Math 149 - Precalculus

Syllabus for section OC1– Fall, 2014

Instructor:Jennifer Strehler

Office:DP 2162

E-mail:

Website:

Textbook:Lial, Precalculus – 5th edition

MyLabsPlus (not MyMathLab) is required for this section.

Calculator:A graphing calculator is strongly recommended (TI 83 suggested)

A calculator without the ability to graph (and without trig/log functions) is required.

Office Hours

Since this is an online class, most of our communication will be online. If you have a question about a specific problem in the homework, please use the "ask my instructor" link in the homework software (I get a copy of the problem you're working on this way!)

I will also be on the Des Plaines campus: 2162 - or by phone: (847) 635-1974 during the following times:

Monday:12:00 – 2:00

Tuesday:10:00 – 2:00

Thursday: 10:00 – 2:00

Friday:12:00 – 2:00

Prerequisites

MAT 110 with minimum grade of C or appropriate score on the Mathematics Placement Test, and MAT 080 or geometry proficiency.It is presumed that you recall the material from Intermediate Algebra (MAT 110), as there is no time to review in this course.

Course (catalog) Description

This course focuses on the study of functions including polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions. Additional topics include the conic sections, series, parametric equations, and polar equations. Use of technology is integrated throughout.

Learning Objectives

It is presumed that students will spend a minimumof 10 hours per weekin independent study (reading the text, doing homework, working unassigned problems) in order to meet the following objectives:

1. Classify functions and their graphs, and identify their domain and range.

2. Identify and apply transformations of graphs.

3. Solve linear and non-linear equations.

4. Solve polynomial and rational inequalities algebraically and graphically.

5. Sketch the graph of polynomials using zeros and end behavior.

6. Sketch the graph of rational functions using zeros, asymptotes, and end behavior.

7. Find, graph, and interpret the inverse of a function.

8. Graph exponential and logarithmic functions, and use their properties to simplify and solve equations involving them.

9. Classify and sketch the graphs of conic sections.

10. Analyze, evaluate and graph trigonmetric functions and their inverse functions.

11. Solve trigonmetric equations, and prove and apply trigonometric identities.

12. Solve trigonometric applications including polar equations, vectors, and parametric equations.

13. Expand, calculate and evaluate series and sequences.

14. Model and solve applications using the elementary functions studied in the course.

15. Use technology to graph, evaluate, and interpret functions, and to solve equationsinvolving them.

Academic Integrity

Students and employees at OaktonCommunity College are required to demonstrate academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:

  • cheating,
  • plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
  • falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
  • helping others to cheat,
  • unauthorized changes on official documents,
  • pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
  • making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
  • any other behavior that violates academic integrity.

There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.

Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.

Course Expectations

  • I expect that you will log into MyLabsPlus and work regularly (at least two times each week) toward the successful completion of this course.
  • I expect that your schedule will allow you to complete all assignments and take the exams /quizzes when they are scheduled. All exams, quizzes and assignments have firm due dates and requests for extensions will NOT be granted. The exams will be available in the testing center the week prior to the exam due date. Quizzes and homework can be completed early.
  • Academic integrity. All work is expected to be your own.
  • Ask for help when you need it. The tutoring centers (room 2400 DP in Des Plaines and A135 in Skokie)and my office hours are excellent resources for help. The tutoring centers are available Monday – Thursday from 8am – 8pm, Friday from8am - 4pm & Saturday 10am – 2pm.
  • A calculator without the ability to graph (and without trig/log functions) is required for the exams. As such, it is best to practice solving problems in the method described in the text. For example, you will need to memorize the unit circle and use it from memory to answer questions on the exams without the use of a calculator with trig functions.

Communication

  • I will send several e-mails to the entire class during the course of the semester. It is your responsibility to ensure that the e-mail address on file with the registrar is the address to which you wish to receive course communication.
  • Please use e-mail as your primary means of communication. I will read and respond to e-mail at least once a day during the week. The time I check my e-mail is likely to be irregular. If you send me a message at 8:30 am & I checked my e-mail at 7:30 that morning, I may not get your message until whenever I check e-mail the next day. It is not guaranteed that I will check e-mail on weekends.
  • I am teaching more than one course this term and also serve as the department chair. Make sure you put MAT 149 in the subject line of your e-mail so that I know which class you are in (and that your e-mail is not spam!)
  • Please use complete sentences and avoid textspeak in your e-mail.

Assignments, Quizzes and Exams

All homework, quizzes and exams have firm dates. Extensions will NOT be granted.

Date Due
08/29/14 / Getting to know you/orientation assignment due
09/02/14 / Chapter 2 (incl. 1.6) homework and quiz due
09/10/14 / Chapter 3 homework and quiz due
09/18/14 / Chapter 4 homework and quiz due
09/13/14 – 09/20/14 / Exam 1 (chapters 2, 3, 4 1.6) available
09/30/14 / Chapter 9 homework and quiz due
10/08/14 / Chapter 10 (incl. 2.2) homework and quiz due
10/16/14 / Chapter 11 homework and quiz due
10/11/14 – 10/18/14 / Exam 2 (chapters 9, 10, 11 2.2) available
11/01/14 / Chapter 5 homework and quiz due
11/13/14 / Chapter 6 homework and quiz due
11/08/14 – 11/15/14 / Exam 3 (chapters 5 6) available
11/29/14 / Chapter 7 homework and quiz due
12/11/14 / Chapter 8 homework and quiz due
12/06/14 – 12/13/14 / Exam 4 (chapters 7 8) available
12/09/14 – 12/16/14 / Final exam (chapters 2 – 11) available
  • Homework will be done through MyLabsPlus and is based on chapters 2 – 11 of the textbook. Homework must be completed according to the schedule above.
  • There will be ten chapter quizzes, which will be administered throughMyLabsPlus. Quizzes must be completed according to the schedule above. In order to take a quiz, you must have completed all homework for that chapter with a score of at least 70%. If you do not have at least a 70% on each assignment, you will not be able to take that chapter quiz.
  • There will be five exams that will be administered at the testing center located on the Des Plaines campus of Oakton Community College.
  • The hours of our testing center are:

Mon – Thurs:8:00 – 8:00

Friday:8:00 – 4:00
Saturday:10:00 – 2:00

  • If you need to take the exam at the Skokie campus, it is your responsibility to inform me no later than September 6th. If you are not able to take the exams at one of our campuses, please contact Robin Nash at in order to make alternative arrangements as soon as possible. Arrangements must be made with the facility that will proctor your exam no later than September 6th.
  • You will be given 2 hours to complete each of the first 4 exams. If you arrive within 2 hours of the close of the testing center, you will only be allowed to work on the exam until the testing center closes and no additional time will be given for the exam. You will have 3 hours for the comprehensive final and should arrive at the testing center at a time that will allow you to complete the exam. The dates that these exams are available are listed below.

Grading

MyLabsPlus shows a current average that is never accurate. Course grades will be computed as follows:

Exam 1Available 09/13/14 – 09/20/1410%

Exam 2Available 10/11/14 – 10/18/1410%

Exam 3Available 11/08/14 – 11/15/1410%

Exam 4Available 12/06/14 – 12/13/1410%

Final ExamAvailable 12/09/14 – 12/16/1420%

Homework Average20%

Quiz Average20%

Course grades will be determined as follows:

90% - 100%A

80% - 89%B

70% - 79%C

60% - 69%D

Less than 60%F

A grade if "I" (Incomplete) must be formally requested of the instructor by the student and may be granted only if the student has missed no more than one test for the entire term and the student’s course average is at least 70. The decision to grant the "I" grade will be made by the instructor alone. No incomplete grades will be given without documented evidence of serious illness or circumstances.

Other Course Information

If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the Access and Disability Resource Center at the Des Plaines or Skokie campus. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.

Important Dates

August 25 / Spring 2014 semester classes begin
September 1 / Labor Day holiday, College closed
September 2 / Last day to submit proof of residency, business service agreements and chargebacks/joint agreements
September 21 / Last day to drop from 16-week courses and have course dropped from record
September 22 / Last day to change to audit for 16-week courses
October 5 / Incomplete (I) grades from Summer, 2014 semester for which faculty have not submitted final grades will become an "F" after this date.
October 10 / Last day for filing Graduation Petitions
October 26 / Last day to withdraw with a “W” from 16-week courses. Students will receive a grade in all courses in which they are enrolled after October 26.
November 11 / Veteran’s Day holiday, College closed
November 19 / Registration opens for Spring 2015 semester
November 27, 28 / Thanksgiving Recess. College closed
November 29, 30 / Thanksgiving Recess, no classes – College open (most offices closed)
December 16, 17 / Evaluation Days

If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the Access and Disability Resource Center at the Des Plaines or Skokie campus. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.

Outline of Topics

A.Functions and their graphs

1.Operations on functions: combinations

2.Graphing techniques

3.Translations and Rotations

4.Inverse functions

B.Polynomial functions: graphs and zeros

1.Quadratic functions

2.Polynomial functions of higher degree

3.Remainder and Factor Theorems

4.Complex zeros of polynomial functions

5.Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

6.Applications

C.Rational functions and conic sections

1.Rational functions and their graphs

2.Conic sections

a.Center at origin

b.Translations

D.Exponential and logarithmic functions

1.Exponential functions and their graphs

2.Logarithmic functions and their graphs

3.Properties of logarithms

4.Solving exponential and logarithmic equations

  1. Applications
  1. Find the intersection of two polynomial functions (substitution method)

F.Sequences and series

1.Fundamentals of sequences and series

2.Arithmetic sequences

3.Geometric sequences

4.Applications

G.Trigonometric functions

1.Measurement of angles

2.Circular functions

3.Graphs of sines and cosines

4.Graphs of the other trigonometric functions

5.Inverse trigonometric functions and their graphs

6.Trigonometric identities

a.Pythagorean identities

b.Sum and difference formulas

c.Multiple and half angle formulas

d.Sum-to-product; product-to-sum

7.Solving trigonometric equations

8.Applications

a.Complex numbers and their trigonometric form

b.Solving right triangles

c.Law of Sines, Law of Cosines

d.Roots and powers of complex numbers

e.Polar coordinates

f.Parametric equations

H.Vectors

1.Geometric and algebraic representation of vectors

2.Basic operations with vectors

  1. Technology
  1. Generate the complete graph of each trigonometric and inverse trigonometric function including setting a proper window, tracing and zooming.

2.Graphically locate the x-intercepts, the relative extrema and determine asymptotic behaviors.
3.Solve equations graphically, numerically and/or symbolically.