Welcome to the exciting online version of MAT 149 – Precalculus! I look forward to working with you this semester!

Instruction for this course is completely online except for four on-campus examinations, which can be taken at your convenience. This course is supported by Blackboard/MyMathlab and therefore, is not a Web CT course and cannot be accessed through WebCT.  Therefore, you must contact me at murphy@oakton.edu to receive the course ID which is necessary, along with your access code bundled with your text or stand-alone software, for course registration at www.coursecompass.com .

All course instructional materials, including text, quizzes and exercises, as well as a graphing calculator manual are available at the course website. There are four on-campus exams.  Exam accommodations for remote students should be arranged with the instructor. You will need at least a Pentium Multimedia PC operating with XP or Vista, an Internet connection using at least a 56K modem (Cable or DSL preferred) and a minimum of 32 MB RAM.  As of August, 2008 the software is compatible with Apple.  America Online browser is not supported but you may use AOL as your Internet connection.

Please note only the stand-alone version of the software is necessary for this course.

 A graphing calculator (for example, TI 83₊ TI 84₊) is required for this course.

The text is Precalculus plus MML, 3e, Lial, Hornsby, Schneider, Addison Wesley 2008.Special Online edition with MyMathLab registration card.       OPTIONAL

DO NOT PURCHASE THE TEXT FROM OAKTON’S BOOKSTORE.  They do not have the edition we will use.

 Stand-alone software may be purchased either at Oakton’s bookstore or directly from the publisher, Addison Wesley, as you register with MyMathLab. The complete online version of the textbook is included with the software.  Students do not need a hard copy of the text but if you want one, go to an online book seller for the third edition.  Just be sure to get the MyMathLab software.

 You will use the access code found in the stand-alone software along with a course ID number from me to access the website. Students should spend approximately one hour becoming familiar with the website and exploring its capabilities before working with the materials.

The advantage of working online is that it is more flexible; however, do not think the course is easier because of this flexibility. The material is the same as that covered in a traditional course. Set a study schedule and stick to it allotting both the 5 hours per week spent with online classroom presentation well as an additional 10-12 hours per week, depending upon student background level, for homework exercises and quizzes. Do not put it off! Start working on the course on the first day of the semester. Target dates will be posted in an online schedule to help students pace themselves. I can be reached for questions via email or in person during my posted office hours.

Please send me your email address identifying yourself and your course and receive a necessary course identification number prior to beginning your online work. Software registration directions can be found bundled with your text. Feel free to contact me at murphy@oakton.edu or 847-635-1961.

I look forward to working with you this semester.

Regards,