© Dr. J. Tavakoli. Not to be copied, used, or revised without express written permission from the copyright owner.
THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA OKANAGAN
MATHEMATICS 125 - Precalculus
2012 Winter Term 1
COURSE OUTLINE
Lectures:
Instructor:
MWF: 09:30-10:30, FIP 204
Dr. J. Tavakoli, Sci 114
Phone: (250) 807-9535
email: javad.tavakoli@ubc.ca
Office hours: TR 12:30-1:30
Blackboard Connect (or WEBCT) Practice assignments, handouts, and important dates will be
posted on the course Blackboard Connect page, so please check it frequently. Log in at
https://www.connect.ubc.ca.
Textbook: Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus, Stewart, Redlin, Watson. Thompson
Brooks/Cole.
Calculators: All students are required to use a Sharp EL510RB scientific calculator on the
tests. This is available at the bookstore for $10 or less.
Course Objective: This course is designed to provide the mathematical foundation necessary
for success in a first-year calculus course.
Course syllabus:
1. Functions and their graphs; inverse functions
2. Algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric functions
3. Trigonometric identities
4. Matrices and determinants
5. Complex numbers
6. Binomial theorem
7. Sequences and series
8. Conic sections.
Prerequisites: One of Principles of Mathematics 11, Pre-Calculus 11, Foundations of
Mathematics 12.
Preparation for classes: Read along with the appropriate sections in the textbook between
lectures. Work practice problems from these sections.
Attendance: You are expected to attend class regularly and to participate in lecture, con
tributing to the best of your ability.
Tutorial: Students are responsible to attend tutorials, which will focus on problem solving and
numeracy skills.
© Dr. J. Tavakoli. Not to be copied, used, or revised without express written permission from the copyright owner.
Class Assignments: Generally, there will be a brief assignment each week and will be due at
the beginning of tutorial class period. Short, frequent assignments are designed to reinforce
your command of the material and help provide regular practice and study.
Midterm Tests: There will be three midterm tests on Friday of the following dates: Test #1:
Sept 28; Test #2: Oct 26; Test #3: Nov 23.
Evaluation:
Assignments
Midterms
Final Exam
15%
45%
40%
1. Each week, you will have an assignment of selected textbook questions.
2. There will be additional practice problems assigned from the text. These are not to be handed
in or graded, but you are expected to work on as many of these as you can.
3. There will be three midterm tests. It is your responsibility to be present for these tests. You
may not write a test out-of-time except for extenuating circumstances (e.g. medical or
compassionate reasons, with documentation). Travel or work is not acceptable excuses.
4. There is a three-hour comprehensive final exam during the final examination period.
PLEASE NOTE THE DATE AND TIME OF THE FINAL EXAM WHEN THESE ARE
ANNOUNCED. FAILURE TO WRITE THE FINAL EXAM AT THE SCHEDULED TIME OR
FAILURE TO ATTAIN A MARK OF AT LEAST 35% ON THE EXAM MAY RESULT IN A
FAILING GRADE FOR THE COURSE.
Tips:
You are responsible for getting the most out of your education. That means taking an active
approach to learning. You are expected to put in a significant amount of time outside of class to
study the course material. On the other hand, it is my job to do whatever I reasonably can to help
you learn. Make use of your most valuable resources and consult me or your TA whenever you
have any questions or difficulties with the course.
Do not allow yourself to fall behind; wishfully thinking you can catch up later. If you find you
are having difficulty keeping up, then do something about it immediately. See me or your TA if
you need extra help.
By its very nature, mathematics can only be learned by doing it. To be most effective, you
should: read ahead, attend lectures and labs, review your notes, and do all the practice problems
you possibly can! This may sound like a lot of work for each class, but it really does make a
difference.
Math Assistance Centre (UNC 201): This is a good place to go if you need help other than at
the time of a tutorial session. http://www.ubc.ca/okanagan/students/arc/tc/msc.html
© Dr. J. Tavakoli. Not to be copied, used, or revised without express written permission from the copyright owner.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The academic enterprise is founded on honesty, civility, and integrity. As members of this
enterprise, all students are expected to know, understand, and follow the codes of conduct
regarding academic integrity. At the most basic level, this means submitting only original work
done by you and acknowledging all sources of information or ideas and attributing them to
others as required. This also means you should not cheat, copy, or mislead others about what is
your work. Violations of academic integrity (i.e., misconduct) lead to the breakdown of the
academic enterprise, and therefore serious consequences arise and harsh sanctions are imposed.
For example, incidences of plagiarism or cheating may result in a mark of zero on the
assignment or exam and more serious consequences may apply if the matter is referred to the
President’s Advisory Committee on Student Discipline. Careful records are kept in order to
monitor and prevent recurrences.
A more detailed description of academic integrity, including the policies and procedures, may be
found at: http://okanagan.students.ubc.ca/calendar/index.cfm?tree=3,54,111,0
If you have any questions about how academic integrity applies to this course, please consult
with your professor.
A current version of the above integrity statement can be found as a .pdf in the following link:
http://web.ubc.ca/okanagan/ikbarberschool/facultystaff/forms.html
DISABILITY SERVICES
If you require disability-related accommodations to meet the course objectives, please contact
the Coordinator of Disability Resources located in the Student Development and Advising area
of the student services building. For more information about Disability Resources or academic
accommodations, please visit the website at:
http://web.ubc.ca/okanagan/students/disres/welcome.html
EQUITY, HUMAN RIGHTS, DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
UBC Okanagan is a place where every student, staff and faculty member should be able to study
and work in an environment that is free from human rights based discrimination and harassment.
If you require assistance related to an issue of equity, discrimination or harassment, please
contact the Equity Office, your administrative head of unit, and/or your unit¡¦s equity
representative.
UBC Okanagan Equity Advisor: ph. 250-807-9291; email equity.ubco@ubc.ca
Web: www.ubc.ca/okanagan/equity
Unit Equity Representatives:
http://www.ubc.ca/okanagan/equity/programs/equityreps/unitcontacts.html