Urbana University High School Dual Enrollment Program

Course Syllabus – Pre Calculus/ MAT 220

Urbana University High School Dual Enrollment Program

Fall/Spring Semester 2014-2015

Instructor: Mrs. Heather Whittaker

Location: Arcanum High School, Room 254

School Phone: 937-692-5175 ext. 1254Cell Phone 937-417-7527

Email:

Website:

Office hours: I am at the school from 7:20am -4:00pm. If you have questions or need extra help, please make arrangements to meet with me. I will also be available during my plan time and during flex period for extra help if needed. I have included my contact information for your benefit. Please be sure to keep all email and cell phone correspondence school appropriate or extreme discipline will occur.

Textbook: Pre Calculus 6e Mathematics for Calculus, 2012Credit: 4 semester hours

Prerequisites: grade of C or better in Algebra II or College Algebra

Supplemental Materials: TI-Nspire (graphing calculator), textbook, notebook, graph paper, pencils

Time: Monday – Friday, 45 minute class periods per scheduled class time.

Accommodations: Accommodations stated in IEP/504 plans will be allowed in this classroom.

Course Descriptions: Pre Calculus is an essential course to prepare students for calculus. This course is designed to build a strong mathematical foundation based on conceptual understanding of algebra and extend your ability to apply algebra concepts and procedures at higher conceptual levels. The course will include but will not be limited to a study of the basic concepts of advanced algebra including factoring, graphing, equations and inequalities including systems, rational functions, partial fraction decomposition, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, analytic trigonometry, complex numbers, matrix equations, sequence and series, vectors, and basic conic sections. The mathematical concepts covered will serve as a foundation for the needed mathematics skill to subsequently take courses in the different levels of calculus.

Classroom Expectations: It is my goal and expectation to provide the least restrictive learning environment for every student in my classroom. This coincides with Arcanum High School values pertaining to the recognition of the intrinsic worth and dignity of each person. My classroom will exhibit instructional strategies which exemplify best practice in the field of math education.

Dual Enrollment Program Outcomes: Through the dual enrollment program students build skills to:

• Be better prepared for college academics
• Improve their critical thinking
• Be introduced to the college rigor
• Gain college credit

Course Objectives:

• To gain knowledge of the material described in the course description above.
• To demonstrate the knowledge of the course content through homework, classwork and class participation, many quizzes, 6-8 tests, a semester exam, and a final exam.
• To acquire attitudes and values including an understanding of the role of mathematics in practical applications.

Assessments: Students’ final grade will be a combination of homework, quizzes/ tests, exams and projects.

Tests: There will be 2 tests given every quarter ranging in points from 50-70 points.

Quizzes: Quizzes will be given to assess understanding and prepare you for your tests. Quizzes will be announced and will be given at least once each chapter or topic covered. Quizzes will range in point values from 20-40 points. Occasional review quizzes will also be given throughout the quarter valued at 10 points each.

Homework: Homework will seldom be graded for points however you will be responsible for doing the homework to gage understanding of the concepts before tests and quizzes. Grading your work and asking questions on concepts you are struggling with is your responsibility. You will be able to grade homework on line at the class website or during flex time. Homework will be given nightly. Homework will be posted a week at a time in class and on the class website. If a homework assignment is collected for points, each assignment is worth 5 points. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

The students’ final grade will be determined on a point basis. The percentage of the accumulated points that student earns, based upon the total possible points, will be configured. A percentage grade will be assigned a letter based on the school scale. A student will receive a zero for any work involving cheating or plagiarizing.

Technology: Students will be required to use a graphing calculator and the internet to complete assignments. Please let me know as soon as possible if you do not have internet at your house so arrangements can be made.

Grading Scale:

Percentage / Course Grade
95 + / A
90-94 / A-
87-89 / B+
83-86 / B
80-82 / B-
77-79 / C+
73-76 / C
70-72 / C-
67-69 / D+
63-66 / D
60-62 / D-
59 and below / F

Course Outline:

Semester 1 WEEKS / CHAPTER / KNOWLEDGE LEARNED (LEARNING TARGETS)
1,2,3 / Chapter 1 / Students will apply the fundamentals of Algebra II such as: Use properties of exponents and radicals, write and simplify algebraic and rational equations, solve equations and inequalities and write equations in modeling problems, use coordinate geometry to solve real-life problems.
4 / Part of Ch.10 / Students will solve systems of linear equations and inequalities
5-9 / Chapter 2 / Students will identify functions and obtain information from the graph of a function, find the average rate of change of a function, use transformations to graph and describe functions, combine functions such as f(g(x)), determine one to one functions and their inverses.
10-15 / Chapter 3 / Students will solve graph and compose quadratic functions, graph polynomial functions divide polynomials, find real and complex zeros of polynomial functions using the Fundamental Thm. of Algebra, graph rational functions
16-18 / Ch.10.7 / Students will solve using partial fraction decomposition.
Exam Week / Semester Exam / Material covered in weeks 1-18
Semester 2
WEEKS / CHAPTER / KNOLWLEDGE LEARNED (LEARNING TARGETS)
19-21 / Chapter 4 / Students will solve exponential and logarithmic functions using the properties of exponents and logs. Students will identify the mathematical domains, ranges, and end behaviors of exponential and logarithmic functions, use function models to predict and make decisions and critical judgments, use nonlinear regression.
22-28 / Chapters 5-6 / Students will use the unit circle to set up terminal points and reference triangles ,use the information pertaining to trigonometric functions of real numbers to evaluate trig functions finding missing parts of triangles, graph trig functions and identify translations of trig functions, use geometry skills with trigonometry, including law of sines and law of cosines, to evaluate trig functions for any angle, confirm trig identities.
29-30 / Part of Ch.9 / Students will determine the magnitude of the vector, the dot product of two vectors, the angle between the vectors, determine if vectors are orthogonal, graph vectors, and write the component forms of vectors.
31-33 / Part of Ch.10 / Students will solve systems of equations using matrices, multiply matrices, and find determinants and inverses of 2x2 and 3x3 matrices.
34-36 / Part of Ch.12 / Students will the definitions of arithmetic and geometric sequence to determine terms in the sequence.
Final Exam Week / Final Exam

Disclaimer: This is a tentative calendar. Anything on this syllabus is subject to change if there are future extenuating circumstances. Such changes, if they occur, will be announced in advance and posted on the class website.

Behavior Expectations/Attendance: Any behavior that is disruptive to the teacher, the class, and/or other student’s learning will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly. While in class, students may not bring food or drinks (other than a water bottle), must refrain from excessive talking, using abusive or absurd language or gestures, horseplay, being disrespectful and preparing for other courses (unless all assignments for the course are entirely completed). All cell phones and personal electronic devices must be turned off and out of site during class. No warnings will be given; I will take the device on your first offence. School rules will be followed in this classroom and procedures will be taken for offenders. If at any time a student feels unjustly accused, he/she should speak with me outside of class. Students are expected to be present and attentive each day. In the event of an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to see the teacher about work missed. All make-up work must be completed and turned in according to handbook rules. When a student knows in advance of the absence, he/she must get all of the assignments before the absence and have the work completed upon return.

Disposition Objectives: Each student will develop a strong foundation of algebra needed to progressinto higher level mathematics concepts. Through this foundation students should feel more confident with mathematics, and should appreciate the usefulness and importance of algebra and the discipline and rigor of mathematics.