Syllabus

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Spring Term 2001

Mac 1147

TEXT:           Precalculus, Functions and Graphs , --Demana, Waits, Clemens, Foley, Addison-Wesley

4th ed., ISBN 0-201-69977

Instructor:          Peg Greene

Office : A243

Office Hours:       Posted

VOICE MAIL.:       381-3411

E-mail: pgreene@fccj.org

Your grade will be based on the result of 5 tests, that will be given at the end every chapter.

There will be no make-up tests on the exams or quizzes. If you have an exam missing at the end of the term you will be required to take a comprehensive final exam to replace this zero grade. You can however ask to take a test early. This is important for your educational advancement in the course. Tests are given for both the instructor and you to assess that you have learned certain topics before building on them in the next class.

 

HOMEWORK:          Homework will be assigned and discussed the following class. However, all

assigned problems should be worked as the test problems are based on the homework problems.

It is necessary that you read the sections in the text before they are discussed in class. It will

be assumed that you are familiar with the concepts to understand the class discussion.

GRADING SCALE:

90-100          A

80-89            B

70-79            C

60-69            D

0-59              F

 

NP--This grade will be given only if a student has completed the course and is not ready to go on to the next course. It will not be given because you failed to withdraw by the proper date. YOU

MUST COMPLETE THE COURSE.

l---This grade will only be given if you did not take the final exam by some excused extreme emergency.

 

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE: To develop and increase proficiency in the

areas of equation solving, algebraic operations, problem solving and graphing. Applications will be emphasized whenever possible. The course will also help you to be proficient in use of technology by using the TI-89 Graphing Calculator.

SUCCESS IN THE CLASS: There are a number of factors which determine how successful you will be in this class. The most important factor is regular attendance in class and good note taking. We do a lot of discovery type exercises in class and the discussion that follows is vital for your understanding the concepts. If you are not here I cannot teach you. The next important factor for success is doing all of the assigned homework. Homework is your responsibility. The average student should spend 6-8 hours a week on homework. You cannot expect to be successful without devoting this amount of time to this subject. If you are not willing to put in this amount of time it is strongly recommended you do not take this course.


Academic Dishonesty: Cheating will not be tolerated in this class. During tests students

should keep their test paper covered at all times. Any student caught cheating will receive an F in the course.

 

 

EXTRA HELP: In addition to group help from your team mates there is help at the Math Lab. Check their hours as they are open late each day and have limited hours on Saturdays and Sundays. There are video tapes that go along with the text as well as another set of algebra tapes with Peg Greene as the instructor. These tapes can be checked out and taken home from the LRC. There are also computer tutorials in the math lab.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION:

 

1.   Arrive on time. Important announcements, hints to remember for the test etc are usually given in the beginning of the class.

 

2.   Tests will cover everything in the chapter in the text.

 

3.   Do the Chapter Review and Chapter test for each of the Chapters. The cumulative review keeps you up to date at the end of each chapter. The assigned problems are the minimum number of problems to do to learn the material. Math is a skill, by doing additional problems you get proficient at it and it then becomes easier and you have fun doing it.

 

4.   Attend all classes. Get a study buddy in the class to be your backup for notes etc.. in case an emergency arises. Call the study buddy to find out what was covered in class. Do not wait until coming to the next class and then being behind.

 

5.   Read the next section before it is covered in class. Just skim through it and look at the bold faced print words and what is in boxes. These are the important points, It will make so much more sense when we go over it in class if you are at least familiar with the terms.