Bakersfield College
Department of Mathematics
Math B1A Spring 2009
Instructor: Gurpreet S. Grewal Course Name: Precalculus 1
Email: gusingh@bakersfieldcollege.edu Course CRN: 31882
Website: http://www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/gusingh/
Class Time: 6:00 8:05 pm
Class Room: MS 109
Textbook: Precalculus, 5th edition, Mathematics for Calculus, by Stewart, Redlin, Watson.
Calculator: Any scientific calculator or graphing calculator TI 83 or TI 84.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will become proficient in defining and developing the concept of function, including domain, range, graph, inverse, and algebra of functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, composition).
2. Techniques of graphing polynomials, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions, using intercepts, asymptotes, multiplicity,
symmetry, translations, and reflections.
3. Solve a system of non-linear equations and inequalities by graphing and algebraic methods.
4. Apply the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra and its consequences. Determine the possibilities for rational roots of polynomial equations, and obtain information about the number of positive, negative, and complex roots.
5. Solve systems of linear equations and partial fraction decomposition.
Learning Experiences:
1. Bring each day to class- textbook, calculator, paper, graph paper, straight edge and pencils.
2. Be on time and pay attention if you are thinking about something other than math then you are missing out!
3. Homework is essential in learning mathematics. You should make every effort to do each assignment completely. We will spend considerable time at the beginning of each lecture working homework problems. If you are not able to solve a particular problem, do not hesitate to ask.
4. Bring your completed homework to class EVERYDAY! Ask questions!
5. Attendance will be taken daily. Students with four or more absences will be dropped from the class. If you find that you cannot attend class regularly cannot do the work, it is your responsibility to drop this course so that you do not receiving a failing grade.
6. Leaving early or being late may result in you being dropped from class because roll will be taken at any time during class. You must be in you seat to be counted as present. Also, roll may be taken more than once.
7. Ten homework quizzes will be given in first 15 minutes of the class on announced dates. Make up quizzes will not be given under any circumstances.
8. Five exams will be given on announced dates. Exams can be made up only for documented medical reasons.
9. An exam can be taken early only for extreme circumstances. Notification must be given 2 weeks prior to the exam, and this can be done only once per semester.
10. The final quiz is take home and cumulative - you may work with others due the day of the final exam. The final quiz will not be accepted late.
11. The final exam is cumulative. You must take the final exam. IF you do not take the final exam, you will receive an F as your grade for the course.
12. It is very important to attend class regularly and to be punctual. Class will start on time every day. If you are late for a quiz, you will not be allowed to take, or make-up the quiz.
13. We do not employ social promotion in this course. Failing is definitely an option.
14. Please turn off and remove all cell phones and listing devices before the start of each class.
15. Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disabled Student Programs & Services in FACE 16, 395-4334, as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
16. Any form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in a zero for that grade. This is the only warning you will receive. See the student handbook for possible disciplinary consequences of Student Misconduct at Bakersfield College.
17. This handout is tentative.
Points Distribution: Quizzes (10 @ 20 pts each) 200
Exams (5 @ 100 pts each) 500
Final Quiz (Review) 100
Final Exam 200
Total 1000
Grades: Generally, the grade will follow this trend:
100 90 % A
89 80 % B
79 70 % C
69 60 % D
Below 60 % F
**Keep all graded work till the end of the semester. **
Your current percentage = (your current point total / Points Possible up to that point) X 100.
Holidays:
Monday January 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Friday February 13 Lincoln Day Holiday
Monday February 16 Washington Day Holiday
April 6 April 10 Spring Recess
Other Important Dates:
Friday February 20 Last day to withdraw without receiving a W grade
Friday April 3 Last day to withdraw and receive a W grade
Tuesday May 12 Final Exam 6:00 7:50 pm.