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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "MA 197"
COURSE NAME: "Pre-Calculus"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session I 2020
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Sara Munday
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
Remote Learning
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: Placement or completion of MA 101 with a grade of C- or above
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides an introduction to Calculus that focuses on functions and graphs. The properties of absolute value, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions will be studied, along with the techniques for solving equations and inequalities involving those functions.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course contains all the necessary background material to successfully study Calculus I, and will develop further the fundamental concepts studied in Intermediate Algebra. Particular emphasis will be given to functions as the first step towards analysing problems in mathematical terms. Registration for the course is by placement or by completion of MA101 with a grade of C- or higher.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
To provide students with a strong foundation in order to study applied Calculus.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Algebra and Trigonometry | Jay Abramson | OpenStax | 978-1-938168-37-6 | | A print version is preferred, but the ebook version is also available for free at
https://openstax.org/details/books/algebra-and-trigonometry | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Quiz 1 | Thursday, week 1: Quiz on functions - definition of a function, straight lines and slopes, composition, inverses | 10% |
| Quiz 2 | Thursday, week 2: Quiz on tranformation of graphs and polynomial functions (factorising into real and complex zeros, end behaviour, extreme points) | 10% |
| Quiz 3 | Thursday, week 3: Quiz on rational functions - you will be expected to draw the graphs of two rational functions, labelling CLEARLY and EXPLAINING HOW YOU ARRIVED AT YUR ANSWER the zeros, the y-intercept and any asymptotes (vertical, horizontal or slant). | 10% |
| Quiz 4 | Thursday, week 4: Quiz on exponential and logarithmic functions | 10% |
| Comprehensive final exam | The final exam is scheduled for 26th June. It will be comprehensive, but weighted more heavily to the topics from the last week (trigonometric functions). It includes an oral verification after the online test is submitted. | 35% |
| Participation | The participation grade includes handing in all homework ON TIME and having a meeting with me, through teams or zoom, AT LEAST once a week. | 25% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. The mathematics is clearly and accurately communicated, including a well-chosen sequence of intermediate steps that demonstrate the student's understanding of the required concepts and processes.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Written work reflects student’s own understanding and skills and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions in mathematics or communication.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings. There are only minor mathematical or communication errors relevant to the problem at hand. There may be more significant errors that are irrelevant to the problem at hand but do not change the fundamental difficulty of the problem.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail. Mathematically, the student shows some basic but insufficient understanding of the relevant problem and solution procedures or has significant errors in communication that obscures sufficient demonstration.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is incorrect or irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
This is an online course, so the attendance will be counted by homework assignments being turned in, and in a weekly meeting with me, as per the participation grade. If you are in difficulty (with technology, with internet connection, with finding a space to work at home, for whatever reason), you need to let me know as soon as possible so that we can work together to overcome the problem.
The final exam will be on Friday, June 26, 2020.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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| Week |
Topics Covered |
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| 1 |
Introduction to functions, straight lines and slope, composition and inverses, transformations of graphs
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| 2 |
Further transformations of graphs, polynomials - end behaviour, zeros, number of min/max points, an introduction to complex numbers, Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
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| 3 |
Rational functions - zeros, asymptotes, end behaviour, problem solving sessions
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| 4 |
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions |
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| 5 |
Trigonometric Functions |
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