MA 153 Fall 2003

Instructor: John LaMaster
home page: http://www.ipfw.edu/math/lamaster

Class Meetings: T R: 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Science Building 168

Office Hours: T Th: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., KT 204U

MW: 12:00 noon. – 1:00 p.m, KT 204U
Also by appointment or chance.

Reachable: 481-5430 (office/voice mail)

481-6821 (Math Dept)

481-6880 (FAX)

email: lamaster@ipfw.edu

Prerequisites: MA 113 with C or higher or placement by departmental exam. This course is

primarily intended for students who have completed two years of high school algebra.

Objectives: This course serves both as a preparation to the calculus sequences and as a

terminal course for students who need only this level of mathematics. 

Content: This course presents the concepts of precalculus from four points of view:

geometric (graphs), numeric (tables), symbolic (formulas), and written (verbal descriptions). The emphasis is on the mathematical modeling of real-life problems using linear, exponential, power, and rational functions. Students develop their reading, writing, and questioning skills in an interactive classroom setting.

Required: Functions Modeling Change, Second Edition by Connally, Hughes-Hallett, et al.

You will be required to use a graphing calculator for activities and assignments in and out of class. The Assistance with Graphing Calculators Web Page (http://www.ipfw.edu/math/graphcalc.html) can help you obtain and use a grapher.

(I will be using the TI-83 Plus.) Note: You can rent a TI-83 Plus for $10 at Walb Student Union 225 (481-6586)

Optional: Student's Solutions Manual

Graphing Calculator Guide for the TI-83/82 by Carl Swenson

Important Dates

Labor Day: Monday, September 1

Fall Break: Monday, October 13 - Tuesday, October 14

Last Day to Withdraw Without a Letter Grade: Friday, October 31

Final Exam: Monday, December 15, 2003 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. (If you have a conflict, see me)

Exams: There will be three chapter exams, worth 100 points each. The exams for this course will be administered outside of class time in the Test Center located in Kettler 226. This class will have three test cycles. Each test cycle is a five day period during which up to three versions of the exam may be taken. The exams are typically not multiple-choice. They are graded overnight, without partial credit, and are available for review the next class morning. The highest score is recorded for the grade on that exam.

A handout detailing the Test Center rules, procedures, and hours will be provided. Note: Students in the past who have not followed these rules have been kicked out of the test center which has caused them to fail the class, so take these rules very seriously! In addition to the exam, a comprehensive departmental final will be given Monday, Dec. 15, 2003 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Mark your calendars NOW.

Exam #1 Chapter 1 (not 1.6) an Chapter 2: Sept. 29 - Oct. 3

Exam #2 Chapters 3 and 4 (not 4.4): Oct. 27- Oct. 31

Exam #3 Chapter 5 (not 5.4), Section 8.1, Sections 9.1 to 9.4: Dec. 1- Dec. 5

Final covers remainder of Chapter 9 and all of the above: Dec. 15, 2003 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Tip: While the exams are one hour tests, you will have as much time as you need for them, based on when the test center is open. Use this. Since there is no partial credit, you want to make sure your exam is impeccable before turning it in. If for any reason your schedule prevents you from coming to campus to take the exams outside of class multiple times, and you can not use the advantage of virtually unlimited time, then drop this class immediately.

Attendance and Participation: Attendance and is vital and is part of the course grade. You cannot earn your attendance credit if you are not here for the entire class meeting, which means that you are in your (assigned) seat at 12:00 and staying until class ends at 1:15. You are expected to not only attend all class meetings, but participate in your group and contribute to the learning environment of the class as a whole. If you are blatantly not participating in class (such as doing homework for other classes, reading the newspaper), you may be physically here, but this is worse than being absent, since it lowers the class morale. To earn complete points for attendance on a particular day, you may be required to do more than just “show up.” For example, you may be asked to answer some questions correctly about the assigned reading due that day to earn all of your Attendance credit. A missed class may be made up by attending two office hour sessions (mine or TA’s) or two tutoring sessions. These must be documented.

Internet Access: Part of your semester fees went toward giving you Internet access. Make sure your account is activated by next week. Call the Help Desk at 481-6030 if you have questions or need assistance.

Assignments: Homework will be regularly assigned, but not collected. These problems are to be prepared for discussion during the next class period. Completion of the assignments is essential for understanding the material. Assignments will be posted on the course Web Site found at http://www.ipfw.edu/math/lamaster/courses.htm so if you miss a class, you can come prepared the next day. However, to be safe, get the phone number of someone else in the class and just call them to see what you missed!

In addition, assignments must be completed over the Internet off the course Web Site using eGrade. A tutorial is available at this Web site as well. Completion of these assignments will constitute 10% of the course grade. See the General Course Information for more details about using this.

If you have or acquire a disability and want to find out about what special services and accommodations are available, you may contact Services for Students with Disabilities in Walb 118, telephone 481-6557 (voice/TDD)