MATH 120-05
Pre-Calculus
Syllabus for Spring 2010
Mon & Fri, 8:00 – 8:50am
Wed, 8:00 – 9:50am
155 Lourdes Hall
Prerequisite: MATH 050 or a qualifying score on the mathematics placement exam
About This Course: This course is intended to provide the student with an understanding of the ideas leading up to calculus. Topics will often be varied and loosely connected around the central ideas of solving equations and working with graphs. These topics compose a solid mathematical basis from which to build on in future math courses. As a terminal class, the topics contained in this course are meant to be a broad survey of the mathematics you may need or encounter in various fields of study.
Expectations: Students who complete this course with a passing grade are expected to be able to demonstrate the following skills: (i) Mastery of prerequisite material, (ii) Solve various algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric equations, (iii) Analyze and graph the basic behavior of functions, (iv) Use the correct mathematical tools and problem-solving skills.
Text & Calculator: Precalculus by Stewart, Redlin, & Watson (5th Ed.)
Course Website: http://course1.winona.edu/eerrthum/math120
Instructor: Dr. Eric Errthum Office: 124A Gildemeister Hall and 2B Lourdes Hall
Winona Email Username: eerrthum Office Phone: 474-5775
Office Hours: See schedule on my home page.
Grading: ALEKS
Final Assessment 90
points---- 10.00%
Homework (scaled as
needed) 90
points---- 10.00%
Quizzes (9 @ 15 points
each, drop lowest) 120 points---- 13.33%
Midterms (4 @ 100
points) 400
points---- 44.44%
Final 200
points---- 22.22%
--------------
900 points total
Grades: A = 90% (810 pts), B = 80% (720 pts), C = 70% (630 pts), D = 60% (540 pts)
ALEKS: A significant portion of your grade will depend on your mastery of prerequisite material in the form of ALEKS assessments. You should have purchased an ALEKS access code from the WSU bookstore. The first time you log in, you will be forced to take an initial assessment. NO CALCULATORS ALLOWED during ALEKS (unless it provides one for you on screen). You must complete the initial assessment by Friday, January 15th. Afterwards, ALEKS will help you review topics in which you need improvement. The Final Assessment for ALEKS will be on Monday, February 1st at 8am (in class). Make sure to bring your laptop to class on that day. See the ALEKS handout for more information (including the course code for this class).
Homework: Homework will be assigned daily, even if not specifically mentioned in class (see list of problems in the schedule below). The period before a quiz, we will have a “Homework Day” on the corresponding material. During a Homework Day, students will be randomly selected to put solutions to assigned problems on the board. The grading rubric will be as follows:
· If the student has a solution to their given problem, they get 4 points, even if what they write on the board is wrong. However, they must write a solution that can be followed without explanation, not just the answer. In essence, all the student has to do is copy down the solution they've already worked out in their homework to the board.
· If the student doesn't have the problem given to them, they can put up any other problem from that week that hasn't already gone up on the board for 3 points.
· If the student is present but unprepared, they get 1 point.
· If the student is absent, they get 0 points.
If one question gets passed on by 3 students in a row, a volunteer will be asked to put up the solution. This student will be awarded 5 points. On “Review/Homework Days” if the student does not have a solution, they may pass without penalty. The entire homework portion of your grade is based on these sessions.
Quizzes: We will have a short quiz almost every week (see schedule below). Each quiz will count for 15 points and the lowest quiz score will be dropped from your grade.
Exams: There will be four in-class exams and one comprehensive final exam. Exam dates are tentative until officially announced in class. The final exam is scheduled for Monday, May 3, 8:00 – 10:00am.
Extra
Credit: Frequently quizzes and exams will contain bonus problems where students
will have the chance to earn extra credit points.
Technology: Graphing
calculators are not required. However, they are highly recommended, preferably
a Texas Instrument. Some exams and quizzes will allow the use of calculators,
and some will not. You MAY NOT use
your cell phone, laptop, PDA, or other device capable of electronic
communication in place of a calculator. Contact the instructor if you are having
difficulties obtaining a calculator.
Resources: The Mathematics Achievement Center (MAC) is located in Gildemeister 135 and offers free tutoring with specialized tutors for Math120. The MAC will be staffed with two or three tutors Monday through Thursday, 10am – 7pm. The MAC will be open from 8am – 9pm, M-Th and open during the day on Friday for student use (even though tutors may not be present). Wireless and wired access is available. More information available at: The MAC Website.
Desire2Learn: Some course materials and approximate grades can be found on D2L.
Late/Missed
Work: Missed quizzes will result in a score of zero. There are no make-up quizzes.
Make-up exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor. If you miss
class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes and assignments from fellow
students. If you have an unavoidable absence, please inform the instructor
beforehand.
Academic Dishonesty: Any type of academic dishonesty (cheating, copying, etc.) will result in failure and will be reported to school authorities. If you are having trouble with an assignment, please see the instructor first.
Note: This syllabus is subject to change if deemed necessary by the instructor.
Tentative Schedule of Events – Math 120
(subject to change)
Week Starting |
Monday |
Wednesday |
Friday |
1/11 |
Introductions |
Review Chapters 1 & 2 |
3.1 |
1/18 |
NO CLASS |
3.2 HW (pg 279) 3.3: 12, 18, 30, 48 |
Homework Day |
1/25 |
Quiz (3.1 – 3.3) HW (pg 289) 3.4: 12, 18, 26, 34, 60 |
3.5 |
Homework Day |
2/1 |
BRING YOUR LAPTOPS! |
Quiz (3.4 – 3.6) |
EXAM I |
2/8 |
4.1 |
4.2 |
Homework Day |
2/15 |
Quiz (4.1 – 4.3) |
NO CLASS |
4.5 |
2/22 |
Homework Day |
Quiz (4.4 – 4.5) |
11.3 |
3/1 |
Homework Day |
Quiz (11.1 – 11.3) |
EXAM II |
3/8 |
NO CLASS |
||
3/15 |
5.1 & 6.1 |
6.2, 5.2, 6.3 |
Homework Day |
3/22 |
Quiz (5.1 – 5.3, 6.1 – 6.3) HW (pg 513) 6.5: 10, 14, 24, 40, 42 |
5.3, 5.4, 5.5 |
7.4 |
3/29 |
Homework Day |
Quiz (5.3 – 5.5, 6.4 – 6.5, 7.4) |
NO CLASS |
4/5 |
EXAM III |
8.1 & 8.2 |
8.3, cont. |
4/12 |
Homework Day |
Quiz (8.1 – 8.3) |
7.5 |
4/19 |
Homework Day |
Quiz (7.1 – 7.3, 7.5) |
EXAM IV |
4/26 |
11.5 |
Homework Day |
Final Review |
Final Exam: Monday, May 3, 8:00 –
10:00am.
Welcome to college math!
If this is your first math class taken in college, there are some important things you need to know. College math classes are run very differently from high school math classes. On the surface it may seem they are similar as you listen to the lecture and take notes, but there are significant underlying differences. Knowing these ahead of time can help you make the most of this coming semester.
#1: College math classes generally stay on the schedule in the syllabus. If there is one day allotted to the topic that is probably all of the class time that will be spent on it, even if “most” of the students “don’t get it.”
#2: It is expected that you will read the text and do the problems in order to learn the material, even if no one checks up on you. The instructor might never collect the homework, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect your grade.
#3: You will sometimes be responsible for material in the textbook that is not covered in class. If there is a text reading and/or homework problems covering a concept that was not discussed in class, you are still expected to learn it. If you don’t understand it, make an appointment with your instructor for help.
#4: Some material is covered only in class, is not in the textbook, and may not have any homework problems on it. If you miss class, you may miss content that you are responsible to know. If you have an unavoidable absence, be sure to get the notes and any announcements from a classmate.
#5: There will be test questions that don’t look “just like the homework.” In college, you are expected to focus on learning the concepts, not just memorizing how to do certain types of problems. These concepts can – and will – appear in very different forms on tests and quizzes.
#6: At times you will be expected to be able to explain why a problem is done a certain way in addition to being expected to do the problem. As you work on problems in class and on homework, don’t be satisfied with getting the correct answer; ask yourself why that method is logical, and how you could explain that logic to someone else.
#7: Most importantly, you are responsible for your own learning. If you attend class faithfully, get the notes and announcements if you have an unavoidable absence, read the text, do the homework and question yourself (as in #6), and still don’t understand something, it is up to you to get the extra help you need. Visit the instructor during office hours or make a special appointment to ask questions, form a study group, etc. There are many resources and people willing and happy to help, but you need to take the initiative and seek out the help you need.
Good luck on a happy and successful semester!
This course can be used to satisfy the University Studies requirements for Basic Skills in Mathematics. This course includes requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to…
a. use
logical reasoning by studying mathematical patterns and relationships;
Math 120 includes functional notation and identifies and uses the combination of functions, such as sums, products and compositions. Formulas are written that involve variation.
Understanding the relation between exponential and logarithmic functions and the simplification of expressions using the trigonometric identities are covered.
b. use
mathematical models to describe real-world phenomena and to solve real-world
problems - as well as understand the limitations of models in making
predictions and drawing conclusions;
Linear models for bivariate functions, exponential models for growth or decay, and periodic models with trigonometric functions are differentiated, studied and used. Properties of trigonometric quantities are examined by the use of the unit circle.
c. organize
data, communicate the essential features of the data, and interpret the data in
a meaningful way;
The domain and range of a function are found and functional notation is used to show the relation between variables. The average rate of change is calculated from a graph, a function or a table.
d. express the relationships illustrated in graphical displays and tables clearly and correctly in words;
The student is able to express solution sets correctly with a number line graph by using interval notation and inequalities. Students identify and express the characteristics of the graphs of powers, polynomials, rational functions, exponential, and trigonometric functions.
This includes increasing/ decreasing intervals, curvature, local optima, long-term behavior of functions when given a function, a formula, or a graph. Explanations of how transformations change the characteristics of a function and graphing the transformed function are done.
Commitment to
Inclusive Excellence: WSU recognizes that
our individual differences can deepen our understanding of one another and the
world around us, rather than divide us. In this class, people of all
ethnicities, genders, religions, ages, sexual orientations, disabilities,
socioeconomic backgrounds, regions, and nationalities are strongly encouraged
to share their rich array of perspectives and experiences. If you feel your differences may in some way
isolate you from WSU’s community or if you have a need of any specific
accommodations, please speak with the instructor early in the semester about
your concerns and what we can do together to help you become an active and
engaged member of our class and community.
Campus
Resources (Short version):
Campus
Resources (Long version):
The Standard Disclaimer
applies.