South Plains College

MATH 2412 – Pre-Calculus

Instructor: Philip Anderson Office Hours: Before and After Class

Office: 120A MATH Bldg.

Phone: (806) 894 – 9611 ext. 2738

E-mail address: panderson@southplainscollege.edu

Web page: http://www.southplainscollege.edu/math/anderson

Text: PreCalculus: A Graphing Approach, 4^th Edition by Larson, Hostetler, & Edwards (ISBN 0-618-05291-7)

Supplies: Scientific calculator, preferably a TI-83 or higher, graph paper, and a ruler

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with solutions to different mathematical problems. The course covers the study of algebra, trigonometry, and analytic geometry.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of College Algebra (MATH 1314) or High School Algebra I and II

Attendance: Attendance and effort are the most important activities for success in this course. If your discontinued or lack of attendance is determined by the instructor to put you at risk of failing the course, you will be dropped with a grade of F or W. If you decide to drop, complete a student-initiated drop and turn it into the registrar’s office. Records of your attendance are maintained throughout the semester. If you unfortunately happen to incur an absence, please contact the instructor either by phone or email and refer to the course outline and homework sheet to get the assignment before the next class. Please read the “Drops and Withdrawals” policies in the current South Plains College catalog.

Grading Policy: Homework will be assigned daily. Some homework and quizzes will be accomplished on-line and book homework will be kept in a notebook.

Notebook: You will keep a notebook which will be used as a reference and study guide. The notebook will be brought to class everyday! The following material will be placed in the notebook in the order listed:

1. Cover sheet(s): Contains the syllabus and the homework procedure. All homework assignments are to be prepared by the homework procedure.

2. Assignment sheet

3. Notes

4. Homework

5. Online Quiz results

6. Tests

Each section will be separated by a labeled divider. The papers will be put in the proper section by date. The notebook will be turned in at the end of the semester (announcement will be made in class). NO LATE WORK will be accepted! The evaluation of the notebook will take into consideration. Only three grades can be earned: 100, 50, or 0. Grades are determined by:

a. How complete the notebook is,

b. Its organization and neatness, and

c. How well the directions were followed.

Homework and quizzes will be given online. The total number of quizzes for the semester is seventeen. There will be four tests and a comprehensive final.

Make-up Policy: There is no automatic provision for making up exams. Only under extreme circumstances (e.g., death in the family or hospitalization) will make-up exams be given, and these circumstances must be documented. If at all possible, the instructor should be notified prior to missing an exam.

Study: You should normally spend approximately 3 hours outside of class in study for each hour of lecture. To on-line component to the course will help facilitate this. Try to study the assigned lesson as soon after the class meets as is possible.

Grading Scale:

Notebook (Book Homework): 13% A: 90 and above

On-line Homework: 10% B: 80 - 89

Quizzes: 15% C: 70 - 79

Exams: 40% D: 60 - 69

Final: 20% F: 59 or below

Time on Tutorials: 2%

Borderline Grades: These grades will be evaluated with regard to attendance, mature conduct in class, and time spent on on-line

tutorials.

Student Responsibilities:

· Attend class and be aware of announcements made in class.

· Work homework problems early enough to seek help if needed.

· Read and know the attendance policy.

· **Please, turn off cell phones and pagers during class! **

· No technologic devices such as cell phones, PDA’s, etc. are to be used during tests or in-class quizzes.

Questions: I invite all your questions except the following:

1. I wasn’t able to make it to class. Did I miss anything? (Yes.)

2. Is this going to be on the test? (Perhaps, not directly, but if the ideas were not important, I would not be discussing them in class.)

Diversity: In this class, the teacher will establish and support an environment that values and nurtures individual and group differences and encourages engagement and interaction. Understanding and respecting multiple experiences and perspectives will serve to challenge and stimulate all of us to learn about others, about the larger world and about ourselves. By promoting diversity and intellectual exchange, we will not only mirror society as it is, but also model society as it should and can be.

Disability Statement: Students with disabilities, including but not limited to physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class should notify the Special Services Office early in the semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodations must provide acceptable documentation of his/her disability to the Special Services Coordinator. For more information, call or visit the Special Services Office in the Student Services Building, 894-9611 ext. 2529.

Video Tapes: Videotapes for many topics in this course are available in the Math Department Video Lab, room M116. Students are encouraged to view these tapes in room M116, check them out, and/or duplicate them with the equipment available in room M116.

Course Outcomes: When you finish this course and having a passing grade, you will be very proficient in:

1. Algebra

2. Trigonometry

3. Analytical Geometry