Math 105 Syllabus - Winter 2013

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.

Textbook: Data, Functions, and Graphs
Functions Modeling Change: A Preparation for Calculus, University of Michigan Custom Edition
Connally, Hughes-Hallett, Gleason, et. al., 2012. ISBN: 978-1-1184-6184-6
Note: There is also an eBook version available at http://store.vitalsource.com/show/9781118470411

Graphing Calculator: TI-84 is recommended. Other graphing calculators may be substituted, but if you have a graphing calculator other than the TI-84, you will be responsible for knowing how to operate it on your own. (Calculators with a QWERTY keyboard are not acceptable.)

Course Content: This semester, the course will cover the sections below.

• Exam 1: Sections 1.1-1.5, 2.1-2.5, 3.1-3.2
• Exam 2: Sections 4.1-4.3, 4.5, 5.1-5.3, 6.1-6.5 (pages 223-264)
• Final Exam: Sections Trig 6.1-6.7 (pages 413-464), Trig 6 Tools (pages 471-474), 10.1-10.3, 11.1-11.6 (and the material from Exams 1 and 2)

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 (beginning with Chapter 3) 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 Guide for a complete explanation. (Note that the Student Guide refers to the "uniform component" as the "exam component".)

NOTE: Students are responsible for reading and understanding
the grading policy as described in the Student Guide

Uniform Exams: 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.
Missing an exam with an unapproved or undocumented excuse will result in a grade penalty in the course.

Gateway Exam: There will be one gateway exam covering algebra skills. The open dates for the gateway are Monday, January 14 through Wednesday, January 30. Students will lose 1/3 of a letter grade (on their grade for the course) for failing to pass the proctored 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.