MATH 1730 COURSE SYLLABUS (Section 007)
Fall 2014
Pathways to Calculus, Carlson, Oerhtman, and Moore
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
are
not taking 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 the Pathways to Calculus workbook and access code for this particular section of Precalculus. (Note that this is different from some sections.)
This particular section of Precalculus is an active 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. There will usually be a short video to accompany these investigations, and you will be required to submit your tentative answers to these investigations by email before midnight.
A portion of your grade will come
from your participation in these groups and discussions. Sometimes, you
will have to meet with your assigned group outside of class (either in person or
online). There may be times when you will receive a group grade on
activities.
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
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: http://education.ti.com/en/us/guidebook/search
TI
84 Tutorial:
http://www.atomiclearning.com/ti_84
TI-83 and TI-84 Tutorial: http://hotmath.com/graphing_calculators/ti84_movie_index.html
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
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 1-8 in this course. Grading is done on a standard scale : 90-100 -- A, 80-89.5 -- B, etc. Individual activities are not curved; however, there will be a curve at the end of the course. The grading components for the course are as follows:
Your end-of-semester grade will be computed according to the following formula
FINAL GRADE = 0.65(E / e) + 0.20(H / h) + 0.15(F / f)
where
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 an exam 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 for helping 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.
I will be taking attendance on most days. More than four unexcused absences will automatically lower your end-of-semester grade by one letter.
THERE ARE NO OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTRA CREDIT IN THIS COURSE.
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 and often require documentation for the extenuating circumstances.
No one will be exempt from the final.
LOTTERY
STATEMENT:
INCOMPLETES: An incomplete will be given only in accordance with the University Policy.
If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation, or you have questions related to any accommodations
for testing, note takers, readers, etc., please speak with me as soon as possible. Students may also contact the
Office of Disabled Students Services (898-2783) with questions about such services.
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. Plagiarism,
cheating, fabrication, or facilitating any such act.
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 is academic
misconduct. If you work together
on an assignment when it is not allowed, it is academic 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:
August 31 --- Last day to add classes
September 1 --- Labor Day Holiday
September 7 --- Last day to drop without a grade October 29 --- Last day to drop with a "W"
October 11-14 --- Fall Break December 4 --- Study Day (No Classes)
December 6-11 --- Finals Week
FINAL EXAM: December 5 10:00 AM --- 12:00 PM