Instructor: Jack Tompkins ;Office: BR 212 Phone: 962-3671

E-Mail: tompkins@sol.cms.uncwil.edu

Office Hours: 0900AM-1000AM MWF, 0400PM-0500PM TR, or by appointment.

Students are always welcome to drop-in my office.

Introduction: Welcome to MAT 115, a precalculus course. We will be studying important algebraic concepts needed for a study of the calculus. Topics include equations, inequalities, functions and graphs (including linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions), complex numbers, systems of linear and non-linear equations, sequences, counting and probability. Technology –the graphing calculator, will be used as a powerful tool for conceptualizing and understanding the function and its graph. We will concentrate on modeling problems from the real world.

Text: Precalculus, A Graphing Approach, by Varberg and Varberg, Prentice Hall, 1995.

1. A graphing calculator. The TI-82 is used for all in-class calculator discussion. Students who use another calculator are responsible for making necessary adjustments. A wide variety of Texas Instruments (TI-83, 85, 86, 92), Casio, Sharp, and Hewlett-Packard (HP-48G) graphing calculators are also suitable.

Course Objectives: Our goal is to obtain a useful mastery of algebraic concepts and methods basic to further work in calculus and areas of application such as business and the sciences. To enhance your ability to formulate and solve applied problems, to interpret graphs and functions and to use them effectively so you may enjoy the triumph of discovery that comes from solving a problem by your own means. To this end we will learn some new techniques, definitions, and algorithms which we apply to interpreting phenomena using a suitable mathematical model of your choosing to then analyze and draw valid conclusions. My goal is to help you learn how to think about functions and mathematical models so you can do well in this course and in your subsequent studies.

1. Attendance is expected unless extreme circumstances warrant otherwise. There are no make-up tests. See me (or e-mail) in advance if possible if you cannot make a test, or as soon as possible after missing a test if your absence may qualify as excusable.
2. Calculators may not be shared during tests.
3. Academic dishonesty is not tolerated. According to the UNCW Academic Honor Code (See Section V of you Student Handbook), anyone who knows of a violation of the Code, including giving or receiving information, is expected to report the violation to the course instructor. Please note that in this course, working together on homework is not a violation of the Honor Code. You are encouraged to discuss and compare work –but not to copy someone else’s work.

Graded Work: There will be 3 one-hour tests during the semester, each counting 25%. There will be a short weekly quiz at the end of class. The lowest 2 quiz grades will be dropped (this includes up to 2 zero grades for missed quizzes); the remaining quiz grades will be averaged and the result counted as a one-hour test (25% of your grade in the course). The final examination (a comprehensive exam) will replace your lowest test grade if this improves your average.

When the distribution of course grades suggests that a borderline grade might be raised to the next higher level, I consider such factors as attendance and improvement.

Important Date: Last date to Withdraw with a "W" –Wednesday, September 30, 1998.

Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability and need reasonable accommodation in this course, you should inform the instructor of this fact in writing within the first week of class or as soon as possible. If you have not already done so, you must register with the Office of Disability Services in Westside Hall (extension 3746) and obtain a copy of your Accommodation Letter. You should then meet with your instructor to make mutually agreeable arrangements based on the recommendations of the Accommodation Letter.

1. Do some mathematics almost every day. You should plan on at least 6 hours of study time outside class per week. Read over your course notes and fill in gaps soon after class so your notes will be useful in later study.
2. Read the text with pencil and paper beside you, and use them. Understanding mathematics can’t be done just by watching a lecture or skimming the book.
3. It’s not enough to just do the homework. Ask yourself whether you could do other problems. Test yourself by recalling definitions and by doing additional problems.
4. In class, if you have a question, ask. It is likely that others have the same question. As you study make notes of concepts you don’t understand so you can ask in class or see me. For short questions, e-mail is a good choice.
5. If you need help, see me or visit the Math Lab, BR 101. Don’t let yourself fall behind.
6. Look back: how did I solve this problem, what can be learned from the mistake, or what other strategy could also have been effective in solving this problem?