::math 12:: syllabus

course:

mat-12-2 (spring 2007)

instructor:

Ezra Gouvea

title:

precalculus

website:

http://math.ucdavis.edu/~ezrag/12

meeting:

MWF 2:10--3:00 P (roessler 55)

email:

ezrag

math.ucdavis.edu

crn:

44587

office hours
(in msb 2129):

M	3--4
T	5:30--6:30
W	hw due

F	10--11
**	or by appointment

Welcome to precalculus at UC Davis! If you find yourself falling behind (or, better yet, before you fall behind), you may need to take a new approach to learning. You might want to try to:

read the book---(especially if you feel lost during the lecture) try reading the relevant section (check the tentative lecture schedule) before you come to class, after class, while you're doing homework, etc. (reading math is not like reading some other subjects---you must concentrate on what the author is saying, and it's perfectly normal to have to read a passage three, five, or ten times);
participate in lecture---try to follow along and ask questions when something doesn't make sense;
find a study group---reading the book will be easier if you have a study buddy to help cure your apathy and confusion;
come to office hours---I am here to help (also, this might be a good place to start looking for a study group); and
do your homework---it will help.

Overview

The textbook is Cohen's Precalculus: A Problem-Oriented Approach (6th edition). We will be studying functions and their graphs, slope, the zeroes of polynomials, exponential/logarithmic and trigonometric functions, and sketching surfaces and solids.

There will two midterms, a final exam, and ten homework assignments. You are encouraged to work together on homework; but all work that you turn in must be written by you, and you must understand it well enough to reproduce on your own. Of course, no form of group work is allowed during the exams.

The homework assignments will be given in class, and posted on the website at
http://www.math.ucdavis.edu/~ezrag/12/hw.html.

	::grading::
homework	................20%
midterm 1	................25%
midterm 2	................25%
final	................30%

Resources

The Learning Skills Center offers free academic assistance to all UC Davis students.
http://www.lsc.ucdavis.edu/
They even offer drop-in tutoring. I used to get a lot of help from my drop-in center.
http://www.lsc.ucdavis.edu/math_workshops.htm#mathtable
Lawrence Marx (here at UC Davis) also has this list of practice problems and review material.
http://www.math.ucdavis.edu/%7Emarx/precalculus.html

Policies

prerequisites
All students enrolling in Math 12 are required to satisfy the Mathematics Placement Requirement by

passing the Precalculus Diagnostic Exam with an overall score of at least 25;
scoring either a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement "AB" exam;
scoring either a 3, 4, or 5 on the Advanced Placement "BC" exam; or by
scoring 700 or better on the the SAT-I Mathematics Exam.

Students who have not met the requirement will be ADMINISTRATIVELY DROPPED from the class by the Math Department. The only date for the Precalculus Diagnostic Exam in the Spring Quarter is Saturday, April 7th, at 11:00 a.m. (sharp), in 123 Science Lecture Hall.

homework
Homework will be collected at the end of class on Wednesdays. It should clearly show each logical step, and be easy to read. Late homework will not be accepted, but your lowest score will be dropped.

exams
Calculators will not be allowed (nor necessary) during examinations. There will be no make-up exams; except under documentable, extreme circumstances. If this is the case, contact the instructor as soon as possible.

grading
At the end of the quarter the grades will be curved. This will be done fairly, and everyone will receive the grade that they have earned. You are encouraged to study together and avoid competition.

cheating
You will be held to the University's Standards of Conduct for Students. And instances of misconduct will be reported to Student Judicial Affairs.

expectations
Besides homework and exams, you are responsible for reading the textbook and coming to class on time. Latecomers (like everyone) are expected to cause as little disruption to the class as possible. Make sure to turn off your cell phone before class. Beverages and quiet snacks are allowed as long as they are not distracting to your peers, i.e. no noises, smells, spills, etc.

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