Math& 141 (previously Math 110): Precalculus I, Section 01

Summer 2008, 9:00 – 10:15 AM, Room 2205

 

Instructor: Rosalie Tepper

Office: 5335 (FOSS Building)

Email: rtepper@shoreline.edu (the best way to reach me)        

Course Website: http://www.shoreline.edu/rtepper/math141

Office Hours: Mondays/Wednesdays 12:30 – 2:00 PM, or by appointment

 

Course description: This is the first quarter of the two-quarter precalculus sequence.  We will study elementary functions and their graphs, with applications to mathematical modeling. Examples include linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions, composite functions, inverse functions and transformation of graphs.

 

Prerequisites: Math 099 (2.0 or better) or Math 097 AND 098 (2.0 or better) or a score of 85 or higher on the Algebra COMPASS test.

 

Text: Precalculus, Mathematics for Calculus, 5th ed. – Stewart, Redlin and Watson.

 

Calculators: You are required to have a graphing calculator.  Bring it to every class.  I recommend a TI-83 or TI-84, though if you would like to use different calculator, please take time outside of class to familiarize yourself with it.  The Math Learning Center can help you with this.  A limited number of calculators are available to rent from the bookstore for $20 per quarter.

 

Other materials: Pencil, eraser, straight edge, graph paper.

 

Course Grade:           5%       Worksheets

                                    15%     Homework

                                    35%     Quizzes

                                    20%     Midterm

                                    25%     Final Exam

Quarter grades range from 0.0 to 4.0.  See the course website for the conversion from percentages to decimal grades.

Worksheets: Worksheets are in-class assignments to be completed in small groups (two to four students), though each student will write his/her own solutions.  There will at least one worksheet per week, so good attendance is essential.  Worksheets will be graded based on participation.  There will be no make-up worksheets; however, I will drop your lowest two worksheet scores.

Homework: Homework assignments will be posted on the course website.  They will be collected every Thursday, based on the new material up through the prior Tuesday.  I expect you to have assignments completed a day in advance to allow time to ask any questions you may have.  Assignments must be neat and stapled.  You must show all work to receive full credit.  Each assignment will be graded for overall completion, out of 5 points.  I will drop your lowest homework score at the end of the quarter.

Late Homework Policy: Late homework will only be accepted by 9 AM the Monday

after it is due, and will only receive half credit.  Late assignments may be put in

my mailbox in the FOSS building or submitted at the beginning of the next class.

Quizzes: There will be a 15 minute quiz at the end of class every Thursday that homework is due (aside from exam days).  Quiz problems will be similar to the homework problems due the same day.  You will not be allowed to use any materials other than a pencil and calculator during quizzes.  There will be no make-up quizzes; however, I will drop your lowest quiz score.

Exams: There will be one 50 minute midterm exam and a 75 minute final exam.  You will be allowed one 8.5 × 11 handwritten sheet of notes for both exams.  You may not share note sheets.

Midterm Exam: Tentatively the Thursday, July 17th.

Final Exam: The last day of class, Thursday, August 14th.

Make-Up Exams: There will be no make-up exams.  If you have an unavoidable conflict with an exam, see me as soon as possible to schedule taking the exam early.  If you miss an exam due to an emergency, email me immediately and be prepared to provide documentation for your absence.

 

Emergency School Closure: If Shoreline Community College is closed unexpectedly (snow day, earthquake, etc.), we will pick up where we left off at the next class.  For example, if the school is closed on the day of an exam, the exam will be given at the next class meeting.

 

Academic Dishonesty: Cheating or plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated.  You are encouraged to work together on homework and worksheets, but all submitted work must be entirely your own.  Copying homework solutions or answers from another student, the back of the book, or a solutions manual are forms of cheating.  You must work entirely independently on exams.  Any student caught cheating will receive a zero on the assignment or exam.  Two incidences of cheating may result in a 0.0 grade for the course and may receive further disciplinary action.  For more details, see Shoreline CC Policy 5033.

 

Other Class Policies: Be prepared and on time for every class.  Students are expected to stay for the entire class period unless there is an emergency.  Cell phones, mp3 players, and other electronics (aside from calculators) must be silenced and put away before class.  Headphones may not be used in class at any time.  Disruptive behaviors will not be tolerated and may result in dismissal from class.  Students are expected to behave responsibly and respectfully, in accordance with Shoreline CC Policy 5030.  If you miss a class, you are responsible for getting the class notes from another student or emailing me immediately to find out what sections to read in the textbook and to find out any announcements you may have missed.

 

Math Learning Center: The Math Learning Center is in the 2200 building, rooms 2201-2204.  The MLC staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have on the material, making it an ideal place to work on homework or study independently or with other students in the class.  The MLC is your friend.  It will be open 9 AM to 1:30 PM, Mondays through Thursdays, during the summer.  The MLC website is http://www.shoreline.edu/math.

 

Students with Disabilities: The Services for Students with Disabilities office can help accommodate students with disabilities.  To receive accommodations or services, students are responsible for requesting them in room 5229 in the FOSS Building or by calling 546-5832 or 546-4520 (TTY).

 

This syllabus is subject to change.  Any changes will be announced in class and an updated syllabus will be posted on the course website.