Precalculus

Fall 2011

MW 12:00-1:20, QUIN 206; 5 credit hours

Other resources:


Exponential plot
FSharp logistic program

Syllabus

Instructor: Dr. Art Duval

Please feel free to come by my office any time during scheduled office hours. You are welcome to come at other times, but in that case you might want to make an appointment, just to make sure that I will be there then. You can make an appointment simply by talking to me before or after class, by calling me at my office or at home, or by sending e-mail.

You may also ask any questions directly via phone or e-mail. If I'm not in when you call, please leave a message on the voice-mail or answering machine with your name, number, and a good time for me to call you back. I will try to respond to your phone or e-mail message as soon as possible.

Additional instructor: Dr. Eric Freudenthal

Recitation sections

Both recitation sections meet Tue, Thu, 10:30-12:20. You will be randomly assigned to one of the two sections.

Peer leader: Angel Aguero

email: aaguero -AT- miners.utep.edu
recitation location: BELL 130 (computer lab)
office hour: Tue, Thu, 12:30-1:30, BELL 130.

Peer leader: David Archer

email: daarcher -AT- miners.utep.edu
recitation location: COMP 221
office hour: Fri, 2:00-3:00, MaRCS tutoring center, Library.

Prerequisites:

MATH 0311, or an adequate score on a placement exam. This generally means you should have some proficiency with algebra, that you are able to manipulate expressions with polynomials and exponents, and that you can graph some of these functions.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to represent, describe, and analyze functions numerically, graphically, symbolically, and verbally. You will be familiar with the important families of functions: polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric. You will be able to manipulate these functions, and perform transformations on them.

Textbook:

Precalculus, 8th ed., Ron Larson, Chs. 1-8. We may skip some chapters, as announced in class.

Required Reading: Read each chapter that we cover in class, both before and after class. Skim the chapter before class, even if you don't understand it fully, to have some idea of what we'll be doing in class. Read it more carefully after class to clarify and fill in details you missed in class.

Warning: Sometimes, we will not "cover" all the material from a chapter, but instead focus on a particular aspect of the chapter. In such cases, I will point out in class (and at this website) which other parts of the chapter I expect you to read on your own.

Computer:

We will be doing some graphing explorations on a computer, in and out of class. As a result, it will be necessary for you to bring a laptop to class, and have access to a computer outside of class. If you do not have one, it may be possible to borrow one from the College of Engineering. All software will either be provided to you, or available for free (this excludes WebAssign for the homework, listed below). I am not yet sure which operating systems will work, and will let you know as soon as possible (probably first week of class).

GRADES:

Homework (15%)

Individual homework will be assigned on a daily basis (with some exceptions). Homework is to be completed on the WebAssign system. You are allowed to work together on homework (in fact, I encourage you to do so), but, for maximum effectiveness, you must understand the solutions to all the problems. It is your responsibility to keep up with the homework, even when you have to miss class. Your four lowest homework scores will be dropped.

Calculator assignments/quizzes (10%)

There will be additional (not WebAssign) assignments and quizzes related to the computer software. There may also be quizzes for pre-assessments (assessing you on what you know before we begin a topic). These will count as "extra credit"; a good grade on one of these quizzes can replace a lower quiz grade.

Exams (15% each)

There will be three in-class exams on the following days: Makeup exams can be given only in extraordinary and unavoidable circumstances, and with advance notice.

Final (30%)

The final exam will be comprehensive over all material we discuss in class. The final will be on
Fri., 9 Dec., 1:00 p.m.-3:45 p.m.
All exams are closed-book, no calculators.

POLICIES:

Academic dishonesty:

It is UTEP's policy, and mine, for all suspected cases or acts of alleged scholastic dishonesty to be referred to the Dean of Students for investigation and appropriate disposition. See Section 1.3.1 of the Handbook of Operating Procedures.

Attendance:

Daily attendance is required, although there is no particular grade penalty for missing class, other than missing quizzes. My goal is for class meetings and activities to complement, rather than echo, the textbook, and thus for every class to be worth attending.

Drop date:

The deadline for student-initiated drops with a W is Friday, October 28. After this date, you can only drop with the Dean's approval, which is granted only under extenuating circumstances.

I hope everyone will complete the course successfully, but if you are having doubts about your progress, I will be happy to discuss your standing in the course to help you decide whether or not to drop. You are only allowed three enrollments in this course, and students enrolled after Fall 2007 are only allowed six withdrawals in their entire academic career, so please exercise the drop option judiciously.

Courtesy:

We all have to show courtesy to each other, and the class as a whole, during class time. Please arrive to class on time (or let me know when you have to be late, and why); do not engage in side conversations when one person (me, or another student) is talking to the whole class; turn off your cell phone (or at least set it to not ring out loud), and do not engage in phone, email, or text conversations during class.

Disabilities:

If you have, or suspect you have, a disability and need an accommodation, you should contact the Disabled Student Services Office (DSSO) at 747-5148, dss@utep.edu, or Union East room 106. You are responsible for presenting to me any DSS accommodation letters and instructions.

Exceptional circumstances:

If you anticipate the possibility of missing large portions of class time, due to exceptional circumstances such as military service and/or training, or childbirth, please let me know as soon as possible.