COURSE: MATH 101 -- Precalculus Mathematics I

COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course will enable students to recall and practice skills necessary for the study of calculus.  These skills include the manipulation of linear functions, quadratic functions, polynomial functions, rational functions, exponential functions, and logarithmic functions.   Problem-solving and graphing related to these functions will also be emphasized.  This course addresses General Education Goal 2 (see the Winthrop University Undergraduate Catalog 2008-2009, pp. 36-37)

TIME/LOCATION: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. - 11:40 a.m., Owens G08

INSTRUCTOR: Tom Polaski

OFFICE: Bancroft 158                                     OFFICE PHONE: 323-4604

E-MAIL ADDRESS: polaskit@winthrop.edu          HOME PHONE: 704-523-8279

OFFICE HOURS: Mondays through Fridays  12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

TEXT: College Algebra by Michael Sullivan. Eighth Edition. Upper Saddle River: Pearson/Prentice-Hall, 2008. A complete solutions manual is available in the instructor's office during office hours.

HOMEWORK: Homework assignments will be made during each class session; you are expected to complete these assignments by the next class session. It is strongly urged that you do the assigned problems; however, the homework will not be collected and graded unless it becomes clear that the majority of the class is not attempting to complete these assignments. If, after attempting an assignment, you either do not understand the material or have difficulty with certain problems, you are encouraged to get help from your instructor.

QUIZZES: On each class day on which there is no test, you will be given a quiz to check on your progress at understanding the class material.  These quizzes will consist of two or three questions which resemble homework problems which you have been assigned. No make-up quizzes will be given unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. At the end of the course your quiz grades will be averaged and rescaled to a 100-point scale.  The grading scales for the quizzes will also be averaged and rescaled.

TESTS/GRADING: Three 100-point tests will be given along with a 200 point final exam. No make-up tests will be given unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. A point system will determine your final grade. There are 600 points possible; 300 from the tests, 200 from the final, and 100 from the quizzes. An approximate grading scale for each test will be determined after it is graded. The semester grading scale will be based on these approximate grading scales, the grading scale for the quizzes, and on the scale for the final exam.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance at all scheduled class meetings is strongly encouraged. Your number of absences will not be counted, and will not be used directly to determine your grade. However, attendance is mandatory for those class sessions which include a test. If no prior arrangements are made with the instructor, a zero will be recorded for a test not taken due to absence.

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM THE CLASS: Wednesday, May 20. Students withdrawing prior to this date will receive an "N" in the course. Students may not withdraw after this date without documented extenuating circumstances.

FINAL EXAMINATION DATE AND TIME: Thursday, June 4 at 9:00 a.m.

HELP: You should discuss your homework with your classmates and instructor as a part of your study. The instructor's office hours are a good time to clear up any difficulties you have with the material.

TECHNOLOGY: A scientific calculator is suggested for this course.  If you have questions about a particular calculator, please talk to your instructor.

MATH 101 SYLLABUS