Overview. As the title suggests, MAT 1800 is all about functions. First, students should come away from this course with a strong understanding of functions in general, what is a function, how do you describe a function, what is meant by domain and range, graph and sign chart of a function, and why functions are important. Second, they need to develop a strong familiarity with all of the important particular families of functions; understanding their definitions, recognizing their graphs, and knowing their special properties. Graphing calculators cannot be of use in this course. The text is Pre-Calculus, seventh edition (Special WSU Edition), by Larson and Hostetler. PLEASE read the text book . Purchase of the solution manual is NOT recommended, but optional. Students must read the text book. We will cover almost all of Chapters 1-5. Conceptual understanding is paramount, rote memorization will not suffice (it may, however at times, be necessary). Mathematical rigor will be kept to the minimum. Concepts will be illustrated in at least three ways: Symbolically, geometrically, and numerically. Check here for an update on this syllabus.
Prerequisites: Within the previous two semesters, you must have either a satisfactory score on the Mathematics Placement Examination or a grade of at least "C-min" in MAT 1050. For placement at this level, you should have a command of algebra and basic geometry, corresponding to approximatively to three years of college-preparatory mathematics.
Classes begin Mon 07/Jan/08. There will be four (4) one-hour Partial Examination during the term (scheduled on Fri 01/Feb/08, Fri 22/Feb/08, Fri 07/Mar/08, Fri 18/Apr/08 , almost one for each chapter). Review is expected on the last three (3) classes. No class on Mon 21/Jan/08 (Martin Luther King) and during Spring Recess (Mon 10/Mar/08 -- Fri 15/Mar/08). Classes end Mon 21/Apr/08. Departmental Final Examination will be on Wed 23/Apr/08, 01:20 - 03:50 p.m. Makeup exams will not be given unless (exceptionally) arranged in advance. A blue book is required.
Quizzes will be given each Friday that no exam is scheduled. They will last approximately fifteen or twenty minutes. NO makeup quizzes will be given at all.
Homework assignments will be given for each of the sections we cover, usually they will not be collected. If you have trouble with the problems assigned, you should do more of them that just the one assigned. You may turn in (for correction rather than grading) such assignments even if they are not collected. Keeping up with the homework is probably the single most important things you can do to improve your chances for a good grade.
Attendance and class participation are essential components of the learning process and will be used in determining borderline grades. Attendance to class will be excused (only) in the case of sickness or other emergency. Missing a bus, oversleeping, other tests the same day, etc., are not sufficient reasons for missing a lecture. You will be asked to document the circumstances which caused you to miss the lecture. Ask questions! It's your responsibility to ask about anything you don't understand. Write down the things that bother you while you're reading the text or working on problems, so you'll be ready with a list of questions when you come to class and/or office hours. There's no such thing as a stupid question, usually other students are grateful that you asked the question. Cell Phones and Pages should be turned off during class. Warning to the wise: It is essential to success in this course that attendance be regular and that homework be done daily. Do not allow yourself to get behind.
Grading. The seven best quizzes will give a total quiz grade of 20 points. Each partial examination is 20 points, and the final exam is 40 points. The worst of the six scores (1/2 of the final if that is worst) will be eliminated and the rest totaled (up to 120 points). An almost standard grading scale will be applied (120-110 is A, 110-100 is A-, 100-95 is B+, 95-85 is B, 85-80 is B-, 80-75 is C+, 75-65 is C, 65-60 is C-, 60-55 is D+, 55-45 is D, 45-40 is D-, 0-40 is F). This scale may be lowered (never raised) if necessary accordingly to the distribution of grades. HOWEVER, please note the departmental policy saying that if your final exam grade is not passing (i.e., C- or better), then your best grade is D+. This means that you need a 50% correct in the final (and a 50% in the quizzes, unless special circumstances) to pass with a C- or better. At the end of the semester, finals grades will be posted in final grades, next to the last four digits of the student's PID.
Office Hours. Mon and Tue 09:35 -- 10:20, and by appointment at 1229 Faculty/Administrative Building , Phone (313) 577-3196, Dr. J.L. Menaldi (e-mail: menaldi@wayne.edu) 07/Jan/08.