Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry or the equivalent of these or Math 100 Algebra and Trigonometry.
Course content: Math 103 is a college level Precalculus course intended for students who wish to improve the basic mathematical skills which are necessary for going on into calculus or other courses such as chemistry, economics, statistics and psychology. Please note that this course does NOT satisfy the college science requirement. Topics to be studied include linear and quadratic equations, polynomials, functions, inverse functions, logarithms, sequences, trigonometric functions and linear systems. Chapters 1,2, 3 and 4 will be covered in the text.
Objectives:
Required text:
Precalculus 2nd ed., by: J. Douglas Faires and James DeFranza.
Recommended text:
Student Study Guide with Solutions for Precalculus
2nd ed., by: J. Douglas Faires and James DeFranza.
Additional materials: You will need a graphing calculator or scientific calculator with trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential functions. Graph paper is also required. A notebook with regular paper and graph paper may be helpful.
Resources available: During class I will be lecturing and answering student questions on the information studied. Open discussions of the material are encouraged. Also, in addition to my office hours, the Math Tutoring Center provides free tutoring to currently enrolled students. A math tutor will be available throughout the semester. The Math Tutoring Center provides tutoring for Math 103 Sunday evenings 7-8:15 pm in Clark Hall room 141. The tutoring is free! See the Math Tutoring Center for additional information.
Grading: The grading scale is based on 100 points. The following grading scale is used:
| A+ 97-100 | B+ 87-89 | C+ 77-79 | D+ 67-69 | F below 60 |
| A 93-96 | B 83-86 | C 73-76 | D 63-66 | P > 70 |
| A- 90-92 | B- 80-82 | C- 70-72 | D- 60-62 |
The average grade for the course will be calculated based
upon the following:
| homework | 10% of final grade |
| quizzes | 20% of final grade |
| 3 in class tests | 45% of final grade |
| final examination | 25% of final grade |
The tests will be given on the following days:
Students must show all work when solving problems on the homework, quizzes, tests and final examination. Answers without work will not be considered complete (except in the obvious cases.)
A student is expected to take the tests and quizzes on the scheduled dates. A request for a make-up test is unfair to the other students and will only be honored in cases of extreme urgency and at the discretion of the instructor. Advance notice for missing a test or quiz in such case is requested ( if foreseeable.)
Attendance policy: Regular attendance is expected. Attendance records will be kept. A student is required to attend at least 90% of the classes in order to pass the course (i.e. no more than 5 classes may be missed.) For every two unexcused absences after the 5th missed class, a student's grade will be lowered one level. (I.e. If the final grade is a B and the student has missed 7 classes, then the final grade will be a B-.) Try not to miss any classes. Even one missed day could cause a gap in your knowledge and the confusion may affect the rest of your understanding of this material. Please be on time for all classes.
Homework policy: Homework will be assigned for each section covered. Click on homework to see the homework assignments. Homework should always be done on time prior to the beginning of the next class. Solutions to homework problems will be discussed either in class or during my office hours. I encourage students to stop by my office hours for one-on-one help if there are questions on the homework or any material lectured on in class. You must show all your work when solving a problem, so practice doing so on the routine homework problems. Homework for the week will be collected every Friday and checked. It will be returned the following Monday.
Pledged work: The submitted quizzes, tests and final examination are to be pledged. Please seek help on your routine assignments from anyone or any source.
Additional information: If you need to reach me for any reason please feel free to call me at 924-7765. If I'm not in leave a message and I'll return your call. You can also send me an e-mail message at the e-mail address above. I am also available to you for extra help during my office hours which are listed at the top of this page. I encourage you to come see me if you need help. If you cannot make my office hours please make an appointment to see me.
Good luck and enjoy the semester!! I look forward to working with each of you.
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