Course Description
This course covers essential prerequisites for calculus. Topics include functions and graphs, equations and inequalities, polynomial and rational functions, trigonometry, functions of trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic type. Prerequisite: Acceptable score on the Math Placement Assessment or a grade of C or better in MAT 115.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Interrelate real-world information with mathematical forms (e.g., with functions, equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, words, geometric figures) (MAC QR SLO1)
- Formulate and justify conclusions based on quantitative arguments (MAC QR SLO2)
- Communicate the quantitative evidence of the argument (MAC QR SLO3)
- Develop a deeper understanding of functions and their characteristics and use these characteristics for comparison of functions and problem solving
- Connect, utilize, and interchange the various representations of functions, including descriptions, tables of data, graphs, and equations
- Solve mathematical problems using algebraic manipulation as a tool
- Analyze, communicate, and describe quantitative ideas using multiple representations, including words, numeric data, symbolic notations, and/or graphs
- Apply critical thinking and prior mathematical concepts to gain insight into Precalculus concepts
- Write mathematical models to represent situations described verbally and/or graphically
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Labs | 10% |
| MyLab Homework | 15% |
| MyLab Module Checks | 15% |
| Tests | 40% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
Your final numerical grade will be rounded to the nearest integer when applying this grading scale.
Grading Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 93–100 | A |
| 90–92 | A- |
| 87–89 | B+ |
| 83–86 | B |
| 80–82 | B- |
| 77–79 | C+ |
| 73–76 | C |
| 70–72 | C- |
| 60–69 | D |
| 0–59 | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Regular class attendance is a responsibility and a privilege of university education. It is fundamental to the orderly acquisition of knowledge. Students should recognize the advantages of regular class attendance, accept it as a personal responsibility, and apprise themselves of the consequences of poor attendance. Students must attend lectures and labs and submit all required assignments on a regular basis in this course. Any student who fails to do so will be dropped from the class. You may miss lectures, labs, or assignments occasionally (due to emergencies) but not consistently.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
- Access to MyLab and Mastering is required for this class, and it includes the course e-book. (Note that MyLab allows students to register for a free 14-day trial.)
- Optional hardcopy textbook: Sullivan, Precalculus, 12th edition, Prentice Hall, 2024.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.