MATH 120-02
Pre-Calculus
Syllabus for Fall 2012
MF 9:00am – 9:50am in 326 Gildemeister Hall
W 9:00am – 10:50am 325 Gildemeister Hall
Instructor: Dr. Eric Errthum Winona Email Username: eerrthum Office: 124A Gildemeister Hall Office Hours: See homepage. Or by appointment on any day.
Text: Precalculus by Stewart, Redlin, & Watson (6th Ed.) Calculator: Preferably a TI graphing calculator, at least some sort of scientific calculator
Course Website: http://course1.winona.edu/eerrthum/math120
Prerequisite: MATH 050, MATH115, 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.
Grading: ALEKS
Final Assessment 94
points---- 10.00%
Homework (scaled as
needed) 111
points---- 11.81%
Quizzes (10 @ 15 points
each, drop lowest) 135 points---- 14.36%
Midterms (4 @ 100
points) 400
points---- 42.55%
Final 200
points---- 21.28%
--------------
940 points total
Grades: A = 90% (846 pts), B = 80% (752 pts), C = 70% (658 pts), D = 60% (564 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, August 31st. After that, ALEKS will help you review topics in which you need improvement. The Final Assessment for ALEKS will be on Wednesday, September 19th (during classtime) in the Library. Make sure to bring your laptop to class on that day. The course code for this class is KLCCC-4THRX. See the ALEKS handout for more information.
Homework: Homework will be assigned daily, even if not specifically mentioned in class (see list of problems in the schedule below). About once a week we will have a “Homework Session” on the corresponding material. During a Homework Session, 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. The entire homework portion of your grade is based on these sessions.
Quizzes: The class period after the Homework Session will start with a quiz over that material. 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, see schedule below. The final exam is Tuesday, December 11 at 8:00am.
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 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 313 Tau Center on
West Campus and offers free tutoring. 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 |
Monday |
Wednesday (First Hour) |
Wednesday (Second Hour) |
Friday |
|
8/27 |
Introductions |
Review Chapters 1 & 2 |
3.1 |
ALEKS Initial Assessment Due |
|
9/3 |
No Class |
Homework Session |
3.3 HW (3.3): 4, 8, 10, 14, 16, 20, 26, 30, 60, 64 |
Quiz (3.1 – 3.2) |
|
9/10 |
3.5 |
Homework Session |
3.6 |
Quiz (3.3 – 3.5) |
|
9/17 |
Homework Session |
Quiz (3.6 – 3.7) |
BRING YOUR LAPTOPS! |
Review/Homework Session |
|
9/24 |
EXAM I |
4.1, 4.2 |
4.3 |
Homework Session |
|
10/1 |
Quiz (4.1 – 4.3) |
4.5 |
4.6 |
Homework Session |
|
10/8 |
Quiz (4.4 – 4.6) |
12.1, cont |
12.2 |
12.3 |
|
10/15 |
Homework Session |
Quiz (12.1 – 12.3) |
Review/Homework Session |
EXAM II |
|
10/22 |
5.1 & 6.1 |
6.2, 5.2, 6.3 |
5.3 |
Homework Session |
|
10/29 |
Quiz (5.1 – 5.3, 6.1 – 6.3) 5.5 & 6.4 |
6.5 |
6.6 |
5.4, 5.6 |
|
11/5 |
Homework Session |
Quiz (5.5 – 5.6 , 6.4 – 6.6) |
Review/Homework Session |
EXAM III |
|
11/12 |
No Class |
8.1 |
7.1 Trig Identities |
8.3: Modified From Text: Read This pdf |
|
11/19 |
Homework Session |
No Class |
||
|
11/26 |
Quiz (7.1, 8.1, 8.3) 7.2 & 7.3 HW (7.3): 4, 8, 20, 24, 32, 38, 42, 46, 48, 52, 74, 76 |
7.4 |
7.5 HW (7.5): 4, 10,
20, 24, 48 |
Homework Session |
|
12/3 |
Quiz (7.2 – 7.5) |
EXAM IV |
Final Review |
Final Review, cont. |
Final Exam: Tuesday, December 11,
8:00am.
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.” If you have difficulty with the subject, please see the instructor during office hours.
#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. If you still don’t understand the material, make an appointment with your instructor for help and come with specific questions about the lecture and/or material in the book.
#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. If you don’t understand why you solve a problem in a particular way, make an appointment with your instructor for help.
#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 and gender identities, 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.
Winona Campus Resources
·
Student Support Services, Krueger
Library 219, 457-5465 (www.winona.edu/studentsupportservices/)
·
Inclusion and Diversity Office, Kryzsko Commons Room 236, 457-5595 (www.winona.edu/inclusion-diversity/)
·
Access Services (formerly Disability
Services), Maxwell 314, 457-5878 (www.winona.edu/disabilityservices/)
·
Counseling and Wellness Services,
Integrated Wellness Complex 222, 457-5330 (www.winona.edu/counselingcenter/)
·
GLBTA Advocate, contact Counseling and
Wellness Services for name and number of the current Advocate
·
Tutoring Services, Krueger Library 220,
457-5680 (http://www.winona.edu/tutoring/)
·
Writing Center, Minné
Hall 348, 457-5505 (www.winona.edu/writingcenter/)
·
Math Achievement Center, Tau 313,
457-5370 (http://www.winona.edu/mathematics/mac/)
·
Advising Services – Warrior Success
Center, Maxwell 314, 457-5878 (www.winona.edu/advising/)
Details about Campus Resources
·
Two good places to help you find
resources of all kinds on campus are Student
Support Services and the Inclusion
and Diversity Office. Both offices are dedicated to helping students of all
races, ethnicities, economic backgrounds, nationalities, and sexual
orientations. They can facilitate tutoring and point you to a wide range of
resources.
·
If you have a disability, the Access Services office can document it
for your professors and facilitate accommodations. If you have a documented
disability that requires accommodation, please let me know as soon as possible.
If you suspect you may have a disability, please visit Access Services as soon
as possible.
·
College can be very stressful. The Counseling
and Wellness Services office is here to help you with a wide range of
difficulties, ranging from sexual assault, depression, and grief after the loss
of a loved one to stress management, anxiety, general adjustment to college,
and many others.
·
For help with understanding the
concepts of a particular class or understanding the requirements of an
assignment, Tutoring Services offers
three types of tutoring: drop-in appointments, 1-on-1 tutoring, and group
sessions. You can visit them in the Library (220) or go on-line and use TutorTrac to
schedule a session.
• For
help specifically with writing and the development of papers, the English
department has a Writing Center that
is staffed by trained graduate students pursuing their Master’s degree in
English. The Writing Center is located
in Minné Hall 348.
You can make an appointment on the sign-up sheet on the door or call
457-5505.
• For
help specifically with understanding math concepts and solving math problems,
the Math Achievement Center (MAC) is
staffed with friendly undergraduate tutors who will help you work through
difficult material. The MAC is located in Tau 313 and provides free tutoring
for all students in math, statistics, or math education courses. The
center is open Mon-Fri, and Sunday evening.
·
The GLBTA Advocate can direct people to
GLBT resources on and off campus. In addition, the advocate is responsible for
documenting homophobic and transphobic incidents on
campus and working with the appropriate channels to get these incidents
resolved.
The Standard Disclaimer
applies.