MAT 126, Section 002
Fall 2005
| Location: | CBC C115 |
| Time: | MW, 10:00 - 11:15 pm |
| Text: | Cohen, Precalculus, 6th Ed |
| Website: | www.nevada.edu/~cwebster |
| Instructor: | Corran Webster |
| Office: | CBC-B211 |
| E-mail: | cwebster@unlv.nevada.edu |
| Phone: | 895-0376 |
| Fax: | 895-4343 |
Prerequisites
To enroll in this course, you should have passed Math 96 or equivalent with a grade of C or better, or a 22 or better on the ACT exam, or a 520 or better in the Math portion of the SAT.
Course Objectives
This course covers the fundamentals of algebra, functions, graphs, and special functions such as polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions. Systems of linear equations and their solutions will also be covered. This will cover Chapters 1-5 and 10 of the text.
Particular skills you will be expected to demonstrate include solving equations and inequalities, manipulating and graphing functions, finding maximum and minimum values of quadratic functions, and solving simple systems of equations. You will be expected to apply these techniques to solve word problems.
Assessment
Assessment will consist of weekly quizzes, 3 midterms, and a comprehensive final examination.
The weekly quizzes will be open book and based off homework exercises. They will be worth a total of 30% of the final grade for the course, and will typically be held during a monday class. Some weeks may not have a weekly quiz depending on time constraints.
The midterms will be each worth 15% of the final grade of the course. The midterms will be held on Wednesday the 28th of September, Wednesday the 2nd of November, and Monday the 28th of November.
The final will be worth 25% of the final grade of the course. It will be held at the date and time indicated in the schedule of classes. If you do better on the final than on the average of your midterm grades, the final grade will replace all your midterm grades.
Grading Scale
This course will be graded on the following curve:
| A, A-: | 85%-100% |
| B+, B, B-: | 75%-85% |
| C+, C, C-: | 60%-75% |
| D+, D: | 50%-60% |
+ and - grades will be awarded for borderline grades.
Calculators
Use of calculators will be permitted, but not required, during tests and exams. Graphing calculators are permitted, but exam problems will be posed in a way which gives them no real advantage over a scientific calculator.
Calculators with a built-in Computer Algebra System (CAS), such as the TI-89, TI-92 and hp 49g; and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and other portable computers, such Palm OS and Windows CE devices; are not permitted in examinations and tests.
Missed Assessments
Generally, late homework or assignments will not be accepted; nor will there be make up exams for missed exams. Under special circumstances, however, a student may be permitted to make up work which they were unable to submit, or exams which they were unable to attend. These circumstances include:
- Representing UNLV in an official extracurricular activity.
- Observance of a religious holiday.
- Personal illness or family medical emergency.
If a student is absent from class for any reason, it is the student's responsibility to ensure that they know what happened in the class which was missed, either by asking Dr. Webster or fellow students.
Schedule
A rough schedule detailing which topics will be covered on which weeks is available on the class website. We may vary from it, depending on time constraints. Any changes will be noted on the class website.
Additional Information
The following suggestions may help you do well in this course:
- Read the material in the text before class. Read actively by taking brief notes as you read.
- Do all assigned homework and attempt all questions.
- Do lots of problems - not just the assigned homework. Learning to differentiate and integrate is a skill, and like playing the piano or shooting hoops, practise makes perfect.
- Ask questions and particpate in lectures and office hours. If you do not understand something, keep asking until you do.
As a courtesy to myself and other students, please turn your cell phones off during class and do not answer while a class is in progress. If you anticipate a call important enough that you would have to leave class because of it, please put your phone into silent/vibrate mode.
If you have a documented disability that may require assistance, you will need to contact the Disability Resource Center for coordination in your academic accomodations. The DRC is located in the Reynolds Student Services Complex in room 137. The DRC phone number is 895-0866 (TDD 895-0652).
The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. YOU ARE INDIVIDUALLY AND SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR VIOLATIONS OF COPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE LAWS. THE UNIVERSITY WILL NEITHER PROTECT NOR DEFEND YOU NOR ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYEE OR STUDENT VIOLATIONS OF FAIR USE LAWS. Violations of Copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability as well as disciplinary action under University policies. To familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, the University encourages you to visit its copyright website at http:/www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright.