Math 4 – Precalculus – Fall 2009

Instructor:  Mark Eastman

Office: Room 714A

Room 709 – TTh 8:00 - 10:25 am

Telephone: 479-6496

mark.eastman”at”cabrillo.edu

http://www.cabrillo.edu/~meastman

 

 

 

Text

Swokowski & Cole, Algebra and Trigonometry, 12th edition 

 

 

Office Hours

Monday, Wednesday:           9:30 am – 10:30 am

Tuesday, Thursday:            10:30 am – 11:30 pm

Friday:                                     9:30 am – 10:00 am

 

 

Student

Learning

Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

 

  1. Analyze and investigate properties and features of algebraic functions and synthesize results from the graph and/or equation of the function.
  2. Demonstrate algebraic and trigonometric literacy for calculus.
  3. Create, analyze and solve mathematical models describing real life applications.

 

 

Homework

New homework assignments will be distributed for each test period.  I will be assigning many problems for homework, and I would like you to attempt all of the assigned problems.  Please keep your homework problems separate from your notes, either in a spiral notebook or on separate paper.  I will collect your work at the start of each test.  Late homework will not be accepted.  Homework will be graded on both the number of problems attempted and the number of complete solutions.  Each homework set is worth 20 points.

 

 

Tests

There will be three tests throughout the semester, each covering two to three chapters from the text, at about four week intervals.  Each of these tests is worth 100 points.  Each test will include an in-class portion; there may possibly be a take-home portion.  If you are caught cheating on a test, you will be given 0 points for that test.  If you are unable to attend class on the day the test is distributed, please contact me, either in person or by phone at 479-6496, so that we can make alternate arrangements.  You may be able to take the test before the test is scheduled, but you may not take it after the scheduled time. 

 

Final Exam

There will be a comprehensive final exam worth 200 points. It is scheduled for Tuesday, 15 December from 7:00am to 9:50am.

  

 

Study Centers

The MESA Transfer Study Center is located in room 714.  The Study Center is a great place to get tutorial help.  You can get individual help from the tutors, work in a group with others from your class or other Math 4 classes, or use the computers for some extra help.  Check the MESA website for this semester’s hours of operation.  The Math Learning Center (MLC) is another place to get help when the MESA Study Center is closed.  The MLC is located in Room 1074 in the Learning Resources Center. 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workshop

An Academic Excellence Workshop for students enrolled in any Math 4 class will be offered this semester.  The workshop will be held in the MESA Center.  See me or check with the MESA Center for details on days and times.

 

 

Electronics

You may use a graphing calculator when doing any homework, during class discussions, and when preparing for a test, but graphing calculators will not be allowed during certain portions of tests.  You are allowed to use a scientific calculator on all parts of any test.  Cellphones should be off or in silent mode during class; should you need to take a call, please leave the room before connecting.  Cellphones need to be turned off during tests.

 

 

Materials

The following items will be helpful during each class session:

  • a pen or pencil and paper for taking notes
  • your textbook
  • a ruler for drawing lines and graphs
  • a graphing calculator (I will be using a TI-86 in class)
  • a second pen/pencil, or a highlighter to emphasize points
     

 

Helpful Hints

Mathematics is a subject you must practice in order to be successful.  Plan to attend every class meeting--you can quickly get behind if you don’t attend class.  Spend some time doing math every day: reading the textbook, working on homework problems, making study aids.  It is better to study some every day rather than cramming a lot of study time in the day or two before a test. In class, ask questions if you don’t understand a concept.  If you are having difficulty with the material, see me during my office hours, or go to the Study Center.  Make contacts with other students in the course: you can study together or just keep each other going. 

 
 
Accommodations

 

Students needing accommodations should contact the instructor as soon as possible. As required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), accommodations are provided to insure equal opportunity for students with verified disabilities. If you need assistance with an accommodation, please contact Disabled Student Services, Room 810, 479-6379, or Learning Skills Program, Room 1073, 479-6220.

 
 
Grades

Grades will be assigned based on your total points from your homework, your three midterm tests, and your final exam.  Grades are usually assigned on a sliding scale, with the highest group of total points receiving an A, the next highest a B, and so on.  A credit/no credit option is not available for this course.  There are 580 possible points for this course.  It is usually the case that the standard percentages (90% or more for an A, 80% or more for a B, and 70% or more for a C) are approximate values for which to strive.