A scientific calculator for this course is suggested. You may use one on our in-class quizzes and tests, but THE USE OF ANY CALCULATOR IS PROHIBITED ON THE DEPARTMENTAL GROUP FINAL EXAM.

• To develop in students a solid understanding of algebraic concepts, principles and methods.
• To develop in students those algebraic skills and problem-solving principles necessary for success in subsequent mathematics courses--particularly MAT 1800 (precalculus)--and other courses requiring these skills and principles.

In this class you will have two weekly turn-in assignments (each worth 10 points), 10 in-class quizzes (each worth 10 points), 4 in-class tests (each worth 100 points) and a comprehensive departmental group final exam (worth 200 points). The dates of these assignments--excluding the weekly turn-ins--are given in the Important Dates section near the end of this syllabus. A workshop component will also figure into your final mark for the course.

Here is the breakdown of the weight given to each of the grade components:

You are participating in a program which is committed to excellence. Your attendance, therefore, is mandatory for your success in this program, in both the class and workshop setting. You are expected to be here for every class meeting and for every workshop. Let’s all adhere to the highest standard.

• Nonreported, unexcused absences are a no-no. You MUST report all absences to Joan Italia, ESP Coordinator, as soon as possible, the day of the absence (from class and/or workshop). Her office is 1087 F/AB; her phone number is (313) 577-8839. Do this whether before or after the fact (of course, preferably before, if at all possible). Do this whether in person or over the phone (of course, preferably in person, if at all possible). NOTE: With respect to the Attendance Policy above, an absence is an absence--period. Reporting an absence and/or getting an absence excused does not ‘delete’ the absence from the official record!
• You must be sure to sign in for every class meeting you are here. Do not rely on my remembering whether or not you were here. The final word will always rest with the sign-in sheet itself. If your signature is not on the sign-in sheet on a given day you will be officially considered absent for that day.
• A lot of discussion has been on absences, but of equal concern is tardiness. Unless legitimate circumstances lead to unavoidable tardiness, I expect every student to be here on time for each class meeting. If tardiness is unavoidable (e.g., coming all the way across campus from a previous class), you MUST speak with me directly after class during the first week of classes. Being late to class due to parking difficulties is NOT, NOT, NOT a legitimate reason for being tardy. Plan on leaving earlier for classes if you find this problematic.
• Here is the policy set forth for this class concerning tardiness: If you are absent from class for more than 60% of the class period you will be marked absent for that day, regardless of whether or not you’ve signed in for that day. This policy is set down to cut down on two major infractions: (1) arriving to class very late and (2) leaving class very early. Once again, this is a program committed to excellence. Your attendance, therefore, is mandatory for your success in this program, in both the class and workshop setting. Showing up late, say, simply to affix your signature to the sign-in sheet robs you of the vital classroom instruction necessary for this success.
• If you are ever tardy, please jot down the time you’re entering class in addition to giving your signature. A time column will be provided on the sign-in sheet for this purpose. And do be honest, for if I uncover a discrepancy between the time you actually entered class and the time you wrote down as having entered class, you more than likely will simply be considered absent for that day--period. The same holds for departing class early.

You may expect a turn-in assignment twice each week, with most--but not all--of the exercises to be handed in coming straight from the text. The TEXT EXERCISE LIST section near the end of this syllabus spells out precisely which problems you’re to complete. As to which sections--and which exercises, this will be given inside of class at the applicable time. Though but a handful of exercises will be formally graded, ALL exercises from an assigned turn-in MUST be completed and WILL be checked. Therefore, it is in your best interests to keep up with the class material through day-to-day study. Do not procrastinate! Remember, this is a program committed to excellence. Your attention to and timely completion of assigned turn-ins, then, is mandatory for your success in this program.

Questions concerning text exercises are generally best handled during office hours. It’s an unfortunate reality that time constraints, combined with the sizable amount of material we’ll be covering, make it impossible to answer every question inside of class. However, using the first five or last five minutes of class is certainly reasonable. Let the following guide your question considerations:

For the MAT 1050 PREP workshop, the workshop leader and workshop UA directing the workshop will be able to answer most--if not all--of your immediate questions. (For example, the workshop syllabus will spell out what items comprise the workshop mark, the weight given to these items, etc.) If requested, please meet with Joan Italia, ESP Coordinator (1087 F/AB; (313) 577-8839) as soon as possible to fill out any necessary paperwork (if applicable).

• Test and quiz dates may be found under the Important Dates section near the end of this syllabus. If applicable, you will be informed as soon as possible of any changes to these dates.
• On Monday or Tuesday of the week of a test, I will distribute a test review sheet inside of class. This sheet will spell out the objectives to be tested, the total number of questions on the test, any outside-of-class test review sessions being held, etc. NOTE: THIS REVIEW SHEET IS NOT A MOCK TEST; IT DOES NOT CONTAIN SAMPLE EXERCISES. Wednesdays, typically, are when I’ll give quiz information, inside and at the start of class.
• Please be here on time. For example, you will not be permitted an extra 10 minutes because you’ve arrived 10 minutes late. It simply becomes 10 minutes lost, no matter the reason.
• Unless otherwise stated, you will be given the entire class period for each regular test.
• Unless otherwise stated, you will be given approximately 20 minutes for each quiz.
• Each test (including the final exam) must be written up in a blue book. Pick these up at your earliest convenience. (Quizzes need not be written up in blue books, though.)
• I have no preference as to the order in which you attack exercises. Please be sure to convey to me just which problem you’re working on, however.
• Please use a pencil whenever possible.
• Please write clearly and legibly.
• YOU MUST INDICATE ANSWERS TO QUIZ/TEST QUESTIONS, AND WITHOUT AMBIGUITY.
• None of the in-class quizzes/tests--nor the final exam--will be open-book, open-note.
• If it happens I’ve flubbed up on a given question, feel free to see me right after class or during office hours to point this out and rectify the situation. Also feel free to argue your case if you believe I went a little wild with the red ink; at times you may be justified.
• I’ll make every effort to give the point value for each question. If this is not indicated you may assume the problems are of equal worth. In this manner you can allocate your quiz/test time accordingly.
• As you’ve no doubt heard before, (1) hit the slam-dunk stuff first and (2) do not spend too much time on any one exercise!
• Quizzes/tests are usually graded, recorded and returned by the next class meeting. A detailed, step-by-step solution key will accompany the quiz/test, as time constraints do not permit going over quizzes/tests inside of class. (Of course, feel free to swing by during office hours to go over any quiz/test question in further detail.)
• Quizzes/tests are returned only at the end of the class period--no exceptions.

The final exam for this course will be a comprehensive departmental group final exam. Recall that, from the Grading section, the final will be worth 200 points and count for 28% of your final mark, and that the ‘C- or better’ Rule will apply to your final exam. The final exam for this class will be held on Monday, December 20th, from 1:20-3:50 p.m. The building and room location will be given as soon as it’s known.

Additional copies of previous MAT 1050 final exams will be given to you sometime during the semester. Roughly two weeks before the end of classes a formal Final Exam Review Sessions sheet will be distributed, and on this you’ll find quite a generous number of review sessions offered, as well as the dates, times and locations of the reviews. Also given will be the name(s) of the instructor(s) holding the review(s). Do make every attempt to attend one or more of these reviews, and please bring along all copies of the previous finals. Regular class time is seldom used for a final exam review (due to time constraints), and hence the week of finals is the sole time for an in-depth look at the sizable amount of material covered in the course. Also, it’s also a wonderful time for direct, one-on-one or group interaction.

Remember that there are no make-ups--nor early takes--on any of the quizzes and tests in this class. You’ll be allowed to drop your lowest test score and your two lowest quiz scores, but that is all.

The PREP/ESP Tutors room in 1092 F/AB is open to all those participating in our program, and is staffed virtually throughout the normal working day. The number there is (313) 577-2504. Though this should be your first and foremost choice, do avail yourself of the services of the Mathematics Tutoring Center (MTC) in 1198 F/AB if the need arises. Again, the phone number there is (313) 577-3195. At the start of the second week of classes the schedules of the tutors should be posted on the door of the Center.

You are expected to be here on time each class date (barring unforseen circumstances) and ready to rock ‘n roll, having your text, notes, homework and questions in hand (so to speak). Attendance will be taken daily, and I’m remarkably quick at learning names and faces. It won’t take me long to find out who’s here and, more importantly, who’s not. Please keep tardies and absences to a minimum.

• Please do not ask for a copy of my notes for a day on which you were absent. Being in PREP, employ the buddy system to get copies of any notes you might need. It’s probably a good idea to start exchanging phone numbers (or e-mail addresses) with friends or neighbors now in the event of such a need later.
• If you are absent, it is your responsibility to pick up anything handed out or passed back during your absence, and in a timely manner. (For example, your TEST #1 may stay in my possession all the way through the term unless you request it of me. Strange this may seem, it has happened!) Please see me before or after class--or during office hours--to obtain these items, though--not during the day’s lesson.
• It is your responsibility to keep hold of any supplemental material distributed in class. It is also your responsibility to hold on to homework, quizzes and tests passed back to you. Do not assume I always have additional copies of previous handouts, quizzes or tests (or accompanying answer keys) at the ready.
• It is your responsibility to keep an accurate record of your graded work. Again, do not assume I always have my to-the-moment grade sheet at the ready.
• Once we begin class I expect you to be here for the full class period. Leaving after the first 10 minutes or arriving right at the end of class is not only of no benefit, it’s unduly disruptive. If you are ill, PLEASE stay home and take care of the more important business of getting yourself well. If you are exhausted, PLEASE go home and get in the needed rest, for sleeping in class isn’t going to help you learn the day’s lesson. PLEASE give me, your fellow classmates, and the learning environment itself the same consideration and respect you yourself would wish and expect.
• Lastly, it is your responsibility to keep, read and know the contents of this syllabus.

Please refer to your FALL 1999 Class Schedule for answers to any specific questions you may have. The nuts and bolts are as follows:

• Tuesday, September 7th--Monday, September 20th: Late Open Registration ($70 late fee applicable)
• Monday, September 20th: Last day to register...last day to add courses/classes...last day for tuition cancellation for courses officially dropped...late open tuition balance due
• Monday, November 15th--Saturday, December 11th: Priority Telephone Registration for Winter 2000 Term
• Tuesday, November 23rd: Day scheduled as a Thursday
• Wednesday, November 24th: Day scheduled as a Friday
• Thursday, November 25th--Saturday, November 27th: Thanksgiving Recess (no classes held)
• Wednesday, December 15th: Classes end
• Thursday, December 16th: Study Day...last day to drop courses/classes*

Here is a tentative listing of the text exercises for our section of MAT 1050 PREP. It is important to your success to complete these accurately, and at the appropriate time. Don’t fall behind nor get too far ahead!