I. Instructor: Margaret Latimer Office Hours: MF 9:00 – 9:50 a.m.

Office: 128 HT (240.567.1935) TR 9:15 – 9:50 a.m.

email: Margaret.Latimer@montgomerycollege.edu W: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

R: 11:00 – 12:00 noon

Other hours by appointment

The door is usually open!!

General Course Information:

MA180 – Precalculus 4 credits

MF 8 – 8:50, TuTh 8:00 – 9:15 Room: HT401

Topics from advanced algebra including polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. This course is designed to prepare students for MA181 (Calculus I).

Prerequisite: C or better in MA100 and MA102, appropriate score on mathematics placement test, or consent of department. MA102 may be taken concurrently during the first half of the semester.

Format: This course is taught in a lecture/discussion format. Calculator and/or computer exercises may be done in class. Attendance and participation are expected and will be considered in grading, especially for “borderline students.”

Homework: You will receive a handout with homework assignments (see attached list) corresponding to each text section covered in the course. It is expected that you will read each section in the textbook, as it is covered. After completing a section in class, the assigned problems from that section should be completed before the next class. Class time will be devoted to discussing challenging problems. There is not enough time to go over every problem. Students should take advantage of office hours, the Math Learning Center, and form study groups to ensure that homework is complete and the topic mastered.

III. Specific Outcomes: See attached course outline, objectives, and suggested homework.

IV. Text and Supplies: Swokowski/Cole, Precalculus: Functions and Graphs, 9^th ed. Brooks/Cole 2002. If purchased new, the text and the student solutions manual are bundled together. The new text comes with the interactive video skill builder CDROM.

Calculators: A graphing calculator is required for this course. The course will be taught using the TI-83 Plus for classroom instruction. Other models are acceptable but will require that the student assume responsibility for knowing that calculator’s capabilities. Students will not be permitted to share calculators during quizzes and tests. Use of CAS calculators (TI-89, etc.) is not permitted during tests and quizzes. No electronic devices (cell phones, etc.) except a dedicated, approved calculator may be used during quizzes and tests.

V. Grading:

Quizzes: Approximately 10 short, announced quizzes will be given.

No make up quizzes will be given.

The 2 lowest quiz scores will be dropped.

Students who arrive late to class will not be given additional time.

Exams: Five (5) one-hour exams and a comprehensive 2-hour final exam will be given. The lowest one-hour test grade will be dropped.

No make-up exams will be given. If you miss more than one of the one-hour tests, the grade you earn on the final will be used as the grade on the second missed exam. Any student who misses more that two exams may be dropped from the course.

All students must take the final exam 8 – 10 a.m. on May 10, 2005.

Course Grade: You will earn a grade of A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%),

D (60-69%), or F (<60%).

Your grade will be based on the following:

Homework: 5%

Quizzes: 20%

One-hour tests 50%

Final Exam: 25%

Late policy: It is expected that you will be on time for every class. If circumstances arise that make it impossible to be on time, please do come to class, but try to take a seat near the door to minimize disruption.

Audit Policy: Students auditing the class are expected to adhere to attendance and late policy guidelines. Those who do not may be dropped. “Audits” may take quizzes and exams, but are not required to do so.

VI. Classroom Policies:

Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. It is expected that all students will attend all classes except in cases of illness or emergency. Students are responsible for finding out what they missed. Students missing 4 or more classes may be dropped.

Academic Honesty: See the Student Code of Conduct-“Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct.” (Go to MyMC online.)

Cell phones and other devices that make noise must be turned off. There will be a letter-grade deduction for devices that ring, beep, or otherwise disrupt the class during tests.

Talking during class that is disruptive and interferes with other students’ ability to hear or concentrate will not be tolerated. Any student who must be asked to be quiet more than three times, will be required to meet with the dean and the instructor prior to being readmitted to the class. Questions are encouraged and there will be many occasions when students are encouraged to work together during class and discuss mathematics.

Student Code of Conduct is available online through MyMC.

Computer use that is not directly related to the course is not permitted. Inappropriate use of the classroom computers will result in the student being dropped from the course.

Cancellation of class, due to weather, or any other reason, does not mean we get to cover less material, so, if class is cancelled, please read through the section that would have been covered and try the homework problems. This will allow us to cover that material more quickly during the next class. Any quiz or test scheduled for a day when class is cancelled will be given when the class next meets.

Montgomery College does not follow MCPS when it comes to school closings. Please listen to the radio or TV for College closings, or check the MC web site.

Accommodations: Any student who may need an accommodation due to a disability, please make an appointment to see me during my office hours, or before or after class. A letter from Disability Support Services authorizing your accommodation will be needed as soon as possible.

Math Learning Center: This is one of the jewels of the Germantown Campus.

Make it your home-away-from-home. Located in Room 229 HT, the hours are:

Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

This facility offers supplementary and review material. Interactive software

provides problems and guided solutions corresponding to the text sections covered in this course.

Tutors are available and are eager to help you! Take advantage of them.

Please note that this is a college level course. Tests will include problems that require students to apply principles and concepts. While some test questions will “look like homework problems,” others will not. It is expected that you will demonstrate your ability to synthesize skills/concepts covered throughout the course by applying those skills and concepts to new problems. You can best prepare yourself for such questions by ensuring that you understand every step of all problems. Don’t skip word problems! Could you explain every problem to someone? Could you write a clear, precise explanation of each step?

Successful students are those who come to class, keep up, do the homework, and ask questions. They take advantage of office hours, use the Math Learning Center, and form study groups. Work to understand the material and take ownership of the knowledge. I look forward to working with you this semester.