MTH 121 –
Precalculus I
Fall 2005
Instructor: Carol Overdeep Office: 409
Email: coverdeep@stmartin.edu Phone: (360)438-4378
Office
Hours: MWF 10-11, 1-2; T 1-2; Th 11-12;
by appointment, or drop in
Webpage: http://homepages.stmartin.edu/fac_staff/coverdeep/
Textbook: PRECALCULUS
Mathematics for Calculus, 4th Edition by James Stewart,
Lothar Redlin, and
Saleem Watson; Brooks/Cole, 2002
Other: Coursepack of class notes.
Course Objectives:
Ø Demonstrate mathematical
reasoning
Ø To gain an appreciation for
analytical skills
Ø Understand theory and
application of content areas studied
Exams and Grading:
Ø Homework/Journal 25% IMPORTANT:
NO EXTRA CREDIT
Ø Exam 1 15%
Ø
Exam 2 15%
Ø
Exam 3 15%
Ø
Writing 5%
Ø
Final 25% (Tuesday,
December 13, 2005, 3:15-5:15)
Homework:
Ø
Homework may be
done in groups (each student must hand in an assignment).
Ø
Assigned problems
are on a separate handout as well as on my webpage.
Ø
Due dates will be
announced in class.
Ø
You must show
your work to receive full credit (where applicable).
Ø
Late homework will be penalized/not accepted.
o
Homework will be
considered late if not in my office by
o
Homework will be
accepted until the assignment is returned to the class but will be penalized.
Journal:
Ø
We will be doing
several problems in class.
Ø
You will be
expected to attempt the problems and keep a journal of your work.
Ø
Journals will be
turned in on exam days.
Ø
Journals will be
graded based on completeness, not necessarily correctness.
Ø
Journals will be
worth one homework assignment (approximately 25 points).
Exam 1/Exam 2/Exam 3:
Ø
Use of
calculators may be limited.
Ø
Make-up exams
will not be possible without prior
arrangements—and the reason for missing an exam must be compelling.
Ø
Exams will
resemble homework problems and problems done in class.
Writing:
Ø
Functions form
the backbone of calculus while logarithms are not necessarily greeted with open
arms.
Ø
You will be asked
to write a haiku, limerick, or sonnet on both of these topics when we encounter
each of them in class (Chapter 2, Chapter 4 ).
Ø
You may work in
groups on this—in fact, groups are encouraged.
Ø
Results will be
compiled and shared (without attribution) with the class.
Ø
More details will
be forthcoming.
Final:
Ø
If you do not do
as well as you would have liked on Exam 1 and/or Exam 2 and/or Exam 3, you will
have a chance to make it up by doing well on the final exam.
Ø
The final exam
will be cumulative and will consist of four part: Exam 1 material, Exam 2 material, Exam 3
material, and material since the third exam.
Ø
Formula
used: Exam n score=max(original score, average of both scores, 90% of final
score) where n=1,2,3.
Ø
For example,
suppose your exam scores were 72, 80, and 88.
If your corresponding scores from the final were 92, 84, and 78. Then
o
Exam 1 = max(72,
(72+92)/2=82, 0.9*92=82.8) = 82.8
o
Exam 2 =
max(80,(80+84)/2=82, 0.9*80=72) = 82
o
Exam 3 =
max(88,(88+78)/2=83, 0.9*88=79.2)=88
General Philosophy/Attendance:
Ø
College prepares you for a professional position.
Ø
In the working world, you are
responsible for your career and you
are accountable for your decisions. For
example, class attendance is expected (just as you are expected to go to work)
but not required.
Important Dates:
Ø
September 9, 2005: Last day to
add/change a class.
Ø
September 29, 2005: First Exam (subject to
change)
Ø
October 27, 2005: Second Exam (subject to
change)
Ø
November 4, 2005: Last day to
withdraw from a class
Ø
November 17, 2005: Third Exam (subject to
change)
Ø
November 24, 2005: Thanksgiving
Ø
December 13, 2005: Final
Exam
Students with Disabilities:
If you need course adaptations or accommodations
because of a disability, if you have a medical and/or safety concern to share
with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be
evacuated, please make an appointment with me as–soon-as possible