214-5 Elizabeth Hall ext. 7551 campus box 8340 http://www.stetson.edu/~mhale/

Office Hours: Mon 3:30 - 4:20 Wed 1:30 - 2:20 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50 Fri 1:30 - 2:20 or by appt.

Course Overview   This course is for students who must take calculus and want to be better prepared. If you are not sure of your major, but are considering a program which requires calculus, it is a good idea to begin with this course. Before registering, you should have taken the math placement test. A passing grade on that test earns you three hours credit for precalculus, satisfies the general education math requirement, and indicates you may enroll in a calculus course. If you are sure you will not be taking calculus but you need a math course, it makes much better sense to take a 150-level math course. These courses require only high school math, and, for students not heading for calculus, they are easier and more interesting than precalculus.

The text is Stewart, Redlin, Watson, Precalculus, (3^rd ed.), chapters 1-4. Along with the book, you should own a graphing calculator. The features of the TI-83 are best for this course, and instructions for the TI-83 will be given in class. If you already have a different calculator that you know how to use, that may serve.

Goals   Your primary job is to gain familiarity with the techniques and applications of algebra and graphing so you can succeed in calculus.

Grading   Your grade will be based on three tests (20% each) and a final exam (40%). The grading scale is A: 85% - 100%, B: 70% - 84%, C: 55% - 69%, D: 50% - 54%. No partial credit will be given. Most students who succeed in calculus earn a grade of C or higher in precalculus.

Policies and Due Dates   Attendance and Homework are assumed and will not be graded. You may ask questions about homework during class and office hours. Optional take-home quizzes give further feedback, but do not contribute toward your grade.

You must take the tests during the scheduled time unless you have a valid excuse cleared with me ahead of time. Test dates are: Wednesday 2/13, Friday 3/22, Friday 4/19, and Saturday 5/4 11am - 1pm (final exam).

Communication   College level work is different from high school -- more of the responsibility (and excitement) of learning belongs to you. Tips on reading and studying mathematics are provided. Please read the text, participate in class, and talk to me. Visit my web site to find out more about me and about the course. All class hand-outs are there, plus some further mathematical thoughts. Use the Math Clinic: Monday-Thursday 7-10 pm, room 209E.

If you ask me to send grades to you via email, I will send them to your Stetson account. If you prefer to use another account (such as aol or hotmail), you can forward your Stetson email there. CIT (ext. 7217) can help you with that.

Questions? send me email:
spring 2002 syllabus
class profile
instructions for the TI-83
study tips
back to precalculus
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