MS 115-01                                                Course Policy                                               Spring 2008

Precalculus Algebra & Trigonometry                                                              Dr. David Dempsey

 

·Office:  137 Ayers Hall                                                             ·Office hours:   9:45 – 11:15 a.m. MWF

·Office phone:  782-5124  (5124 on campus)                                                         2:00 – 4:00 p.m. W (except dept. mtgs)      

·Email:  ddempsey@jsu.edu                                                                          1:30 – 2:30 p.m. TTh

·Webpage:  http://mcis.jsu.edu/faculty/ddempsey              4:00 – 4:45 p.m. TTh

·Home phone:  435-7335  (until 9 p.m.)                                                                   *Other times by appointment

 

·Text:  Precalculus:  Functions and Graphs, 11th ed., by Swokowski and Cole.  Thomson  Brooks/Cole, 2008.

ISBN 978-0-495-10837-5

 

·Course Description:  This is a 4-credit-hour course, the main purpose of which is to prepare you for studying calculus.  About half the course will cover topics in algebra, such as functions, polynomials (including rational and complex zeros), rational functions, exponential functions, and logarithms. The other half will be trigonometry, including trigonometric graphs, identities, formulas, and inverse functions, and other topics as time permits.

 

·Calculator:  You will need a scientific calculator (one with trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions) for this course.  There will be homework and exam problems which require such a calculator. Graphing calculators (e.g., TI-84) may be helpful but are not essential.  You are responsible for knowing how to use your own calculator (although I’ll help if I can!). I reserve the right to disallow any calculator for all or part of any exam or quiz. 

 

·Grade:  There will be three announced exams, each worth 100 points, and a comprehensive final exam worth 200 points.  In addition, there will be 100 points from quizzes, homework, projects, or other assignments.  Quizzes may be announced or unannounced.  Homework will not be collected, but there will be homework quizzes periodically, although not every class. I will drop the lowest quiz grade for each student.  If a student takes every quiz, the points from the dropped quiz will become bonus points.  In addition, students may earn up to 5 additional bonus points by correctly working homework problems at the board in class, when called upon.  In summary:

 

Possible Points:                                                                                   Course Grade:

Quizzes/Projects/HW          100 points                                              A =  540 – 600 points

                Exams (3)                               300 points                                              B =  480 – 539 points

                Final Exam                             200 points                                              C =  420 – 479 points

                                Total                       600 points                                              D =  360 – 419 points

                                                                                                                                F  =      0 – 359 points

 

·Makeups:  You may take a makeup exam only if and only if you have a valid excuse.  You should notify me beforehand, if possible, if you know you will need to miss an exam.  Otherwise, let me know as soon as possible—I have voicemail at home and at my office, so you can always contact me.  There will be no makeup quizzes for any reason (one will be dropped and counted as bonus points) and late assignments will not be accepted without prior permission.

 

·Attendance:  Attending every class is essential for complete understanding of the course material, so I take attendance seriously.  Class time is your best opportunity to get an introduction to new concepts, ask questions about problems, and find out what I expect you to be able to do on exams.  In my experience, students who often miss class usually make very poor grades. There is no attendance component to your grade; however, it is the policy of the MCIS Department that no student who misses 20% or more of the classes will receive credit for the course.  This means you may automatically receive an F for the course after more than 7 absences (whether excused or unexcused).

 

·Homework/Quizzes:  In addition to attending class, how much homework you do is a good indication of how successful you will be in a math course.  The only way to learn mathematical techniques is to PRACTICE.  I will announce homework assignments for each section we cover.  A good strategy may be to start by working a few of each type of problem (or every other problem), and then go back and complete the assignment as much as possible.  Some remaining problems could be used for extra practice as you review for exams.  I require that you keep your homework in a loose-leaf folder of binder separate from your notes.  Once an assignment is made, we may have a short homework quiz on the following class day.  On these quizzes, you will need your homework notebook; I will give you a section and problem number, and you will work that problem.  (It is essential to keep your homework notebook well-organized!)  Once we have discussed problems from a given section, that section is fair game for a (closed-notebook) quiz, which you should expect daily.  These quizzes may have several problems similar to homework problems, and will give you some idea how I give partial credit on exams.

 

·Cheating:  Cheating in any form is not tolerated.  Any student who is caught cheating may receive an automatic grade of “F” for the course and may be subject to further disciplinary action under university guidelines.  See the Student Handbook (“Academic Honesty”—p. 17) for actions considered to be cheating; for example, copying someone else’s work or allowing someone to copy your work is considered cheating.  The entire handbook is online at http://www.jsu.edu/depart/handbook .

 

·Classroom Conduct:  Class will begin promptly and will normally last the entire scheduled time.  Please be on time; I’ll try to do the same.  If you are tardy, please enter quietly.  Also, please remain in the classroom until the class time is complete.  If you know you will be late or will need to leave class early, please notify me beforehand.  Otherwise, if you are tardy or leave early, you may be counted absent.  You are encouraged to ask questions at any time during class—I like a relaxed and open classroom environment.  However, to keep the class orderly and conducive to learning, I do ask that you refrain from talking (unless, of course, you are asking me a question) and have all noise-producing devices silenced or turned off (e.g., cell phones, pagers, personal stereos, etc.).  Any student behavior deemed disruptive by the professor will result in expulsion of the student from the classroom, with an absence for the day and possible disciplinary action.  In all else, please use common sense and courtesy.

 

·Student Responsibilities: You are expected to attend class fully prepared with all appropriate materials with you.  You are expected to read the textbook, to work on homework exercises, and to discuss material with classmates and with me (the instructor).  You should make every effort not to miss classes or exams but, if necessary, you are expected to notify me (well ahead of time, if possible) of any upcoming absences.  Please talk to me, email me, or call me if you need to make an appointment.

 

·Disability Accommodations Statement:  Any individual who qualifies for reasonable accommodations under The Americans with Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 should contact me immediately.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact Disability Support Services:  Call 782-8380 or go by 139 Daugette Hall.

 

   Some Secrets to Success:

· Attend every class.

· Read (and re-read) the textbook; skim the section before the lecture to note key terms and definitions.

· Take careful notes; keep them neat and organized.  (Dating them helps tremendously.)

· Keep your homework organized in a LOOSE-LEAF FOLDER/BINDER separate from your notes: Organize it by textbook sections, so that you can add to it and can find your work easily for homework quizzes.

 

· ASK QUESTIONS if something is unclear or confusing.  As you read or work problems, make a note of any questions so you will remember to ask me during the next class or in my office.  Time is valuable, so be prepared with questions; try to be specific and not just come in and say, “I don’t understand anything!” 

 

· Don't get behind!  If you have any problems keeping up, see me as soon as possible.  The worst thing you can do in a math class (besides not attending) is to put off doing your homework.  If you don’t at least attempt the homework as soon as it is assigned, you probably will have no idea what is going on during the next class period.  Everything in math builds on previous concepts, so you really have to keep up!

 

· Don't wait too long to get help.  Again, see me as soon as possible if you’re having any trouble.  If you feel you need extra help, start early in the semester looking for tutoring services.  You may not be able to find anyone later in the semester.

 

·Office Hours:  I encourage you to come by my office and ask questions or vent frustrations, no matter how trivial you think your problems might be.  It is my job (and my pleasure) to help you in any way I can.  If you need to come by outside office hours, all I ask is that you make arrangements ahead of time (make an appointment by talking to me, calling me, or emailing me).  Although I will be in my office at other times, I also have class preparation, committee work, and research to do.  If you need to contact me at home, just call before 9 p.m.  Having said this, let me just repeat—please come see me whenever you're having trouble!  I'm always glad to help you, but it's impossible for me to help you if you don't ask!

 

·Other help:  In addition to asking questions in class or coming to my office (your best sources of help!), there are other sources of help outside of class. One source you might want to check out is the Academic Center for Excellence, located on the 3rd floor of the Theron Montgomery Building; they have free tutoring for a wide variety of classes.  Private tutors are scarce and often expensive, but they can be found.