Math 1060Q — Precalculus (Spring 2018)

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 17 on the mathematics placement exam (MPE), unless you began attending UConn prior to Fall 2016 (in which case it is still recommended). 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 purchase it at a discount from the publisher by visiting http://services.cengagebrain.com/course/site.html?id=2432432. You will need a WebAssign access code to access your homework assignments. When you buy the textbook from the bookstore or the web site above, the WebAssign 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 will almost certainly be significantly greater.

 

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

1.  BEST VALUE: Get the text and WebAssign access code bundled together from the publisher’s special website listed above. This will cost about $95 and will take a week or two to ship; however, you will have a two-week free trial of WebAssign including an electronic version of the book while you wait for shipment.

2.   Get the text and WebAssign access code bundled together at the UConn Bookstore. You will have the book immediately, but it will cost about $120.

3.   NOT Recommended: Get the text separately from anywhere, and buy the WebAssign access code when you access your homework through HuskyCT. Using this option, the WebAssign code alone (including the e-book) will cost $100 and your code will last only one semester. The first two options let you use your 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 into your HuskyCT account (lms.uconn.edu), navigate to the page for Math 1060Q, then follow the link on the left hand side for WebAssign Homework. 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, which includes the e-book, so you can get started right away in case you need some time to arrange to buy textbook with the access code.

 

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

Homework and WebAssign:

WebAssign Homework: To access the WebAssign homework you will have to go through HuksyCT single sign-on. On the course page for Math 1060Q, 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 generally be two or three days after the material is covered in class. You will get five attempts for each question that is not multiple choice; the exact number of attempts for multiple choice questions will depend on the number of choices. 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. See the document here for tips on using WebAssign, including entering answers and finding useful settings.

Your lowest WebAssign score will be dropped at the end of the semester.

 

Written Homework: Periodically throughout the semester, you will have written textbook assignments and worksheets due in class. You can find the assignments under the “Learning Activities” link above, and the due dates are listed in the course outline. Written homework is due at the start of class – there will be no late work accepted except in extenuating circumstances with proper documentation.

Your lowest written assignment score will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Quizzes and Exams:

Quizzes will be given approximately weekly, beginning with the second week of classes. There are no make-up quizzes – if you miss a quiz, then you will receive a score of zero. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the semester.

 

The midterm exams will be held in class on February 20 and April 5; the 2-hour common final exam will be held during finals week, April 30-May 5. More information will listed under exam info as the dates approach. Make-up exams are not provided. You should put the exam dates into your calendar.

 

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

Grading:

WebAssign Homework  10%
Quizzes 15%
Written Worksheets and Homework 10%
Exam 1: (Tuesday, February 20)   20%
Exam 2: (Thursday, April 5)   20%
Final Exam: (Exact time and date TBA)   25%

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.
  2. Don’t miss class! Each day builds on the previous days, so if you miss class, you 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 lecture.
  3. Watch videos, do worksheets (mathresources.uconn.edu/math1060), and use the preparatory and learning modules for the MPE (they are free to use via HuskyCT). The videos and worksheets cover some of the most difficult and/or critical concepts.
  4. Seek help early if you think you may need it! Some great resources for help are your instructor’s office hours, the Q-Center, a tutor, and other students.