JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY COURSE CODE: "MA 197-2" COURSE NAME: "Pre-Calculus" SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014

SYLLABUS INSTRUCTOR: Isabella Valdivia EMAIL: [email protected] HOURS: MW 6:00 PM 7:15 PM 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: by appointment scheduled with professor

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The aim of this course is to prepare each student for Calculus I course. A student well prepared for Calculus I will be able to model some important real world problems and analyze their qualitative features exploiting algebraic and trigonometric skills attained in this Pre-calculus course.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT: Pre-calculus is meant to prepare students for Calculus I through an intoductory, but not superficial, study of the notion of function. Important function classes, including linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions are studied. Characteristics of these functions are analyzed, such as basic form, graphs, equations and inequalities associated with the particular function analyzed, applications to real world. Both algebraic and graphical techniques will be used also by means of graphical calculator demonstrations that will support the mathematics theory. It is expected that pre-calculus students have a good understanding of algebraic topics.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of this course students should be able to: 1) simplify algebraic expressions; 2) solve various types of algebraic equations and inequalities; 3) solve exponential and logarithmic equations; 4) attain good knowledge of concepts relating graphing techniques: intercepts, symmetry, asymptotes, shifts, stretches and reflection; 5) attain good knowledge of concepts relating functions in general: domain, range, even/odd functions, operations on functions, one-to-one          functions and inverse functions; 6)  define and graph elementary functions: linear, quadratic, general polynomial,rational, exponential, logarithmic functions; 7) define and graph sinusoidal functions. Solve problems involving basic trigonometric identities and trigonometric equations; 8) formulate mathematical models using the various functions described in the course.

TEXTBOOK: Book Title Author Publisher ISBN number Library Call Number Comments Format Local Bookstore Online Purchase PRECALCULUS. Mathematics for Calculus J. Stewart, L. Redlin, S. Watson Brooks Cole ISBN-10: 0840068867, ISBN-13: 9780840068866   any available edition of this book is fine

REQUIRED RESERVED READING: NONE RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING: NONE

GRADING POLICY -ASSESSMENT METHODS: Assignment Guidelines Weight Homework Homework assignments will be graded: the average grade weighs 10 percent of the final grade. All homework assignments must be neat and legible, with answers clearly marked, and must show all work. Homework scores will be based on accuracy, completeness, clarity, and promptness. Late written homework will be considered with penalty on the final homework grade. 10% Attendance and class participation Full credit for attendance will be given to students with three or fewer unexcused absences. Four or more absences will result in a proportional reduction of the grade. 10% Quizzes Every other week, starting from the third week, students will be asked to solve and hand in a simple, ten-minute quiz. The average quiz score weighs fifteen percent of the final grade. (The lowest quiz score can be dropped.) 15% Mid-term exam   25% Final exam (comprehensive)     40% -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. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the c BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments. 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. 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. FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant. -ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS: Full credit for attendance will be given to students with three or few unexscused absences. Four or more absences will result in 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

Session Session Focus Reading Assignment Other Assignment Meeting Place/Exam Dates Week 1 to 2     Chapter 1 - Review of Intermediate Algebra             Week 3 to 4       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 to 6 Chapter 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 to 8 Chapter 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 7: mid-term exam Week 9 to 10 Chapter 5 - Trigonometric Functions of Real Numbers             Week 11 to 12 Chapter 7- Analytic Trigonometry           After Week 12: Final exam (comprehensive) : See University schedule for date and time.