http://www.dmacc.edu CAMPUS NAME: West Campus COURSE TITLE: PreCalculus COURSE NUMBER: MAT 129 SECTION NUMBER & CRN: WA, 14443 INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION NAME: David J. Gisch (Call me Dave) EMAIL ADDRESS: djgisch@dmacc.edu (BEST way to contact me.) PHONE NUMBER: 515-633-2419 (Leave me a message if I am not available.) OFFICE LOCATION: W210 OFFICE HOURS/APPOINTMENTS: Tuesdays, 11:30-3; Fridays, 9-10:30; or by appointment. INSTRUCTOR WEB PAGE ADDRESS: www.gischsource.com. COURSE INFORMATION SEMESTER/YEAR: Fall 2011 DATE SYLLABUS CREATED AND/OR REVISED: 8-24-2011 DAYS & TIME & LOCATION: MW, 9:05-10:00; TR, 8:05-9:30, RM 126E COURSE DESCRIPTION & CREDITS: Polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, analytic trigonometry, vectors, complex numbers, elementary theory of equations, linear systems, matrices, and analytic geometry. PREREQUISITES: MAT 130 or Equivalent or department permission. COURSE COMPETENCIES: 1. Analyze mathematical functions 2. Graph functions. 3. Graph functions. 4. Identify rational functions 5. Use exponential functions. 6. Use logarithmic functions. 7. Use logarithmic functions. 8. Use vectors in the plane. 9. Use the trigonometric form of complex numbers 10.Solve systems of equations 11.Use matrices 12.Analyze conic sections using rectangular coordinates 13.Analyze conic sections using polar coordinates 14.Graph points, lines, vectors and surfaces in space 15.Find limits. STUDY TIPS: The biggest piece of advice I can give you is SHOW UP TO CLASS. If you make a commitment to do so it is likely that you will continue on to be more diligent in Page 1 of 6
your study habits having already committed time coming to class. If you miss any lecture it is your responsibility to obtain notes from a classmate, do not ask me for a copy. Once you obtain the notes, if you need assistance you may seek my help. As this course is a 5 hour course I expect a minimum of 10 hours per week outside of class. HOW THE COURSE FITS INTO THE CURRICULUM: PreCalculus is often a prerequisite for courses in your major or if you plan on taking calculus. Thus, I strongly encourage you to get the most out of this course as you can so that it will make your future endeavors easier. TEXTBOOKS & MATERIALS REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS & ISBN: PreCalculus (DMACC Edition), By Sullivan; ISBN:9780558701420 REQUIRED MATERIALS: Something to take notes in. Caclulator. OPTIONAL OR RECOMMENDED BOOKS/MATERIALS: Framework for the notes will be provided online at www.gischsource.com and therefore I suggest you print the notes before attending class, keeping them in a 3-ring binder. Also, the computers in the classroom will have TI calculator software installed on them but I still highly recommend purchasing a TI-83 or newer (83Plus, TI-84, or 84Plus). SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS: You are required to have a computer capable of running the software for this course and have internet access. This is all available at the DMACC West Campus computer labs or the laptops available at the Concierge s Desk. If you have technical problems or disruption in service, you need to have a back up computer and internet connection available. Another option is to use computers at a public library. http://www.dmacc.edu/distance/browsertest.asp Technical Support: 1. MML Tech support 1-800-677-6337 or chat with tech support on www.coursecompass.com (you should do this first if you have a MML problem). 2. Search the DMACC online website. http://www.dmacc.edu/online/ 3. Contact helpdesk 515.965.7300 or http://www.dmacc.edu/helpdesk/ 4. Contact the distance learning office at 1.800.362.2127, ext. 6422 5. Contact instructor. Software notice: All the software used in this class is copyrighted; therefore, it is not for distribution, copying, or personal use. This software is the property of Des Moines Area Community College. COURSE POLICIES ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION: You are not required to attend class but keep the following in mind. (1) If you miss class I will not catch you up at your leisure, (2) You may not make up exams without proper documentation see late exam policy below, (3) Any in class assignments you missed cannot be made up, (4) There is a high correlation to the success of a student and their attendance/participation. GRADING CRITERIA: Homework: It will be a mixture of online assignments and in class material. In class material may consist of a number of things and will not be announced ahead Page 2 of 6
of time. If you want credit for this material you need to show up for class. The majority of the homework will be completed online at www.coursecompass.com also known as My Math Lab (MML). Online content will be assigned on a weekly basis. Each week we will cover several sections of content. Whenever we finish a section the homework for that section will be made available on MML that day. All assignments from a given week will be due on the Tuesday the week after at 11:59 P.M. This way you will have the opportunity to seek help the following M/T before it is due. I will try to announce in class when assignments will open but I expect you to check MML daily to keep up on your assignments. Stating you did not know about an assignment is not acceptable. You may retake the homework as many times as you like until the deadline to improve your score. You can also continue to work on the assignments after the due date, but you will have 50% deducted from each late problem. Example, if you finished 9 of 10 problems correctly before the due date and finished the 10 th problem after the due date your final homework score would be 95% (assuming the questions were weighted equally). Thus, it is my expectation that you should be able to achieve a 100% or near-to on your homework. Also, I want you to do your work for your MML homework assignments in a notebook. I will collect these notebooks on test days and grade them based on the amount of work and content you showed. PLEASE organize your work by labeling the section you are working on and the problem numbers. If you fail to do so I cannot tell what the work is for and you will earn a lesser grade. Also, if you fail to bring your notebook on test day it is an automatic zero and cannot be turned in late. Quizzes: Must be completed online at www.coursecompass.com. There will be a quiz assigned each week, including Week 1. The quiz will cover the same material as the homework from that week. Quizzes will open online on Fridays at 12:00 P.M. and they will be due on Wednesdays (the day after the homework for that material is due) at 11:59 A.M. Unlike homework, you only get one opportunity per question on the quizzes. So be sure that you understand the content before starting the quiz. You will also only get a maximum of 45 minutes to complete each quiz. This is to prepare you for the time limits of tests. My Math Lab: See the attached documents provided in class or sent via email about how to register and login to MML. All issues related to homework and quizzes must be worked out prior to the deadline. Tests and the Comprehensive Course Final: There will be five tests and a comprehensive final. The tests will be announced at least two weeks in advance in class. All tests will be paper and pencil and completed during class time. OUR FINAL WILL BE ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, FROM 9:15 A.M. - 11:15 A.M. Weighting of grades for this course: Homework 15%; Quizzes 15%; Tests 50%; Comprehensive Course Final 20% Page 3 of 6
All grades will be truncated to the nearest whole percent and will be posted at www.coursecompass.com A 95-100% B 83-86% C 73-76% D 63-66% A- 90-94% B- 80-82% C- 70-72% D- 60-62% B+ 87-89% C+ 77-79% D+ 67-69 F 0-59% CLASSROOM CONDUCT: https://go.dmacc.edu/handbook I expect everyone to conduct themselves appropriately. This involves showing respect to others in the class and to the instructor. You should think of the classroom environment as a formal business setting. In so thinking I expect (1) that you arrive on time, (2) are prepared for class, (3) participate actively and respectfully, (4) turn off and put away all cell phones and electronic devices. In regards to item (4), if you are expecting an emergency call you should notify me before class and if you receive said call (with your phone on silent) you should leave the room to take it. If any of the above items become an issue I reserve the right to ask you to leave the classroom. MISSED EXAMS: Exams cannot be made up unless you provide written evidence of the emergency situation (police report, obituary, doctor s note, etc). In such an event you have until the next class period to make up that item. LATE ASSIGNMENTS: See the comments in the grading section. EXTRA CREDIT: I don t believe in it. Do it right the first time. STUDY EXPECTATIONS: I expect you to work diligently on the homework until you have 100% completion. In doing so, I believe you will be fully prepared for the quizzes and will be successful when taking those. Remember that even after the quizzes are due you can go back and practice those problems again though it will not improve your score. Therefore, after doing the homework and the quizzes you should be prepared for the exams. This will obviously not guarantee your success but it will surely go a long way in aiding you. Again, as this course is a 5 hour course I expect a minimum of 10 hours per week outside of class. WEATHER POLICY: Individual circumstances such as health, childcare, rural roads, distance from the College, etc. can vary greatly among students and staff. It is always DMACC s goal to provide safe learning conditions, as well as provide the opportunity for students to attend classes when the vast majority is able to safely attend. The final decision to come to College can only be made by the individual student based on their specific extenuating circumstances that may make it unsafe for them to travel. During adverse weather, DMACC faculty is considerate of students who are unable to attend classes due to unique extenuating circumstances. It is the responsibility of each faculty member to notify their students (in addition to their dean or provost) through some predetermined means if they are must postpone or cancel a specific class due to weather or illness. CLASS CANCELLATION PROCEDURE: Click & type when a faculty member postpones/cancels class how students will be notified. Page 4 of 6
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY/PLAGIARISM: It is important for you to be familiar with and follow DMACC s Academic Misconduct policy. Students are encouraged to review DMACC s Academic Misconduct Policy on-line at https://go.dmacc.edu/handbook/polprocedures/pages/academicmisconduct.aspx or in the DMACC Student Handbook. DMACC INFORMATION INSTRUCTOR HOME PAGES: http://www.dmacc.edu/instructors ADD/DROP DATES: https://go.dmacc.edu/registration/pages/add_drop.aspx REFUND POLICY: https://go.dmacc.edu/registration/pages/refund.aspx SUPPORT SERVICES SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: https://go.dmacc.edu/student_services/disabilities Any student with a documented disability who requires reasonable accommodation should contact the Disability Services Coordinator at 515-964-6850V or hlcoon@dmacc.edu or the counseling & advising office on any campus to apply for services. COURSE SYLLABUS DISCLAIMER: This syllabus is representative of materials that will be covered in this class; it is not a contract between the student and the institution. It is subject to change without notice. Any potential exceptions to stated policies and requirements will be addressed on an individual basis, and only for reasons that meet specific requirements. If you have any problems related to this class, please feel free to discuss them with me. NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY: Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in or allow discrimination covered by law. This includes harassment based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedures. Complaint forms may be obtained from the DMACC Web site, the Ombudsperson, Judicial Officer, Human Resources Department, the campus Provost's Offices, and Academic Deans Offices. Students who wish additional information or assistance may contact the Executive Dean, Student Services, Laurie Wolf, Bldg. 1 on the Ankeny Campus, 515-964-6437 or the Judicial Officer, Debbie McKittrick, Bldg. 1 on the Ankeny Campus, 515-964-6574 or they may refer to Student Services procedure ES 4645 located at https://go.dmacc.edu/student_services/int. Click Policies & Procedures. Employees and applicants who wish additional information or assistance may contact the EEO/AA Officer, Dr. Sandy Tryon, Human Resources, Bldg. 1 on Ankeny Campus, 515-964-6301 or refer to HR Procedures 3000, 3005, 3010, 3015, and 3020 at http://www.dmacc.edu/hr/hrpp.asp Program Development/Academic Support Services Director, Sharon Bittner, is the official Student Accommodation Office/Section 504/ADA Coordinator for DMACC. The ADA Coordinator s office is located in Bldg. 6-10e on the Ankeny Campus and may be contacted Page 5 of 6
by voice (515-964-6857) or sgbittner@dmacc.edu. The ADA Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the college complies with federal regulations that guarantee qualified students with disabilities equal access to all programs and services. Any student, faculty, or staff member may contact the ADA Coordinator s office for clarification of federal regulations, appeal of a grievance, or resolution of a disability-related problem. SYLLABUS ADDENDUM To access additional information related to DMACC policies and procedures that impact the classroom (i.e. use of technology, weather-related cancellations, classroom conduct, etc.), the DMACC student handbook, registration information (including add/drop dates and refund dates), student service information (including counseling and advising), the DMACC academic calendar, and campus-specific resources (i.e. Academic Achievement Center, library, computer, labs, etc), go to https://go.dmacc.edu/handbook and click Syllabus Addendum in the left navigation. If you do not have access to a computer and need a printed version of any of the information described above, contact your instructor. Page 6 of 6