Course Information

Course Number: MAT 1375

Course Title: Precalculus

Course Outline: Official course outline prepared by the Mathematics Department.

Course Description: This course is designed to prepare students for the study of Calculus. Topics include an in-depth study of functions such as polynomial functions, inverse functions, radical functions, rational functions, trigonometric functions, exponential and logarithmic functions; solving inequalities; elements of vectors and complex numbers; solving trigonometric equations and identities involving sum, double and half-angle formulas; Binomial Theorem; and progressions. A graphing calculator is required.

Credits / Hours: 4

Section Number: OL85

Prerequisites: MAT 1275

Textbook: Precalculus, Second Edition, by Thomas Tradler and Holly Carley.  The textbook is available to download for free (pdf) or in softcover format for a small fee. To obtain the textbook click here

Online Spaces

  • OpenLab: This website will be the online home for our class. The site contains important information about the course and will be used in various ways throughout the semester.  Add a link to OpenLab Course.
  • WeBWorK:  Much of the homework for this class will be completed on the WeBWorK system.  You will be provided with more information in the first week of class.  To go to our class WeBWorK site click here. (update this link with your WeBWorK section info)
  • The information about video conferencing tools we will be using:
  • Blackboard Collaborate Ultra: https://us.bbcollab.com/collab/ui/session/join/266e2b51d03f416888bef65c3e3417fe
  • Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/5716089580?pwd=bXoxb1NocEpXRWpTYzdvcEpacWt5UT09
  • Most of the class meetings will be held on Blackboard Collaborate ultra.

Faculty Information

Professor Name:

  • Lucie Mingla

Office Hours/Information: For information about office hours, visit Contact Info & Communications.

Contact Information

  • Email: lmingla@citytech.cuny.edu

Learning Outcomes

  1. Solve absolute value equations algebraically.
    Solve equations graphically.
  2. Determine the domain, and range of a given function.
    Find the sum, difference, product, quotient, and composition of functions.
    Determine the effects of basic operations on graphs of functions.
    Determine the inverse of a function, if it exists.
    Determine the roots and relative extrema of polynomials.
    Sketch the graphs of polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
    Solve equations involving polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
    Solve polynomial, rational and absolute value inequalities.
  3. Find the amplitude, phase shift, and period of trigonometric functions.
    Use the trigonometric identities, half- and double-angle formulas to modify trigonometric formulas.
    Solve trigonometric equations
  4. Write a complex number in rectangular and polar forms.
    Multiply and divide two complex numbers in polar form.
    Find the magnitude, direction angle, horizontal, and vertical components of a vector.
  5. Find the n-th term of arithmetic and geometric sequences.
    Find the n-th partial sums of arithmetic and geometric sequences.
    Find terms of a binomial expansion using the Binomial Theorem.
  6. Use a graphing calculator to assist in the above.

Gen Ed Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  1. Understand and employ both quantitative and qualitative analysis to solve problems.
  2. Employ scientific reasoning and logical thinking.
  3. Communicate effectively using written and oral means.
  4. Use creativity to solve problems.

Teaching/Learning Methods

¨ Flipped Instruction (videos and discussions)¨Cooperative learning and research-based project.
¨ Technology Enhanced Instruction¨ Problem-based learning
¨ WeBWorK ¨ Open Digital Pedagogy (the OpenLab)¨ Collaborative assignments and projects ¨ Inter/Multidisciplinary Projects
Methods of teaching and learning

Technology Requirements

  • Access to a an electronic devise such as desktop, laptop, tablet, ipod, etc
  • Access to internet.
  • A graphing calculator such as the TI-84+ is required.

Schedule

A detailed schedule of topics can be found on the Schedule page.

Percent/Letter Grade conversion

A = 93.0 — 100
A- = 90.0 — 92.9
B+ = 87.0 — 89.9
B = 83.0 — 86.9
B- = 80.0 — 82.9
C+ = 77.0 — 79.9
C = 70.0 — 76.9
D = 60.0 — 69.9
F = 0 — 59.9
W = withdrawal up to 11/6/20 (WF after 11/6/20)

Grading Policy

Homework 15%: Each week you will be assigned online homework to be completed in WeBWorK.  All problems completed will earn points towards your homework grade.

OpenLab a) Assignments, b) Discussions, and the c) Research-project 15%: (5 % each of a,b,c)

You will be participating in this site by writing and making comments in response to assigned readings, homework problems, the project, etc.

Exams (45%): There will be 3 exams during the semester (not including the final).  No makeup exams will be given.  If you miss an exam for a valid reason, your final exam score will take the place of the missing exam.

Final Exam (25%): A final exam is given on the last day of class covering all topics. The final exam must be taken to pass the course.

Class Etiquette & Netiquette

A positive learning environment relies upon creating an atmosphere where diverse perspectives can be expressed, especially in a course that focuses on pressing and controversial social and political issues. Each student is encouraged to take an active part in class discussions and activities. Honest and respectful dialogue is expected. Disagreement and challenging of ideas in a supportive and sensitive manner is encouraged. Hostility and disrespectful behavior are not acceptable. Just as we expect others to listen attentively to our own views, we must reciprocate and listen to others when they speak, especially when we disagree with them. However, in this class, our emphasis will be on engaging in the mutual exploration of issues as presented in the course readings as scholars rather than in defending points of view we have formed outside the classroom.

Attendance/Participation

Attendance/participation policy. You are expected to attend the class synchronously as scheduled and described in CunyFirst.

However, as you may know, there are many activities that you have to work on asynchronously. For that reason, I will do the lectures and some examples synchronously, then you may be asked to work on something that you need to submit within the session time or later.

So, please be mindful to be in the session since in the beginning of the session.

If you are logging in too late, and the session is not on, please refer to the agenda for the day to follow up with other activities and assignments. The least thing that you can do is to go on the open lab or webwork and complete the assignments.

With online instruction the focus is on class participation, which depends on the structure of your course. For example, if you are offering synchronous classroom experiences (Zoom, Blackboard Collaborate, etc.) it would be participation in these meetings. For asynchronous courses, it is participation by the deadlines stated in your syllabus. As technology can be fickle, and life is far from normal, please exercise both compassion and common sense.

Academic Integrity Policy

Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citation of sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the college recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion. More information about the College’s policy on Academic Integrity may be found in the College Catalog

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