PRECALCULUS

MATH 1650.100

MWF 9:00 – 9:50 GAB 104

 

Instructor: Dr. Sam Obeid                  Office:      GAB 422                    Phone: (940) 565-3531

Email:             obeid@unt.edu                           Web Page: www.cas.unt.edu/~obeid

 

Office Hours:       MW 10:00 - 10:50; TR 9:30 - 10:30 or by appointment. Whenever I am in my office during the day, I will leave my door open and students are welcome to come in.

Course Web Site: http://wcherry.math.unt.edu/math1650

Prerequisites:  A grade of “C or better in Math 1100 or a “Permit for Math Enrollment” form.  See prerequisite verification procedure attached to this handout.  Please take note that test scores on the math department placement test are only valid for one year from the test date.

Effective Fall 2001 – A grade of C or better in Math 1100 is required in order for a student to enroll in any mathematics class that has Math 1100 as a prerequisite. 

If you do not clear the prerequisite requirement by 3pm, Friday, September 5, 2003, YOU must DROP THE CLASS.  If you fail to drop the class by 5pm, Monday September 8, 2003, a grade of “W”, “WF”, or “F” will be assigned and you will NOT RECEIVE A REFUND. 

Textbook:  Precalculus, Fourth Edition.  Stewart, Redlin and Watson. 

Supplies:       A graphing calculator is required.  I use a TI 83 so its use will be supported in class.  TI 89’s, TI 92’s or any other utility with alphanumeric capabilities ARE NOT permitted.   If you use any other acceptable graphing utility besides a TI 83 or a TI 83-plus, you are responsible for knowing how to use it.  You will not be permitted to share calculators (or any other materials) during an exam. 

Recitation:  Grade earned in recitation will comprise 20% of your course grade.  TA assignments are given in the following table.  Please make sure that you are attending your recitation section.

Section

Instructor

Office Hours

Room

TR Time

101

Chousionis
Office: 
Email: 

 

LANG 113

8:00 – 8:50

102

Zhang
Office: 
Email: 

 

GAB 310

8:00 – 8:50

103
Chousionis
Office: 
Email: 

 

          

LANG 315

9:30 – 10:20

104

Appannagari
Office: 
Email: 

 

AUDB 212

9:30 – 10:20

 
 

Statement regarding disabled students: It is the responsibility of the student with certified disabilities to provide the instructor with appropriate documentation from the Dean of Students Office.

Homework: will be assigned in lecture on MWF and will be collected and graded by your recitation instructor.  The required recitation sections meet on TR.  The TA will spot check the homework (I will specify which problems to grade) rather than grade all of the problems.  Each homework section is worth 10 points.  Your TA will first collect the homework due, then will address the material introduced in lecture, and answer any remaining questions regarding the homework you just turned in.  If you need additional help with your homework, please make use of your recitation instructor’s office hours, my office hours, or the Math Lab PRIOR to the recitation when the homework is due.   

Late homework will not be accepted.  Homework should be placed in the appropriate stack on the TA’s desk as you enter recitation.  Do not turn in your homework during lecture.  I do not collect them.  Homework for that day will only be accepted during the first 5 minutes of class.  NO LATE HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.  A grade of zero will be assigned to any homework assignment not received within the first 5 minutes of class on the day that it is due.  At the end of the semester, your four lowest homework grades (including zeros) will be dropped before your homework average is calculated.  I suggest you save these drop-grades for illnesses and unforeseen emergency situations!!!  Electronically submitted homework is NOT ACCEPTED.  You may either turn in your homework early during recitation or early to your TA during his/her office hours.  Homework left on your TA’s office desk, slipped under his/her office door, or placed in his/her department mailbox is NOT CONSIDERED turned in.  If you are going to be absent from recitation, you (or someone in lieu of you) should hand your homework assignment to your TA early to ensure that you receive credit for you completed assignment. 

Homework Format:

In addition to homework assignments, approximately 10 in-class QUIZZES will be given in recitation this semester.  Some of the quiz problems may be taken directly from the homework assignments. No make-up quizzes will be given under any circumstances.  At the end of the semester, the two lowest quiz grades will be dropped from the calculation of your quiz average. 

Exams:  Four in-class exams, the Gateway test and a comprehensive final are scheduled for this semester.  The tentative exam dates are as follows: 

Exam 1 – Thursday, September 18  (1.10, 2.1-2.9 and any other topics covered)
Exam 2 – Thursday, October 9  (3.1 – 3.3, 3.6, 4.1-4.5 and any other topics covered)
Exam 3 – Thursday, October 30 (chapter 5, 6.1-6.3, 7.1 and any other topics covered)
Exam 4 – Thursday, November 20 (7.2 – 7.5, 6.4, 6.5, 3.5, 3.6 and any other topics covered)
Gateway Test – First time, Thursday, November 6.

 

Final Exam – Monday, December 8 from 8:00am to 10:00 am. The final exam is comprehensive and will                                      comprise 20% of your grade.                                                                                                                                     

The dates and contents of exams are all subject to change.  You must attend class to be informed of such changes.   

 

Gateway Test: The Gateway Test is a multiple-choice test on some of the fundamental computational techniques in the course that are absolutely essential for those students going on to a follow-up calculus course.  Calculators are NOT permitted on this test.  Students who do not make an “A” on this test will be permitted to re-take different versions of the test to improve their grade.  The Gateway Test is 10% of your course grade. The Gateway exam is NOT optional. More details on the Gateway test will be given to you in November. 

Make-up Policy:  EACH TEST MUST BE TAKEN AT THE DESIGNATED TIME. Test times are not negotiable.  An exam may be taken prior to the scheduled date provided that the student provides a written request at least one week prior to the date in which s/he chooses to take a test.  In the event of a schedule conflict with a university function, dental/physician’s appointment, wedding, formal, or whatever, the student must take the test early. If a test is missed, the student must contact me within 24 hours of the scheduled test time.  Email is the quickest way to reach me. Failure to do so will result in a zero for that test.  WITHOUT A VALID, VERIFIABLE EXCUSE, THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE SCORE ON A MAKE-UP TEST WILL BE A 70.  This means 30 points will be deducted from your earned score.  Furthermore, curves/adjustments given to those who took their exam as scheduled will NOT be given to you.  Hospitalization of the student, death of a close relative, and orders of a doctor would be considered valid excuses.  Most other things (car trouble, sleeping through the test, needing more time to prepare) would NOT. 

Evaluation: Four in-class exams   50%
                     Gateway test              10%
                     Recitation                  20%   = (Homework Average   10%)  +  (Quiz Average   10%)
                     Final Exam                20% 

Grading: A: [90%,      )    B: [80%, 90%)    C: [70%, 80%)     D: [60%, 70%)        F: [0%, 60%).

Tutorial Videos:  Math 1650 has a free tutorial video series available for overnight checkout through the Mathematics Office (GAB 435).  Videos are limited and checked out on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Course Content:  Sections 1.9, 1.10 (on your own), chapters 2-7 (not all sections) and 10.1-10.5.  Expect to cover approximately one section per lecture (sometimes two), not necessarily in order.  Some sections may be taught during recitation.  

 

Attendance: Class attendance is mandatory.  A student may be dropped with a grade of “WF” for nonattendance. Ten absences constitute nonattendance.  Students are responsible for all information given in class, regardless of his/her attendance. It is your responsibility to obtain homework, quiz, exam, or any other information given in class.  You should exchange phone numbers/email addresses with several members of your class so that you have multiple sources of information in case of emergency.  Zeros will be assigned for homework sections not turned in, regardless of reason. 

Classroom Etiquette:  Please be considerate of your classmates by avoiding disruptive behavior.   Appropriate and collegiate behavior is expected of all students attending this class.  Arrive to class on time and do not leave until the scheduled ending time of class. Turn off or mute all electronic devices such as pagers, cell phones, etc., and remove headphones.  Do not read newspaper or work on unrelated assignments during class. 

Drop Policy: It is my hope that no one will want to drop this course. However, you may drop the course anytime before Friday, October 3rd and receive a grade of "W". Should you drop after that day, you will receive a "W" if you are passing and a "WF" if you are failing. “WF” is averaged into your GPA as an “F.”  The last day to withdraw from class is Tuesday, October 28. It is the student’s responsibility to formally withdraw from a course. The student may do so through the Registrar’s Office after obtaining the necessary signatures. Consents for withdrawal may be obtained in the Math Department Office, GAB 435.  If the student does not properly withdraw from the course but stops attending, s/he will receive a performance grade, usually an F.  

Math Lab:  Math Lab Web Site: www.math.unt.edu/mathlab 

The UNT Math Lab is located in GAB 440.
Math Lab Hours:  Monday – Thursday 7 am – 8 pm;
                                Friday 7am – 4pm;
                                Saturday 1:00 – 5:00pm  

The Math Lab will open for students starting September 2 and closes December 5.  

Academic Dishonesty: No cheating will be tolerated. Anyone caught cheating will be subject to all consequences as stated in the university catalog. The consequences are usually an F for the entire course and a letter sent to the appropriate dean. I expect no cheating in this class. Working with your classmates on homework is NOT considered cheating, but copying answers from any source (classmates, tutors, solution guides, etc) is considered cheating. Also, giving or receiving any unauthorized aid on exams would be considered cheating. 

Recommended Keys to Success:

·         Have the proper background for this class.

·         If you don’t understand, ask.

·         Complete your homework promptly.

·         Read the textbook material to be covered in class, before class.

·         Videotapes are available for check out in the math office, GAB 435.

·         Form a study group with your classmates and use the Math Lab, GAB 440.

·         Take responsibility for your learning.  Get help IMMEDIATELY (before next lecture) when topics are difficult for you. 

 

 

 

Other Stuff: 

·         Students are responsible for meeting all university deadlines. See the printed Schedule of Classes or University Catalog for details. 

·         This syllabus is subject to change, as the instructor deems necessary. Any changes will be announced during regular class time. It is the responsibility of the students to learn of these changes. 

·         Statement regarding use of email and attendance: 

1.        The primary purpose of email communication is to allow you to notify me within 24 hours of you missing a test, that’s about it.

2.        Email will not be used as an online service.  To learn what was taught in class, ATTEND THE CLASS.  Electronically submitted homework will NOT BE ACCEPTED.  Either turn in your homework early during recitation or early during your TA’s office hours.  Homework dropped off at the math office, slipped under your TA’s office door, etc. is not considered turned in.  Your TA must personally receive them.

·         This course is a lecture course that requires regular, punctual (and mental) attendance. 

·         YOU are responsible for attending the required class meetings (both lectures and recitations) as stated in the course schedule guide.     

·         YOU MUST ATTEND class to obtain instruction regarding lectures, lessons, quizzes, homework assignments, answers to particular problems, etc.