizing or misrepresenting intellectual property.
- Neither seek nor receive aid from another student, converse with one another when inappropriate, nor use materials not authorized by the instructor.
- Follow the instructions of the professor in any academic situation or environment, including taking of examinations, the following of laboratory procedures, the preparation of papers, and the proper and respectful use of sharing of College facilities and resources, including library and computing resources.
- Abide by the Cedar Crest Computer Use Policy.
- If a student perceives a violation of the Academic Standards, he/she will go to their instructor.
- If you are unable to resolve the problem with the instructor, you should go to the chair of the department. If you need further assistance after consultation with the instructor and the chair, you should see the Provost.
Unless specifically designated by the instructor, assignments for this course are individual assignments, not group projects. It is reasonable and appropriate for students to discuss an assignment outside of class, but the actual assignment work is to be one's own. It is not appropriate to collaborate on assignments, nor is it appropriate to copy another student's assignment, alter its appearance, and present it as one's own individual work. Such behavior is plagiarism and a violation of the Honor Philosophy, and will result in a grade of zero for the assignment. A second offense will result in a grade of F for the course.
College-wide class cancellations are announced on the regular media outlets and on the college inclement weather hotline (610-606-4629). In the rare event your instructor must cancel an individual class, every effort will be made to notify students via e-mail of the class cancellation. You instructor collects contact information at the start of the semester for this purpose. Please be advised that advance notice of an individual class cancellation is not always possible.
When a class is canceled, whether college-wide or individual, the following contingencies are in effect:
Students with documented disabilities who may need academic accommodations should discuss these needs with their professors during the first two weeks of class. Students with disabilities who wish to request accommodations should contact the Advising Center.
In order to remain in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the following policies will be in effect with regard to the release of information related to the student's academic record (i.e. grades):
Your instructor may, at his option, offer the class an extra credit assignment, based on the overall need of the class. How such an assignment affects the grade will be determined if and when the extra credit assignment is offered. Individual requests for extra credit will not be granted.
The College Catalog includes the following policy with regard to incomplete grades:
"A temporary grade of incomplete (I) is given only to a student who is doing passing work in a course but who, for reasons beyond the student's control, is not able to complete a major assignment or examination by the deadline for submitting grades."
The Provost's Office has further clarified this policy to faculty in the following statement:
"Note, in particular, the phrase 'beyond the student's control', which indicates an event such as an accident, injury, or catastrophic personal situation that prevents the student from completing a single assignment or examination at the very end of the semester; a student's failure to complete past or current work resulting form neglect or poor time management is not an appropriate justification for an incomplete grade. Note also that a student who is currently failing a course should not be given an incomplete."
The Cedar Crest College Student Guide includes the following under Honor Philosophy, Community Standards for Academic Conduct, Classroom Protocol:
Appropriate classroom behavior is implicit in the Cedar Crest Honor Code. Such behavior is defined and guided by complete protection for the rights of all students and faculty to a courteous, respectful classroom environment. That environment is free from distractions such as late arrivals, early departures, inappropriate conversations, and any other behavior that might disrupt instruction and/or compromise students' access to their Cedar Crest College education.
Anyone not registered for the course who wishes to sit in as a visitor must obtain permission from the instructor in advance. Class visitors are to adhere to the same classroom protocol as is expected from registered members of the class. For classes held in a computer classroom, visitors will not be permitted to use the computers in the classroom.
| Dates | Topic | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 8/29, 8/31, 9/2, 9/7, 9/9, 9/12, 9/14, 9/16, 9/19, 9/21 | Fundamentals | Ch. 1 |
| 9/23 | Test 1 | |
| 9/28, 9/30 | Fundamentals (continued) | |
| 10/3, 10/5, 10/7, 10/12, 10/14, 10/17, 10/19 | Functions | Ch. 2 |
| 10/21 | Test 2 | |
| 10/24, 10/26, 10/28 | Functions (continued) | |
| 10/31, 11/2, 11/4, 11/7, 11/9, 11/11 | Exponential and Logarithmic Functions | Ch. 4 |
| 11/14, 11/16 | Trigonometric Functions of Real Numbers and Angles | Ch. 5, 6 |
| 11/18 | Test 3 | |
| 11/21, 11/28, 11/30, 12/2, 12/5, 12/7, 12/9, 12/12 | Trigonometric Functions (continued) | |
| TBA | Final Exam |
Final exam date will be announced by the Registrar.