Learning Objectives
This is an intensive course in intermediate algebra and trigonometry. Topics include algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric functions and their graphs. By the end of the course students will be able to communicate mathematically, including understanding, making, and critiquing mathematical arguments.
Prerequisites
High School math or permission of the department.
Class Meetings
Lectures will meet twice a week for 75 minutes. There is a mandatory 75-minute recitation session (note recitation starts from the second week of class, attendance is mandatory). You must register for lecture and recitation separately.
Textbook and Materials
- WebAssign Access
- (if e-book is included in your purchase of WebAssign access, printed copy is not required)
- Precalculus Mathematics for Calculus, 7th edition by James Stewart, Lothar Redlin, and Saleem Watson, ISBN: 978-1-305-07175-9
See this page for detailed instructions on how to access and purchase WebAssign.
Academic Integrity
We value hard work and integrity, and do not tolerate academic dishonesty. You are expected to uphold academic integrity as specified by the university and the College of Arts and Sciences.
Internet searches or posting, discussion with others ARE NOT allowed during quizzes.
Internet searches or posting, discussion with others, notebooks, textbook and calculators ARE NOT allowed during exams.
Any honor code violation found in any course component, including Homework, Participation, Quizzes and Exams will be reported to the CAS and home department. Both academic and disciplinary sanctions will apply.
Homework
There are two types of homework in this class: “WebAssign” and “Written HW”.
WebAssign
There will be assignments administered through WebAssign (please see the WebAssign link to find out how to buy WebAssign). WebAssign problems are computational in nature and assess the mathematical techniques introduced in class. You will get immediate feedback on your progress and will get several chances to ensure it. WebAssign will be available directly through the course’s Brightspace site. You will have up to five submissions (except for T/F questions and multiple choice questions) for each problem and receive immediate feedback on their inputs.
In fairness to fellow students, WebAssign assignments will generally not be extended for individual students. Your five lowest WebAssign scores will be dropped.
Written HW
There will also be weekly written assignments to master the mathematical concepts. These assignments will require more than just procedure, might connect two or more things together, and will more closely resemble the harder exam problems. Written homework assignments will be posted to the course’s Brightspace site and must be submitted via Gradescope. All written assignments are equally weighted.
Graders will grade the written homework promptly, and solutions will be discussed in recitation. Graders will be expecting you to express your ideas clearly, legibly, and completely, often several steps of mathematical expressions. This means you could lose points for unexplained answers.
One of the goals of this course is for you to learn how to think and communicate mathematically. This means that your homework problems should be written up with justification and explanations of your steps. See the examples in the textbook for examples of how to write up solutions to a problem well. Each problem will specify its point value. Graders will grade each part according to the following rubric (e.g. if the problem was worth 5 points):
- 5/5: Work is completely accurate and essentially perfect. Work is thoroughly developed, neat, and easy to read. Complete sentences are used.
- 3/5: Work is good, but incompletely developed, hard to read, unexplained, or jumbled. Answers which are not explained, even if correct, will generally receive 2 points. Work contains “right idea” but is flawed.
- 2/5: Work is sketchy. There is some correct work, but most of work is incorrect.
- 1/5 or 0/5: Work minimal or non-existent. Solution is completely incorrect.
If you have a question about how a problem is scored, please check the rubric above to see which line best describes your work. If you are still unsure, contact your instructor. The instructor may confer with the grader about the score.
In fairness to fellow students and to graders, NO late homework will be accepted.
The two lowest homework assignment scores will be dropped.
By all means, you may work in groups on the homework assignments. Collaboration is a big part of learning and of scholarship in general. However, each student must turn in his or her own write-up of the solutions.
If you need help outside of the classroom ULC provides tutors who can help you specifically with this class. Take advantage of this resource and check ULC website.
A complete list of all tutoring resources at NYU can be found on this page.
The Calculator Question
A graphing calculator is allowed to use in class discussion and on homework, but not allowed for exams. No specific calculator is endorsed, so do not buy a new one. If you have one already, continue to use that one. Online problem solvers are strictly prohibited in any HW, Quiz and Exams.
