MAT 149 Syllabus - Spring 2013
Instructor: Jinhee Canfield
Phone: 847-376-7134
Office: 2524, DP
Email: jcanfiel@oakton.edu – the quickest way to reach me
OFFICE HOURS: M/W 10:20am – 12noon, T/R 11:50am – 12:30pm
I.
Course Prefix/Number: MAT 149
Course Name: Precalculus
Credits: 5 (5 lecture; 0 lab)
II. Prerequisite
MAT 110 with minimum grade of C or appropriate score on Mathematics Placement Test,
and MAT 080 or geometry proficiency.
III. Course (Catalog) Description
Course surveys algebraic and transcendental functions. Content includes polynomial,
rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions conic sections, series,
parametric equations, and polar equations. Technology integratedthroughout course.
IV. Learning Objectives
A. Understand the concepts of relations and functions.
B. Understand the basic characteristics and graphs for the following functions:
polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric.
C. Apply algebraic techniques to trigonometric expressions, identities, and triangles.
D. Understand the basic characteristics and graphs of the conic sections.
E. Understand the concepts associated with vectors and their operations.
F. Apply the concepts of sequences and series.
G. Understand parametric equations.
H. Understand polar equations.
I. Use technology for graphing and evaluating functions:
1.
2.
Generate the complete graph for the elementary functions.
Solve equations involving elementary functions.
V. Academic Integrity
Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate
academic integrity and follow Oakton's Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:
• cheating,
• plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
• falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
• helping others to cheat,
• unauthorized changes on official documents,
• pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
• making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
• any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton's
policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you.
If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the
assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of
the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
VI. Sequence of Topics
A. Functions and their graphs
1. Operations on functions: combinations
2. Graphing techniques
3. Translations and Rotations
4. Inverse functions
B. Polynomial functions: graphs and zeros
1. Quadratic functions
2. Polynomial functions of higher degree
3. Remainder and Factor Theorems
4. Complex zeros of polynomial functions
5. Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
6. Applications
C. Rational functions and conic sections
1. Rational functions and their graphs
2. Conic sections
a) Center at origin
b) Translations
D. Exponential and logarithmic functions
1. Exponential functions and their graphs
2. Logarithmic functions and their graphs
3. Properties of logarithms
4. Solving exponential and logarithmic equations
5. Applications
E. Find the intersection of two polynomial functions (substitution method)
F. Sequences and series
1. Fundamentals of sequences and series
2. Arithmetic sequences
3. Geometric sequences
4. Applications
G. Trigonometric functions
1. Measurement of angles
2. Circular functions
3. Graphs of sines and cosines
4. Graphs of the other trigonometric functions
5. Inverse trigonometric functions and their graphs
6. Trigonometric identities
a. Pythagorean identities
b. Sum and difference formulas
c. Multiple and half angle formulas
d. Sum-to-product; product-to-sum
7. Solving trigonometric equations
8. Applications
a. Complex numbers and their trigonometric form
b. Solving right triangles
c. Law of Sines, Law of Cosines
d. Roots and powers of complex numbers
e. Polar coordinates
f. Parametric equations
H. Vectors
1. Geometric and algebraic representation of vectors
2. Basic operations with vectors
I. Technology
1. Generate the complete graph of each trigonometric and inverse trigonometric
function including setting a proper window, tracing and zooming.
2. Graphically locate the x-intercepts, the relative extrema and determine
asymptotic behaviors.
3. Solve equations graphically, numerically and/or symbolically.
VII. Methods of Instruction
Lectures, whole-class discussion, student self-checking, regularly assigned homework
(via ‘MyMathLabs Plus’).
‘MyMathLabs Plus’ Bundle is required.
VIII. Course Practices Required
Attendance: There are no points for attendance. However, when a student is at the
border line of two grades (for example, between 88.0 and 89.9), the attendance record
will be used to help break the tie. Early leaving and late arrivals eventually count as full
absences. Any student who misses class for any reason is completely responsible for
missed materials, regardless of whether I can provide them conveniently after the fact.
Any student who misses class will be expected to be in the same class schedule as those
who were present.
The lowest Test score (out of 4 Tests, except ‘Test III’ which contains chapter 6 and
chapter 7) will be dropped for the final grade if you do not miss more than 2 classes
by the end of the semester. (Students who come more than 15 minutes late or leave more
than 15 minutes early will be marked absent.)
All four tests will be taken in room 2629.(Feb 6, Mar 6, April 10, and
May 8, 2013)
Missed Test: If a student misses a test, a makeup exam may be taken, but it will be
slightly harder than the original exam. Please email me to arrange the make-up test.
Homework: Turn in your homework through ‘My Labs Plus’ via ‘my Oakton’. (80% or
above will be credited.)
IX. Instructional Materials
Required Textbook: Precalculus(A Right Triangle Approach) by Lial, Hornsby,
Schneider, Daniels, 5th edition, Pearson.
A graphics calculator is required. A TI-83 will be used for instructional purposes.
X. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
The final grade will be given based on: 80% from Tests (4 Tests) and 20% from HW.
A: 90%-100%, B: 80%-89%, C: 70%-79%, D: 60%-69%, F: 0%-59%
XI. Other Course Information
Incomplete Grade: Any incomplete grade will be subject to a student having passed the
Midterm Exam (70% or above on the first two Tests), and other individual
considerations like a documented hardship near the end of class.
Special Needs: If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability
you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request
accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in the Learning Center. All
students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive
any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
No cell phone can be used for any test. Bring your calculator for each test.
If you want to chat during the class, please do so outside the lecture room.