This course is an introduction to the definition of a function and its inverse, exponential and logarithmic functions, sequences and series and conic sections. Quadratic equations and systems of quadratic equations will be solved.

There will be five quizzes, three tests and a final. The tests will emphasize current material, while still containing problems from earlier in the course.

Other ways to get points will be homework and notebooks. Just take notes, participate in class, and do your homework everyday and you shouldn’t need to study very long for the exams. Here’s how I calculate your grades:

Homework 15%

Notebook 5%

Quizzes 15%

Tests 45%

Final 20%

Warm-Ups 5%

Total 105%

Letter grades for the course are based on a percentage of the total points:

A 90 – 100%

B 80 – 89%

C 70 – 79%

D 60 – 69%

F 0 – 59%

Don’t worry about trying to calculate your grade: I will have a weekly grade report so that we all know how we are doing at any time.

It is important for you to attend class, even if you feel you learn better at home. So there often will be a warm-up problem posted each day, for two minutes. These will be turned in at 6:05, so if you are late, you missed out. Four of these warm-ups is worth about one bonus percentage toward your grade.

Homework is due everyday, the session after it is assigned. Any homework turned in after this day is considered late (no exceptions) and is worth half credit.

Homework will be graded on a ten-point scale: five points toward effort and five points toward accuracy. You must show your work. The process is more important than the answer.

All tests and quizzes must be taken with the class, unless you call me in advance and you have a verifiable, written medical excuse. In this case you may take it the next day. Otherwise you can take it before the next class meeting, with a 10% penalty.

Make-ups are taken at the LAC, room G6. Don’t miss test days!

Succeeding at math is more about developing good habits and less about IQ. Thus, it is important everyday to take notes, do your homework and keep your work in an organized notebook. Your notebook needs to be a three ring binder with at least three sections: syllabus/tests and quizzes, notes and homework. I will collect notebooks at Test#2 and the Final. I will grade them like this:

Organized, neat and thorough: 30 points

Sloppy, but you can still find things: 20 points

How do find anything in this? 10 points

Huh? Not turned in. 0 points

Yowza! You finally get to use a calculator in a math class! We won’t use them that much, but you should have one with you in here. If you plan on taking more math classes, you might as well get a graphing calculator.

If you have a learning disability, be sure to discuss it with me. Learning disabilities will be accommodated.

Tutors are available in the LAC all day, Monday – Friday.

In fact, I will be in there myself. I’m pretty sure my schedule for this quarter will be:

Tuesday: 8-11am, at the GMC,

Wednesday: 3-6, at the LAC, 6-9 pm, at the GMC

Thursday: 8-11am, at the GMC.