MCS   119, Calculus with Precalculus Review IB

Spring, 2009

Prerequisites: MCS 118

Text: Calculus I with Precalculus, 2nd Edition, by Larson, Hostetler and Edwards.

Calculators:  You should have a graphing calculator available for use in class and on exams. If you are buying a new one, the department recommends the TI-83 or TI-86. You may use other calculators (especially other TIs, Casios, HP or Sharp) as long as you are able to enter a simple program into your calculator and you are comfortable with basic graphing features.   Calculators with symbolic algebra capability (e.g. TI-89 or TI-92) will not be allowed during exams.   A calculator is on reserve in the library (ask at the front desk).

Course Objectives:  By taking this class you should:

• improve your problem solving skills
• be able to model "real world" problems with mathematics
• interpret a mathematical solution to a real world problem
• understand (rather than memorize) how to use algebra, trigonometry and calculus
• improve your algebra skills, and your understanding of fractions, functions and inverse functions
• understand the basics of calculus, using trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic and algebraic functions

Course Webpage: The best source of information about this course is available at http://www.gac.edu/~tlofaro/mcs119/.  There you will find a complete syllabus, course description, current homework and prep problems, and so on.

Classes: Classes will be used for discussions, problem solving, lectures, and other fun activities.  You should prepare for classes by doing the reading beforehand, thinking about the problems in the text, doing the prep problems, and formulating questions of your own.  You should also participate as much as possible in class.  Class meetings are not intended to be a complete encapsulation of the course material. You will be responsible for learning some of the material on your own.

Attendance, both physical and mental, is required.

Absences from class: Should you need to miss a class for any reason, you are still responsible for the material covered in that class. This means that you will need to make sure that you understand the reading for that day, that you should ask another student for the notes from that day, and make sure that you understand what was covered. It also means that if we had an assignment that we did in class that day, you will get a 0 for that assignment. If there is an assignment due that day, you should be sure to have someone hand it in. You do not need to explain why you missed a class unless there is a compelling reason to do so.

Should you miss more than four classes, no matter what the reason, I will lower you semester grade by at least a third.

Homework:  The homework this semester will be slightly different than last semester.  Study problems will remain the same - assignments are posted on the web around the time of the most recent quiz.  You will be expected to hand in the red problems on the day they're due (approximately twice a week).  Our graders will grade a few of these and we'll hand them back in class.  We'll use the same system of purple and green folders as we did last semester.

We won't have prep problems this semester, since we expect you to know how to read your textbook and check your understanding.  Instead, each day we will start class with a short reading quiz, something similar to the derivative of the day that we had last term.  We'll post the problem on the board before class starts and collect it shortly after class starts.  These will be graded in the same way as the prep problems were:  two points if you get the problem correct, one point if you make a good effort (and know what you're doing) and no points if you clearly have no idea about how to do the problem or don't hand it in.

Quizzes and Exams: We will have four in-class quizzes during the semester, as well as one midterm exam and one final exam.  These tests make up the majority of your semester grade.  In particular, be sure not to underestimate the importance of quizzes.  If you do poorly on quizzes, you will do poorly in the course.  The midterms will be given in the evening on Monday March 16 and Monday April 20.  The final is tentatively scheduled for May 23 at 10:30 AM.

Academic Integrity:  In this course, you are expected to to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty, to uphold the Gustavus Honor Code and to abide by the Academic Honesty Policy. Copies of these can be found in Academic Bulletin and in the Gustavus Guide.

On homework, you should make a real effort to solve each problem by yourself, although you can and should discuss problems and their solutions with your classmates after you've made this effort.  You should give credit to any people or texts that helped you find solutions. On tests, you are expected to work completely by yourself.

You will be expected to sign the honor pledge on every quiz and exam.  

A first violation of the honor code will result in a grade of 0 on the assignment in question.  Any further violations will result in a grade of F for the course.  In all cases, I notify the office of the Dean of the Faculty.

Course grade:

Class participation, reading quizzes	5%
Homework	20%
Quizzes	25%
Midterm Exam	30%
Final Exam	20%

Accessibility:  Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Art of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) work together to ensure ‘reasonable accommodation’ and non-discrimination for students with disabilities in higher education.  A student who has a physical, psychiatric/emotional, medical, learning, or attentional disability that may have an effect on the student’s ability to complete assigned course work should contact the Disability Services Coordinator (Laurie Bickett, x6286) in the Advising Center.  She will review your concerns, decide what accommodations are necessary, and let me know.  All discussions are confidential.