MTLC SYLLABUS FOR MATH 112, 1st Term Summer, 2009
COURSE TITLE:
Precalculus Algebra
CREDIT: 3 semester hours
INSTRUCTORS: Section01: Dr. Martyn Dixon
Section03: Dr. Bruce Trace
TEXT: Precalculus 3rd Edition with MyMathLab
Section02: Dr. Vo Liem
Section04: Nathan Winkles
AUTHORS: Beecher/Penna/Bittinger
PUBLISHER: Addison Wesley
ACCESS CODE: An access code is required to complete all assignments and tests for this course. It allows the student to access the
publisher’s website for the course, where all assignments and tests must be completed and where the entire textbook may be viewed
online. Access codes can be purchased with or without a hard copy of the textbook at a bookstore or online from the publisher. If you
are a repeating Math 112 student, you should already have access to the software without purchasing a new code. If you have any
difficulty, see an instructor in the MTLC immediately.
EMAIL: Your crimson email account is the e-mail address we will use for communication in this class. If you do not know your
crimson email address, you can contact the help desk at 348-HELP.
PREREQUISITE: Grade of “C-“ or better in Math 100 or a minimum of 310 on the math placement test.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a course in Precalculus mathematics. The course is computer-assisted, which means students
will use the computer (along with the instructor) to complete the course. Topics include linear, quadratic, and rational equations and
inequalities, the algebra of functions (including polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions), the graphs of these
functions, and systems of equations.
GENERAL LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR 100-200 LEVEL COURSES:
 Students will be able to discriminate between reliable and less reliable information in their decision-making.
 Students will be able to recognize and explain the scientific method, and evaluate scientific information.
LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THIS COURSE:
 Students will be able to perform operations on polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
 Students will be able to graph polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions using techniques and
information gathered about the functions.
 Students will be able to solve linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, absolute value, and inequality equations.
 Students will be able to recognize and manipulate complex numbers.
 Students will be able to solve systems of equations in two or more variables.
CALCULATOR: Only the calculator on the computer may be used in this course.
COURSE GRADES: This course is under the “A, B, C, NC” policy, +/- grades will be given. The course grade is determined by
points earned as follows:
3 Tests
450 points (150 points each)
COURSE GRADE SCALE
Final Exam
300 points
Quizzes
130 points (40 points each test period)
A+ 980 - 1002, A 920 – 979, A- 900 - 919
Homework
90 points (30 points each test period)
B+ 880 – 899, B 820 – 879, B- 800 - 819
Attendance
40 points (2 points for each day)
C+ 780 – 799, C 720 – 779, C- 700 - 719
Total
1000 points
NC – Below 700
Note: The last day to drop this course is Friday, June 19, 2008. No withdrawals from this course can be made after this date.
TEST DEADLINES:
Tests: Wednesdays, 6/10, 6/17, and 6/24. All tests begin at your class time. No study time is allowed after testing begins.
Comprehensive Final Exam: Section01: Thursday 7/2 at 2pm.
Section02: Wednesday 7/1 at 8am.
Section03: Thursday 7/2 at 8am.
Section04: Wednesday 7/1 at 2pm.



All tests except the final exam are given at your class time.
You may take tests early if you finish all required work early. Early tests must begin before 2:00 pm each day.
You will be given 75 minutes for each of the 3 tests. You will be given 2 ½ hours to complete your final. Do not
be late for your tests. Any tardiness will cost you working time on your test.
Students may complete assigned work in the MTLC during the following hours:
Mon – Fri
8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Lab will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays
(MTLC phone number 348-2592)
ATTENDANCE: You must attend all your regular scheduled class times in the summer. Lectures will be given in the club
room of the MTLC on Mondays and Thursdays. For the lecture meetings, students will report during their designated class time on
Mondays and Thursdays to the MTLC club room. For days other than lectures or tests, you are required to be in the MTLC during
your class time for at least 90 minutes to work on your homework and quizzes in order to get your daily attendance credit.
The MTLC will open on Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm. If you need extra time outside the MTLC lab hours to finish the
required work, you can go to the Gordon Palmer lab (152 GP), but the time in there will not be counted toward your attendance. The
Gordon Palmer Lab will be open Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – midnight, Friday: 8:00am – 4:45pm, and Sunday: 2:00pm – midnight.
DISABILITY ACCESS STATEMENT: For those students wishing to request disability accommodations, please contact the Office
of Disability Services at 348-4285. After initial arrangements are made with that office, then contact your professor. Your professor
will be glad to work with you to make sure your needs are properly met.
QUIZZES: There will be a quiz given on each section covered. For each test period you will be allowed to drop one section quiz
grade. The remaining quizzes’ grades will be averaged and converted to the 40 points you earn for each test period. Note that sections
after Test 3 are included in the Test 3 calculations.
HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned for each section. For each test period you will be allowed to drop one homework grade.
The homework grade will be calculated by taking the average of each of the remaining grades on the homework sections assigned and
converting this to the 30 points you earn for each test period. Homework can be completed more than once with the highest score kept
as the grade for that section. Note that sections after Test 3 are included in the Test 3 calculations.
The Math 112 software can be installed on the student’s personal computer. Internet access is required in order to reach the website
where the notes, homework, and exercises are found. Tests must be taken in the MTLC. If you do graded work from home, you
risk not having your grades being properly sent. If your grades are not successfully sent from home you will NOT be able to
make this work up at a later date
MAKE-UP POLICY: There will be NO makeup work in the summer.
REPLACEMENT POLICY: Everyone will be allowed to replace his/her lowest test grade with the grade made on the final exam.
However, zeros due to an unexcused absence or academic misconduct will not be replaced.
Classroom Rules:
1. The MTLC is a math classroom. Please be quiet during your visit to the MTLC.
2. You must swipe in with your ID card when you enter the MTLC and swipe out when you leave even if you need a short break.
You cannot swipe an ID card other than yours. Violators will be charged with academic misconduct and reported to the
dean’s office.
3. Cell phones, food, drinks (including water), tobacco products, and companions are NOT allowed in the Center. A cell phone
violation will cause your cell phone to be detained until you leave the MTLC. Your cell phone needs to be out of sight.
4. No work other than mathematics, such as talking, surfing the Internet, playing computer games, typing a paper, sleeping, etc. is
allowed in the Center. Any violation will cause your attendance credit to be 0 for that day and you will be asked to leave the
MTLC.
5. The use of a computer in the MTLC is on first-come first-serve basis; no reservation can be made for normal course work.
6. No attendance credit will be given for students who do not have their ACT cards.
7. Please do not hesitate to ask questions in the MTLC. Staff members in the MTLC are there to help you.
Test Rules:
1. No early tests will be given after 2:00pm on any day.
2. The 3 regular tests will be given in the MTLC at your registered class time. The final exam will be given by the official
University final exam schedule. See above for dates and times.
3. Show up on time for your test. Tests will start at the beginning of your scheduled class time. Any tardiness will cost you time for
working on the test.
4. Only the calculator on the computer may be used on tests.
5. Bring your ID and pencils with you. The MTLC will provide you with scratch paper. No other paper or personal calculators are
allowed. Place all belongings on the floor. Once you have entered the testing area, all review material must be put away.
6. Absolutely no cell phones allowed during testing. All cell phones must be turned off and put away out of sight. Use of cell
phones during a test will result in a charge of academic misconduct.
7. NO IPODS may be used during testing. Use of IPODS during a test will result in a charge of academic misconduct.
8. The only webpage that is to be opened during a test is the MathXL testing page. If any other websites are opened during testing
then it is considered grounds for academic misconduct.
9. An MTLC staff member must be present when your test is submitted for a grade. No grades will be accepted from the student
gradebook. Failure to abide by these rules will result in your test score being voided and you will retake your test at that time.
10. You will be allowed to review your test before you leave the lab. However, you are not allowed to write any information
pertaining to your test questions down on paper to take with you when you leave the MTLC after an exam. You are not allowed
to share any test information with anyone who hasn’t taken the test. Violators will be charged with academic misconduct.
WORKING FROM HOME: You may finish your homework and quizzes from any PC with an internet connection and the
necessary plug-ins by going to the website www.mylabsplus.com. However, work outside of the MTLC is at your own risk. Problems
with internet or with submitting are not valid excuse for past due homework or quizzes. Note that working outside of the lab does not
count toward your attendance points.
Math Course Login Information:
Your username: crimson email address
Your password: CWID
example: jksmith@crimson.ua.edu
example: 12345678
Quizzes and Homework have expiration dates. These dates will not be extended for any reason.
Section Title
1.1
Introduction to Graphing
1.2
Functions and Graphs
1.3
Linear Functions, Slope, and Applications
1.4
Equations of Lines and Modeling
1.5
More on Functions
6/4 Thursday
Lecture
1.6
The Algebra of Functions
1.7
Symmetry and Transformations
2.1
Linear Equations, Functions and Models
6/8 Monday
2.2
The Complex Numbers
Lecture
2.3
Quadratic Equations, Functions, and Models Linear Functions
Test 1: Wednesday 6/10 begins at your class time.
Test 1 Material
6/2 Tuesday
Lecture
Completion Date & Time
Thursday 6/4 by 8am
Thursday 6/4 by 8am
Thursday 6/4 by 8am
Monday 6/8 by 8am
Monday 6/8 by 8am
Monday 6/8 by 8am
Monday 6/8 by 8am
Wednesday 6/10 by 8am
Wednesday 6/10 by 8am
Wednesday 6/10 by 8am
Section Title
2.4
Analyzing Graphs of Quadratic Functions
2.5
More Equation Solving
6/11 Thursday
Lecture
2.6
Solving Linear Inequalities
3.1
Polynomial Functions and Models
3.2
Graphing Polynomial Functions
3.3
Polynomial Division, The Remainder and Factor Theorem
6/15 Monday
Lecture
3.4
Theorems about Zeros of Polynomial Functions
3.5
Rational Functions
Test 2: Wednesday 6/17 begins at your class time
Completion Date & Time
Monday 6/15 by 8am
Monday 6/15 by 8am
Monday 6/15 by 8am
Monday 6/15 by 8am
Wednesday 6/17 by 8am
Wednesday 6/17 by 8am
Wednesday 6/17 by 8am
Wednesday 6/17 by 8am
Section Title
3.6
Polynomial and Rational Inequalities
4.1
Inverse Functions
6/18 Thursday
Lecture
4.2
Exponential Functions and Graphs
4.3
Logarithmic Functions and Graphs
4.4
Properties of Logarithmic Functions
6/22 Monday
4.5
Solving Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
Lecture
4.6
Applications and Models: Growth and Decay
Test 3: Wednesday 6/24 begins at your class time
Completion Date & Time
Monday 6/22 by 8am
Monday 6/22 by 8am
Monday 6/22 by 8am
Monday 6/22 by 8am
Wednesday 6/24 by 8am
Wednesday 6/24 by 8am
Wednesday 6/24 by 8am
Test 2 Material
Test 3 Material
6/25 Thursday
Lecture
6/29 Monday
Lecture
Section Title
8.1
System of Equations in Two Variables
8.2
System of Equations in Three Variables
9.4
Nonlinear Systems of Equations & Review for Final
Comprehensive Final Exam: Section01: Thursday 7/2 at 2pm.
Section03: Thursday 7/2 at 8am.
Completion Date & Time
Monday 6/29 by 8am
Monday 6/29 by 8am
Wednesday 7/1 by 8am
Section02: Wednesday 7/1 at 8am.
Section04: Wednesday 7/1 at 2pm.