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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "MA 197-1"
COURSE NAME: "Pre-Calculus"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Stefano Arnone
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: MW 15:00 to 16:30 and 19:15 to 19:30 by appointment

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.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course provides the development of fundamental concepts studied in Intermediate Algebra.
The main topics covered are: linear and quadratic equations and inequalities; graphs of equations, including lines, circles, parabolas; composition, inverses of functions; transformations of graphs; linear and quadratic models; equations and inequalities involving polynomials and rational functions; exponentials and logarithms with applications; trigonometric functions and inverse trigonometric functions: definitions, graphs, identities.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

- State and apply basic definitions, properties and theorems of Pre-Calculus.
- Solve higher order polynomial equations, rational inequalities and equations, trigonometric equations, exponential and logarithmic equations.
- Analyse and graph simple rational functions.
- Model and solve problems using properties of exponentials and logarithms.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus, 6th EditionJames Stewart, Lothar Redlin, and Saleem WatsonCENGAGE LearningISBN-13: 9780840068071     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
HomeworkHomework assignments will be graded: the average grade weighs ten per cent of the final grade.10%
AttendanceFull 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%
QuizzesEvery other week, starting from the third week, students will be asked to solve and hand in a simple, ten-to-fifteen-minute quiz. The average quiz score weighs fifteen per cent of the final grade (the lowest quiz score may 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 course
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:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY

You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until December 11th, 2015.
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 1Review of Algebra   
Week 2Coordinate geometry and inequalities    
Week 3 and 4Functions   
Week 5 and 6Transformations, Polynomial functions   
Week 7 and 8Rational functions  Week 7: mid-term exam
Week 8 to 10 Exponential and logarithmic functions    
Week 11 and 12Goniometric functions    
Week 13 and 14Analytic trigonometry  Final Exam (comprehensive): see University schedule for date and time