MATH 115 Section 007: Precalc Algebra & Trig

This is an accelerated combination of MATH 112 and MATH 113 (Algebra and Trigonometry) and is a fast track to MATH 125. This course is intended for students with a very strong background in college preparatory mathematics.  Evaluation will be based on online homework, quizzes, four tests, and a comprehensive final exam.

GENERAL LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR 100-200 LEVEL COURSES:

• Students will be able to discriminate between reliable and less reliable information in their decision-making.
• Students will be able to recognize and explain the scientific method, and evaluate scientific information.

LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THIS COURSE:  Upon completion of this course, students will be able to

• Understand and graph polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and their inverses.
• Solve linear, quadratic, absolute value, rational, exponential, logarithmic equations and inequalities and trigonometric equations.
• Graph circles, parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas.
• Understand polar graphs, and complex numbers in polar form, their powers, and roots.
• Perform vector operations.
• Solve systems of equations.

• Equations and Inequalities
• Functions and Graphs
• Polynomial and Rational Functions
• Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
• Trigonometric Functions
• Analytic Trigonometry
• Additional Topics in Trigonometry
• Systems of Equations and Inequalities
• Conic Sections

TEST RULES

1. There are four 75-minute tests and a 150-minute comprehensive final exam. Test dates are listed on the front page of the syllabus.
2. You are encouraged to take your tests early:  “Early” means before the close of online registration for that exam.  No registration is needed and no penalties will apply for early tests.  However, no tests will be given at all on Sundays. You may not begin a test if the MTLC is scheduled to close before the end of your full allotted time: usually you must begin by 8pm (7pm for a final exam), or on Fridays by 3pm (2pm for a final exam).
3. You must reserve a time in order to take an exam on a test deadline day.  Test weeks are a logistical challenge; you must tell MTLC when you will come, and you must do what you say. The front page of the syllabus lists beginning and ending dates/times for online registration for each exam.  To register online, go to the MTLC website (www.mtlc.ua.edu), select link Test Registration, log in as instructed, select link Register, then choose an available date and time.  You may freely cancel or change your test time while online registration is active.  Be sure to verify your registration: log back in to the test registration site or check your confirmation email message.
4. After online registration closes (at 5pm on Friday before the deadline week), you must come in person to the MTLC to register or to change your test time.  You must sign up manually with the instructor on duty; no phone calls or email arrangements can be accepted.  In this case, points will be deducted from your test grade as follows:

•  10 points if you did not register online
•    5 points if you change your test time after online registration closes but before your scheduled test time
•  10 points if you miss your test time and reschedule, or if no open seats remain when you come to register
•  These penalties are CUMULATIVE.  You may fill out a petition request form to have the penalty waived if you have  a valid excuse.

5. If you miss a test and your course’s testing period has NOT ended, come to the MTLC to reschedule.  If the testing period is over, see REPLACEMENT POLICY above.
6. Arrive on time for your test.  Tardiness will cost you working time on the test.  Bring your ID and pencils with you.  Follow signs to the back hallway.  Staff will check your ID and give you a personalized test paper (which is your initial scratch paper), then direct you to your seat.
7. Absolutely NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES may be active in the testing area.  All cell phones, texting devices, iPods, MP3 players, etc must be turned off and put away before you pick up your test paper.  Use of any electronic device during a test will be treated as academic misconduct. 
8. Place all belongings on the floor.  Once you enter the testing area, all review material must be put away. As soon as you are seated, you may begin your exam.  The MTLC will give you additional scratch paper as needed; no other paper is allowed. When you are finished, staff will collect all papers. Warning: do NOT touch the browser’s BACK button, your test will close and you will have to start over.
9. ONLY THE CALCULATOR ON THE COMPUTER MAY BE USED ON TESTS.  The only webpage that may be opened during a test is the testing page.  Opening any other website during testing will be treated as academic misconduct.
10. An MTLC staff member must be present when your test is submitted for a grade: if it does not store correctly it is at risk for getting LOST.
11. You will be allowed to review your test before you leave the lab.  You may not write down any information pertaining to test questions to take with you when you leave the MTLC after an exam.  You may not share any test information with anyone who hasn’t taken the test.  Violators will be charged with academic misconduct.

    12.  During test weeks, the MTLC will be available for studying, reviewing, and or working assignments during normal hours on Sunday, only between 8:15pm and 10pm Monday-Wednesday, not at all on Thursday, and during normal hours on Friday.  The lab will be closed for testing only for the final exam.

13. No one may leave during a test without permission.  This includes getting water and using the restroom.

TEST DEADLINES:                                                                                             ONLINE REGISTRATION PERIOD:

Test 1             Monday                       September 19                                    8am Friday   9/9 –   5pm Friday 9/16

Test 2             Monday                       October 10                                        8am Friday 10/30 – 5pm Friday 10/7

Test 3             Monday                       October 31                                        8am Friday 10/21 – 5pm Friday 10/28

Test 4             Monday                       November 28                                     8am Friday 11/18 – 5pm Friday 11/25

Final Exam     Sunday-Friday             December 11-16                                8am Friday 12/2 – 5pm Friday 12/9

Test times available:  Times to be announced in class and through email.

Final Exam times available: 8 am, 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 7 pm   (all times may not be available each day)

Please read Test Rules of this syllabus for detailed information

CALCULATOR: Only the calculator on the MTLC computers may be used for tests. Be sure to practice using it.              

QUIZZES and HOMEWORK: A graded homework will be assigned on each section covered and approximately a quiz for every one or two sections. They must be completed before each expiration date and time. For each test period we will drop two homework grades and one quiz grade.  Material covered after test 4 will be calculated into the test 4 period.  Homework can be worked on until all questions are correct.   You can select similar question for any question that you miss and try again until you get it correct.  You will have 3 tries for each quiz.  You must hit the “Submit” button to score your quiz.   All deadlines are MWF at 8:00 am for homework and 9:00 am for quizzes. NOTE: You will not be given help on your quizzes or tests.  Tests must be taken in the MTLC.

EARLY COURSE COMPLETION:  You are encouraged to work ahead of the syllabus deadlines, and to take tests and the final exam early. Once you have taken the final exam, you do not need to continue coming to class.  All remaining attendance requirements are automatically counted for full credit.

MATH SOFTWARE LOGIN INFORMATION:  (The MTLC sets up the login information for each student.  If you cannot login with this following information, then please come to the MTLC for assistance.)  Website:  http://ua.mylabsplus.com

      

                               Your username:  U of A email address                          example:  jksmith@crimson.ua.edu

                               Your password:  personal CWID                                   example:  12345678

                        *You will find your current course under the University of Alabama Fall 2011 Term

Math 115 Assignments Fall 2011

Test 1 Material: Test 1 is on Monday 9/19
Date	Section	Title	HW due 8am	Quiz due 9am
8/24		ORIENTATION	Mon.  8/29	Mon.  8/29_Qz1
	1.2	Linear Equations and Rational Equations
8/26	1.4	Complex Numbers	Mon.  8/29	(1.4/1.5) Mon.  8/29_Qz 2
	1.5	Quadratic Equations	Mon.  8/29
8/29	1.6	Other Types of Equations	Wed.  8/31
8/31	1.7	Linear Inequalities and Absolute Value Inequalities	Fri. 9/2	(1.6/1.7) Fri.  9/2 _Qz3
	2.1	Basics of Functions and Their Graphs
		Syllabus Quiz—Must be taken in the MTLC		Fri. 9/2
9/2	2.1	Basics of Functions and Their Graphs	Wed. 9/7	(2.1/2.2) Wed. 9/7_Qz 4
	2.2	More on Functions and Their Graphs	Wed. 9/7
9/5		No class due to Labor Day Holiday
9/7	2.5	Transformations of Functions	Fri. 9/9	(2.5/2.6) Fri. 9/9_Qz5
	2.6	Combinations of Functions: Composite Functions	Fri. 9/9
9/9	2.7	Inverse Functions	Mon. 9/12	(2.7/3.1) Mon. 9/12_Qz 6 Mon. 9/12
	3.1	Quadratic Functions	Mon. 9/12
		Test Rules Quiz
9/12	3.2	Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs	Wed. 9/14	(3.2/3.3) Fri. 9/16_Qz7
9/14	3.3	Dividing Polynomials; Remainder and Factor Theorems	Fri. 9/16
9/16 , 9/19		Test 1 Review
		Test 1—Monday 9/19 in MTLC B1 Tutwiler
Test 2 Material: Test 2 is on Monday 10/10
Date	Section	Title	HW due 8am	Quiz due 9am
9/16,9/19	3.4	Zeros of Polynomial Functions	Wed. 9/21	Wed. 9/21_Qz 8
9/21	3.5	Rational Functions and Their Graphs	Fri. 9/23	Fri. 9/23_Qz9
9/23	3.6	Polynomial and Rational Inequalities	Mon. 9/26	Mon. 9/26 Qz10
	4.1	Exponential Functions
9/26	4.1	Exponential Functions	Wed. 9/28	Wed. 9/28 Qz11
	4.2	Logarithmic Functions	Wed. 9/28	(4.2,4.3)
9/28	4.3	Properties of Logarithms	Fri. 9/30	Fri. 9/30 Qz12
	4.4	Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
9/30	4.4	Exponential and Logarithmic Equations	Mon. 10/3	(4.4/4.5)
	4.5	Exponential Growth and Decay; Modeling Data	Mon. 10/3	Mon. 10/3 Qz13
10/3	8.4	Systems of Nonlinear Equations in Two Variables	Wed. 10/5	Wed. 10/5 Qz14
	8.2	Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables
10/5	8.2	Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables	Fri. 10/7	(8.2/8.3)
	8.3	Partial Fractions	Fri. 10/7	Fri. 10/7 Qz15
10/7, 10/10		Test 2 Review
		Test 2—Monday 10/10 in MTLC B1 Tutwiler

Test 3 Material: Test 3 is on Monday 10/31
Date	Section	Title	HW due 8am	Quiz due 9am
10/7,10/10	5.1	Angles and Radian Measure	Wed. 10/12	(5.1/ 5.2)
	5.2	Right Triangle Trigonometry
10/12	5.2	Right Triangle Trigonometry	Fri. 10/14	Fri. 10/14 Qz16
	5.3	Trigonometric Functions of Any Angle	Mon. 10/17	Mon. 10/17 Q17
10/14	5.4	Trig Functions of Real Numbers; Periodic Functions	Mon. 10/17	Mon. 10/17 Q18
10/17	5.5	Graphs of Sine and Cosine Functions	Wed. 10/19	Wed. 10/19 Q19
10/19	5.6	Graphs of Other Trigonometric Functions	Fri. 10/21	Fri. 10/21 Q20
10/21	5.7	Inverse Trigonometric Functions	Mon. 10/24	Mon. 10/24 Q21
10/24	5.8	Applications of Trigonometric Functions	Wed. 10/26	Wed. 10/26 Q22
10/26,10/31		Test 3 Review
10/28		No class due to Fall Break
		Test 3—Monday 10/31 in MTLC B1 Tutwiler
Test 4 Material: Test 4 is on Monday 11/28
Date	Section	Title	HW due 8am	Quiz due 9am
10/26,10/31	6.1	Verifying Trigonometric Identities	Wed. 11/2	Wed. 11/2 Qz23
11/2	6.2	Sum and Difference Formulas	Fri. 11/4	Fri. 11/4  Qz24
11/4	6.3	Double-Angle and Half-Angle Formulas	Mon. 11/7	Mon. 11/7 Qz25
11/7	6.5	Trigonometric Equations	Wed. 11/9	Wed. 11/9 Qz26
11/9	7.1	The Law of Sines	Fri. 11/11	Fri. 11/11 Qz27
11/11	7.2	The Law of Cosines	Mon. 11/14	Mon. 11/14 Q28
	7.3	Polar Coordinates
11/14	7.3	Polar Coordinates	Wed. 11/16
				(7.3/ 7.4)
11/16	7.4	Graphs of Polar Equations	Fri. 11/18	Fri. 11/18 Qz29
11/18	7.5	Complex Numbers in Polar Form; DeMoivre’s Theorem	Mon. 11/21	Mon. 11/21 Q30
11/21,11/28		Test 4 Review
		Test 4:  Monday 11/28 in MTLC B1 Tutwiler
		New Material & Review for Final Exam
Date	Section	Title	Completion Deadline
11/30	7.6*	Vectors	Fri. 12/2	Fri. 12/2 Qz31
	7.7*	The Dot Product	Fri. 12/2	Fri. 12/2 Qz32
12/2	2.8	Introduction to Circles
	10.1*	The Ellipse	Mon. 12/5
12/5	10.2*	The Hyperbola	Wed. 12/7	(10.1/10.2/10.3)
	10.3*	The Parabola	Wed. 12/7	Wed. 12/7 Qz33
12/7 , 12/9		Review for Final Exam
		*Include scores with Test 4 material for homework and quiz average.
		Last day for help in the lab is Sunday Dec. 11 (4-6:30)
		Comprehensive Final: Sun. 12/11 – Fri. 12/16

COURSE GRADE: The course grading is under the “A, B, C, NC” policy, +/- grades will be given.  The final grade will be based on your total points for the semester.  Your total points will be a number between 0 and 1000 determined by the following

4 Tests                        400 points (100 points each)                                                      COURSE GRADE SCALE

Final Exam                  300 points                                                   

Quizzes                      160 points (40 points each test period)            A+    980 – 1000,   A   920 – 979,         A-   900 – 919

Homework                  100 points (25 points each test period)            B+    880 – 899,     B   820 – 879,     B-   800 – 819

Class Participation        40 points (1 point for each class)                  C+    780 – 799,     C   720 – 779,     C-   700 – 719

Total                           1000 points  (survey 2 bonus points)               NC    < 700                           

Students must earn at least 700 points (C-) to successfully pass this course.

Note:  The last day to drop this course is November 2, 2011.  No withdrawals from this course after this date.

MAKE-UP POLICY:  If homework or quizzes are missed due to a serious, verifiable circumstance, then make-up work may be allowed. Any student requesting to make up work must fill out a petition request form in 345 Gordon Palmer with an excuse and supporting documents attached.  If a test is missed due to a serious verifiable circumstance, the zero test grade will be replaced with the final exam grade (see Replacement Policy).  Students who miss work due to official University business must make other arrangements beforehand.

REPLACEMENT POLICY: Students with three or fewer unexcused absences will be allowed to replace the lowest test grade with the grade made on the final exam. However, zeros due to an unexcused absence or academic misconduct will not be replaced.  Students who miss a test and have an excuse can have the missed test replaced if a petition request form is filled out with supporting documents attached, at the math department office (345 Gordon Palmer) as soon as possible.  The missed test will be replaced if the petition request panel approves the excuse.

WORKING FROM HOME:  The Math 115 course work can be done on your personal computer. Internet access is required in order to reach the website where the notes, homework, and exercises are found.  The website is http://ua.mylabsplus.com.  If this page ever fails to load, try typing the website rather than choosing it from the dropdown menu. There are plugins to be downloaded in order for successful operation from home.  To get these, you will login to the website with your own personal login and password as given by the MTLC.  Next, click on your course section.  Select the MyMathLab Browser Check from the link that appears on the screen. Then follow the instructions on the screen. Students doing graded work from home risk grades not being properly saved.  If scores are not successfully sent from home and the deadline passes, you will NOT be able to make up the work.  Tests must be taken in the MTLC.

ATTENDANCE: Attendance for this course is mandatory.  You are expected to attend all of your scheduled classes. Class meets each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday unless noted.  Each class counts 1 point toward your class participation grade.  Each class will consist of a lecture for the material assigned. The MTLC in B1 Tutwiler is available for you to do homework and quizzes. 

MTLC RULES

1. The MTLC is a math classroom. Please be quiet during your visit to the MTLC.
2. Cell phones, food, drinks (including water), tobacco products, and companions are NOT allowed in the Center. A cell phone        violation will cause your cell phone to be detained until you leave the MTLC.   Your cell phone needs to be out of sight and turned off.
3. Other than mathematics, no activities such as talking, surfing the Internet, playing computer games, typing a paper, sleeping, etc. are allowed in the MTLC.  If these activities are observed, you will be asked to leave the MTLC.
4. The use of a computer in the MTLC is on a first-come first-serve basis; no reservation can be made for normal course work.
5. Take notes.  Record all homework and quiz scores on the record sheet provided for you.
6. Please do not hesitate to ask questions in the MTLC.  Staff members in the MTLC are there to help you.

MTLC INFO:  LOCATION: B1 Tutwiler          PHONE:  348-2592                WEBSITE:  www.mtlc.ua.edu

  HOURS:  Sunday :  4pm – 10pm                  CLOSINGS: Labor Day Holiday: Sun. 9/4 & Mon. 9/5

                  Monday - Thursday:   8am – 10pm                    Fall Break: Thurs.10/27 – 4 pm Sun. 10/30

                  Friday:  8am – 4:45pm                                     Thanksgiving Break: Tues. 11/22 at 5pm – 4pm Sun. 11/27

                                                                      NOTE:  Last day for help in MTLC is Sunday 12/11 (4-6:30pm)

EMAIL REQUIREMENT:  All correspondence for this course will be made through your crimson email account.  If you have trouble with your crimson email account, then contact the OIT service desk located in Gordon Palmer.  You can reach your instructor by emailing at ma115mtl@bama.ua.edu.  Please put your instructor’s name in the subject box.  Replies to automated emails cannot be answered.

All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student.

The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.

If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary. If you have a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call 348-4285 or visit 133-B Martha Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 133-B Martha Parham Hall East, before receiving academic adjustments.

In the case of a tornado warning (tornado has been sighted or detected by radar, sirens activated), all university activities are automatically suspended, including all classes and laboratories. If you are in a building, please move immediately to the lowest level and toward the center of the building away from windows (interior classrooms, offices, or corridors) and remain there until the tornado warning has expired. Classes in session when the tornado warning is issued can resume immediately after the warning has expired at the discretion of the instructor. Classes that have not yet begun will resume 30 minutes after the tornado warning has expired provided at least half of the class period remains.

UA is a residential campus with many students living on or near campus. In general classes will remain in session until the National Weather Service issues safety warnings for the city of Tuscaloosa. Clearly, some students and faculty commute from adjacent counties. These counties may experience weather related problems not encountered in Tuscaloosa. Individuals should follow the advice of the National Weather Service for that area taking the necessary precautions to ensure personal safety. Whenever the National Weather Service and the Emergency Management Agency issue a warning, people in the path of the storm (tornado or severe thunderstorm) should take immediate life saving actions.

When West Alabama is under a severe weather advisory, conditions can change rapidly. It is imperative to get to where you can receive information from the National Weather Service and to follow the instructions provided. Personal safety should dictate the actions that faculty, staff and students take. The Office of Public Relations will disseminate the latest information regarding conditions on campus in the following ways:

• Weather advisory posted on the UA homepage
• Weather advisory sent out through Connect-ED--faculty, staff and students (sign up at myBama)
• Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA at 90.7 FM
• Weather advisory broadcast over Alabama Public Radio (WUAL) at 91.5 FM
• Weather advisories are broadcast via WUOA/WVUA-TV, which can be viewed across Central Alabama. Also, visit wvuatv.com for up-to-the-minute weather information. A mobile Web site is also available for your convenience.