Math163Fall2009Serbousek


Math 163 Precalculus Fall 2009	Mathematics at
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MTH 163 Precalculus Fall 2009

Faculty contact information	Jane Serbousek Office LR 213 703 450 2620 (office) 703 450 2575 (Science Division Office) jserbousek@nvcc.edu www.nvcc.edu/home/jserbousek
Office hours	Wednesday 3:30 – 5:30, Thursday 3:30 – 5:00
Course information	Math 163 is a 3-credit Precalculus course designed to include the skills that are necessary for the study of calculus, in preparation for MATH 271. It is not to be taken if Math 166 has been completed. Trigonometry is included in MTH 166, but not in MTH 163. Topics include: equations, inequalities, functions, graphs of linear, quadratic, and other polynomial functions, graphs of exponential, and logarithmic functions, zeroes of functions, matrices, systems of linear equations and use of a graphing utility as an aid in problem solving. For a detailed list of the course objectives visit site:www.nvcc.edu/ces/prefixesM.html#MTH The Loudoun math web page is: www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/scidiv/math Math 271 is the calculus course designed for business and social science majors. The prerequisite is Math 163 or 166 Math 173 is the calculus course for math, science, computer science and engineering majors. The prerequisite is Math 166.
Prerequisites	Prerequisites for Math 163 are Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry and a qualifying score on the placement test. If you do not have the prerequisites, you should not take the class. Your enrollment in Math 163 assumes that you have demonstrated competency on the placement test in the following areas: arithmetic with rational numbers, including signed numbers, fractions, mixed numerals and decimals, solutions of linear and quadratic equations, operations with polynomials including factoring; operations with rational expressions including simplifying, use of positive integer exponents and basic geometric concepts. Very little class time will be spent reviewing these topics. An algebra review is available in the Appendix of your textbook and on MathXL.
Required Materials	1 Textbook: Precalculus - Enhanced with Graphing Utilities; 5th edition, by Sullivan (Bring to every class) 2 Math XL Student Access Code: This comes with a new textbook. If you have a used book it is available for purchase in the bookstore or online at www.mathxl.com 3 Access to: NovaConnect, NOVA LAN (http://www.nvcc.edu/ithd/student/student-web/) , and Blackboard (http://tac.nvcc.edu/blackboard/) 4 Graphing Calculator
Calculator	Bring a Graphing Calculator each day to class. The required models are any of the TI 83 OR TI 84 models. Instruction on these models will be provided. For all other models, you will have to refer to the users' manual. There are calculator resources on reserve in the library and in the Math Center. Links to tutorials are available on my web page and in your Blackboard course. If the calculator presents a hardship, please discuss it with me. There are calculators on reserve in the library and in the Math Center for use while you are on campus. Cell phones, TI89s or TI92s may not be used.
Grades	The 10-point grading scale is used: 90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, below 60 F. Homework 200 points 3 tests 300 points Quizzes & Assignments 150 points Comprehensive final exam 150 points Total 800 points
Participation Grade	20 points will be added to your lowest test score before the final exam if you qualify for the participation bonus points. To qualify you may not have more than one absence, you have completed all online quizzes, your homework average is at least 80%, and you have been present for all tests and quizzes. Arriving late, leaving early, and disrupting class each count as a half absence. Disruptions include cell phones and other noise makers, food in the classroom.

Quizzes and Assignments		Each MathXL quiz may be taken twice and the higher grade will count. After your first attempt you can review the quiz and see what you missed. A study plan is generated on MathXL based on what you missed. Working through the Study Plan, reworking the homework, reviewing your notes, textbook and the multimedia resources on Blackboard can help you improve your skills for your second attempt. MathXL quizzes are due at the beginning of class. Complete each quiz before class on the due date. Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the semester if you qualify for the participation grade. The syllabus quiz will not be dropped. In-class quizzes may be announced or unannounced. There will be written assignments, and some assignments on Blackboard. Assignments and MathXL quizzes are due at the beginning of the class. Late assignments are a zero.
Makeups		There are no makeups. If you miss a written test, your final exam counts double if your homework average is at least 80%. If you miss 2 or more written tests, your grade is a zero on each. A missed MathXL quiz or in-class quiz is a zero. Exceptions for extenuating circumstances will be handled on an individual basis if your homework average is at least 80%. You must contact me PRIOR to the scheduled test or quiz.
Homework		Homework in sections 1.1 – 1.3 is from your textbook. The individual assignments in 1.1 – 1.3 will not be graded, but you will have an in-class quiz on sections 1.1 – 1.3. If your score on the in-class quiz on sections 1.1 – 1.3 is not at least 80%, you are required to complete the homework on MathXL for sections 1.1 – 1.3 before 4 pm Monday September 21. All homework assignments after section1.3 are on MathXL. Completing homework is essential. You will not be successful in the course if you do not complete homework. MathXL homework assignments may be reworked to improve your score. Although your are required to submit homework online in MathXL, you are required to copy the problem, show all of your work on paper and keep it organized, just as if you were completing homework from the textbook. Practice tests count as two homeworks.
Attendance		The importance of class attendance cannot be over emphasized. Regular and prompt attendance is a must. Math should be your only commitment for your class time. Schedule doctor visits, vacations and other things for other times. I have the option of lowering your grade for poor or erratic attendance. This includes incomplete assignments as well as arriving late or leaving early or disrupting the class. In the event that you must miss class, avoid falling behind by completing the missed assignment described in the attached class schedule.
Help		Do not wait until just before test time to get help. Free tutoring is available. Sign up in the Counseling Office room LR 253 or contact Clint Young at 703-450-2537. Get help from in-class discussion, from email, from your study group, and individually during office hours. For a current list of math resources available to you go to http://www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/scidiv/math/resources.html
Blackboard		Multimedia resources are available in your math Blackboard course for help in every topic in MTH 163. Resources include video lectures, animated mini-lectures, and PowerPoints. Some assignments will be on Blackboard. For tutorials visit: http://tac.nvcc.edu/blackboard/student
MathXL		MathXL is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment system designed specifically for your textbook. MathXL has numerous practice exercises as well as tutorials and videos. The course ID and the MathXL handout are on your Blackboard course.
Math Center		There are some computer-tutor programs, video tapes, DVDs and help available in The Math Center, room LR 204. The instructors in the Math Center can help you when they are not helping their own students. Hours are: Mon, Tues, Weds 9:20 am - 9:00 pm Thursday 9:30 am - 9:00 pm Friday 9:30 am – 6:30 pm Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Electronic Devices		Please TURN THEM OFF. This does not mean vibrate! There is a penalty for disrupting the class with any electronic device.
Students with disabilities		If you have any disability that requires special classroom or testing needs, please discuss it with me and the Counseling office. The Counseling office will determine appropriate accommodations for special needs.
Suggestions for success		Expect to spend at least 8 - 12 hours per week on MTH 163 outside of class time. (This is a CHALLENGING course!) You are required to read each section of both textbooks before the topics are discussed in class. You are responsible for all of the information in the shaded boxes in the text. Attend class regularly. Do not be absent for tests. Stay with the schedule. Do not fall behind. Complete all homework assignments. Write down the questions you have while completing the assignments. Ask these during class. Ask questions when you do not understand. Get extra help from any of the sources listed as soon as you feel you need it. Do not wait until just before test times to study or seek help. Be an active participant in class. Don't just take notes and plan on thinking about the topic later. Before beginning your homework, read over your class notes AND the section in your textbook. Use and read your textbook or use the Multimedia resources in Blackboard or both. Do not wait until shortly before tests to begin reviewing. Instead, review every day. It is highly recommended that you form study groups with other members of the class. Studying with others is encouraged. You learn more when you discuss the ideas with others. However, don't let others just tell you the answers; make sure you understand.
Policies and dates		The last day to withdraw and receive a grade of W instead of F is November 2, 2009. I do not withdraw students unless they have never attended. If you stop attending and don’t withdraw yourself on or before November 2, 2009, your grade is an F. Only senior citizens and students with certain documented disabilities may audit. I will not sign for other audits and we do not give incompletes. No food, cell phones or other noise makers in the classroom. There is a penalty for any of these disruptions. If we have to evacuate the building, be sure to take all of your belongings with you. if class is canceled by the college the first day we return will be the same as the first day that we missed. This includes any tests. Check www.nvcc.edu or local media stations for updates on closings. Any special announcements will be on MathXL. It is your responsibility to check the announcements on MathXL.
Remember that		If you miss a quiz, your grade is a zero. If you miss two or more written tests, your grade is a zero on each. There are no makeups. 20 points will be added to your lowest math test grade before the final exam if you qualify for the participation grade. If you make an A on the final exam, your grade for the course is A regardless of your average. To communicate with me about grades or any personal issues by email, you must use your NVCC-VCCS email account. Put MTH 163 in the subject line. Go to http://www.nvcc.edu/ithd/student/email/google.htm for setup and login.
Academic honesty		Cheating is not tolerated. Anyone found cheating will receive an F in the course. Consider this your warning. Some assignments will be in groups. If you are not sure if working together is cheating or not, ask me for clarification. You are on your honor to complete the MathXL quizzes without any assistance from another person.
Class Schedule		The class schedule follows. Before completing homework assignments, review your notes, and view at least one of the multimedia resources on Blackboard or read the section in the text. Homework is due at the beginning of the following class. MathXL homework will start after the first week. NOTE: You must click "submit work" to receive credit for MathXL homework and quizzes. Although homework is entered online, you are required to copy the problem, show all of your work on paper and keep it organized, just as if you were completing homework from the textbook. MathXL quizzes are due at the beginning of class. Complete each quiz before class on the due date. The schedule is subject to change.
August 24	Syllabus quiz 1.1-Rectangular Coordinates 1.2-Intercepts, Symmetry 1.3- Solving Eqns w/ graphing utility		Homework in the textbook: (Algebra Review: pp. A46-A55, more on Blackboard) 1.1: 13, 17, 31, 39, 53, 59, 69, 73, 75, 77, 85, 91, 105, 113 1.2: 15, 17, 23, 27, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 45, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67, 71 1.3: 9, 11, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33 Blackboard: Complete the calculator tutorials in Assignments in Blackboard for next time. Submit the calculator quiz in blackboard by 4:00 PM on August 31. Algebra review resources are on blackboard and also in the Appendix of your textbook. For next class: Make sure you know how to sign into Blackboard and the LAN. Bring your MathXL Student Access code. If you do not bring your Access code it will count as an absence. Study and take notes on the PowerPoint "Lines in a Plane" at www.nvcc.edu/home/jserbousek/m166powerpoint.htm Be prepared to discuss the topics.

The remaining homework assignments are in MathXL. All assignments and MathXL quizzes are due at the beginning of class.

Date	New topic for today.	The MathXL HW for today’s topic is due at the beginning of the next class.
August 31	1.4-Lines 1.5-Circles Introduction to MathXL	Bring your MathXL handout, and MathXL access code. If you do not bring your Access Code, it will count as an absence. If you already have a MathXL account make sure you know how to login. Algebra Review for next time is on Blackboard. Blackboard assignment on graphing calculators due. Submit in Blackboard by 4:00 In-Class quiz: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
September 7	Holiday	No Class
September 14	2.1-Functions 2.2-The graph of a Function 2.3-Properties of Functions	MathXL quiz 1.4, 1.5 due
September 21	2.4-Library of Functions 2.5-Transformations 2.6-Models	Blackboard: Difference Quotient Assignment due. Hand it in to me. MathXL quiz 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 due
September 28	3.1-Linear Functions 3.2-Linear Models 3.3-Quadratic Functions	Blackboard: Average Rate of Change Assignment due. Hand it in to me. In-class Quiz: 2.4, 2.5 Complete the practice test on chapters 1 and 2. This counts as two HWs.
October 5	3.4-Quadratic Models 3.5-Quadratic Inequalities Test Chapters 1 and 2	The practice test and all homework for chapters 1 and 2 expire today at 4:00.
October 12	Fall Break	No Class
October 19	4.1-Polynomial Functions and Models 4.2-Properties of Rational Functions 4.3-The Graph of a Rational Function	MathXL quiz 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 due
October 26	4.4-Polynomial and Rational Inequalities 4.5-Real Zeros 4.6-Complex Zeros	In-Class quiz : 3.4, 3.5, 4.1 Blackboard: Regression Assignment due. Hand it in to me. MathXL quiz 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 due
November 2	5.1-Composite Functions 5.2-One-to-One Functions and Inverse Functions 5.3-Exponential Functions	MathXL quiz 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 due Complete the practice test for chapters 3 and 4.
November 9	5.4-Logarithmic Functions Test Chapters 3 and 4	The practice test and all homework for chapters 3 and 4 expire today at 4:00
November 16	5.5-Properties of Logarithms 5.6-Logarithmic and Exponential Equations	MathXL quiz 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 due
November 23	5.7, 5.8, 5.9 Logarithmic and Exponential Applications and Models	MathXL Regression assignment on Chapter 5 due at 4:00 MathXL quiz 5.4, 5.5 due Complete the Practice test for chapter 5.
November 30	Matrices 12.1-Sequences and Summation Notation TEST : Chapter 5	Complete the exam reviews. The practice test and homework for chapter 5 expire today at 4:00.
December 7	Wrap-up. Tests are returned.	Participation grade is determined. Complete the exam reviews.
December 14	Final Exam	4:00 – 6:40

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Contact: jserbousek@nvcc.edu
Last modified: August 17,, 2009