Syllabus
In mathematics you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
-- John von Neumann, Nobel Prize winner.
- Time and Place:
TR 5:00-6:15, MW 5:30-6:20 at 518 Smith Hall
- Instructor:
Peter Saveliev (call me Peter)
- Office:
778F Smith Hall (in the alley)
- Office Hours:
MW 1:30-5:00, R 3:30-4:30 (tentative), or by appointment, or any
time I am there (usually in the afternoon)- Office Phone:
x4639
- Home Phone:
697-7827 (9 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
- E-mail:
saveliev@marshall.edu (put Math 127 as the subject)
- Class Web-Page:
http://saveliev.net/m127.htm.
- Prerequisites:
solid algebra skills, some knowledge of Cartesian coordinates, familiarity with basic functions
- Texts:
College Algebra by Bittinger, Beecher, Ellenbogen,
Penna (Chapters 1-5), Graphing Calculator Manual, Web supplement
www.awl.com/BBEP with password in new
books- Computer Requirements: graphic calculator TI-83 or TI-83+.
- Goals:
understanding of functions, good familiarity with major
classes of functions, function operations, graphing, solving equations -- being
prepared for the calculus sequence
- Group Problems:
due weekly (please, staple!), each Thursday unless specified otherwise
- Quizzes:
based on the practice problems assigned daily, once or twice a week
- Grade Breakdown:
TOTAL=.25×HW+.15×E1+.15×E2+.15×E3+.30×FINAL
- group problems and quizzes: 25% (quiz 10
points each, homework 10-30 points, 1-2 quizzes may be dropped, attendance 30 points
and you
loose 15 points per each 3 classes missed, class participation 30 points extra
credit).
- 3 exams: 15% each
- final exam: 30%
- Letter Grades:
A: 90-100, B: 80-89, C: 70-79, D: 60-69, F: <60
From the Catalogue:
127 College Algebra - Expanded Version. 5 hrs.
A brief but careful review of the main techniques of algebra. Polynomial,
rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Graphs, systems of equations
and inequalities, sequences. (PR: MAT 097 or Math ACT 19 or 20)
Assignment #1 (10 points):
- Go to
http://saveliev.net/m127.htm.
- Read the Course Policy.
- Try to set up a group (3-4 members) by Friday, then e-mail the list to me.
For this purpose you can use the list of students. If you don't have a
group you'll be assigned to a group at random.
- Visit my office during the next two weeks to introduce yourself and receive
the credit.