Instructor: Professor
Paul Boisvert (Pronounced “BWA--VAIR”) E-mail: pboisver@oakton.edu
Offices:
Phone: 847-635-1935 (Voicemail--repeat name &
phone # twice.) Web Page: Google my name: “Paul Boisvert”
Office Hours:
Mon: 10am – 11,
1 pm -2 pm Tue/Th: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Wed 10am – 11, 1 pm – 2:30 Other hours during week by appointment
I. Course
Prefix Course Number Course Name Credit: Lecture Lab
II. Prerequisites: MAT 120 with a grade
of C or better or an appropriate score on the Math Assessment Test.
III. Course
(catalog) Description:
This
course focuses on the study of functions including polynomial, rational,
exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions. Additional topics include
the conic sections, series, parametric equations, and polar equations. Use of
technology is integrated throughout.
IV. Learning
Objectives:
A. Understand the concepts of relations and
functions.
B. Understand the basic characteristics and
graphs for the following functions:
polynomial, rational,
exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric,
and inverse trigonometric.
C. Apply algebraic techniques to trigonometric
expressions, identities, and triangles.
D.
Understand the basic characteristics and graphs of the conic sections.
E.
Understand the concepts associated with vectors and their operations.
F.
Apply the concepts of sequences and series.
G.
Understand parametric equations.
H.
Understand polar equations.
I. Use technology
for graphing and evaluation functions:
1) Generate the complete graph
for the elementary functions. 2) Solve equations involving elementary
functions.
V.
Academic Integrity: The very nature of higher education requires that
students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore,
It is the
student’s responsibility to be aware of behaviors that constitute academic
dishonesty.
Pursuant to
the due process guarantees contained in the Policy and Procedures on Student
Academic Integrity, the minimum punishment for the first offense for a student
found in violation of the standards of academic integrity is failure in the
assignment. In addition, disciplinary
record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President
for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
VI. Outline of Topics: (with approximate time guide) Weeks
Chapter P Prerequisites: Exponents, Radicals, Polynomials, Factoring,
Complex Numbers, 2
Rational Expressions
Chapter 1 Equations, Inequalities, and Modeling: Equations in 1 and 2 Variables, Graphs,
Lines, 1.5
Slopes, Quadratic
Equations, Inequalities
Chapter 2 Functions and Graphs: Functions, Graphs, Transformations,
Symmetry,
1.5
Operations, Inverses,
Chapter 3 Polynomial and Rational Functions:
Quadratic Functions and Inequalities, 2
Polynomial Functions,
Zero Theorems, Theory of Equations, Graphs of Polynomials,
Rational Functions and
Inequalities
Chapter 4 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions 2.5
and Graphs, Rules of
Logarithms, Equations and Applications
Chapter 5 The Trigonometric Functions: Angles and Measurement, Sine and Cosine
Functions, 1.5
Graphs, Other Trig
Functions and Grapsh, Inverse Trig Functions, Right Triangle
Trigonometry
Chapter 6 Trigonometric Identities and
Conditional Equations: Identities,
Equations, 1.5
Sum and Difference
Identities, Multiple-Angle and Product-to-Sum Identities
Chapter 7 Applications of Trigonometry: Law of Sines, Law of Cosines, Trig Form of
Complex 2.5
Numbers, Polar
Coordinates and Graphs, Vectors, Parametric Equations
Chapter 10 Conic Sections: Parabolas, Circles,
Ellipses, Hyperbolas, Nonlinear Equation Systems 1
Chapter 11 Sequences, Series, and Combinatorics: Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences and 0.5
Series, The Binomial
Theorem
VII. Methods
of Instruction: Lecture,
Problem-Demonstration, and Student Problem-Solving
VIII.
Course Practices Required: (Note:
Minor changes to these policies may be made with 2 weeks advance
notice.)
1. Homework Policy: Homework consists mainly of problems that
have answers in the back of the book (mainly Odd ones, some Even ones). You must
CHECK EACH ANSWER to each problem, and, if you can't get it right, ask me
about it next class. Homework will
only be collected on the class day after each Test, by which time you
should have learned how to do every problem.
Test Problems are very similar to homework problems, so learning the
homework is the best way to ensure you can do well on the tests. Homework assignments are graded on a
Credit/No Credit basis, with a check-mark indicating that Credit was received
for the assignment. Credit is given if it looks like you have done almost all
of the assignment satisfactorily, with the work and steps involved fully shown.
The total check-marks received divided by the total number of assignments is
your HW grade for the term, which can easily be 100% if you do all the
assignments.
2. Missed Tests and Dropped Tests: All tests must be taken. If you miss the scheduled time for any
reason, you must take a make-up test in the testing center within 1
week. Check the time deadline for
this makeup with me very carefully! This make-up test will carry a 7% penalty
the first time, and a 14% penalty if
you miss a 2nd test. No
makeups for a third test missed—you will get a zero. However,
at the end of the term, a student’s lowest test score will be replaced by their
(Final Exam score minus 10%), if that is higher than the lowest test
score. NOTE: The 4th Test may have a shorter
makeup period.
3. Attendance, Tardiness, and Leaving Early: This is a college mathematics class, and will
move at a fast pace and with comparable difficulty to such classes at 4-year
colleges. It requires constant, serious effort and work by students. Unless you are quite sick or have a legal
obligation, missing any portion of class is a very bad idea! If you have a problem with regularly
attending the full, scheduled class times, you should probably drop the class.
Do not fall behind the pace of this class. Do homework immediately when
assigned, and study and review material every day or two. Letting even a few
days go by when you don’t give this class your serious attention is a sure-fire
recipe for a D or F on a test or for your final grade.
4. Questions and Extra Help: Ask questions! It’s the best way to learn. The more questions,
the better every one learns. I love to answer questions, and can help
the whole class learn more if you ask what’s on your mind. We will start every
class with questions about Homework, so make sure you have done it, and are
ready to ask about anything confusing you. For extra help, I’m available during
office hours and by appointment to help you with material if you are not
getting all your questions answered during class. If you are occasionally
absent, or if a concept needs more explanation, please come and see me right
away for help. Do Not Wait! Also,
getting help in the
IX. Instructional Materials: Required Textbook: Precalculus, 4th Edition, by Dugopolski. Addison Wesley,
X. Methods
of Evaluation: 4 Tests: 65% 2 hours each. Given every
3 to 4 weeks.
Homework: 10% Collected on the day of each test.
Final Exam 25%
Comprehensive, covering almost all the material.
Grading
Scale: A: 90-100%
(Excellent work, with very few
and only trivial mistakes)
B:
80-89% (Good or above average work, with some minor
mistakes)
C:
70-79% (Average work, with some minor and a few major
mistakes)
D:
60-69% (Poor or below average work, with many minor and some
major mistakes)
F:
0-59% (Unacceptable or failing work which does not show
adequate understanding)
XI. Other
Course Information: If you have a
documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled
to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services,
contact the ASSIST office in Instructional Support Services. All students are expected to fulfill
essential course requirements. The college
will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
Important Dates:
Sep 21: Last day to withdraw and have course
completely dropped from your record, or to change to Audit.
Oct 19: Last day to withdraw with a “W”. Students will receive a grade of A,B,C,D, or
F if still enrolled on Oct. 20
Dec 15: (Tuesday) Final Exam given in this class. Last day of
our class—but other classes may meet on Wed. the 16th.