LURLEEN B. WALLACE COMMUNITY COLLEGE MTH112 Precalculus Algebra COURSE SYLLABUS Fall, 2013 CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor Name: Pat Senn Campus Location: Andalusia Office Location: Room 213 Administration Building Office Phone: 334-881-2233 Office Email: psenn@lbwcc.edu Office Hours: Monday 7:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:15 p.m. (Math Lab) 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. Tuesday 7:30 a.m. 8:00 a.m. Wednesday 7:30 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:15 p.m. (Math Lab) 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. Thursday 7:30 a.m. 8:00 a.m. Campus Mailing Address: 1000 Dannelly Boulevard Andalusia, AL 36420 COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE MTH 112 Precalculus Algebra PREREQUISITES A minimum prerequisite of high school Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II with an appropriate mathematics placement score. An alternative to this is that the student should successfully pass with a C or higher Intermediate College Algebra. DIVISION AND DEPARTMENT Division of Math/Science, Department of Mathematics SEMESTER HOURS CREDIT/CONTACT HOURS Three/Three CATALOG DESCRIPTION This course emphasizes the algebra functions including polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions. This course also covers systems of equations and inequalities, quadratic inequalities and the binomial theorem. Additional topics may include matrices, Cramer s rule, and mathematical induction. TEXTBOOK A. Title/Edition:Precalculus, 4 th Edition B. Author:Robert Blitzer C. Publisher:Prentice Hall
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS Scientific Calculator (may be used on certain sections but not required) TOOLS AND SUPPLIES 1. Textbook 2. Spiral Notebook/Ring Binder a. One labeled Notes b. One labeled Homework 3. Writing Instrument (pencil or erasable pen) 4. Scientific or Graphing Calculator (graphing calculators cannot be used during testing) Students may not use cell phones as calculators. Since there is an advantage for all students to use the same type calculator, the mathematics department is highly recommending, but not requiring, that students purchasing a scientific calculator purchase the TI-36X Solar Scientific Calculator. These are available at the campus bookstore. LEARNING OBJECTIVES UNIT ONE: Functions and Graphs (Chapter 1) 1. write the point-slope equation of a line 2. write and graph the slope-intercept equation of a line 3. recognize equations of vertical and horizontal lines 4. find slopes and equations of parallel and perpendicular lines 5. find the distance between two points 6. find the midpoint of a line segment 7. write the standard form of a circle s equation 8. give the center and radius of a circle whose equation is in standard form 9. convert the general form of a circle s equation to standard form 10. determine whether a relation is a function 11. find the domain of a function 12. determine whether an equation represents a function 13. evaluate a function 14. find and simplify the difference quotient 15. work with piecewise functions 16. graph functions by plotting points 17. obtain information about a function from its graph 18. use the vertical line test to identify functions 19. recognize graphs of common functions 20. use vertical and horizontal shifts to graph functions 21. use reflections, vertical stretching, and shrinking to graph functions 22. combine functions arithmetically 23. form composite functions 24. find the inverse of a function. UNIT TWO: Polynomial and Rational Functions (Chapter 2) 1. perform operations with complex numbers 2. perform operations with square roots of negative numbers 3. solve quadratic equations with complex imaginary solutions 4. recognize characteristics of parabolas 5. graph parabolas 6. solve problems involving minimizing and maximizing quadratic functions 7. determine end behavior of polynomial functions
8. find the zeros and multiplicities of the zeros of polynomial functions 9. use the Intermediate Value Theorem 10. understand the relationship between degree and turning points 11. graph polynomial functions 12. use synthetic division to divide polynomials 13. evaluate a polynomial using the Remainder Theorem 14. use the Factor Theorem to solve a polynomial equation 15. use the rational Zero Theorem to find possible rational zeros 16. solve polynomial equations 17. use the Linear Factorization Theorem to factor a polynomial 18. factor polynomials of greater than second degree 19. find the domain of rational functions 20. find vertical, horizontal, and slant asymptotes 21. graph rational functions 22. solve polynomial inequalities 23. solve rational inequalities 24. solve direct, inverse, combined and joint variation problems. UNIT THREE: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions (Chapter 3) 1. evaluate exponential functions 2. graph exponential functions 3. evaluate functions with base e 4. change from logarithmic to exponential form, 5. change from exponential to logarithmic form 6. evaluate logarithms 7. use basic properties of logarithms 8. graph logarithmic functions 9. use the product rule, the quotient rule and the 0 power rule 10. expand logarithmic expressions 11. condense logarithmic expressions 12. solve exponential equations 13. solve logarithmic equations 14. solve applied problems involving exponential and logarithmic equations UNIT FOUR: Systems of Equations and Inequalities (Chapter 7) 1. solve linear systems by substitution, and by addition 2. find the partial fraction decomposition of a rational expression 3. graph a linear inequality in two variable 4. graph a nonlinear inequality in two variables 5. graph a system of inequalities UNIT FIVE: Matrices and Determinants (Chapter 8) 1. write the augmented matrix for a linear system 2. perform matrix row operations 3. use matrices and Gaussian elimination to solve systems 4. add and subtract matrices 5. perform scalar multiplication UNIT SIX: Sequences, Induction, and Probability (Chapter 10)
1. evaluate a binomial coefficient 2. expand a binomial raised to a power. TEACHING METHODS Lecture-discussion primarily with problem sessions in class; student participation in the form of board work is encouraged. ATTENDANCE POLICY Students are expected to make every effort to attend all classes, to arrive on time prepared to begin class, and to remain for the duration of the class. a. The number of allowable absences (to include both excused and unexcused absences) is four class periods. b. Students exceeding this number of absences may be administratively withdrawn by the instructor. c. Arriving late and/or leaving early three times counts as one absence. d. Makeup work will be allowed per Make-up Policy that follows. e. Students on financial aid programs are responsible for knowing attendance requirements of their programs. Failure to attend may impact a student s ability to qualify for financial aid and may result in the need to repay financial aid already received. f. Students are responsible for the knowledge, skills, and abilities not acquired due to absences and for assignments made or due from the first day of the class. When a student is absent from class, the student is responsible for all material covered in the class and for any assignments made in class. The instructor is not required to review with the student any material missed as a result of the student being absent. g. Absences shall be considered excused due to the following reasons (subject to verification): i. Active military duty ii. Jury duty/court appearance iii. Illness of student or illness/death in the immediate family iv. Official College sponsored activity with proper advance notification by the sponsor of the activity v. Extenuating circumstance agreed to by the instructor h. Attendance will be verified as required by federal and state regulations. Attendance requirements in programs that lead to board licensure or certification may differ from the policy in this course. i. Information on appeals to administrative withdrawals may be obtained from the Attendance Policy, which is published online in the College Catalog and Student Handbook at www.lbwcc.edu (click on About LBWCC and Publications ). WITHDRAWAL A student may withdraw from a course or all courses without a grade penalty up to fourteen (14) days prior to the first day of final exams for the fall and spring terms. For the summer term, students may withdraw from classes us to seven (7) days prior to the first day of final exams for each session. The final date for official withdrawal is printed in the college calendar and published in each class schedule. To officially withdraw, a Withdrawal Form must be obtained from the Office of Student Services, completed and signed by all persons indicated on the form and returned to the Office of Student Services by the deadline. A student who receives Title IV Federal Financial Aid (ex. Pell Grant) may have to repay funds if he/she withdraws prior to completing 60 percent of the semester. See the Director of Financial Aid for more specific information. LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW: November 14, 2013
EVALUATION PROCEDURES A. 90% - 100% A 80% - 89% B 70% - 79% C 60% - 69% D 0% - 59% F B. A course percentage will be calculated for each student by dividing the student s total earned points by the total possible points in the course and multiplying this quotient by 100%. The final grade for the course will then be assigned according to the above scale. EXAM POINTS MATERIAL 1 100 Sections 1.2 1.5 2 100 Sections 1.6 1.9 3 100 Sections 2.1 2.8 4 100 Chapter 3 5 100 Chapter 7 6 100 Chapter 8 & 10 7 100 Homework 8 150 Final Exam (Comprehensive) Dec. 12, 2013, 11:00 a.m. TOTAL 850 Points Core homework is worked and reported through MyMathLab.com or through assignments from textbook, as instructor deems appropriate. Homework will be due on the date of the regularly scheduled exam covering that particular section of the text (not makeup date). Homework will not be accepted at any other time and should you fail to complete the assignment prior to the time of the test or if you miss the regularly scheduled exam, you will receive a 0 for the homework on that section. Additional bonus points may be accumulated through completion of online material as assigned. Each student will be allowed to retake one test during the semester to improve the test grade. The grade on the retake will replace the original test grade regardless if the retake grade is lower. LAST DAY FOR RETAKES OR MAKE UP WORK: Wednesday, December 4, 2013 (NO EXCEPTIONS) The following is a link to the Tegrity Recordings for MTH112: http://tegrity.lbwcc.edu/tegrityutils/getcourselisting.asp?courseid=mth112-senn You can also access Tegrity through my webpage at: http://www.lbwcc.edu/academics/academic_division/mathscience/pat_senn/precalculus_a lgebra_mth112.aspx Any student who misses no more than three classes will be eligible to have their lowest test grade dropped. A student will receive a tardy for being late to class and for leaving class early. Three tardies will count as one absence in figuring the drop test eligibility. All pop quizzes given during the semester will be averaged together and will count as one homework grade. No make ups will be given on pop quizzes. If you are not present on the day that a pop quiz is given, you will receive a grade of 0 for that quiz.
C. Disclaimer: The instructor retains the prerogative of altering the above plans as circumstances dictate. IMPORTANT DATES August 21-26 Drop/Add & Late Registration September 2 Labor Day Holiday October 11 Midterm October 26 100% Pell Grant Earned November 11 Veterans Day Holiday November 14 Last Day to Withdraw November 15 Early Registration for Spring Semester November 25-29 Thanksgiving Holidays December 12 Final Exam MAKE-UP POLICY Students that are absent on the day a test is given must make arrangements with the instructor to make the test up within one week of returning to class or a score of 0 will be recorded for the missed exam and it cannot be made up. It is standard operating policy that the make-up exam will usually be more difficult than the regularly scheduled exam. It is the student s responsibility to initiate these arrangements. Regardless of the testing procedures used in class, all make up tests will be traditional pen and paper test. Students are responsible for any material missed during his/her absence. Therefore, each student present on test day will be required to take any scheduled test for that day regardless of prior absences. INCOMPLETE (I) GRADES A grade of Incomplete (I) may be assigned when the quality of work has been passing but the student has been prevented by illness or other justifiable cause from completing the required work or taking the final examinations. A student who must miss a final examination has the responsibility of notifying the instructor prior to the examination or as soon thereafter as possible and of furnishing acceptable evidence concerning the cause of the absence upon return. If the cause is personal illness, the student should present the instructor a statement signed by the appropriate health care professional. A grade of Incomplete (I) must be cleared by the last class day of the following term or the grade automatically becomes an F. It is the student s responsibility to contact the instructor and to make up missed course assignments and/or examinations. Students must submit to the instructor a Request for Incomplete Grade form with documentation of the absences. If approved by the instructor and division chair, the student may receive an I for the term. All required work for the course must be submitted to the instructor no later than two weeks prior to the last class day of the following term. If work is submitted by the due date provided by the instructor, the I grade will be cleared by the last class day. Otherwise, the grade of Incomplete (I) automatically becomes an F. LATE WORK Not Accepted except as discussed in other sections. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY Students are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct as described in the current college catalog (pages 161 164). Cheating and plagiarism violate these standards and may result in disciplinary action, including expulsion.
POLICY ON REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Lurleen B. Wallace Community College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you have a disability that might require special materials, services, or assistance, or if you have any questions relating to accessibility, please contact the ADA Coordinator on the respective campuses in advance. For TDD users in Alabama, the Alabama Relay Center is available by calling 1-800-548-2546. All materials related to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act are maintained by the college coordinators. Andalusia Campus Greenville Campus MacArthur Campus Latrece Gulley Annie Adams Jason Cain 334-881-2271 334-382-2133 ext. 3103 334-493-3573 ext. 5363 SAFETY Students are expected to follow all safety guidelines issued by the instructor. OTHER Cell Phone/Link/Pager/Blackberry/etc Use POLICY Cell phones/links/pagers, etc., are NOT PERMITTED to be used in the classroom. Please turn off all cell phones/links/pagers, etc., when in the classroom. Students may leave their cell phone on vibrate and take calls only in emergency situations and only when given prior permission by the instructor. Cell phones cannot be used as a calculator and cannot remain on the student s desktop during testing. Laptops Laptops tend to be very distracting to other students around you and we ask that if you bring a laptop to class, that it remain closed and turned off during class. Extra help is available to students through the TARGET program, Adult Basic Education and the tutors provided by the Math Department. For references or more information, please see the instructor. To promote a better learning environment, I ask that all students show respect to others in the classroom. This includes turning cell phones and pagers off while in class. (Students may not use cell phones as calculators.) Additional course information may be announced by the instructor, and the instructor may make changes to this syllabus.
My signature indicates that I have received the Course Syllabus and that I have read and understand its contents. Printed Name Signature Date