Course Syllabus


Print Syllabus
Course ID: MAT187
Title: Precalculus
Modality: Mixed Media
Credit Hours: 5.00

Course Section Information

Institution: Rio Salado College

Section: 10402

Term: Fall 2014

Start Date: 9/2/2014

Last date to withdraw: None

Instructor: Richard Worthy

Course Materials

Be sure that you have all the necessary materials prior to the start date of your course.

Calculator: Texas Instruments model TI-83, 83 Plus, 84 or 84 Plus, is strongly recommended. Approved calculators are allowed on the in-person exams.

Note: Calculators with symbolic manipulating capabilities, or CAS, such as TI-89, TI-92 or TINspire CAS are not allowed on exams

Textbook required for Course:

Title: Precalculus
Author: Beecher/Penna/Bittinger
ISBN: 9781269634694

Rio Salado College has developed a unique Textbook Savings Program that uses customized textbooks and saves students up to 50% off the original price of textbooks. This textbook is included in the Textbook Savings Program and has been customized specifically for this course at Rio Salado College by Pearson Custom Publishing so that it contains information most relevant to the course. Your course materials are available through the Rio Salado College Bookstore. All materials should be verified by ISBN before purchasing at the Rio Salado Bookstore (480-517-8710 or 1-800-584-8775 or http://learnatrio.com/RL-bookstore) or from another seller.

Course Description and Competencies

Official Course Description
A precalculus course combining topics from college algebra and trigonometry. Preparation for analytic geometry and calculus.
Official Course Prerequisites
Grade of B or better in MAT120, or MAT121, or MAT122, or equivalent, or satisfactory score on district placement exam.
Course Note
Strongly recommended that students have some knowledge of trigonometry. Students may receive credit for only one of the following: MAT150, MAT151, MAT152, or MAT187.
Arizona Shared Unique Number
(http://www.azsunsystem.com/) MAT 1187
Official Course Competencies
  1. Find real and complex zeros of polynomial functions.
  2. Calculate and interpret average rate of change.
  3. Determine the inverse of a relation when represented numerically, analytically, or graphically.
  4. Analyze and interpret the behavior of functions, including domain and range, end behavior, increasing and decreasing intervals, extrema, asymptotic behavior, and symmetry.
  5. Determine whether a function is one-to-one when represented numerically, analytically, or graphically.
  6. Determine whether a relation is a function when represented numerically, analytically, or graphically.
  7. Graph polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, power, absolute value, piecewise-defined, and trigonometric functions.
  8. Perform operations, including compositions, on functions and state the domain of the resulting function.
  9. Solve polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric equations analytically and graphically.
  10. Use transformations to graph functions.
  11. Communicate process and results in written and verbal format.
  12. Compare alternative solution strategies.
  13. Justify and interpret solutions to application problems.
  14. Model and solve real-world problems.
  15. Read and interpret quantitative information when presented numerically, analytically, or graphically.
  16. Find and evaluate inverse trigonometric functions.
  17. Use the definition and properties of trigonometric functions and formulas to solve application problems.
  18. Verify trigonometric identities.

Course Requirements

  1. You must complete all assignments in the course to be eligible to get a passing grade. The assignments which will be turned in and graded are the six Mail-In Quizzes found in the Course Packet.  The other assignments given in the Course Packet, those involving exercises from the textbook, are not to be turned in; they are for your practice only.
  2. Examinations: There are two required in-person exams (a midterm and final) for this course. Please check the Calendar of Due Dates. It is strongly recommended that you study the Practice Exams prior to taking the Midterm and Final.  See the Exams section below for more information on taking your Midterm and Final exams.
  3. Note: You must earn a combined average of 60% on the Midterm and Final exams in order to pass the course.

Note: Keep a copy of all of your assignments!   Make sure that your submission can be read by your instructor. If you write lightly in pencil it may be difficult to read.

Time Requirements

Remember that this is a five credit-hour class. As such, you will need to dedicate significant time to this course. Plan to spend at least five hours on course content and at least fifteen hours on homework for a total of at least twenty hours each week.

Grading Procedure and Scale

Grading Procedure

There are 4,400 possible points for this course.

6 mail-in assignments = 880
Midterm Exam = 1760
Final Exam = 1760
Total = 4400 points

Note: You must earn a combined average of 60% on the midterm and final exams in order to pass the course. Students with an average on these exams of less than 60%, regardless of their performance on assignments, will not receive a passing grade.

Grading Scale

The final course grades will be determined by the following scale:

Grade Determination
Grade Points Percentage
A 3938 - 4400 points 90%-100%
B 3498 - 3837 points 80%-89%
C 3058 - 3497 points 70%-79%
D 2618 - 3057 points 60%-69%
F 0 - 2617 points 0%-59%

Please Note: The grading procedure for this course is based on the total number of points possible.

The grading scale is administered equally to all students in the course. Do not expect to receive a grade higher than that earned by your total points. There will be no point adjustments made for such things as "class participation" or other subjective factors.

Extra credit is not available for this course.

Exams

This course contains in-person exams which must be completed at an approved testing site.

Students who live within Maricopa county please see the testing information in your Print Based Student Handbook, or you may view it on the Internet at: http://learnatrio.com/RL-testing

Students who live outside of Maricopa County or are registered with Disability Resources and Services may request to have exams proctored. Please contact the Testing Center at (480) 517-8560 or 1 (866) 517-8560 (Toll-free).

Requests may also be made on the Internet by filling out and submitting the proctor request form, located at: http://learnatrio.com/RL-testing-examproctor.

In-Person Examination Procedures

  1. If you are testing at one of the Rio Salado Testing Centers, there is no appointment necessary to take your exam. Exams can be taken during normal hours of operation at any Rio Salado College testing site.
  2. Your midterm and final exams have a 3 hour time limit.  Please make sure you get to the testing site no later than 3 hours before closing. 
  3. You must complete the final exam by your course end date.
  4. You may take your exam(s) before your course end date if and only if you have received all of your graded assignments.

Final Grade Options

  • Letter grade (A, B, C, D, F) - Awarded if the student completes all work, including the final exams.
  • Extension - Students may request an extension because of illness or other extenuating circumstances, if they have been doing acceptable work. The instructor will define the requirements and timelines to complete the course.
    Please Note: Instructors are not obligated to give extensions.
  • Withdrawal - Students may submit a withdrawal request on or prior to the “Deadline for Student to Withdraw with Guaranteed Grade of W” indicated in the college catalog.

    Students should not contact their instructor to request a withdrawal. A student wishing to withdraw from a class within the stated timeline must do so by visiting my.maricopa.edu or by calling Student Enrollment Services at 480.517.8540 (1.800.729.1197 toll-free). In extreme circumstances, students do have the option of requesting a complete withdrawal from the college by providing Student Enrollment Services with appropriate documentation.

Credit/No Credit Option (P/Z) - This course may NOT be taken on a credit/no credit basis. 

Late or Missing Assignments

Assignments that have due dates are due on time according to the due dates. If you need to request an extension for an assignment, a request must be made to your instructor by voicemail at least one week prior to the due date.

Late points may be applied at the instructor's discretion.

Photocopy/Back-up Assignments

Keep a copy of everything that you submit. That way, if your work is lost, you can resubmit your copy for grading. If you don’t receive feedback on an assignment or the results of a quiz within two or three weeks after submission, then please contact your instructor. Make sure that your submissions can be read by your instructor. If you write lightly in pencil it may be difficult to read.

The due date that is listed in your course calendar is the last date on which an assignment can be delivered to the Course Support Office.

Extra Credit

Extra credit is not available.

Copyright Acknowledgements

Some images used in courses are licensed as follows: Accunet/AP Multimedia Archive, http://www.clipart.com, http://www.jupiterimages.com, EBSCO Image Collection.

Untitled Document

Submitting Assignments

All assignments are listed under the "Reading Assignment" box and in the "Assessing Your Learning" section.

Note to students: Keep a copy of everything that you submit. That way if your work is lost you can submit your copy for grading. If you don’t receive your graded assignment or quiz results within two or three weeks after submitting it, please contact your instructor.

The due date listed in your course calendar is the last date on which an assignment can be delivered to the Course Support Office, or postmarked.

Distance Learning Drop Box

Distance Learning students can now drop off class assignments (in an appropriately addressed envelope) and return library books, videotapes and/or cassettes at the Distance Learning Drop Box.

The Drop Box is conveniently located along the curb in front of the Rio Salado building at 2323 W. 14th  Street in Tempe.

Mailed Assignments

All mailed assignments must be properly addressed and mailed with adequate postage. Please remember all correspondence to Rio Salado College must have a return address, an addressee, and the correct postage. The U.S. Postal Service may refuse delivery if any of these three are missing. All items placed in the Rio drop box must have a return address and an addressee. Please keep a copy of all work turned in to your instructor. Assignments will not be accepted if postage is due. If you are unsure of the postage required, take the item to the post office and have it weighed.

Include the course section number and assignment identifier on the envelope below your name and return address. Envelopes that are labeled incorrectly can cause a delay in processing your work. Address your envelope as shown in this example:

From:

Your Name:  Jane Q. Doe
Your Address:   1234 Anywhere Street, Anytown, AZ
Course and Section Numbers:   GPH111, Section ______
Assignment Identifier:   Essay 1

To:

The Course Support Office Rio Salado College
P. O. Box 63310
Phoenix, AZ 85082-3310
Attn: (Write your instructor’s name here)

Your section number can be found in your "Welcome Letter".

The Course Support staff cannot answer questions about the receipt of specific mail-in assignments. Only your instructor can do so.

Note to students: Please submit only one assignment in each envelope. The special envelopes provided to you by Rio Salado are only for computer answer sheets. Please mail all other assignments in separate envelopes.

Note to students: The U.S. Post Office no longer offers Sunday or holiday mail posting, and pick-up does not automatically mean that your envelope will be posted the same day. To be safe, allow extra time: mail early.

Faxed Assignments

Assignments may be faxed to (480) 377-4728 for print and mixed media courses. Your name, your instructor's name, and the course name and section numbers must appear at the top of every page. When the Course Support Office receives assignments, they are sent to your instructor for evaluation. Once your instructor has graded your assignment, he or she will return it to you.

Protect your hard work. Again, clearly label every page of your assignment with your name, the course and section numbers, your instructors name, and the name of the assignment as it appears in the syllabus.

Course Completion Policy

A student who registers for a Print or Multimedia course is assigned a start date and an end date. It is the student's responsibility to note due dates for assignments and to keep up with the course work.

Students may request an extension because of illness or other extenuating circumstances, if they have been doing acceptable work. The instructor will define the requirements and timelines to complete the course.

Please Note: It is the prerogative of the instructor to decide whether or not to grant the request.

Library Services

The Rio Salado Library is committed to student success and provides a variety of materials and services to enhance student learning.  Utilizing Rio’s online library for your research is the best way to ensure that your sources are validated, authoritative, and appropriate for college-level coursework. Librarians are available to help you at all times via our Ask a Librarian live chat service. You can access all library services at www.riosalado.edu/library.

Academic Misconduct

Academic Misconduct includes cheating, conspiring to cheat, soliciting to cheat, attempting to cheat, plagiarism, fabrication on an assignment, or other forms of dishonest presentation.

Posting assessments on an unauthorized web site, soliciting assessment answers and the unauthorized acquisition of assessments, assessment answers, or other academic material is cheating. Turning in content created by essay generators or other types of artificial intelligence platforms is also academic misconduct.

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use of paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling or sharing of term papers or other academic materials. Information gathered from the Internet and not properly identified is also considered plagiarism.

We expect every student to produce his/her original, independent work. Any student whose work indicates a violation of the MCCCD Academic Misconduct Policy at https://district.maricopa.edu/regulations/admin-regs/section-2/2-3#11 (including cheating and plagiarism) can expect sanctions as specified in the college catalog.

Rio Salado College uses software that uncovers plagiarism from student to student and other data sources on the Internet. If a student is found to have plagiarized content, grade consequences will be applied in accordance with departmental policies.

Civility Policy

The faculty of Rio Salado place a high value on the importance of general ethical standards of academic behavior and expect that communication between students and instructors or among students shall maintain the level of formality and mutual respect appropriate to any college teaching/learning situation.

Language or behavior that is rude, abusive, profane, disruptive, or threatening will not be tolerated. Activity of this type is Academic Misconduct as defined in MCCCD Policy AR 2.3.11. Students engaging in such behavior will be removed from the course with a failing grade. Additional sanctions may be applied pursuant to AR 2.3.11.

Requirement for Active Class Participation

Please note that students may be withdrawn from class for non-participation.

If you receive financial aid of any kind, it is your responsibility to protect your eligibility to receive financial aid by meeting the active participation requirements of this class.

Change of Address

Please notify Course Support at (480) 517-8243 1-800-729-1197 or by email at course.support@riosalado.edu. Please include your name, student number, phone number, and new address including city, state, and zip code.

Classroom Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and its associated colleges are committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities to students with documented disabilities (e.g. mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical). Visit district.maricopa.edu/mandatory-drs-title-ix-syllabus-statements for more information.

Religious Accommodations

Rio Salado College will reasonably accommodate the religious needs, observances, and practices of their students, when requested and the requests are made in accordance with the procedures set forth in ND-4. Any student may request a religious accommodation by making a written request for an accommodation to the appropriate faculty member using the Religious Accommodation Request form. To the extent possible, requests must be made at least two (2) weeks before the requested absence from class due to religious holiday or day of observance.

Disclaimer

Course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of this particular group.

Student Solution Center

Rio Salado College is dedicated to a quality learning experience and has provided the Student Solution Center webpage, https://learnatrio.com/3DGKHTz, as a resource for students to raise issues to our attention. We look forward to the opportunity to provide an equitable solution to all involved parties. For grading or instructional issues, students should first contact their faculty member(s) in accordance with the Instructional Grievance Process at district.maricopa.edu/regulations/admin-regs/appendices/students/s-6, as published in the college catalog. For non-instructional complaints, students may contact Institutional Integrity and Compliance by submitting the non-instructional complaint form, emailing studentcomplaints@riosalado.edu, or calling 480-517-8505. Students may also contact their state regulatory agency (www.riosalado.edu/about/research-planning/state-authorization/Pages/Agency.aspx); the Arizona SARA Council at azsara.arizona.edu or by email at ldueck.azsara@riosalado.edu; and/or the Higher Learning Commission by telephone at 1-800-621-7440, or email at complaints@hlcommission.org to escalate their concerns.

Contact Rio Salado College

Advisement 480-517-8580, Fax: 480-377-4899
http://learnatrio.com/RL-advisement

Bookstore 480-517-8710 or 1-800-584-8775 Fax: 480-517-8356

The RSC Bookstore does not accept credit cards over the phone. If you want to purchase textbooks with a credit card, including a Citi Prepaid Visa Card, you must either order your books online (http://learnatrio.com/RL-bookstore) or visit the store in person. The bookstore is located in the Conference Center at 2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281. (Major cross streets are Broadway and Priest).

You may also purchase textbooks using the online ordering system.

Cashier's Office 480-517-8334, 480-517-8330, Fax: 480-517-8359

College Safety 480-377-4555 (www.riosalado.edu/about/news-resources/Pages/Safety.aspx)

Computer Labs 480-517-8450 (www.riosalado.edu/locations/Pages/labs.aspx)

Information about Rio Salado College computer labs located throughout the valley. The computer labs are open to registered students and have a variety of software available. Computer courses can also be taken from your home or office if you have the appropriate hardware and software. Some RSC locations have either Knowledge Commons or staff-supported and monitored Computer Labs.

Counseling 480-517-8785 (www.riosalado.edu/counseling)

Counseling for personal concerns that are interfering with your academic success, scholarship information, career planning, job hunting skills, and information or referrals to community services.

Course Support 480-517-8243

Course Support produces and distributes introductory materials such as welcome letters and instruction on how to access their courses to distance learning students and faculty.

Dental Hygiene 480-517-8020 (www.riosalado.edu/programs/dental_hygiene)

The facility is located at 2250 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281.

Disability Resources & Services 480-517-8562 (www.riosalado.edu/disability_services)

Provides support and services to students with documented disabilities.

Financial Aid Toll-Free: 1-855-622-2332 Fax: 480-377-4702 (http://learnatrio.com/RL-fin_aid)

Grants and scholarships are available to assist eligible students with college expenses. To be eligible for federal financial aid, students must meet application criteria and select a program of study. Applying for financial aid will take at least eight weeks, so begin early!

Grades (www.riosalado.edu/grades)

Honors 480-517-8656 (www.riosalado.edu/honors)

Includes the President's Honor Roll, Phi Theta Kappa, and Honors Program classes with award stipends for eligible students.

Instructional Helpdesk 480-517-8380, Toll Free 1-866-511-8380 (www.riosalado.edu/help/instructional/Pages/default.aspx)

Available to answer questions about your course, help you contact your instructor or your faculty chair, provide Successful Start information, and to help you work through instructional issues that may arise during your course.

Library Services 480-517-8424, Toll Free 1-800-729-1197, Fax 480-517-8449 (http://learnatrio.com/RL-libr)

Library books, DVDs, online databases of magazine and newspaper articles, online encyclopedias, image collections, e-books, reference assistance (phone, in-person, or e-mail).

Registration & Transcripts 480-517-8540, Toll Free 1-800-729-1197, Fax 480-517-8199 (www.riosalado.edu/registration)

Public Safety 480-377-4555

Student Enrollment Services/Student Affairs 480-517-8540 (www.riosalado.edu/current)

Ask for a Student Enrollment Representative to assist with general college information, registration and records information, tuition and fee payment information, transcript requests, pre-requisite approvals, basic course selection, or waivers.

Ask for a Student Enrollment Advisor for assistance with: educational goals and objectives, transcript evaluation, disability services and resources, advisement issues, scholarship and financial aid options, program and admissions information.

Sun Sounds 480-517-8300 http://www.sunsounds.org/

Technology Helpdesk 480-517-8600 http://learnatrio.com/RL-help

Available to help you work through any technological barriers that may come up during your "Online Experience."

Testing 480-517-8560 or Toll Free 1-866-517-8560 http://learnatrio.com/RL-testing

Distance learning midterm/final exams; testing sites, directions, business hours and schedules; exam proctoring for out-of-county students; disability services; placement testing; GED; prior learning assessment; national exams: CLEP, DANTES; degree specific exams.

Testing Information (recorded), 480-517-8558

Tutoring Services 480-517-8247 http://learnatrio.com/RL-tutoring

Tutors help Rio Salado Community College students prepare for tests, learn new concepts, improve study techniques, and answer questions about assignments.

Veteran Affairs 480-517-8153 https://learnatrio.com/RL-military-advisement