This is the syllabus for Precalculus classes Math 115-02. Here you'll find information on prerequisites, grading policy, homework, study resources and a tentative course schedule. See the box in the upper right for more links and information for the course.
Instructor
Dr. Josh Thompson, [contact info]Prerequisites
You need either:
Textbook
The following textbooks are recommened:
Classroom
Class will be held, unless otherwise noted, at the following days & times.
Your daily attendance is required. You are expected to come to class daily, to be fully awake, to pay attention to and participate in the class discussion. I will do my part to make class something you look forward to rather than dread.
Office Hours
I am often in my office JXJ 2226, you are encouraged to stop by and see if I am available. My official office hours are :
Grading
WeBWork
Homework will be adminstered via WeBWork, and is due each Monday at 8am. Any additional written homework will turned in on Friday. Learn how to use WeBWork immediately! Help can be found here.
Quizzes
Unannounced quizzes will be given on occasion.
Exams
Calculators
Calculators and graphing software will often be used in class and will be allowed on Some exams and quizzes. Unless otherwise notificed, you are not allowed to have any information saved in your calculators during quizzes and exams.
You are not required to have a calculator: there are many free online graphing calculators available. [My favorite is DesMos.com]
Laptops & Phones
Do not use your laptop, phone or electronic media device in class unless instructed to do so.
Other Resources
There is an dizzying array of supporting materials for this textbook in particular, but many cost money.
Follow the link on the right if you need help. There you will find mostly free sites & documents that will help you get off on the right foot.
Both free and paid tutoring is available, in the tutoring lab in JMR 2nd floor.
Outcomes & Assessment
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
Evaluation of these learning outcomes will be done through a mix of assignments, class exercises, projects, research papers, group work, written & oral quizzes and tests.
Course Description
The first two weeks of the course we will learn some fundamental concepts and how they are used. It is very important to get a firm grasp on the fundamentals. We will cover the first 7 chapters of the textbook.
Chapter P :: Prerequisites :: Weeks 1 & 2
Chapter 1 :: Equations and Inequalities :: Weeks 2 & 3
Chapter 2 :: Functions & Their Graphs :: Weeks 4 & 5
Chapter 3 :: Polynomial Functions :: Weeks 5 & 6
Chapter 4 :: Rational Functions :: Weeks 6
Chapter 5 :: Exponential & Logarithmic Functions:: Weeks 7 & 8
Chapter 6 :: Trigonometry :: Weeks 8 & 9
Chapter 7 :: Analytic Trigonometry :: Weeks 10 & 11
Chapter 8 :: Additional Topics in Trigonometry :: Weeks 12 & 13
Natural Sciences Requirement
This course satisfies the Foundation of Natural Sciences/Mathematics requirement. Students who complete this course should be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of mathematical logic; use mathematics to solve scientific or mathematical problems in college classes; express relationships in the symbolic language of mathematics; and appreciate the role of mathematics in analyzing natural phenomena.
University Policies
Academic Honesty: Cheating is not only unethical and pathetic, but is a violation of the Northern Michigan University Student Code and University Policy and grounds for your dismissal from the University.
Discrimination & Harassment: Northern Michigan University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, height, weight, martial status, handicap/disability, sexual orientation or veteran status. If you have a civil rights inquiry, contact the Affirmative Action Office at 906-227-2420.
Americans with Disabilities Act Statement: If you have a need for disability-related accommodations or services, please inform the Coordinator of Disability Services in the Dean of Students Office at 2001 C. B. Hedgcock Building (227-1737 or disserv@nmu.edu). Reasonable and effective accommodations and services will be provided to students if requests are made in a timely manner, with appropriate documentation, in accordance with federal, state, and University guidelines.
The Registrar: Withdrawing from any course or any matters relating to registration are the responsibility of the student. For more information regarding this topic, check out the Registrars Website.