MATH 1730 L11
COURSE SYLLABUS
Spring 2015
Pathways to Calculus,Carlson, Oerhtman, and Moore

Instructor: Carla J. Adamson
Office:KOM 249
E-mail/Phone:615-898-2398
Fax:615-898-5422
Office Hours:
Webpage:
Class Meets:Monday and Wednesdays 9:10-10:05 am and Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:40-10:35am in room 200.

PREREQUISITES:Precalculus is the prerequisite for Math 1910 (Calculus I) and hence the gateway course to the calculus sequence. You must have Precalculus or its equivalent before you can enroll in Calculus I. This is probably why you are here. Precalculus is considered a "service" course. This means that it cannot be counted toward a Math major or Math minor. If you arenottaking the course as a prerequisite for Calculus I, please check with your advisor to make sure the course satisfies the requirements of your major; otherwise, you might be better served by taking a less demanding course.

You will need a graphing calculator (preferably TI-83 or TI-84). You may not use graphing calculators with symbolic manipulation software (DERIVE, MAPLE, etc.) on exams. You will need thePathways to Calculusworkbook and access code for this particular section of Precalculus. (Note that this is different from some sections.)

This particular section of Precalculus is anactive learning class. This means you will be directly engaged in the learning process rather than listening to lecture. The student workbook breaks each topic into a series of investigations, and we will be working through several of these investigations each day. Each investigation will proceed through four learning steps:

  • Launch--- the investigation problem is introduced and connections made to previously covered material
  • Explore ---students probe and dissect the problem and develop or identify potential solutions
  • Present--- students present potential solutions to the class
  • Discuss--- students and the instructor work with each other to identify or develop correct solutions from those presented and understand how and why they are correct

To help with this learning process, you will be assigned to small groups and will be expected to be an active participant in your group. In addition, you will engage in the "launch" and "explore" phases of a few investigations each night to help organize your thoughts prior to class.You will be required to submit your tentative answers to these investigations the next class period in a variety of ways.A portion of your grade will come from your participation in these groups and discussions.
PURPOSE:Precalculus is an introduction to functions in general and the specific classes of functions you encounter in the calculus sequence. In particular, in this course you will

  • explore what distinguishes a function from other mathematical entities
  • learn the notation associated with functions and how it differs from the notation used in algebra
  • learn how to create new functions from existing ones
  • study and apply linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions

You will also learn the basics of the TI-83 graphing calculator, a tool you will use throughout the first two semesters of calculus. I will be introducing salient features of the TI-83 calculator in class. For the most part, the TI-84 will be the same; however, if you encounter differences or difficulties, the following links might prove helpful.

TI Instruction Manuals:

TI 84 Tutorial:

TI-83 and TI-84 Tutorial:

From a broader perspective, you will also learn key thinking skills that will prepare you for the special difficulties presented by calculus problems. In particular, you will practice

  • breaking big problems into small, simple steps
  • learning problem solving "rubrics" and patterns
  • checking the reasonableness of your solutions

OBJECTIVES:Upon completion of this course, students will have developed an understanding of:
1. graphs and how to extract information from them;
2. functions and how to manipulate them;
3. polynomial and rational functions;
4. logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions;
5. basic applications of the major function families;
6. some advantages and limitations of current technology.
REQUIREMENTS:In general, you are expected to
1. attend class and participate in discussions;
2. read and study class assignments and solve assigned problems;
3. ask questions in class when you are unsure of any concept or unclear on any assigned problem;
4. attend the help lab or come to my office for additional assistance as necessary;
5. take all announced quizzes and exams (including the final) on the day they are scheduled
6. come to class prepared. This includes completing homework in a timely manner, bringing your workbook, and bringing your calculator.

I have primary responsibility for control over the classroom learning environment and can direct the temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom of any student engaged in disruptive conduct or conduct which otherwise violates the general rules and regulations of the institution.Depending on the severity or frequency of the incident(s), I may report such misconduct to the assistant dean for Judicial Affairs for implementation of such disciplinary sanctions as may be appropriate.

GRADING:We will cover the majority of Modules 2-8 in this course. Grading is done on a standard scale: 90-100 -- A, 80-89 -- B, etc.The grading components for the course are as follows:

  1. Homework:You will be required to think about and submit tentative solutions prior to every class. These assignments will be graded on a 4-point scale. You will answer questions on d2L to exhibit your understanding of the homework assignment. You will be expected to complete homework in your workbook, as I will be randomly checking the next day to see if you have completed the assignment properly. Homework grades will count 12% (180 points) of your final grade, so there are 45 assignments.
  2. In-class testing: There will be6 in-class exams. Allexams are closed-book, last the entire class period, and are worth 150 points each. Exams will count 60% (900 points) of your final grade.
  3. Final exam: There will be a comprehensive in-class final exam given on the specified final exam date. This exam will count 10% (150 points) of your final grade.
  4. Quizzes and PCA: This is not a course on algebra skills; hence, you are responsible for correcting any deficiencies in algebra skills before taking calculus.Quizzes will be required that enhance these skills.The Precalculus Concept Assessment (PCA) will be given at the beginning of the semester and another at the end. This will assess your readiness for Calculus. The scores you make on the PCAand the quizzes will be combined to create a single score that counts 10% (150 points) of your final grade.
  5. Class Participation: It is imperative that you attend class as often as possible. Since the course is not lecture-based, most of the relevant learning takes place during class time. Your group depends on you being present, on-time, and prepared. You will therefore receive a regular participation grade. This two-point score will measure how well you are working with your group. You will receive a 0 for this score if you are more than ten minutes late to class. This cumulative participation score will count 5% (75 points) of your final grade.
  6. As part of the Raider Learning Course, you will be asked to do more than a standard Precalculus course. You will have two study sessions a week on TR between this class and CSCI 1170 course. You will also have a project due at the end of the semester. It will entail you interviewing someone who has the job you want and writing a two page summary, Times New Roman, font size 12, single spaced with 1 inch margins. Suggested items to discuss: How much can I expect to make my first year out of college? You might look to see how many job openings are out there right now andhow many are projected when you graduate. How will I use CSCI 1170 and Precalculus in my job? The project is 3% (45 points) of your grade. Cite your sources using APA style.

If you are not able to take a quiz or exam at the scheduled time, you must schedule a makeup time.Except for medical or family emergencies, the scheduled makeup time cannot be more than two weekdays after the quiz or exam. You will not be able to make up graded homework activities.

If you are diagnosed with, or suspect you have the flu... DO NOT COME TO CLASS.

I usually return anexam or quiz no more than two class days after it is given. It is your responsibility to monitor your progress in the course. I strongly recommend you actively ask questions in class or come to my office regularly to discuss your progress. I will be happy to suggest strategies forhelping you succeed, but no strategy provides a quick-fix. You will receive a detailed breakdown of your grade around mid-term.Do not wait until the last few weeks of class to try improving your grade.To assist you in your semester, I am offering an extra day of tutoring specifically for 1730 students on Fridays. If you come to at least 8 of the 12 weekly sessions and STAY for an hour with class rules applying, then you will get 10 bonus points added to your final exam grade. Those sessions are on Fridays 8 – 10 am and 12:30-2:30 pm in KOM 200 as it stands now.

I will be taking attendance every day.If you are absent no more than 3 class periods, you will get 2% added to your final grade (30 points). For the purposes for the bonus ONLY: Every two times you come in late = 1 absence.

You should be aware of potential financial aid consequences of not attending class.

  • If non-attendance (never or stopped attending) is reported before the census date of the semester, your federal, state, and institutional aid may be cancelled or reduced.
  • If non-attendance is reported for all enrolled courses, you will be considered unofficially withdrawn and MTSU must perform a Federal Return of Title IV Funds Calculation. Refer to OfficialWithdrawal procedurefor more information.
  • If you unofficially withdraw or drop below half-time, MTSU must notify your loan servicer and your six month grace period for loan repayment will begin.
  • Non-attendance may result in a ‘FA’ grade and may have a negative impact on your eligibility to receive financial aid in the future, including the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS).
  • If financial aid is cancelled or reduced because of non-attendance, you will most likely owe a balance.

IMPORTANT: It is Department policy not to grant withdrawals after the withdrawal deadline has passed, unless circumstances have arisen which make it impossible for you to complete the course. Late withdrawals must be approved by the Department Chair andoften require documentation for the extenuating circumstances.

No one will be exempt from the final.

LOTTERY STATEMENT: Do you have a lottery scholarship? To retain the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship eligibility, you must earn a cumulative TELS GPA of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted hours and a cumulative TELS GPA of 3.0 thereafter. A grade of C, D, F, FA, or I in this class may negatively impact TELS eligibility.If you drop this class, withdraw, or if you stop attending this class you may lose eligibility for your lottery scholarship, and you will not be able to regain eligibility at a later time.For additional Lottery rules, please refer to your Lottery Statement of Understanding form ( contact your MT One Stop Enrollment Coordinator (

INCOMPLETES:An incomplete will be given only in accordance with the University Policy.

Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Middle Tennessee State University is committed to campus access in accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Any student interested in reasonable accommodations can consult theDisability & Access Center (DAC) websiteand/or contact the DAC for assistance at 615-898-2783 .

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT:Middle Tennessee State University takes a strong stance against academic misconduct.Academic Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, and fabrication.For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)Plagiarism:The adoption or reproduction of ideas, words, statements, images, or works of another person as one’s own without proper attribution. This includes self-plagiarism, which occurs when an author submits material or research from a previous academic exercise to satisfy the requirements of another exercise and uses it without proper citation of its reuse.
(2)Cheating:Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise.This includes unapproved collaboration, which occurs when a student works with others on an academic exercise without the express permission of the professor.The term academic exercise includes all forms of work submitted for credit or hours.
(3)Fabrication:Unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.

Going online and taking information without proper citations, copying parts of other student’s work, creating information for the purposes of making your paper seem more official, or anything involving taking someone else’s thoughts or ideas without proper attribution isacademic misconduct.If you work together on an assignment when it is not allowed, it isacademic misconduct.If you have a question about an assignment, please come see me to clarify.Any cases of academic misconduct will be reported to the Office of Academic Affairs for violating the academic honesty requirements in the student handbook.They will also result in failure for the course.Remember – ignorance is NOT a defense.

This syllabus is only a guide for your convenience; I reserve the right to make changes as class needs dictate.

Important dates:
September6th --- Last day to drop without a grade
October 28th --- Last day to drop with a "W"

FINAL EXAM:
Thursday, December 10 in KOM 200 10:00am – noon. Grades will be posted to pipeline by 5:00pm.

Page 1 of 6