Math 1060Q – Precalculus (Fall 2016)

Description: Precalculus is a preparation for calculus which includes a thorough review of algebra. Emphasis will be on functions and their applications; in particular, polynomials, rational functions, exponentials, logarithms, and trigonometric functions.

Prerequisites: A qualifying score of 61% on the mathematics placement assessment (MPA), unless you began attending UConn prior to Fall 2016. Students who fail to achieve this minimum score are required to spend time on the preparatory and learning modules before re-taking the MPA or register for a lower level Mathematics course. Not open for credit to students who have passed MATH 1120, 1125Q, or 1131Q. Students may not receive credit for this course and MATH 1040Q.

Course Materials:

Precalculus 9ed, by Larson (Required textbook). You can buy the textbook from the UConn Bookstore or you can buy it from the publisher directly by visiting http://www.cengagebrain.com/course/1238749. You will need a WebAssign access code to access your homework assignments. When you buy the textbook through the UConn Bookstore or the site above, the code will come bundled with the textbook. The unbundled version of the book (that is, the book without a WebAssign access code) can be obtained in many places, but the cost of buying the unbundled text and the WebAssign code separately may be significantly greater.

 

IMPORTANT!
There are three ways to purchase the text and the WebAssign access code:

  • Get the text and WebAssign access code bundled together from the publisher’s special website.
  • Get the text and WebAssign access code bundled together at the UConn Bookstore.
  • Get the text separately from anywhere, and buy the WebAssign access code when you access your homework through HuskyCT.

We do not recommend using the third option above, because it is more expensive to buy the access code and the text book separately than bundled together. The option to buy the text and WebAssign access code bundled together lets you use that access code for the life of the edition of the textbook.

 

There is only ONE way to register for WebAssign access.  Once the semester officially begins, simply log in to the 1060 class webpage (http://courses.math.uconn.edu/math-1060/), select the tab that says HOMEWORK, log into your HuskyCT account and access the page for your discussion section. Then follow the link on the left hand side for WebAssign Homework,  following the prompts given. When logging into WebAssign (through HuskyCT), do not use Internet Explorer or Safari. Use Firefox or Chrome.

You will have two weeks of free access to WebAssign, so you can get started right away in case you need some time to arrange to buy the textbook with the access code.

 

Graphing calculators: TI 82, 83, 84, 84 plus, 85 or 86 are recommended and can be used on the exams and quizzes. Models TI-89 and above (including TI-Nspire) ARE NOT permitted on the exams or quizzes.

Homework and WebAssign:

WebAssign Homework: To access the homework you will have to go through Huksy CT single sign-on. On the HuskyCT page for your discussion section you will find a link to do your homework using WebAssign. There will usually be 2-3 homework assignments per week. Each assignment will be made available on WebAssign several days before the section is covered in class. The due date for each assignment will be set by your instructor and will generally be two or three days after the material is covered in class. You will get five attempts at each problem. After each attempt, you will be told whether your answer is correct or not. If you are not able to get the correct answer after your initial attempts, we recommend that you seek help from your instructor, your TA (if applicable), the Q-Center, a tutor, or another student. When accessing your online homework, use Firefox or Chrome as your browser; there are problems that can occur if you use Internet Explorer or Safari. There will be no extensions of WebAssign homework except in extenuating circumstances with proper documentation. Your lowest WebAssign score will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Written Homework: Throughout the semester, you will have written textbook assignments and worksheets due in discussion. You can find the assignments under the “Learning Activities” link above, and the due dates are listed in the course outline. There will be no late work accepted except in extenuating circumstances with proper documentation. Your lowest score will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Quizzes: Quizzes will be given during your discussion session most weeks beginning with the third week of classes. There are no make-up discussion quizzes; if you miss a discussion session then you will miss the quiz. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the semester.

i>clicker Registration

Clickers will be used in the lectures. You must register your i>clicker by visiting the link through the lecture section of your instructor in HuskyCT.

 

Warning: The web version of i>clicker (Apps for iPhone, Android, etc.) will not work in the classrooms. This clicker will work in other courses that require clickers. The clickers will only be used during the lectures on an intermittent basis so you should always bring your clicker to lecture.

 

If you are not present or do not have your clicker with you when the clicker questions are asked, you will not earn the clicker points for that session.

Grading:

WebAssign Homework  10%
Discussion Quizzes 10%
Discussion Worksheets and Homework 10%
Clickers (Large lectures)   5%
Exam 1: (Tuesday October 4, 6-8 PM or 9-11 PM)   20%
Exam 2: (Tuesday November 8, 6-8 PM or 9-11 PM)   20%
Final Exam: (Wednesday, December 14, 3:30-5:30 PM)   25%

The common midterm exams will be held on Tuesdays (10/4/16 and 11/8/16) 6-8 PM or 9-11 PM in rooms that will be listed under exam info. When you registered for this course, you also registered for an exam time, so you are required to be available at these times. Make-up exams are not provided. You should put the exam dates into your calendar. If you work, you should make plans to be available for the exams.  Graphing calculators (TI 82, 83, 84, 84 plus, 85 or 86) can be used on the exams. Models TI-89 and above (including TI-Nspire) ARE NOT permitted on the exams or quizzes.

Some tips:

  1. If you’ve taken precalculus before, be warned — this course is harder. We will cover more, and it will be more in-depth, than what you’ve done before. This course is only recommended for students going on to take calculus and students who have scored at least a 61% on the mathematics placement assessment (MPA) exam.
  2. Don’t miss class! Each day builds on the previous days, so if you miss class, you will get behind very quickly. If you do get sick or have to miss class, talk to your classmates and instructor to catch up before the next class. The outline for the course that is available using the link above will provide you with information about the topics to be covered in discussion and lecture.
  3. Watch videos and do worksheets (see Precalculus Math Resources and Math 1060Q Learning Activities). The videos and worksheets cover some of the most difficult and/or critical concepts.
  4. Seek help early if you encounter any difficulty! Some resources for help are your instructor’s or TA’s office hours, the Q-Center, a tutor, and other students.

Important University Policies

http://provost.uconn.edu/syllabi-references