Department of Mathematics and Statistics / MATH 125 PRECALCULUS
Fall 2008 Section 3 Class Number 5436
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 – 8:50 am Room 162
Matt Fahy Lecturer
523-6864
AMB 133
http://oak.ucc.nau.edu/mpf6/
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday 9:00 – 10:00 am
Tuesday 1:50 – 2:50 pm
Wednesday 10:20 – 11:20 am
Thursday 12:40 – 1:40 pm
Friday 9:00 – 10:00 am
others by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide a foundation in functions, graphs, and trigonometry sufficient for applications and study of Calculus. A fundamental understanding of core concepts of Algebra is assumed.
Prequisite: MAT 108 Algebra for Precalculus or proper placement.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: See separate handout.
TEXT AND COVERAGE: The required text for this course is Precalculus by Mark Dugopolski. This text will play a central role in the course as examples and homework problems will be drawn from it nearlry every class session. Topics from Chapters 2 through 7 and 10 will be covered as time permits.
ASSESSMENT AND GRADES:
The following will determine your grade for this course:
Tests 40%
Homework/Quizzes 35%
Final 25%
I’ll use the usual 90%, 80%, 70%, and 60% cut-offs for A, B, C, and D respectively. I reserve the right to lower these cut-offs under extreme circumstances, but not xtreme circumstances.
Tests will each be worth 100 points. Test make-ups are acceptable if you schedule them with me beforehand, but not if you don’t. Calculators are permitted during tests, but full credit will never be given without proper work being shown. Tentative test dates are:
Test 1 Sections 2.1 – 3.3 Monday, September 15
Test 2 Sections 3.4 – 4.4 Friday, October 10
Test 3 Sections 5.1 – 6.2 Monday, November 1
Test 4 Sections 6.3 – 7.3, 8.3 Monday, November 24
Note: Due to unfortunate features of this semester's schedule, it is very likely new material will be covered after the fourth test which will appear on the Final Exam.
Success in a course like this requires consistent, fruitful practice. As such, homework will come in two varieties. First, homework will be administered through an internet-based program called WebWork. This program allows you to check each problem as you work through an assignment and retry the problem as many times as necessary. Directions for accessing Webwork will be given early in the semester (note: Webwork is in no way associated with this course's Vista site).
Secondly, homework problems will be assigned from the textbook every class period to be due the following class period. No late bookwork will be accepted.
Quizzes will be given quite frequently, just about every week we don't have a test. There are no opportunities for quiz make-ups.
The Final for this class will be comprehensive. There are no opportunities for make-up on the final. The final exam for this class will be held on Monday, December 8 at 7:30 am.
Several resources are available to help you succeed in this class. These include my office hours, supplemental instruction, and walk-in and appointment tutoring at the Learning Assistance Center. I strongly encourage you to establish a regular habit of utilizing these resources. I believe it is impossible for students to reach their full potential in this course without doing so.
Cell phones, iPods, and the like should not be seen or heard in class. Excessive disruption due to such devices will result in disciplinary action.
I’ve done my best to be concise, clear, and correct here, but if changes need to be made, they will be and you will be notified.
“The sun’s not yellow, it’s chicken” B. Dylan
All other university policies outlined in other official documents apply to this class and will be enforced accordingly.