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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "MA 197-2"
COURSE NAME: "Pre-Calculus"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Capparelli Stefano
HOURS: TTH 16:00-17:15
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: TBA

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Preparation for Calculus
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course is primarily an introduction to Calculus I and provides the development of fundamental concepts studied in Intermediate Algebra mainly oriented towards practical applications in business and economics. Particular emphasis will be given on functions as the first step to analyze real word problems in mathematical terms. Registration into the course is by placement or by completion of MA101 with a grade of C- or higher.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
 

To provide students with a strong foundation to studying applied Calculus.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
PRECALCULUS sixth edition.Mathematics for Calculus.James Stewart – Lothar Redlin – Saleem WatsonCengage9780840068866     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
There will be four in class testsEach test will last a whole class period and will be based on the most recent material studied in class. Each test will be worth 15 percent of the final grade for a total of 60 percent. The remaining 40 percent will be assigned based on the comprehensive final examination (30 percent) plus attendance, class participation and special homework assignments (10 percent).15 percent each

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

The grade scale is as follows:

A: 90%-100% (The student demonstrates complete, accurate, and critical knowledge of all the topics, is able to make appropriate connections among different parts of the subject matter, uses the appropriate language and terminology correctly and rigorously and is autonomous in his study)

B: 80%-89% (The student has a somewhat accurate knowledge of the subject matter and uses clear logic in his/her arguments)

C: 70%-79% (The student has the essential knowledge of the subject matter, understands the topics, and can express it in a simple language)

D: 60%-69% (The student has a superficial, mnemonic knowledge of the subject matter, is uncertain and makes errors in the presentations)

F: below 60% (At best, the students has a superficial knowledge of some of the topics discussed in the course. He makes serious errors in the presentations).

Additional class policies:

  • Cheating is not tolerated (please see the University Catalogue for the policy regarding academic dishonesty).

  • Coming late to class or leaving early will be possible only with permission of the instructor.

  • No make-up exams will be given.


-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

he aAttendance will count for 10% of the final grade. Full credit for attendance will be given to people with two or fewer unexcused absences. Three or more absences will result with a proportional reduction of the grade.

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.
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.

SCHEDULE

SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates
Week 1,2Chapter 1 - Review of Intermediate Algebra Chapter 2. Functions, Transformation of Functions, Maxima Minima, Combining Functions, One-to-One Functions    
Week 3,4Still on Chapter 2 - Functions 2.1 What is a Function ? 2.2 Graphs of Functions 2.3 Increasing and Decreasing Functions 2.4 Transformation of Functions 2.5 Quadratic Functions; Maxima and Minima 2.6 Modeling with Functions 2.7 Combining Functions 2.8 One-to-One Functions and Their Inverses    
Week 5,6Chapter 3 – Polynomials and Rational Functions 3.1 Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs 3.2 Dividing Polynomials 3.3 Real Zeros of Polynomials 3.6 Rational Functions   
Week 7,8Chapter 4 – Exponential and Logarithmic Functions 4.1 Exponential Functions 4.2 Logarithmic Functions 4.3 Laws of Logarithms 4.4 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations 4.5 Modeling with Exponential and Logarithmic Functions    
Week 9,10Chapter 5 – Trigonometric Functions of Real Numbers   
Week 11,12Chapter 7 Analytic Trigonometry