New York Institute of Technology

NYIT, Old Westbury Campus

                School of Arts, Sciences and Communication

                                                                                  Department of Mathematics

 

 

                                                                                                                         Math 141 – Precalculus

Class Hours: Tues/Thur: 2:20 PM – 4:50 PM

 

Fall Term, 2008                                                                     Instructor: Dr. Ranja Roy

Office Hours: Monday – 11 AM - 1 PM                              Office: HSH- Room 123

                        Tue, Th – 9 AM – 09:30 AM                          Phone: 686-1096

                        And by appointment.                                        Email: rroy@nyit.edu

 

 

 

 

Text:   Precalculus- Functions and Graphs, A Graphing Approach, 4rd Edition by Larson, Hostetler and Edwards.

 

Calculator: TI-86 required for quizzes, tests and final.

 

Course Description: This course provides the essential mathematical background needed in Calculus for students who have had two or three years of high school mathematics. It integrates graphing technology without losing sight of the fact that the underlying mathematics is the crucial issue. The mathematical topics include the study of the behavior and properties of classes of functions: Linear, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric. Also includes inverse functions and modeling real world processes.

 

Course Objectives:

  1. To apply mathematical arguments to problems in Precalculus that serves as the backbone of calculus.

    2.      To solve problems quantitatively and symbolically using graphical, numerical and algebraic          

          methods  with the help of appropriate technology.

 

Learning outcomes:

 

Students will be able to:

  1. identify functional relationship between two variables both algebraically and graphically.

  2. specify the graphical and algebraic characteristics of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions.

  3. employ mathematical modeling techniques to solve a mathematics problem.  

  4. utilize technology (e.g. a graphical calculator) to solve mathematical problems that otherwise is difficult or impossible to solve algebraically.

Course Outline: We will follow the common course outline prepared by the Mathematics Department. This will cover most of the chapters 1 through 4, and some sections of 5,6 and 7. The detailed outline is attached.

 

Course Structure: There will be 7 quizzes, 3 tests and a final exam. The worst 2 quiz grades will be dropped for fair evaluation. Please see the attached grading criteria page for details.

 

Class Attendance: Attendance will be taken regularly. If you miss more that 5 classes, you are at risk to be given “W” (withdrawn)  grade.

 

Class Policies: No alternative times for the final exams can be scheduled. Make up tests will be allowed only for a documented illness provided you  contact me before the test. There will no make up for quizzes.

 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism policies:

Plagiarism is the appropriation of all or part of someone else’s works (such as but not limited to writing, coding, programs, images, etc.) and offering it as one’s own. Cheating is using false pretenses, tricks, devices, artifices or deception to obtain credit on an examination or in a college course. If a faculty member determines that a student has committed academic dishonesty by plagiarism, cheating or in any other manner, the faculty has the academic right to 1) fail the student for the paper, assignment, project and/or exam, and/or 2) fail the student for the course and/or 3) bring the student up on disciplinary charges, pursuant to Article VI, Academic Conduct Proceedings, of the Student Code of Conduct.

 

Study Suggestions: You should expect to spend 6-8 hours every week for doing the homework. Apart from doing homework regularly, it is very important to spend some extra hours to review class notes and understand the concepts clearly. A good knowledge of class material with problems covered in class work and homework is key to getting a good grade in the course.  If you are having difficulties understanding any class work or homework, please see me during my office hours to discuss on a one-on-one basis. Please feel free during lectures and outside class to ask questions.

 

Let us together make this course a rewarding experience. Best of luck !!!