MATH 1710 Precalculus I

Syllabus Summer 2016

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Designed as a course for students who plan to major in mathematics and/or science and are not
prepared to take calculus. Topics include polynomials, factoring, fractions, radical expressions,
rational exponents, complex numbers, linear and quadratic equations and their applications,
polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations, and
the Binomial Theorem. (Same as TNeCampus MATH 1710)

PREREQUISITES
An acceptable placement score, or a grade of B or better in MATH 1005, or completion of MATH
1130 with a grade of C or better.

CREDITS
3 semester hours

GOALS AND OUTCOMES

GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS AND OUTCOMES

Use mathematics to solve problems and determine if the solutions are reasonable.
Use mathematics to model real-world behaviors and apply mathematical concepts to the
solution of real-life problems.
Make meaningful connections between mathematics and other disciplines.
Use technology for mathematical reasoning and problem solving.
Apply mathematical and/or basic statistical reasoning to analyze data and graphs.

OTHER GOALS/OUTCOMES
Successful completion of this course will prepare a student to take Precalculus II.

ASSESSMENT OF GOALS/OUTCOMES:
You are required to complete homework and quizzes using WebAssign. Also, the instructor will give inclass paper-and-pencil tests or perhaps proctored online tests. The instructor will provide additional
details during the course.

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION

Instructor: Leah Frauendienst

Office: Warf 100I

Office Phone Number: 615-452-8600 ext. 2987
E-Mail: Leah.Frauendienst@volstate.edu
Math & Science office: Warf 100 (615) 230-3262
Learning Commons:

Gallatin Campus: First floor of the Library, 615-230- 3676

Hours: Mon.-Thur. 7:30 am-9 pm, Fri. 7:30 am-4:30 pm Sat. 8:00am- 4:00pm
Livingston Campus: Room 151, 931-823-7065
Highland Crest Springfield Campus: Room 144, 615-433-7040

REQUIRED MATERIALS/ASSIGNMENTS
TEXTBOOK(S) FOR THE COURSE; REQUIRED MATERIALS, OPTIONAL MATERIALS, SPECIAL
PROJECTS/ASSIGNMENTS
REQUIRED MATERIALS: A Cengage WebAssign access code is required. This purchase includes an
electronic version of the textbook: Algebra and Trigonometry, 4th Edition, By Stewart, Redlin, and
Watson, Cengage Learning.
A scientific or graphing calculator is required, such as the TI-30 or TI-84. Prohibited calculators include:

Texas Instruments models beginning with TI-89 and TI-92, TI-Nspire

Hewlett Packard models beginning with HP 48GII, HP 40G, HP 49G, HP 50G
Casio models including Algebra fx 2.0, ClassPad 300, and beginning with CFX 9970G
Any calculator with a computer algebra system
Pocket organizers
Tablets and laptop computers
Electronic writing pads
Cell phone calculators
Calculators with typewriter keypads in QWERTY format

OPTIONAL MATERIALS: For an additional reasonable price, Cengage will mail you a hardcopy of the text.
SEEK Project: Information concerning the SEEK project will be provided by your instructor,
including how the project affects your grade.

INSTRUCTOR GRADING AND ATTENDANCE POLICIES

GRADING SCALE:
A: 90

B: 80 89.9
C: 70 79.9
D: 60 69.9
F: < 60

FINAL GRADE CALCULATION

Grade = .25 (HW Avg.) + .15(Quiz Avg.) + .30 (Midterm Exam) + .30(Final Exam)

GRADES OF INCOMPLETE
The I (Incomplete) indicates that the student has not completed the requirements for the course
during the semester for extenuating and unavoidable circumstances. The mark of I will not be given
unless the instructor is reasonably certain that it is possible for the student to complete the
requirements for the course during the subsequent semester and receive a passing grade. All work must
be completed (or an extension of the I requested) by one week before the first day of final exams for
the next semester or the I will be converted to an F.

ATTENDANCE
You will not receive a specific grade for attendance in this class, though you may sign an attendance
sheet each day or your instructor may call roll. Poor attendance seriously impairs your ability to succeed
and often imposes a burden on other students. As indicated in the college catalog, the instructor has the
right to request that the Vice President of Academic Affairs withdraw any student demonstrating poor
attendance. When attendance is poor, leniency should not be expected in borderline situations. Your
input in the classroom is of value to the instructor, yourself, and other students. Poor attendance
deprives all involved.

PARTICIPATION
Please be aware that attendance and participation are not the same thing. Attendance means physically
occupying a seat during class time. Participation is a subjective assessment by the instructor.

TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE
A student may get additional tutorial assistance from the instructor during regular OFFICE HOURS. Also,
trained tutors are available in the MATH LAB (Thigpen Library Learning Commons, room 125) on the
main campus in Gallatin. Math Lab hours are posted in the Library, or call (615) 230-3387.

GRADE OF W
The "Last Day to Withdraw" and receive a grade of "W" is posted around campus and on the college
web site. Each student should be conscious of this date. All students who, as of this date, are failing the
course should follow the established withdrawal procedures of the college by the withdrawal date.

OTHER INSTRUCTOR-SPECIFIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS; INFORMATION ON TESTS, EXAMS, ESSAYS, MAKEUPS, ETC.
Exams:
1) If you cheat on your work in college, you do not master the material. If you do not master the
material, you have cheated yourself out of what you are in college to get: an education - not just a
degree.
2) No, you may not leave the room once the exam has started for any purpose. If you need to use the
bathroom, do so before you begin the exam. If you feel sick, you MUST turn in your exam as
completed before you leave. You will NOT be permitted to re-enter the room to continue an exam
once you have left.
3) Students have become quite innovative in the ways that they cheat on exams. While I'm sure you
would never use any of these methods, it is known that students will record answers on IPods to play
during an exam (hence, no iPods or earphones of any sort), on the backs of water bottle labels (hence
no drinks during an exam), will use smart phones to get outside help or Google answers (hence no
smart phones during exams), etc. Anything that you bring into the room with you should be left at the
FRONT of the room when you enter. You may retrieve your things only AFTER you submit your exam.
4) Exams and quizzes delivered online are no different from proctored exams. While it cannot be policed
in the same manner, you are expected to do your own work without outside help.
5) Anyone caught cheating on an exam in any way will be sanctioned to the fullest extent allowed by
college policy including a zero on the assignment, a failing grade in the course, and possible expulsion
from the college.
6) All proctored exams require a Test Ticket that will be provided by your instructor. This directs your
proctor as to the specific exam that you will be taking, and also any special allowances that are
available for your exam. Your Test Ticket provides you advance notice of the structure and format of
your exam. NO TICKET, NO TEST!!!!
Copyrighted Material:
Do not reproduce material copied from ANYWHERE. You may cite it or link to it, but do not reproduce it.
This means both physical copies and posts in online discussion threads. If it is something from a website,
please feel free to share it, but post a link to the website, NOT the material itself. That will keep us out of
copyright trouble.
Make-up Policy:
Quizzes and assignments should be turned in at the designated time. Arrangements can be made in
advance, to take a test or turn in an assignment early. In general I do NOT accept late assignments for full
credit. Check with me on an individual basis if you need to arrange something of this nature. The sooner
you contact me the better and PLEASE document it in an email. If you have only a verbal confirmation
from me, that is like no confirmation at all. If it is not in writing either on paper or electronically, it never
happened. Adams (1999) should further inform you regarding philosophy on acceptable reasons for
makeup exams.

Reference:
Adams, M. 1999. "The Dead Grandmother/Exam Syndrome". Annals of Improbable Research 5(6): p 3-7.
Retrieved from
http://improbable.com/airchives/paperair/volume5/v5i6/GrandmotherEffect%205-6.pdf.

COLLEGE POLICY STATEMENTS:

ADA STATEMENT:
It is the students responsibility to self-identify with the Office of Disability Services to receive
accommodations and services in accordance with Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act and The
Americans with Disabilities Act/Amendments Act (ADA/AA). Only those students with appropriate
documentation and who are registered with the Office of Disability Services will receive
accommodations. For further information, contact the Office of Disability Services at (615) 230-3472,
online by visiting the Disability Services website (http://www.volstate.edu/disability), or visit the office
which is located in Room 108, Wood Campus Center.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

Volunteer State Community College, a Tennessee Board of Regents Institution, is an equal opportunity
institution and ensures equal opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, disability status, age, sexual orientation, or status as a qualified veteran with a disability
or veteran of the Vietnam era.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.

No person shall be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefit of or be subjected to
discrimination under any program or activity of the College because of race, color, national origin, age or
handicap.

ACADEMIC AND CLASSROOM MISCONDUCT

The College's definitions and procedures related to academic integrity, plagiarism, cheating, and other
forms of academic dishonesty or misconduct, are in full force in this course and are incorporated into
this syllabus by reference to the Student Handbook (found on the College Webpage) under "Academic
and Classroom Misconduct".
NOTE: Only the enrolled student for the course may log into the course. Allowing someone else to log
into your course or logging into someone elses course is considered to be academic misconduct and will
result in the same responses as traditional classroom academic misconduct - failure for an assignment or
failure for the course.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY (ON GROUND COURSES)

If Vol State is officially open, this class will meet as scheduled, all assignments will be due as scheduled,
and any scheduled tests/ quizzes/ exams will be given. If the college is open but your route to campus is

dangerous, dont chance the drive; contact the instructor. If Vol State is officially closed, continue to
complete WebAssign homework and quizzes by the due dates. Any scheduled test will be postponed
until the next class period when the college reopens. If the internet is down for more than one day or
you have questions about the policy, please contact the instructor for additional guidance.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY (ON LINE COURSES)

If Vol State is officially closed, any scheduled test will be postponed until the college reopens; contact
the testing center to schedule a new test time. If the college is open but your route to campus is
dangerous, dont chance the drive; contact the testing center and the instructor. Online assignments
continue even if the campus is closed. If the internet is down for more than one day or you have
questions about the policy, please contact the instructor for additional guidance.

TOPICAL OUTLINE:
Section and title for each HW Assignment:
1.1 The Coordinate Plane
1.2 Graphs of Equations in Two Variables; Circles
1.3 Lines
1.4 Solving Quadratic Equations
1.5 Complex Numbers
1.6 Solving Other Types of Equations
1.7 Solving Inequalities
1.8 Solving Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities
2.1 Functions
2.2 Graphs of Functions
2.3 Getting Information from the Graph of a Function
2.4 Average Rate of Change of a Function
2.5 Linear Functions and Models
2.6 Transformations of Functions
2.7 Combining Functions
2.8 One-to-One Functions and Their Inverses
3.1 Quadratic Functions and Models
3.2 Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs
3.3 Dividing Polynomials
3.4 Real Zeros of Polynomials
3.5 Complex Zeros and the Fund. Theorem of Algebra
3.6 Rational Functions
3.7 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities
4.1 Exponential Functions
4.2 The Natural Exponential Function
4.3 Logarithmic Functions
4.4 Laws of Logarithms
4.5 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations

4.6 Modeling with Exponential Functions

10.1 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables
10.3 Partial Fractions
10.4 Systems of Nonlinear Equations
10.5 Systems of Inequalities
13.6 The Binomial Theorem

OTHER INFORMATION:
The Summer Class Journey is a very intense and potentially rough (at times) journey. Never fail to
recognize that you have a support system in place, in the form of your classmates and your instructor. I
encourage you to connect with your classmates, and make plans to work together either in person or
virtually outside of scheduled class times. This sense of community will help encourage you when you
find a topic that you struggle with, but will also help you build understanding when one of your
collaborators needs help with a topic. I will be happy to help you find a virtual workspace, or a physical
workspace on campus.

DATES TO KNOW
Summer I Last Day to Withdraw June 22, 2016
Summer II Last Day to Withdraw July 27, 2016
Summer (Full Term) - Last Day to Withdraw July 28, 2016