INSTRUCTOR. Prof. Irene Hueter, Department of Mathematics, Baruch College-CUNY, Office at 6-245 Vertical Campus, Phone (646) 312-4169, Fax (646) 312-4111, Email
irene_hueter@baruch.cuny.edu. To contact me and have access to the locked areas, please use any of the intercollege telephones located before the classrooms. For more information, visit the Mathematics Department's website at http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/math/ or my website at http://faculty.baruch.cuny.edu/ihueter/.OFFICE HOURS. Tuesdays & Thursdays: 10:20-10:40 AM and 12:30-1:10 PM, and other times by appointment.
AIMS OF THIS COURSE. This course covers those topics in precalculus that are necessary for the study of Calculus as well as in quantitative courses in allied disciplines. It also covers a number of calculus concepts. Topics to be covered include: a review of some college algebra, linear and quadratic functions, regression, a detailed study of functions and their properties, with applications, limits, the tangent line, differentiation of algebraic functions, matrices and linear systems of equations. Emphasis is placed on enhancing your skills in thinking analytically, communicating and writing more clearly and critically, which will be valuable in general problem solving, your future studies and professional career. For more details and an approximate schedule, see the department syllabus (click here). The course website is http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/math/course_syllabi/2003.html.
INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT. Mostly lectures taught by the instructor. Everyone is strongly encouraged to participate in the class activities and ask questions about the material. The chapters or sections are to be read ahead of time.
TEXT. Precalculus and Elements of Calculus, by Warren B. Gordon and Walter O. Wang (First Edition), Addison Wesley, 2005, ISBN 0-536-94856-1. The book can be purchased at the Baruch College Bookstore.
CALCULATOR. Each student is required to have a TI-89 or TI-92 graphical calculator, starting on the first day of class. Some of the problems that we will encounter can only be completed with a calculator. The exams carry calculator questions.
PREREQUISITES. A student has passed MTH 1030 or has been placed into this course by the Mathematics Placement Examination. Passing this course, MTH 2003, is a requirement to enroll in the follow-up course MTH 2205 (Applied Calculus II) or MTH 2610 (Calculus).
HOMEWORK. Homework will be assigned in every class, upon completing a section. See the department syllabus (click here). The material covered in class and the assigned homework problems are the student's responsibility. The solutions to the homework problems will not be collected but are due by the beginning of the next class. Page and problems number of any exercise that gives the students difficulty ought to be written on the board before the start of the class. Student solutions for these requested problems should be written on the board and any student working out such a problem correctly receives homework credit points. To discuss the homework solutions, please make use of my office hours. Note that the answers to most exercises are listed in the book. Even though the homework does not count towards your final grade, solving the assigned problems will be essential to your success in this course and is one of the best ways to prepare for the exams. You are expected to work all assigned "required problems" in each problem set prior to the next class. There are about 10 more "practice problems" per section. The "challenge problems" are intended for more enthusiastic students. You will be able to download the homework assignments (click here).
QUIZZES.
EXAMS.
There will be three exams (each worth 100 points) and one uniform, multiple choice,
departmental, comprehensive final exam (worth 100 points).
Important:
(1)
There will not be any make-up exams. Any student who is absent
from an exam with a valid explanation will have the final exam count double.
Absence from two exams automatically leads to a failing grade.
(2)
According to department policy, any student who scores less than 50 % on the final
exam receives a failing grade (=grade F).
Any student who is absent from the final exam and whose term
average is at least 55 % is given a final grade of ABS.
The student must present a valid excuse to the Office of Curricular
Guidance and apply for a make-up final exam (usually given during the final examination period
of the next semester). If the term average
is less than 55 %, the student is given an F grade.
(3)
According to department policy, there is no incomplete grade in this course (in any course with
number 3030 or below).
Final Exam:
The final exam is entirely multiple choice and consists of 35 questions
(25 non-calculator, 10 calculator questions). Each question is worth 3 points. To achieve 100 %,
you need 34 correct answers. At least 17 correct answers are necessary to pass the final exam, and thus,
this course. 16 correct answers = fail (final exam and course). Note that the final exam is challenging.
To prepare for the final exam, solve as many
problems as possible from the Final Exam Manual, posted at
http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/math/pdf/2003_FINAL_MANUAL_v16A.pdf.
EXAM SCHEDULE.
FINAL EXAM MANUAL.
OTHER IMPORTANT DAYS.
January 26 (TH): First day of class.
January 30 (MO): Add/drop ends.
February 13 (MO): Lincoln's Birthday (College closed).
February 16 (TH): Last day to drop without 'W' grade.
February 20 (MO): Presidents' Day (College closed).
February 21 (TU): College follows a Monday schedule.
April 10 (MO): Last day to withdraw with 'W' grade.
April 12-23 (WEDN-SU): SPRING RECESS.
May 17 (WEDN): Last day of class.
ATTENDANCE. The instructor will take attendance. You are expected to arrive at the classroom on time. Coming late regularly may lead to absence marks. Coming late and asking questions about the missed part of the class is disruptive and rude to the students who arrived on time. Any student with 3 or more unexcused absences may be dropped from class. Perfect attendance will be valuable for a student to earn the next higher grade if the student's score falls between two grades.
GRADING. Your grade will be based on your performance in the three semester exams and the final exam. I also give extra homework credit points (as discussed in class) and value enthusiasm, continued active class participation, and extra efforts. The term average (3 semester exams, extra homework credit, class participation) counts 2/3 (66.66 %) of your grade and the final exam score counts 1/3 (33.34 %) of your grade. The course grades follow the uniform departmental grading scheme.
CELL PHONES. All cell phones should be turned OFF. Be aware that your cell phone at work is very disruptive to the class, your fellow students, and the instructor. If you expect an emergency call, please clear it with me before class.
ACADEMIC HONESTY. This class falls under Baruch College's Academic Honesty policy. Academic dishonesty is unacceptable, will not be tolerated, and entails sanctions since it undermines the college's educational mission and the students' personal and intellectual growth. Sanctions include reporting the students' names to the Dean of Students for disciplinary actions. Please inform yourself of the principles and rules at http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/academic/academic_honesty.html. Be aware that ignorance of the guidelines are not an excuse and that academic dishonesty may have severe consequences in your student career.
VIDEOS. You can view course videos on each topic discussed in class. To find the videos, go to the course website http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/math/course_syllabi/2003.html.
BLACKBOARD. The College and Mathematics Department regularly post info and news at Blackboard. You are expected to view Blackboard often. Login to Blackboard at http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/bctc/blackboard/.
GETTING HELP. The following are crucial factors to your success in this class: attend class regularly, read upcoming sections ahead of time so that you are prepared to ask questions in class, start homework early, and get help when there are signs of difficulties, for instance, confusion with homework problems and low exam scores. A student doing D or F work is advised to immediately seek help in order to hopefully pass the course. You are strongly encouraged and very welcome to make frequent use of my office hours to ask about solutions to homework problems, to come talk about mathematics or science, and to discuss problems related to university life of any sort. While my office hours probably are the most reliable times to get hold of me, you may also reach me at other times in my office (Tu, Wedn, Th), over the phone, or by sending me email. Free tutoring is available, including in the evenings and over the weekends, at the Student Academic Consulting Center (SACC), 55 Lexington Avenue, Room 2-116, phone (646) 312-4830, http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/facultyhandbook/sacc.htm (for the schedule).
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE.