Math 105 Syllabus - Fall 2009

Description: This course presents the concepts of precalculus from four points of view: geometric (graphs), numeric (tables), symbolic (formulas), and written (verbal descriptions). The emphasis is on the mathematical modeling of real-life problems using linear, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Students develop their reading, writing, and questioning skills in an interactive classroom setting.

Text: Functions Modeling Change by Connally, Hughes-Hallett, Gleason, et al., 3^rd Edition.

Calculator: TI-84 or equivalent. Students with equivalent calculators will be responsible for knowing how to use them on their own.

Course director: Yvonne Lai • East Hall 1856 • yxl@umich.edu

• The sections indicated for each exam may change if the schedule requires it. The sections to be covered in each exam will be announced in class or on the website prior to the exam.
• Although Exam 2 is not explicitly cumulative, a thorough understanding of the material covered in Exam 1 is needed to master the material in Chapters 4-6. However, Exam 2 will primarily focus on the material covered since Exam 1.
• The Final Exam is cumulative. Approximately one-half to two-thirds of the Final Exam will focus on the material covered after Exam 2, while the remaining questions will address topics from the first two exams.

Exam Dates:

• Gateway Deadline: Wednesday, October 7 (tentative)
• First Uniform Exam: Monday, October 12, 6:00-7:30pm
• Second Uniform Exam: Monday, November 16 6:00-7:30pm
• Uniform Final Exam: Thursday, December 17, 8:00am-10:00am

The uniform exam dates/times are absolutely firm for ALL students enrolled in this course. Travel plans are not a valid excuse to take an examination on a different date. Please plan accordingly.

Grading Policy: All sections of Math 105 use the same grading guidelines to standardize the evaluation process. The three uniform exams are worth 25%, 30%, and 40% of the "uniform component" of each student's grade. The web homework is worth 5% of the "uniform component". The final course grade will be primarily determined by the uniform component for each student. However, for some students, the final course grade may be modified by the section component grade or the gateway exam. See the Student's Guide for a complete explanation.

NOTE: The inclusion of web homework as a part of the exam component grade is not reflected in the Student Guide. Other than that, the grading policy in the Student Guide is correct. You are responsible for reading and understanding the grading policy.

Gateway Exam: There will be one gateway exam covering algebra skills. The open dates for the gateway are Monday, September 14 through Wednesday, October 7. Students will lose 1/3 of a letter grade (on their grade for the course) for failing to pass the gateway during the open period. Proctored gateways are administered in the gateway lab (B069 EH) and may be taken no more than twice per day. Students may practice the gateway from any computer at any time (and many times) during the open dates. Successful students usually begin practicing gateways as early as possible.