MATH 007-09: Fall 2014

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Professor: Dr. Talitha M. Washington Contact: Office: 221 ASB-B; Office hours: M 12:10-1 pm, F 10:10-11 am & 12:10-1 pm; and by appointment Phone: (202) 806-6833; E-mail: [email protected]; Web: http://talithawashington.com Class Time: 11:10 am - 12:00 pm; MTWF Douglass Hall 204 Text: Functions Modeling Change: A Preparation for Calculus, Connally et al., 3rd edition Course Website: Blackboard, http://www.howard.edu/blackboard Course Description: MATH 007 Precalculus (HONORS) (4 cr): This course has a focus on functions (linear, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, polynomial, rational, etc.) and operations on functions (arithmetic operations, composition, inverse, etc.) with graphing techniques (shifting, stretching, etc.). If time permits, vectors, sequences, series, conic sections may be included. Prerequisite: MATH 006 College Algebra I and a satisfactory score on the Mathematics Placement Examination. Course Learning Objectives: MATH 007 an intensive course for students with superior algebra skills. This course severs as a preparation for the Calculus sequence MATH 156-157-158 and covers Chapters 1-9 in Connally et al. and may cover Chapters 10-12 time permitting. This course strives to help you: • develop skills in understanding and graphing algebraic, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions; • develop an ability to translate applied problems into mathematical expressions and solve those expressions; • develop a skill to solve applied problems in algebraic, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions; • develop an ability to gain conceptual understanding of mathematics; • develop an ability to communicate mathematics, both in writing and orally; • prepare for further study in mathematics, the physical sciences, or engineering. Methods of Instruction: The method of instruction for most classes will be a lecture/discussion. Most classes will begin with a discussion of homework problems followed by an introduction of new material. You are encouraged to participate in class by asking questions, contributing to discussions, taking notes, and working problems. Outside of class, all students are expected to read the text, complete all assignments, regularly access Blackboard, and come to my office hours and ask questions about the homework. Grading: The weights in determining your final grade are as follows: • Attendance – 2% • Team Homework – 9% • Quizzes – 9% • Four Exams – 60% • Comprehensive Final Exam – 20% The lowest exam score will be replaced by the grade on the final exam if the final exam score is higher than the lowest exam score. Final grades will be assigned using the following percentages: A 90-100; B 80-89; C 70-79; D 60-69; F 0-59. Please see me if you have any question about how you stand before the semester ends. All grades will be posted and updated regularly on Blackboard. Course requirements and policies: a. Calculator recommended for this course is a TI-84. Calculators with symbolic capability (e.g. TI-89 or TI-92) will not be allowed on any in-class work including exams and quizzes. b. Electronic Devices and all cell phones that can disrupt class should be silenced and put away during class. They must be put away during exams and quizzes. Use of a cell phone or other means of communication during an exam or quiz could result in a score of 0. c. Attendance will be taken almost daily. You are expected to attend class on time every day. If you miss a day, it is up to you (not me, or your classmates) to catch up and learn what you have missed. A Schedule will be posted and updated regularly on Blackboard.

MATH 007-09: Fall 2014

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c. Team Homework: This will be done outside of class in teams of 1-3 students and each team will submit one per team to be graded. Each team is expected to meet regularly and each member is expected to contribute to the preparation of the homework. The work is expected to be neat, accurate, and may be expected to contain explanations using full sentences and Standard English. All work must be shown and an answer without an explanation is not worth any credit. Through this collaborative learning experience, students will enhance their understanding and knowledge of precalculus. e. Quizzes may be take-home as well as given during the last 15 minutes. There are NO make-ups for quizzes. At the end of the semester, the lowest in-class quiz score of each student will be dropped. Note that the in-class quizzes are on the Class Schedule on page 4. f. Make-ups will be given only in extreme circumstances that are documented, approved excused absences and only if I am aware of the circumstances prior to the exam. Students may be excused for reasons of illness or injury that are certified by a physician, death in the immediate family, court summons or religious holiday. In particular, make-ups will never be given to accommodate travel plans. Assignments that are to be completed outside of class will not be accepted late for any reason. g. Exercise List will be posted on Blackboard and contains problems for your practice and will not be graded; HOWEVER, you should do all these problems and are responsible for knowing how to work all of them. Many questions on the online homework, quizzes, and exams will be strikingly similar to problems in the Exercise List. h. Submitted Work: Take care in writing up your solutions for the homework assignments and exams. If critical steps in the solution of a problem are missing, expect to lose points. In general, be sure to show your work. All written solutions must be clear, concise and correct. Even if your solution is correct, expect to lose points if it is difficult to read and understand. This includes solutions that are confused, incomprehensible, unnecessarily complicated, verbose, illegible or incomplete. i. Honor Code should be clear to all students and will comply with the terms of the University’s Academic Code of Student Conduct on academic cheating, plagiarism, and copy infringement. Note that collaboration on homework is allowed and encouraged, but giving or receiving help of any kind on exams or quizzes is strictly prohibited. j. Accessibility: Please let me know immediately if you have a learning or physical disability requiring accommodation. For more information, contact the Dr. Barbara Williams, Dean for Special Student Services, at (202) 238-2420 or by email at [email protected]. k. Some advice: • Try the homework before asking for help • Read the book before class • Be active in class and come every day, on time • Actively seek understanding • Prepare for tests other than the night before • Question why things are done a certain way • Correct all old tests You should expect to spend at least 8 hours each week studying outside of class. Your study time should include reading the text and working on all homework problems. I recommend that you keep your notes, quizzes, exams, and class handouts organized in a three-ring binder – you will need them to prepare for the Final Exam. MyMathLab has a plethora of learning aids such as animations and videos so be sure to use them. There is also a Mathematics Tutorial Lab in ASB Room 109 and is open MTWR 9 am to 6 pm and F 9 am to 5 pm. The tutors are them to help you so take advantage of this help. Throughout the semester, check Blackboard often for course documents, your grades, and available online resources. Finally, please do not hesitate to stop by my office, call me, or send me an email if you are having difficulty with any part of the course.