Elementary Functions - Mat 122       Winter, 2006 Course Syllabus

Instructor :   Greg Langkamp            Phone: 206 - 587 - 3810         

Email: glangkamp@sccd.ctc.edu       Webpage: http://www.seattlecentral.edu/faculty/glangkamp/

Office: 5115      Office Hours: M, W, F   11:00-12:40  (or by appointment)

Location: This course will meet daily in room 4166. Food is not allowed in the classroom. Drinks with lids are OK.

This course is a Q course at SCCC (it satisfies the quantitative reasoning requirement).   Many science and engineering students take this course to prepare for more advanced math courses. If you only need one more math course at SCCC, this may not be the course for you. Please also consider MAT 103, MAT 107 or MAT 116 ----- all of these are Q courses at SCCC.

Prerequisites: Mat 098 with a 2.5 or better (at SCCC), or placement exams. You must meet the prerequisite to stay in this class, or to overload this class. It is also assumed that you have some experience using a graphing calculator. If not, then you should start learning and get help immediately in the math lab (room 5119).

Note about placement:  If you met the prerequisite for this course by passing a placement test, be aware that the accuracy of such tests is fairly low. It may be the case that you were placed correctly, but perhaps you were placed either too high or too low.  If you suspect that you are in the wrong course, please come and see me ASAP, and I’ll try to help you get into the correct course.

Overload Policy: After I take attendance for 2 days, I will know how many seats are available for overload. Those students on the electronic overload list who attend the first 2 days will have highest priority for overloading the course. There is no guarantee that anyone will be overloaded into the course.

Course Materials:

a) Textbook: Stewart et al., Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus, 5th Edition, Thomson Brooks/Cole Publishers, 2006.

b) Course Notes available in the 3rd Floor Copy Center. Approximately $3.00.

c) Graph paper, small ruler with in. and cm. markings, and maybe a few colored pencils.

d) TI-83 or TI-84 graphing calculator. Needed by the 3rd day of the quarter. This class will be taught using one of these calculators. Students using another model will have to spend time reading their manual to figure out their calculator. Some calculator models may not be allowed in this class because they are too powerful. These include, but are not limited to, the TI-89 and TI-92. Check with me ASAP!

e) OPTIONAL:  Student Solution Manual for Stewart text.  Frankly, I don't know if this is any good or not.

Renting Calculators:   TI-83+ calculators are available to rent for $20/quarter. You will need to pay $20 to the school cashier (on the first floor), bring the receipt to me, and then fill out a contract. I will only give you a calculator if you are enrolled in the class and meet the prerequisites for the course.

Course Contents:   Stewart chapters 1- 4 (most sections). There will also be a large number of handouts with supplementary problems on various topics.

Teaching/Learning format:    I believe the best way for students to learn is to do the math, rather than listen to a teacher tell them how to do the math. As a teacher, I pursue this by keeping lecturing to a minimum, and preparing problems to work on in class. Along with this, a recent (post 1990) strategy adopted by many math teachers is to have students work in groups. The thought here is that students feels more comfortable asking questions and suggesting strategies in the company of peers, rather than all alone in front of class or directly with the teacher. (I know that I didn’t like to shout out an answer for fear of it being “another stupid question.”)   I strongly support this classroom structure.

So what should you expect in class?   Each day will vary somewhat, but in general, I’ll take a few questions regarding the past night’s homework. I then may lecture a little (but sometimes I don’t) and then you’ll be turned loose to work in groups on several problems. The only way that a group can work is for all students to attend. Since we sometimes start group activities immediately, it is unacceptable to arrive late to class. (I understand that there are occasional, unexpected crisis that prevent this.) Remember what a wise student once said: “Coming to class every day makes studying at home much easier.”

Your success in this class depends on your active participation in the group process. Many of you have experience with this mode of learning from previous math courses at SCCC. If not, try it don’t fight it. Most students enjoy the chance to work with others, learn more, and make a few friends.

Student work outside of class:   You should expect to spend on average 2-3 hours per day for this course outside of class; this time will consist of reading your textbook, reading your class notes, doing practice problems from the textbook, studying for quizzes and tests, and preparing for special class days.

Each day you will be given a homework assignment from the text. You should attempt to do all the problems, but if you can't, at least try a fair number. It helps to keep all problems and assignments in order. Doing homework pays off - keep up on it!!   I often base in class problems on previous homework.   For your group discussions to be effective, you must stay on top of the homework!   Each Monday you will submit a "Homework Hand-in.”  This will consist of a small subset of the previous week’s total assignments (about 10-15 problems). I will give you the “Hand-in” problems by Thursday of each week.

Turning in homework.   The “Hand-in” problems must be written up separately, so don’t hand in all of your work from the previous week. To make it easier on the grader, they should be written in the order they were assigned. The grader will be looking at the problem solving process in addition to the final answer. Consequently, show lots of work, write in complete sentences, and make it clear and legible!! Points are awarded for correctness and for presentation. Late homework is not accepted; working on the assignment in class on Monday is not acceptable!!

Grading:    

Homework (can drop lowest, or miss 1)..........10 points each
Class worksheets (no makeups)................... 3-5 points each
Quizzes (can drop lowest, or miss 1).............20 points each   (sometimes w/ group)
Projects (1 or 2 of them).............................. 20-30 points each    
Tests (2 of them)........................................ 100 points each
Final exam................................................ 150 points

Grades will be computed according ot the formula:   Grade = .073(percentage correct) - 2.96.   
Note: This makes 95% correct = 4.0 , 89% = 3.5, 75% = 2.5, 61% = 1.5.   The prerequisite for Mat 123 is a 2.2 (about 71% correct).

Example: In the middle of the quarter, a student has quiz scores of 16, 18, and 12; a test score of 85, and a project score of 17.   After dropping the lowest quiz score, the total is 136 out of a possible 160. The percent correct is 136/160 = 85.0%. The grade for the quarter is computed as   .073(85)-2.96 = 3.2

Policy on missing quizzes, tests, etc:  

• In general, by signing up for this course you are expected to attend every day and be present for quizzes, tests, and class problems.  If you need to be absent during the quarter for any reason (work, vacation, childcare, etc) your absence may lower your grade.

• If you are absent and cannot take a quiz, or cannot hand-in a homework for any reason, don't worry...you can drop your lowest score for each. Addional missed quizzes or homeworks will receive a zero (0), no matter what the reason.
  
• If you are absent on the day of a test, YOU MUST CONTACT ME BEFORE THE TEST.  I will try to schedule a make-up test, providing that you have been attending class regularly and you can take the make-up at a reaonably convenient time.
  
• Do not call me for assignments if you miss class. With over 100 students each quarter this gets to be too much for me. Call a member of your group - they can also let you know about other important things that you might have missed.

Special Accommodations : Students with documented disabilities who need course accommodations, have emergency medical information or require special arrangements for building evacuation should contact the instructor within the first week of class.

Final Exam :      
9 - 9:50 class:     Tuesday, March 21, 8am – 10am, room 4166
10 - 10:50 class:  Wednesday, March 22, 8am – 10am, room 4166

Final Note: Information in this syllabus may be modified during the quarter.

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Mat 122:     Week #1 Notes and Assignments

These homework assignments are provided in advance because the first week is so hectic for everyone (especially if you are tying to get into classes).   This is a guide only, and is subject to change.

In future weeks, assignments may be given on a day-to-day basis (written on the board in class).   If you miss any assignments, it is your responsibility to contact a classmate to obtain the assignment.