Math 2412 -0066 (72523)
Fall 2015_
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
Houston Community College-Southeast
Dr. Juurong Hsieh, P.E.
E-mail: juurong.hsieh@hccs.edu
Math 2412: Pre-Calculus
Course Syllabus and Outline
Course Description: Topics include elementary theory of functions and equations, analytic geometry, vectors, introductory logic,
mathematical induction, sequences and finite series. 4 Credits.
Prerequisites: Math 1314 and Math 1316 (Pass with a “C” or better)
Course Intent: This course is designed as a review to prepare for Calculus. It can also be used for general mathematics credit.
Course Objectives: At the completion of this course, a student should be able to:
1.Develop and use various problem-solving techniques
2.Recognize functions as ordered pairs
3.Determine the graph of an algebraic equation or function
4.Develop partial fraction decomposition
5.Find zeros of real functions
6.Utilize the six basic trigonometric functions
7.Verify various trigonometric identities
8.Apply the law of sines and cosines for various types of situations
9.Find the powers of roots of complex numbers using DeMoivre’s Theorem
10.Understand basic vectors (2 dimensional)
11.Convert points in a rectangular coordinate system to polar coordinates
12.Recognize algebraic formulas relating to circles, parabolas, ellipses and hyperbolas
13.Use translation of axes, rotation of axes and polar equations of conics
14.Recognize the use of arithmetic and geometric sequences
15.Use summation notation
16.Understand and Use Binomial theorems
17.Understand mathematical induction
18.Understand the basic concepts of limits
Textbook: Precalculus, 4th edition, Robert Blitzer
Class Attendance & Behavior: Class is very important. If some unavoidable situation arises which causes you to miss class, then
please keep me advised at least one day earlier via phone or email. Otherwise, if you would miss in exceeding of 5 classes during
this course, you can expect to be administratively withdrawn (W) (and an F or FX will be issued after the final drop date).
Attendance count will begin on the second week of class. Please be on time for class. Arriving class later than 15 minutes will be
considered as “tardiness”; Leaving class earlier (more than 15 minutes before the end of class) and interruption of classmate’s study
and teacher’s lecture during the class session(s) is inappropriate and will not be tolerated. (Points deduction will be considered.)
Withdrawals: The Texas State Legislature has begun to impose penalties on students who drop courses excessively. In 2007, the
Legislature passed a law limiting students to no more than six (6) total course withdrawals throughout their academic career in
obtaining a baccalaureate degree. To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early Alert
process by which your instructor will "alert" you and HCC student services of the chance you might fail a class because of excessive
absences and/or poor academic performance. You should visit with your instructor, a counselor, or HCC Online Student Services to
learn about your options. Students MUST visit with a faculty advisor, a counselor or online student services prior to withdrawal from
class.
Supplemental Materials: Assigned by Professor as appropriate.
You may also seek assistance in the Tutoring Assistance Center. A schedule of tutoring hours will be provided during the class.
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Math 2412 - 0066 (72523)
Fall 2015
Office Hours: Pre-arrangement must be agreed by professor.
Calculators: Calculators may be used for homework only.
However, calculators are never to be used or allowed on quizzes, tests or examinations.
Academic Honesty: All Houston Community College System students are required to exercise academic honesty in completion of all
tests and assignments. Penalties for academic dishonesty ( cheating on a test, collaborating with others during tests, plagiarism,
collusion on an assignment, bribing, using, selling, stealing, soliciting or borrowing in whole or part of a test document from other
students for a test before it is to be administered, etc.) may include, but are not limited to, a reduced grade, or a "0" on that test or
assignment, a "W" in the course, an "F" in that course, and/or dismissal from the HCCS.
Testing Policy: On test days the lecture will be given the first half of class and the test will be given the last half of class. This way if
a student needs extra time to finish the test, this will not conflict with the time needed for the lecture. Quiz will be given in the middle
of the class. Students are not permitted to leave the room and return once the test/quiz paper has been administered. On non-multiple
choice items, partial credit will be given for correct work only, and the amount of partial credit awarded will be determined by the
instructor. There will be NO make-up tests under any circumstances. Missing only one test will not penalize any
student. In the event that a student should miss one test, the final exam grade will be substituted in its place.
Examinations and Grading: Three tests will be given during the course totaling 40% of
your grade. A comprehensive final exam will be given which will account for 35% of your
grade. The remaining 25% will come from homework, in-class quiz and participations
and attendance.
Grading Scale: The final letter grade will be determined accordingly:
100-90
A
89-80
B
79-70
C
69-60
D
Below 60
F
Homework: Homework will be assigned (a total of 3 HWs) and maintained in a notebook, which must be turned in at the beginning
of the next class, if any. Homework exercises must be copied and work must be shown to receive full credit.
In case you were absent from class - it is YOUR responsibility to obtain the homework assignments
and/or catch up with teaching topics and materials from your classmate(s).
Final Exam: A comprehensive test to cover ALL topics during the semester will be given.. Students who complete the course by
taking the final exam will not be eligible to receive a “W” for the course.
Participation of Student Survey of the End-of-Class is encouraged and requested by HCCS.
Disabilities: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, developmental, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Support Services (DSS) Counselor at the beginning of each
semester. Faculty members are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the DSS office.
Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices: Please turn phones off or put them on vibrate mode. Listening devices, ie. ipods,
MP3's, etc. are to be stored away during class time. Text messaging is not allowed during class as it can be distracting to other
students. Abusers will be asked to leave class and marked absent.
Breaks: There will be one break given each class day. Each break will be about 10 minutes by teacher’s discretion.
Students who leave class except at the authorized 10 minute break will be marked as absent. Absences will affectively lower test
grades and/or could be given a “W” or “F” (See rules listed under Class Attendance & Behavior)
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Math 2412 -0066 (72523)
Fall 2015_
Repeated Attempts:
Students who repeat a course two or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public
colleges and universities. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your
instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course
participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available.
Title IX- Department of Education issued a mandate requiring that colleges communicate with students regarding
Title IX objectives.
Discrimination
Students should be aware that discrimination and/or other harassment based on race, sex, gender identity and gender
expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, color or veteran status is prohibited by HCC Policy
G.1 Discrimination and Harassment and D.1.1 Equal Educational Opportunities. Any student who feels they have been
discriminated against or harassed on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, religion,
age, disability, sexual orientation, color or veteran status including sexual harassment, has the opportunity to seek
informal or formal resolution of the matter. All complaints/concerns should be directed to the Office of Institutional Equity,
713 718-8271 or oie@hccs.edu<mailto:oie@hccs.edu>. Additional information may be obtained online. Visit
http://www.hccs.edu/district/departments/institutionalequity/
Complaints involving sexual misconduct to include but not limited to: sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, sexual
harassment or domestic violence should be directed to the HCC Title IX Coordinator, Renée Mack at 713 718-8272 or
renee.mack@hccs.edu<mailto:renee.mack@hccs.edu>
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Math 2412 - 0066 (72523)
Fall 2015
Basic Competencies:
Reading: You are expected to read your Math textbook before you come to class.
(Read the sections which will be covered in class beforehand.)
Writing: When doing your homework assignments, copy each problem out of the book and show all of your work. If
necessary, explain the steps taken to solve the problem.
Speaking/Participation in classroom: Discuss questions or problems with open mind and respect to each other
(regardless your suggestion or approach is better or not.)
Listening: You are responsible for any material presented in class during lectures. (No ear phone or ear piece during
the class.)
Critical Thinking: Application problems are an integral part of Mathematics .
You will be assigned numerous application problems and should expect to see similar problems on your exams.
Course Outline - Math 2412
Week
1
2
3
August 25
August 27
September 1
Lecture/Exam
Beginning of Class – Introduction, Syllabus
Chapter P - Fundamental concepts& Review
Chapter P – (Ditto)
4
September 3
Chapter P – (Ditto)
5
September 8
Chapter 1
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Math 2412 -0066 (72523)
Fall 2015_
6
September 10
Chapter 1
7
September 15
Review & Quiz 1
8
September 17
Chapter 2
9
September 22
Chapter 2
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
September 24
September 29
October 1
October 6
October 8
October 13
October 15
October 20
October 22
October 27
October 29
November 3
November 5
November 10
November 12
November 17
November 19
November 24
November 26
December 1
December 3
December 8
December 10
Test 1
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 5 & Quiz 2
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Test 2
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 9 & Quiz 3
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Test 3
Holiday
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Final Exam
Note: The Instructor reserves the right to make such changes to the above as may be dictated by various
circumstances. Pay attention to my instruction on calendar update during the class.
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