MATH 1730 COURSE SYLLABUS
Spring 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 textbook, access code, and workbook for this particular section of Precalculus. (Note that this is different from some sections.)
This section of Precalculus will use the ALEKS software system to help you refresh and expand your algebra skills. This is a free service provided for you. (See details below.)
This particular section of Precalculus is an active
learning class. This means you will be working frequently in small
groups on focused discussion questions. 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 will 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. Let E denote your cumulative exam score, let Q denote your cumulative quiz score, let H denote your homework score, and let F denote your final exam score. Let w,x,y, and z denote the highest cumulative exam, quiz, homework, and final scores in the class. Your end-of-semester grade will be
G = .60(E/w) + .15(Q/x)+ .10(H/y) + .15(F/z)
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. 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.
ALEKS: ALEKS is a software system that uses adaptive technology to tailor a course of study to your individual needs. In this course, you will be using ALEKS to refresh or learn those algebra skills most important for success in Calculus I.
Click here to learn more about ALEKS
Click here for ALEKS registration instructions
Click here to register for ALEKS
I will email the access code to you shortly before the semester starts. DO NOT give this code to anyone else. There are only enough free reservations for those enrolled in my Precalculus classes.
ALEKS GRADING: There are approximately 130 algebra topics that you will be tested over in your first ALEKS session (don't worry... the test is not very long). The test will determine which of these topics you need help on; and over the next six weeks, you will be expected to work your way through these topics using ALEKS. You and I will both know how many topics you need to cover. Divide that number by six, and this will be the number of topics I expect you to cover each week. You will receive a grade each week based on the percentage of that weekly number you complete --- 90% A, 80% B, etc. These six grades will be combined to form a quiz grade. The topics are also geared toward the algebra skills test that you will take twice.
For example, suppose your testing shows that you need to cover 100 topics. This means you need to cover at least 17 topics per week (most of these topics can be covered in ten minutes or less). If you covered 15 topics in a particular week, you would therefore receive a "B" progress grade for that week. If you covered 15 topics the following week, you would still receive a "B" progress grade for that week, even though you are getting behind on the topics. If you do not make it through all of your recommended topics by the end of the sixth week, then your resulting quiz grade will be reduced based on the number of topics you failed to cover.
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:
January 20 --- Martin Luther King Holiday
January 29 --- Last day to drop without a grade March 28 --- Last day to drop with a "W"
March 10 - 15 --- Spring Break May 1 --- Study Day (No Classes)
May 2 - May 8 --- Finals Week