Math 149 - Precalculus
Syllabus for section OC1 & OC2 – Fall, 2012
Instructor: Jennifer Strehler
Office: DP 2741
Textbook: Lial, Precalculus – 5th edition
MyLabsPlus (not MyMathLab) is required for this section.
Calculator: A graphing calculator is strongly recommended (TI 83 suggested)
A calculator without the ability to graph (and without trig/log functions) is required.
Since this is an online class, most of our communication will be online. If you have a question about a specific
problem in the homework, please use the "ask my instructor" link in the homework software (I get a copy of the
problem you're working on this way!)
I will also be on the Des Plaines campus: 2741 - or by phone: (847)376-7071 during the following times:
Tuesday: 10:00 – 10:50
Thursday: 10:00 – 10:50
Saturday: 12:00 – 2:50
MAT 053 or geometry proficiency; and MAT 110 or the equivalent with a grade of C or better, or an appropriate
score on the Mathematics Assessment Test. It is presumed that you recall Intermediate Algebra, as there is no
time to review in this course.
Course (catalog) Description
This course surveys algebraic and transcendental functions. Content includes polynomial, rational, exponential,
logarithmic and trigonometric functions; conic sections, series, parametric equations, and polar equations.
Technology will be integrated throughout the course.
It is presumed that students will spend a minimum of 10 hours per week in independent study (reading the text,
doing homework, working unassigned problems) in order to meet the following objectives:
A. Understand the concepts of relations and functions.
B. Understand the basic characteristics and graphs for the following functions: polynomial, rational,
exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric.
C. Apply algebraic techniques to trigonometric expressions, identities, and triangles.
D. Understand the basic characteristics and graphs of the conic sections.
E. Understand the concepts associated with vectors and their operations.
F. Apply the concepts of sequences and series.
G. Understand parametric equations.
H. Understand polar equations.
I. Use technology for graphing and evaluating functions.
1. Generate the complete graph for the elementary functions.
2. Solve equations involving elementary functions.
Students, Faculty and administration at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity
and follow Oakton's Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:
plagiarism (turning in work not written by you or lacking proper citation),
falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
helping others to cheat,
making unauthorized changes in official documents,
pretending to be someone else or having someone else to pretend to be you,
making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton's policies and procedures
provide students with a fair hearing if a complaint is made. If you are found to have violated the policy, the
minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the
office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
I expect that you will log into MyLabsPlus and work regularly (at least two times each week) toward the
successful completion of this course.
I expect that your schedule will allow you to complete all assignments and take the exams /quizzes when
they are scheduled. All exams, quizzes and assignments have firm due dates and requests for
extensions will NOT be granted. The exams will be available in the testing center the week prior to the
exam due date. Quizzes and homework can be completed early.
Academic integrity. All work is expected to be your own.
Ask for help when you need it. The tutoring centers (room 2400 DP in Des Plaines and A135 in Skokie),
the free publisher-provided tutoring http://www.aw-bc.com/tutorcenter/math.html and my office hours
are excellent resources for help. The tutoring centers are available Monday – Thursday from 8am – 8pm,
Friday from 8am - 4pm & Saturday 10am – 2pm.
A calculator without the ability to graph (and without trig/log functions) is required for the exams.
As such, it is best to practice solving problems in the method described in the text. For example, you will
need to memorize the unit circle and use it from memory to answer questions on the exams without the use
of a calculator with trig functions.
I will send several e-mails to the entire class during the course of the semester. It is your responsibility to
ensure that the e-mail address on file with the registrar is the address to which you wish to receive
Please use e-mail as your primary means of communication. I will read and respond to e-mail at least
once a day during the week. The time I check my e-mail is likely to be irregular. If you send me a
message at 8:30 am & I checked my e-mail at 7:30 that morning, I may not get your message until
whenever I check e-mail the next day. It is not guaranteed that I will check e-mail on weekends.
I am teaching more than one course this term. Make sure you put MAT 149 in the subject line of your
e-mail so that I know which class you are in (and that your e-mail is not spam!)
Please use complete sentences and avoid textspeak in your e-mail.
Assignments, Quizzes and Exams
All homework, quizzes and exams have firm dates. Extensions will NOT be granted.
08/31/12 Chapter 2 (incl. 1.6) homework and quiz
09/10/12 Chapter 3 homework and quiz
09/19/12 Chapter 4 homework and quiz
09/15/12 – 09/21/12 Exam 1 (chapters 2, 3 & 4) available
09/28/12 Chapter 9 homework and quiz
10/08/12 Chapter 10 (incl. 2.2) homework and quiz
10/17/12 Chapter 11 homework and quiz
10/13/12 – 10/19/12 Exam 2 (chapters 9, 10 & 11) available
10/26/12 Chapter 5 homework and quiz
11/07/12 Chapter 6 homework and quiz
11/03/12 – 11/09/12 Exam 3 (chapters 5) available
11/19/12 Chapter 7 homework and quiz
11/28/12 Chapter 8 homework and quiz
11/17/12 – 11/30/12 Exam 4 (chapters 7 & 8) available
12/01/12 – 12/07/12 Final exam (chapters 2 – 11) available
Homework will be done through MyLabsPlus and is based on chapters 2 – 11 of the textbook.
Homework must be completed according to the schedule above.
There will be ten chapter quizzes, which will be administered through MyLabsPlus. Quizzes must be
completed according to the schedule above. In order to take a quiz, you must have completed all
homework for that chapter with a score of at least 70%. If you do not have at least a 70% on each
assignment, you will not be able to take that chapter quiz.
There will be five exams that will be administered at the testing center located on the Des Plaines campus
of Oakton Community College.
o The hours of our testing center are:
Mon – Thurs: 8:00 – 8:00
Friday: 8:00 – 4:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 2:00
o If you need to take the exam at the Skokie campus, it is your responsibility to inform me no later
than 9/15. If you are not able to take the exams at one of our campuses, please contact Robin
Nash at firstname.lastname@example.org in order to make alternative arrangements as soon as possible.
Arrangements must be made with the facility that will proctor your exam no later than 9/15.
o You will be given 2 hours to complete each of the first 4 exams. If you arrive within 2 hours of
the close of the testing center, you will only be allowed to work on the exam until the testing
center closes and no additional time will be given for the exam. You will have 3 hours for the
comprehensive final and should arrive at the testing center at a time that will allow you to
complete the exam. The dates that these exams are available are listed below.
MyLabsPlus shows a current average that is never accurate. Course grades will be computed as follows:
Exam 1 Available 09/15/12 – 09/21/12 10%
Exam 2 Available 10/13/12 – 10/19/12 10%
Exam 3 Available 11/03/12 – 11/09/12 10%
Exam 4 Available 11/17/12 – 11/30/12 10%
Final Exam Available 12/01/12 – 12/07/12 20%
Homework Average 20%
Quiz Average 20%
Course grades will be determined as follows:
90% - 100% A
80% - 89% B
70% - 79% C
60% - 69% D
Less than 60% F
A grade if "I" (Incomplete) must be formally requested of the instructor by the student and may be granted only if
the student has missed no more than one test for the entire term and the student’s course average is at least 70. The
decision to grant the "I" grade will be made by the instructor alone. No incomplete grades will be given without
documented evidence of serious illness or circumstances.
Other Course Information
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic
accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in Instructional
Support Services. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any
essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
August 20 Fall, 2012 semester classes begin.
August 25 Last day to submit proof of residency, business service agreements and
(noon) chargebacks/joint agreements.
September 3 Labor Day holiday. College closed.
September 16 Last day to withdraw and have course dropped from record.
Last day to change to audit.
September 30 Incomplete (I) grades from Summer, 2012 semester for which faculty have not
submitted final grades will become an "F" after this date.
October 6 (noon) Last day for filing Graduation Petitions
October 14 Last day to withdraw with a "W" from 16-week courses; Students will receive a grade
in all courses in which they are enrolled after October 14.
November 11 Veterans’ Day holiday. College closed.
November 19 Registration opens for Spring, 2012 semester
November 24, 25 Thanksgiving recess. College closed.
Outline of Topics
A. Functions and their graphs
1. Operations on functions: combinations
2. Graphing techniques
3. Translations and rotations
4. Inverse functions
B. Polynomial Functions: Graphs and Zeros
1. Quadratic functions
2. Polynomial functions of higher degree
3. Remainder and factor theorems
4. Complex zeros of polynomial functions
5. Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
C. Rational Functions and Conic Sections
1. Rational functions and their graphs
2. Conic sections
a. Center at origin
D. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
1. Exponential functions and their graphs
2. Logarithmic functions and their graphs
3. Properties of logarithms
4. Solving exponential and logarithmic equations
E. Find the intersection of two polynomials (Substitution Method)
F. Sequences and Series
1. Fundamentals of sequences and series
2. Arithmetic sequences
3. Geometric sequences
G. Trigonometric Functions
1. Measurement of angles
2. Circular functions
3. Graphs of sines and cosines
4. Graphs of the other trigonometric functions
5. Inverse trigonometric functions and their graphs
6. Trigonometric identities
a. Pythagorean identities
b. Sum and difference formulas
c. Multiple and half angle formulas
d. Sum-to-product; product-to-sum
7. Solving trigonometric equations
a. Complex numbers and their trigonometric form
b. Solving right triangles
c. Law of Sines, Law of Cosines
d. Roots and powers of complex numbers
e. Polar coordinates
f. Parametric equations
1. Geometric and algebraic representation of vectors
2. Basic operations with vectors
1. Generate the complete graph of each trigonometric and inverse trigonometric function including
setting a proper window, tracing and zooming.
2. Graphically locate the x-intercepts, the relative extrema and determine asymptotic behaviors.
3. Solve equations graphically, numerically and/or symbolically.