Math 1050-4 Fall 2007 Syllabus
Instructor: Robert Hanson
Office: JWB 314 (it is
easy to remember because it is the first three digits of pi)
email: bobby@math.utah.edu (this is the best way to contact me)
Office Phone: 581-5568
Office Hours: Immediately
after class. If you want to meet with
me, let me know before we leave the classroom, and we will go to my
office. If this time is not convenient
for you, let me know a better time to meet with you, and I will be there.
Class
MTWF
Text
Precalculus, 7th Edition; Larson,
Hostetler.
Prerequisite
Math 1010 is the prerequisite for this
course. This means that you, as the student, should be familiar with Chapter P
in the text. In particular, you should be able to find the equation of a line
passing through two points, to solve an equation in one variable, to solve a
system of linear equations of many variables, and have a familiarity with the
basic properties of functions.
Objectives
The title of this course is "College
Algebra", and the title of the book is "Precalculus".
The latter is more appropriate as a short statement on the objectives for this
course. The major theme for the course is the study of functions and their
properties. Functions play a very important role in Calculus, and in the
sciences. Therefore, we will be studying functions with the mathematical tools
we have available right now, namely the tools of Algebra.
Philosophy
The Undergraduate
Student Advisory Committee maintains a wonderful online resource for math
students. You can visit their site at: http://www.math.utah.edu/ugrad/. In particular, they have a page dedicated to
succeeding in undergraduate math courses: http://www.math.utah.edu/ugrad/succeed.html.
They have linked to a page by Prof.
Peter Alfeld, that I think you might find especially
useful: http://www.math.utah.edu/~alfeld/math.html.
Your
first assignment for this course is to read through his study guide,
paying special attention to his comments on any question for which you answer
YES.
Homework
Mathematics is the art of solving problems.
Algebra is a tool which we use in this art. The only way to learn how to use
the tool is to solve problems. For that reason, homework is very important in
this class. Accordingly, it is a major part of your grade.
We will be using WebWork
for this class. My recommendation is to
print the problems, take them home and work on them with a pencil and
paper. When you are confident that you
have the correct answers, enter them into the computer. The great thing about WebWork
is that it tells you immediately if you were correct or not.
Use these problems as a tool to help you
learn the art of problem solving.
Midterm Exams
There will be three midterm examinations.
These exams will cover the material in all readings; not just material covered
in lecture. You must keep up with the readings.
Final Exam
The final exam will be held at a time and
place to be announced. This will be a comprehensive exam, covering the material
from the entire semester. You must pass this exam to pass the class.
Grading
The following relative weights will be used
in determining the final grade for the course:
|
Webwork |
20% |
|
Exam 1 |
20% |
|
Exam 2 |
20% |
|
Exam 3 |
20% |
|
Final Exam |
20% |
The grading scheme is as follows:
A at least 90%
B at least 80%
C at least 70%
D at least 60%
The +/– scores will be awarded at the fringes
of these intervals.
Tutoring
Tutoring is offered by the Mathematics
Department free of charge on a drop-in basis. The tutoring center is located in
the Math Center. It is open 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Friday. It is closed on weekends and University holidays.
Drop and Withdrawal
Students may drop any class without penalty
or permission through Friday, September 3. Students may withdraw from acourse without permission through Friday, October 22. In
this case, a "W" grade will be recorded on the academic record and
applicable tuition and fees will be assessed. Students may appeal withdrawal
deadlines "in case of compelling, non-academic emergencies" by
submitting a petition and supporting documentation to the office of the dean of
their major college. The complete withdrawal policy is printed in the class
schedule.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires
accommodations be provided for students with physical, cognitive, systemic,
learning and psychiatric disabilities. Please contact me at the beginning of
the semester to discuss any such accommodations for this course.