MATH 2412

Section 007
Precalculus
 		Department of Mathematics

Austin Community College
Wayne Rogers, Instructor
TuTh 3:50 - 5:30 p.m.
NRG2 2244
Synonym: 07705 Section 007


Announcements
Syllabus
Homework Assignments
Schedule of Course Work
Student Information Sheet
Helpful Links


Announcements

Sept 1
- Be sure to bring your text to class
- There is no holiday on Tuesday, 9/2 - see you in class
- We have now covered sections 1.1-1.4
- Homework on these sections is due Thursday, 9/4

SYLLABUS

Required Text:
Functions Modeling Change: A Preparation for Calculus, by Connally, Hughes-Hallet, Gleason, et. al., 2nd edition.

Graphing Calculator:
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 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 you own. On tests you may not use a calculator that has a typewriter-like keyboard (such as TI-92) or that does symbolic mathematics. .

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. From the ctalog: "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"

Course Prerequisite:
Trigonometry, MATH 1316 with a C or better or an equivalent course. You should also have current algebra skills at the level of MATH 0390, Intermediate Algebra. If you do not have current knowledge of these topics, then you should ask your instructor about course level changes. [Also see "Prerequisites" under "Catalog description" above.] My experience indicates that students who do not succeed are either Overcommitted (not enough time considering your level of preparation) or Underprepared(too rusty on prereqs considering the time for study and tutoring). The Prerequisite addresses the Underprepared aspect.

COURSE POLICIES

Class Attendance and Promptness:
Regular attendance, including being present from beginning to end, as well as participation, is critical to your success. Attendance and tardiness will be recorded, but will not explicitly affect your grade; however, I may withdraw any student who misses more than 4 classes. Furthermore, if your overall numerical grade is borderline between letter grades, attendance and promptness will be the rounding off factor.

The pace of the course may vary slightly depending on the needs of the class; so, if you must miss a class or are late, always check with another student, with announcements on my web page or with me for changes in assignment or schedules. In general, you are responsible for anything announced at the beginning or end of class.

Homework:
Homework is an essential part of this course because working problems is key to learning math concepts. The homework average counts the same as a test grade. Details on collection and grading of homework are on the attached homework assignment page.

Tests:
There will be five tests; all tests are in class.

There are no retests and no make-up tests. Also, no test will be dropped and there are no extra-credit projects. However, there will be an optional comprehensive test (covers all previous material) given in the NRG Testing Center after Test #3; this will be called Test #5 . The grade on Test 5 may replace the grade on any one previous test (#1 - 3). This replacement has a maximum of 75.

Course Grade:
The unweighted average of six grades - five test grades and the homework grade - will determine your final grade. In other words, each test counts 20% of your grade and the homework average counts 20%.
A = 90-100B = 80-89C = 70-79 D = 60-69F = below 60

MATH DEPT POLICIES

Withdrawal Policy:
It is the student's responsibility to initiate all withdrawals in this course. the instructor may withdraw students for excessive absence (4) but makes no commitment to do this for the student. After the withdrawal date, Thursday, Nov. 20, neither the student nor the instructor may initiate a withdrawal.

Incomplete Grade Policy:
An incomplete grade (I) will be given only in very rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of "I", a student must have taken all examinations, be passing, and after the last date to withdraw, have a personal tragedy occur which presents course completion.

ACC POLICY SATEMENTS

ACC Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty:
"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.

ACC Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty Penalty:
Students who violate the rules concerning scholastic dishonesty will be assessed an academic penalty, which I will determine 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 Statement on Student Discipline:
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 course.

ACC Statement on Students with Disabilities:
"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."

ACC Statement on Academic Freedom:
"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."



COURSE GUIDANCE

Time Requirement:

Mathematics is a language; to learn a language, you have to practice to become fluent. You learn to do mathematics by doing math problems, and that takes time. You should expect to spend 8-12 hours per week outside of class for study, reading and homework. My advice is for you to schedule a specific block of time each day (or every other day) for this; if you get behind (even by a week), it is very difficult to catch up. Before you start this class, be sure that your other responsibilities allow time for this. (This addresses the "overcommitment" mentioned above).

Additional Help:

Learning Labs: There is free walk-in tutoring (learning labs) at all campuses. The locations, contact information and hours of availability of the Learning Labs are posted at: http//www2.austincc.edu/rvslab/labhours.htma>.
Instructor: I am available during office hours or by appointment. I also invite you to call me at home (day or night before 10:30 p.m.). Further, at any time you may e-mail me or leave a message on the message number. Contact me as soon as you have questions! Experience indicates that if you wait, you probably will not be able to catch up.
Classmates: I strongly encourage you to find a study partner or group; often, working with someone else helps you clarify your own thinking and understanding.




HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

Collection and Grading of Homework:
Work your homework problems on loose leaf sheets, in order, neatly, and showing all steps. The reason is that I will collect your homework at the beginning of the period indicated on the Schedule of Course Work. I will pre-select 5 problems and grade them for that homework grade (each problem will count 20 points out of 100). Late homework (including anytime after the beginning of the period) will result in a 10 point (out of 100) deduction for each period by which it is late. To compensate for the times when you might miss a homework assignment due to illness, etc., I will count the highest 12 homework grades out of 16.

Since the odd-numbered problems have answers in the back of your text and since I am interested in your understanding of the process, I will focus on your steps in working the problem more than the answer. In addition, mathematics is a form of communication, and as such, needs to be clear, logical, precise, and complete. Since I am not a proficient mind-reader, I will only give credit for the steps you actually write down.

The homework assignments shown are tentative and will probably vary slightly, so you must note any changes made at the beginning or end of class. If you have an unavoidable absence or tardiness, check with the web site, another student, or me for announcements.

SECTION
PROBLEMS
1.1 1, 3-7, 12-14, 16, 19-21, 24, 26, 27
1.2 1-3, 5, 7-9, 13, 15, 16
1.3 7, 9, 12-14, 18, 20-22, 25, 29
1.4 1.3.7.11-17 odd, 21, 23, 25, 26, 27-31 odd, 32,35
1.5 5, 7, 10, 13-15, 19, 21-23, 24a, 25, 28, 29
1.6 1-5 odd
2.1 1-9 odd, 10-12, 15-20, 22 (do part b without sketching the graph), 25
2.2 1, 3, 5-12, 15-17, 22, 24, 27, 31, 33
2.3 1-5 odd, 9-13, 15-19 odd, additional problems given
2.4 1, 3-5, 7-9, 11, 14, 17-19, 21, 22, additional problems on handout
2.5 1-9 odd, 10-15, 20
2.6 3, 7, 11-13, 15, 16, 18, 21, 23
3.1 1,3 (without graphing), 5-9 odd, 12-17, 19-23 odd, 24-27, 31, 32
3.2 3, 7, 8, 11-15 odd, 19, 23, 25, 28-31, 37, 38
3.3 1-6, 9, 10, 15 (graphing calculator for part c), 17 (graphing calc), 20, 24-29, 31, 34, 35, 37
3.4 2, 3, 9, 11, 14, 18, 19, 25, 29-33 odd, 34
4.1 1-17 odd, 20-24, 27-31 odd, 33-39, 43-47 odd, 48, additional problems given
4.2 1-9 odd, 13, 17-27 odd, 28, 29, 31-37 odd, 41-47 odd, 48
4.3 1-5 odd, 6-13, 20, 21, 23, 25-30, 33, 35
5.1 9, 11, 17-19, 25, 27, 29abe, 30abe, 32, 32e, 33, 35, 36acd, 39
5.2 2, 3, 7, 9, 13, 17, 19, 20, 21-29 odd, 32, 33, 37, 39
5.3 3, 5, 8, 9-19 odd, 20, 21-25 odd
5.4 1, 3, 8-10, 13, 15-17, 21
5.5 3-21 odd, 25-29 odd
6.4 3-5, 9-13, 16-24, 28-30
6.5 1-11 odd, 12, 13-21 odd, 22, 23, 25-35 odd, 40, 43
6.6 1-15m 17-23 odd, 27, 29-33, 35, 36 (label the asymptotes)
6.7 3-9 odd, 11-17 odd, 18, 19, 23, 24-26, 27, 28-33, 37, 39-42, additional problem given
7.2 3-10, 1-29, 31-33, 35
7.3 1-9 odd, 13, 17, 24, additional problem given
7.4 1-3, 5, 6
7.5 15-29 odd, 30-39, additional problems on handout
10.1 1-5 odd, 11, additional problems on handout
10.2 1, 3, 4, 7, 13, 15-17, 19
8.1 1, 5-21 odd, 29, 30, 32-34, 36-38, 41-53 odd
8.2 1, 3, 7-25 odd, 28-33, 35, 38-41
8.3 1-5 odd, 15b, 17b, 18, 19, 21, 24
9.1 1-5 odd, 7-11, 13, 15, 16, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27-31 odd, 35, 37, 40-42
9.2 1-6, 9, 10, 15, 17-20, 26
9.3 1-7 odd, 8-10, 11-27 odd, 31, 35, 37, 40, 42, 43, 45, 46, additional problems on handout
9.4 1-7, 9-13, 15, 16
9.5 1-9, 11, 13, 15-19, 25, 27, 33-39 odd, 40, 41-45 odd, additional problems on handout
9.6 1,3,5-9, 11-17 odd, 18, 19-29 odd
11.1 9-17 odd, 18-21, 25
11.2 1, 7-19 odd, 22-25, 29, 30
11.3 1-7 odd, 8, 9-13 odd
11.4 1-5 odd, 6-9, 11, 13, 16
12.1 1-17 odd, 18, 19, 23, 27, 35
12.2 1-9 odd, 13-17 odd
12.3 1, 4, 13-17 odd
12.4 1, 3, 9-13 odd, 17

SCHEDULE OF COURSE WORK



This schedule for lectures, tests, and homework will probably vary slightly. You must note announcements made at the beginning or end of class. If you have an unavoidable absence or tardiness, check with my web site, another student or me.
WEEK: DATES:SECTIONS:HOMEWORK DUE
1 Aug 26, 28 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
2 Sept 2, 4 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2 Thurs 1.1 - 1.4
3 Sept 9, 11 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6 Thurs 1.5, 2.2 - 2.4
4 Sept 16Test #1 (Chapters 1 & 2) Tues 2.5, 2.6
4 Sept 18 3.1, 3.2
5 Sept 23, 25 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2 Thurs 3.1, 3.2
6 Sept 30, Oct 2 4.3, 5.1, 5.2 Thurs 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2
7 Oct 7, 9 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 Thurs 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3
8 Oct 14 Test #2 (Chapters 3, 4, & 5) Tues 5.4, 5.5
8 Oct 16 6.4, 6.5
9 Oct 21, 23 6.6, 6.7, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 Thurs 6.4, 6.5
10 Oct 28, 30 7.5, 10.1. 10.2 Thurs 6.6 - 7.4
11 Nov 4, 6 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 Thurs 7.5, 10.1, 10.2, 8.1
12 Nov 11 Test #3 (Chapters 6, 7, 10 & 8) Tues 8.2, 8.3
12 Nov 13 9.1, 9.2
13 Nov 18, 20 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6 Thurs 9.1, 9.2
14 Nov 25 11.1, 11.2 Thurs 9.3 - 9.6
14 Nov 27 Thanksgiving Holiday - No Class
15 Dec 2, 4 11.3, 11.4, 12.1, 12.2 Thurs 11.1, 11.2
16 Dec 9 12.3, 12.4 Tues 11.3, 11.4, 12.1, 12.2
16 Dec 11 Test #4 (Chapters 9, 11 & 12) Thurs 12.3, 12.4





HELPFUL LINKS


 Home Page

Web page maintained by Wayne Rogers, Mathematics
Page last updated on September 1, 2003