Syllabus for Precalculus
Spring 2012
Professor: Mark McClure
Office: Robinson 325
Phone: 232-5197
email: mcmcclur@unca.edu
Course Purpose
"Pre"-Calculus is much more than just preparation for calculus. It largely
concerns the development of the concept of "function". In addition to our
standard departmental objectives, we will:
- Discuss functions algebraically, as in \(f(x)=x^2\).
- Discuss functions numerically, as in
\(
\begin{array}{c|c|c|c|c|c}
x & -2 & -1 & 0 & 1 & 2 \\
\hline
f(x) & 4 & 1 & 0 & 1 & 4
\end{array}
\).
- Discuss functions graphically, like the image on this page.
- Apply functions to solve mathematical and real world problems.
Materials
- Text The text book will be Precalculus by Stitz and Zeager. This
is an excellent, free book avalaible via a
Creative Commons
license. You can download the entire book for free from the
Stitz-Zeager website and you can purchase the first half of the book from
Lulu for $16. Here are direct links to the PDF
and Lulu pages:
- Technology A graphing calculator is nice to have, but not a necessity
for this class. Some quizzes and some exams will require a simple (or better)
calculator. We'll have a few quizzes where calculators are not permitted.
Advice
- Learning mathematics I expect that you wouldn't be in calculus
if you didn't already know that
mathematical study is a challenging, yet worthwhile endeavor. Mathematics
is the most natural language with which we describe the world around us and,
I believe, this this helps us better comprehend and enjoy the world.
However, understanding this deep language has a price - it's hard and takes
loads of work! I suggest that you spend at least 1.5 hours between classes
and at least 3 hours over the weekend studying each math class. Remember
that college is a full time job!
- The Typical Week Typically, Monday and Wednesday will be
devoted to lecture over new material. I will assign a bit of homework
both of these days and you should do it as soon as you can. Thursdays
will usually be devoted to problem sessions. After I briefly answer a
couple of questions, you will work on a problem sheet in groups. This
is a great opportunity for you to learn material and to get feedback.
Furthermore, quizzes, (typically on Friday) will take problems right
off of these sheets.
- Exam Week The exams are all on Friday. Problems will
be taken from homework, in class sheets, and a small collection of
review problems. We will typically review on the day before the
exam.
- Help You are not undertaking this challenging task alone. Here
are a few sources of assistance.
- Me I like to talk to people about mathematics! That's why I
chose this profession. Please feel free to approach me any
time you have questions.
- Your classmates Most people learn mathematics best by talking it
through with others. You will find that you can both learn from and help
your fellow classmates. In particular, if your classmate is explaining a fine
point to you, then you are helping them!
- The Math Lab We all know the Math Lab rocks! It's open long hours
and is located right across the hall from my office. You will welcome there and
will definitely find people to talk to about mathematics.
Grading
- Exams There will be three exams during the term worth about 100
points apiece. The tentative dates for those exams are Friday February 3,
Friday March 2, and Friday April 6. There will be a comprehensive final exam worth
around 150 points on Friday April 27 at 8:00 AM for the early section and at 11:30 AM
for the later section.
- Quizzes There will be quizzes worth 10 to 20 points
apiece almost every Friday.
- In class work We will work problem sheets together most Thursdays.
You will earn a class participation grade of up to 40 points for this work.
- Homework Homework will be assigned daily but not generally
collected. You will not be able to do well in the class without
doing the homework.
- Final Grades I will determine final grades using
a scale not more stringent than the standard 90-80-70-60 scale.
You will be apprised of your standing as the term
progresses.
- Late Work In general, I do not accept late work. I
understand, of course, that emergencies do arise. If so, please
contact me as soon as possible.
- Cheating I trust students implicitly. I give take home exams
(in proof based courses)
and frequently leave the room during in class quizzes and exams. I
won't watch you like a hawk. However, it is surprisingly evident to
most instructors when cheating has occurred. I take cheating very
seriously, as I believe it undermines the objectives of academia and
the casual atmosphere I attempt to instill. If I have reason to
believe that cheating has occurred, I will not hesitate to inform the
provost and assign the offender a failing grade for the class. In
blatant or repeat offenses, my recommendation to the provost will be
dismissal from the university. Note that in the vast majority of
incidents of academic dishonesty, the potential rewards are very small
and the potential penalties are very high.
