Course Description : MATH 2412 PRECALCULUS: FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS (4-4-0). This is a course designed to prepare students for MATH 2413 Calculus I. Content includes algebraic, logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions and equations; parametric equations; and the polar coordinate system.

Instructional Methodology : This course is taught in the classroom primarily as a lecture/discussion course.

Course Rationale : This course is designed to teach students the algebraic and trigonometric modeling concepts needed for scientific/engineering calculus. It is not simply a review of college algebra and trigonometry.

Please make sure you have the necessary prerequisites for this course: Trigonometry, MATH 1316, or an equivalent course. You should also have current algebra skills at the level of MATH 1314, College Algebra. If you do not have current knowledge of these topics, then you should ask me about course level changes. If I feel you are not prepared for this course, I may choose to withdraw you. If you have any questions about your preparation for the course, please come and talk to me about it.

Textbook : Functions Modeling Change: A Preparation for Calculus, by Connally, Hughes-Hallet, Gleason, et al., 3rd edition.

Technology required : As with any course where either graphing or scientific calculators are used, the calculator will be used as a supportive tool. This course is not about calculator usage, but about precalculus concepts. We will use graphing calculators or computer software when their use enhances the understanding of a mathematical idea. Graphing calculators are not required for this course. However, as you progress through the semester you may find it convenient to purchase your own. Individual instructors may vary in how often and in what manner they utilize these types of calculators. Most ACC faculty are familiar with the TI family of graphing calculators. Hence, TI calculators are highly recommended for student use. Other calculator brands can also be used. Your instructor will determine the extent of calculator use in your class section.

There will be 3 or 4 exams and a comprehensive final during the term, each of which will count equally towards your grade. The tests will comprise 85% of your grade. There may also be in-class assignments and groupwork during the semester. The remaining 15% of your grade will be based on your homework assignments and any in-class assignments.

You may earn bonus points on each test, except for the final test, by correcting all errors and submitting them to me by the announced deadline.. If you submit these corrections for every test that you make less than a 90, then I will replace your lowest test grade with the average of that grade and your grade on the final exam. If you take any test late for any reason, there will be a penalty of 10 points off your test grade. However, no late tests will be allowed after I hand the graded tests back in class.  

If you miss a test, you must try to take it during this “late” period. If you miss this deadline as well, I may consider allowing you to hand in corrections on all tests and replace all or part of the missed test with your grade on the final, but only in the case of serious illness or emergency.  This is solely at my discretion. Otherwise, you will receive a 0 on the test. All tests and assignments must be turned in on or before the last class meeting.

Grades will be assigned as follows:

A

90% or better and a grade of at least 75 on the final

D

60% - 69%

B

80% - 89% and a grade of at least 65 on the final

F

below 60%

C

70% - 79% and a grade of at least 55 on the final

W

Withdrawn by student or instructor prior to last withdrawal date on school calendar

I

Incomplete grades (I) will be given only in very rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of "I", a student must have taken all tests, be passing, and after the last date to withdraw, have a personal tragedy occur which prevents course completion.

You should bring your homework to class every day. It will be collected regularly and graded. There may also be in-class assignments collected for a grade (as part of your homework grade). There will be a penalty on late homework. Homework that is more than two weeks late might not receive any credit. In-class work that is missed may not be made up, though your lowest in-class grade (possibly more, depending on the number assigned) will be dropped.

Attendance is required in this course.  It is extremely important for you to attend class regularly. Although I may not take regular attendance, I MAY drop you from the course for excessive absences, although I make no commitment to do so.

It is the student's responsibility to initiate all withdrawals in this course. The instructor may withdraw students for excessive absences (4) but makes no commitment to do this for the student. (If you decide to stop coming, you had best make sure that you drop the course. While we MIGHT do this, it is YOUR responsibility. If you fail to do so, you could receive an F on your permanent record.) After the withdrawal deadline, neither the student nor the instructor may initiate a withdrawal. If you are withdrawn by mistake, I will only consider reinstating you if you have taken all necessary tests, are current in your homework, and have not missed an excessive number of classes. The withdrawal deadline for Fall 2008 is November 28, 2008.

Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be dealt with appropriately, which may include having the student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class. ACC's policy on student discipline can be found in the Student Handbook page 32 or on the web at: http://www.austincc.edu/handbook

All students are expected to actively participate in this class. This can include asking relevant questions in class, participating in class discussions and other in-class activities, helping other students, coming to office hours with questions, and doing other things that contribute to the class.

Please, try to keep up with the homework and with the lecture in class. There just isn't much time to catch up. This means you have to be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to do the homework and to study.

Please, please, please, if you don't understand something, or you aren't clear about something, or if you think I (or the book) have made a mistake (it has been known to happen), or if you have any other questions, please ask. Don't let confusion accumulate. If you don't want to ask in class, come to our office hours (or call) and ask. It is much easier to ask a question now than to miss it on the test.  I expect all students to participate in class discussions and other activities. Trust me, you will get much more out of the class if you become actively involved in it.

It is much more important that you understand the processes involved in solving problems than that you just give me the right answer. If I see from your work that you understand what you are doing, I will usually give partial credit for a problem, even if you made a mistake somewhere along the line. If you don't show your work (unless I believe you could reasonably do it in your head), I may not give you full credit, even if the answer is right. If you can really do something in your head, that's great, but when in doubt, write it down.  It is also very important that you write what you mean. I will correct your notation the first few times, but I will start counting it wrong if you continue to write things incorrectly. In addition, please write clearly and legibly. If I can't read it, I won't grade it.

To do homework and study requires two or three times as much time outside of class as the time you spend in class in order to succeed in this course. If you need more out-of-class help than you can obtain in your instructor's office hours, free tutoring is available in any of ACC's Learning Labs.

Course-Specific Support Services  Sometimes sections of MATH 0185 (1-0-2) are offered. This lab is designed for students currently registered in Precalculus MATH 2412. It offers individualized and group setting to provide additional practice and explanation. This course is not for college-level credit. Repeatable up to two credit hours.

ACC main campuses have Learning Labs which offer free first-come, first-serve tutoring in mathematics courses. The locations, contact information and hours of availability of the Learning Labs are posted at: http://www.austincc.edu/tutor

Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good.  The common good depends upon a search for truth and upon free expression.  In this course the professor and students shall strive to protect free inquiry and the open exchange of facts, ideas, and opinions.  Students are free to take exception to views offered in this course and to reserve judgment about debatable issues. Grades will not be affected by personal views.  With this freedom comes the responsibility of civility and a respect for a diversity of ideas and opinions.  This means that students must take turns speaking, listen to others speak without interruption, and refrain from name-calling or other personal attacks.

Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, work, research or self-expression.  Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations; and homework.

Students who violate the rules concerning scholastic dishonesty will be assessed an academic penalty which the instructor determines is in keeping with the seriousness of the offense. This academic penalty may range from a grade penalty on the particular assignment to an overall grade penalty in the course, including possibly an F in the course. ACC's policy can be found in the Student Handbook page 33 or on the web at: http://www.austincc.edu/handbook .  

Testing Center Policies :  ACC Testing Center policies can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/ .  Deadlines for all tests will be announced in class.  Any tests taken after the announced deadline are considered late.

Student Services :  The web address for student services is:   http://www.austincc.edu/rss/index.htm . The ACC student handbook can be found at:   http://www.austincc.edu/handbook

Instructional Services :  The web address is:   http://www.austincc.edu/faculty/newsemester/ , then click on “Campus Based Student Support Overview”.

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office of Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.

Students who are requesting accommodation must provide the instructor with a letter of accommodation from the Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD) at the beginning of the semester.   Accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the letter of accommodation from OSD

Sections

Sections

1.1 - 1.5

7.5, (7.6), 10.1, 10.2

(1.6), 2.1 - 2.4

8.1 - 8.3

2.5, 2.6, 3.1 - 3.4

9.1 - 9.3

4.1 - 4.3, (4.4), Test 1

9.4, 9.5, (9.6), Test 3

5.1 - 5.3

(9.7), 12.1, 12.2

5.3 - 5.5

12.3, 12.4, (12.5)

6.4 - 6.7
(you should review 6.1 - 6.3 on your own)

11.1 - 11.4, Test 4

7.1 - 7.4, Test 2

Review, Comprehensive Final Exam

Intermediate Algebra (MATD 0390)

Intermediate Algebra (MATD 0390)

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College Algebra**(MATH 1314)

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Math for Bus & Eco

(MATH 1324)

College Algebra

(MATH 1314)

*Trigonometry (MATH 1316)

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Business Calculus I (MATH 1425)

Precalculus (MATH 2412)

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Business Calculus II (MATH 1426)

Calculus I (MATH 2413)

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Calculus II (MATH 2414)

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Calculus III (MATH 2415)