UNIVERSITY
OF COLORADO AT BOULDER
Summer 2005
MATH 1150,
Section 400, Precalculus Mathematics
7:30 – 8:35 AM, MTWRF, ECCR 137, 4 credits
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Instructor
1:
Dana Ernst
Office: Math 214
Office Hours: MTWR 8:45-10:00
AM (or by appointment)
Email: Dana.Ernst@colorado.edu
Webpage:
http://math.colorado.edu/~ernstd
Instructor 2: Nicandro Flores
Office: Math 364
Office Hours: MTWR 8:45-10:00
AM (or by appointment)
Email:
Nicandro.Flores@colorado.edu
Webpage:
http://ucsu.colorado.edu/~nicandro
COURSE INFORMATION AND POLICIES
Prerequisites: Students are
expected to be familiar with basic algebra concepts, and to have
already mastered basic algebra skills. One and a half years of
high school algebra is a prerequisite for the course.
Purpose and Description:
The primary objective of this course is to aid students in becoming
confident and competent in solving problems that require techniques
developed in Precalculus. MATH 1150 is intended to prepare students for
a first semester calculus course, such as MATH 1300, MATH 1310, or APPM
1350. Students will have a working understanding of algebraic,
trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Also, the
purpose of any mathematics class is to challenge and train the
mind. Learning mathematics enhances critical thinking and problem
solving skills.
Text: Fundamentals of Precalculus, 1st
edition, Dugopolski.
Structure of Course: The class
meets 5 days a week for the next 10 weeks. Dana will be the
instructor for the first 5 weeks, and Nic will be the instructor for
the last 5 weeks. We will cover chapters 1 through 4 of the
textbook. There will be an exam at the end of each chapter and
then a cumulative final exam at the end of the 10 weeks.
Typically, we will cover 1 section from the book each day.
Homework for each section will usually be due the class session after
it is taught.
Attendance: Regular
attendance is expected and is vital to success in this class.
Homework: Homework will
be assigned daily and collected at the beginning of class on the day it
is due. You are allowed and encouraged to work together on
homework. However, each student is expected to turn in their
own work, unless otherwise instructed. Late homework will not be
accepted without prior approval from one of the instructors. At
least 5 of your lowest homework scores will be dropped at the end of
the semester.
Exams: There will be four
midterm exams and a cumulative final exam. Make-ups for these
exams will not be allowed, unless you have received prior
approval. In general, don’t expect any make-ups. Exam dates
will be announced at least a week in advance. You will not be
permitted to use calculators on any of the exams.
Special Services:
Students with disability are encouraged to contact the Office of
Special Services to arrange for accommodations and support services.
Other Comments: Turn off your
cell phones!!! If you must be late for class, please try not to
disrupt class.
COURSE EVALUATION
Basis
for evaluation:
1. 4
Midterm Exams |
100 points
each
(Total of 400 points)
|
2.
Homework |
10 points
each (Total of approximately 300 points)
|
4. Final
Exam |
200 points
|
Grade Determination: To determine your percent grade,
divide your total points by all possible points and then multiply by
100. Grades may be “massaged” at the end
of the semester, but in general, this is what you should expect.
93 -100% |
A
|
73 – 76% |
C
|
90 – 92% |
A-
|
70 – 72% |
C-
|
87 – 89% |
B+
|
67 – 69% |
D+
|
83 – 86% |
B
|
63 – 66% |
D
|
80 – 82% |
B-
|
60 – 62% |
D-
|
77 – 79% |
C+
|
0 – 59% |
F
|
SOME IMPORTANT DATES
DATE
|
REMARK
|
6/13
|
Deadline to drop course without
instructor’s signature |
6/17
|
Midterm Exam #1
|
6/22
|
Deadline to drop course without
petitioning dean
|
6/24
|
Midterm Exam #2
|
TBA
|
Midterm Exam #3
|
TBA
|
Midterm Exam #4
|
8/5
|
Final Exam
|
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
When does the learning happen? It
might happen in class, but most likely it happens when you sit down to
do your homework. Most of you can follow what I do on the board,
but the question is, can you do it on your own? To learn best,
you must struggle with mathematics on your own. It is supposed to
be difficult (if its not difficult for you, then I will gladly find
things to challenge you). However, if you are struggling too
much, then there are resources for you. I am always happy to help
you. I want to help you. If my office hours don’t work for
you, then we can probably find another time to meet. You can also
get help from each other. Get a study buddy! Help each
other learn. If you are having difficulty, then get some help. It
is your responsibility to be aware of how well you understand the
material. There are many resources available to you; use them!