Course Coordinator (Storrs): Erika Fiore

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 MPE 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.

General Learning Objectives:

1. Use definitions, formulas, properties, identities, theorems, and basic algebra skills to solve problems.
2. Identify, graph, evaluate, describe, combine, compose, transform, invert, and analyze different types of functions (including polynomial, piecewise, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions)
3. Solve different types of equations (including polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric equations).
4. Use functions to model and solve real world problems.

Course Materials:

Textbook: Precalculus 10e, by Larson (ISBN 978-1-337-27107-3)

You are not required to have a physical textbook. You are only required to have WebAssign access.

If you have opted out of the Husky Book Bundle Program, you can buy the textbook from the UConn Bookstore. You will need a WebAssign access code to access your homework assignments. When you buy the textbook from the bookstore, the WebAssign code will come bundled with the textbook. 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.

There is only ONE way to register for and access WebAssign.  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.

If you need help getting started with WebAssign, please visit this link for more information and support from Cengage representatives: https://www.cengage.com/coursepages/UConn_MATH1060Q

WebAssign assignments will be due every Tuesday and Thursday night. The first assignment is due Tuesday, January 23rd.

Calculators: The use of calculators IS NOT permitted on exams or quizzes.

WebAssign:

WebAssign Homework: To access the WebAssign homework you will have to go through HuksyCT single sign-on. In the left sidebar of your Math 1060Q HuskyCT page, you will find a link to do your homework using WebAssign. There will usually be 2-3 homework assignments per week (one for each textbook section covered). 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. This means True/False questions and questions with two answer choices have only one attempt – choose carefully! 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 before your final attempt, you seek help from your instructor, 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.

Classwork Assignments:

Classwork Assignments will usually be given every Tuesday (or possibly sometimes on Thursday). Unlike for quizzes and exams, you will be able to work with your peers on these assignments. However, the work you turn in must be your own work, written up independently by you,  and in your own words. You can turn in your classwork assignment on paper or on HuskyCT. Each classwork assignment will be due on the Tuesday (or sometimes Thursday) it is assigned by 11:59pm. Classwork Makeup Policy: If you miss a class where a classwork assignment was given, it is your responsibility to contact a classmate or the instructor to ask what the assignment was. You must still turn it on the Tuesday (or sometimes Thursday) it was assigned by 11:59pm. If you are not able to hand in a classwork assignment before the deadline because you are ill or due to some other extenuating circumstance, then you must contact your instructor before the due date or within 24 hours after the due date. If you do not follow these listed procedures, then you will receive a score of zero on the classwork assignment. Your lowest classwork assignment will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Quizzes and Exams:

Quizzes will be given every Thursday (in class), beginning with the second week of classes. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the semester. The midterm exams will be held during class periods on Tuesdays February 20th and April 2nd and the 2-hour common final exam will be held during finals week, April 29th to May 4th. More information will listed under exam info as the dates approach. You should put the exam dates into your calendar and plan to attend. Calculators: The use of calculators IS NOT permitted on exams or quizzes. Quiz/Exam Makeup Policy: If you miss a quiz/exam because you are ill or due to some other extenuating circumstance, you must contact your instructor before the original quiz/exam time, or within 24 after the original quiz/exam time. If your instructor approves you for a makeup quiz/exam, then you must take the quiz/exam within 1 week of the original quiz/exam time. If you do not follow these procedures, then you will receive a score of zero on the missed quiz/exam unless you have proper documentation of an extenuating circumstance. Per University policy, all requests to reschedule or make up the final exam must be submitted to the Dean of Students for approval. Please note that vacations, previously purchased tickets or reservations,  and social events are not viable excuses for missing a final exam. If you think that your situation warrants permission to reschedule, please contact the Dean of Students Office with any questions. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.  Midterm Exam Replacement Policy: Your score on the final exam will replace your lowest exam score if you score higher on the final exam. Note that your final exam grade is always required and counted when computing your course grade and cannot be replaced.

Grading:

WebAssign Homework	10%
Quizzes	15%
Classwork	10%
Exam 1: (Tuesday, February 20)	20%
Exam 2: (Tuesday, April 2)	20%
Final Exam: (Exact time and date provided by University)	25%

Grading Scale:

Some Tips:

1. If you’ve taken precalculus before, be warned — this course is harder. We will likely cover more material, 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. Do not skip the WebAssign homework. Doing these problems will give you the practice you need in order to be successful on quizzes and exams.
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.

Academic Integrity and Honesty:

This course expects all students to act in accordance with the Guidelines for Academic Integrity at the University of Connecticut. UConn defines academic misconduct as “dishonest or unethical academic behavior that includes, but is not limited to, misrepresenting mastery in an academic area (e.g., cheating), failing to properly credit information, research, or ideas to their rightful originators or representing such information, research, or ideas as your own (e.g., plagiarism).” Below is a list of examples of academic misconduct in this course:

1. Cheating or helping others cheat on a quiz or an exam. Using unauthorized materials on quizzes or exams including looking at your neighbors’ papers, your notes, books, or electronic devices is cheating. Communicating with any other human being (besides the instructor) during a quiz or an exam is cheating.
2. Cheating or helping others cheat on homework.  It is okay to receive help from a classmate or tutor on homework, but all work submitted should represent your honest understanding of the material.
3. Distributing your instructor’s materials to students’ outside of this course, including posting materials on the internet. You are forbidden from sharing or posting exams, quizzes, and homework problems created by your instructor. You are also forbidden from sharing or posting solutions to exams, quizzes, and homework, and other assignments.

Any student who commits an act of misconduct will be reported to the university. Violations of this policy may range from a zero on the assignment to a grade of F in the course. If you have questions about academic integrity or intellectual property, you should consult with your instructor.

For more details, click here: Policy on Academic, Scholarly, and Professional Integrity and Misconduct

Students with Disabilities:

The University of Connecticut is committed to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and assuring that the learning environment is accessible.  If you anticipate or experience physical or academic barriers based on disability or pregnancy, please let me know immediately so that we can discuss options. Students who require accommodations should contact the Center for Students with Disabilities, Wilbur Cross Building Room 204, (860) 486-2020, or http://csd.uconn.edu/.

To provide students with disabilities the appropriate accommodations, CSD must send an official letter to your instructor. If your accommodations require you to take quizzes and/or exams in a separate space, it is your responsibility to schedule an appointment with CSD’s testing center through MyAccess at least one week before each quiz/exam date.

Resources for Students Experiencing Distress:

The University of Connecticut is committed to supporting students in their mental health, their psychological and social well-being, and their connection to their academic experience and overall wellness. The university believes that academic, personal, and professional development can flourish only when each member of our community is assured equitable access to mental health services. The university aims to make access to mental health attainable while fostering a community reflecting equity and diversity and understands that good mental health may lead to personal and professional growth, greater self-awareness, increased social engagement, enhanced academic success, and campus and community involvement.

Students who feel they may benefit from speaking with a mental health professional can find support and resources through the Student Health and Wellness-Mental Health (SHaW-MH) office located in Storrs on the main campus in the Arjona Building, 4th Floor. Through SHaW- MH, students can make an appointment with a mental health professional and engage in confidential conversations or seek recommendations or referrals for any mental health or psychological concern. Mental health services are included as part of the university’s student health insurance plan and partially funded through university fees. If you do not have UConn’s student health insurance plan, most major insurance plans are also accepted. Please visit https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/ or call (860) 486-4705 if you have questions.