Math 126 - Precalculus I

Course Syllabus

This class has mandatory online homework and a group administered common departmental final exam. The
exam is given Friday December 14th 2017 10:10am-12:10pm. Calculators will not be allowed during the
final exam. For more information on these and other policies, read this syllabus in detail and view the course
information posted in the ‘Course/Final Exam Info’ section at
https://faculty.unlv.edu/bellomo/CourseInfo/CourseInfo.html.

CLASS INFORMATION:
Semester and Year: Fall 2018
Course Number: Math 126
Course Section: 1005
Lecture Times: MW 8:30-9:45
Lecture Location: CBC C218

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Name: Jessica Taillac
Office Location: CDC 703
Office Phone: n/a
Email: jessica.robinson@unlv.edu
Instructor Web Page: n/a
Office Hours: MW 8:00am-8:20am 9:50am-11:00am
Dept Phone: (702) 895-3567
Dept Web Page: http://www.unlv.edu/math
Other: unlv 8573 3726

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Topics include fundamentals of algebra, functions and graphs, polynomial, rational, exponential, and
logarithmic functions, and systems of linear equations. 3 credits. Duplicate credits cannot be earned
in any two of Math 124/126/128.

PREREQUISITES for the COURSE:

Three years of high school mathematics at the level of algebra and above and a satisfactory score on
the Math Placement Test, or a minimum score of 22 on the ACT, or a minimum score of 520 on the
SAT, or a C or better in Math 096 or equivalent.

COURSE MATERIALS:
Required Text: Precalculus (custom 6th edition) by Stewart; Cengage.
Required Account: WebAssign (http://www.webassign.net/)
Suggested Calculator: A non-programmable, non-graphing scientific calculator is recommended
(calculator with trig functions, exponentials and logs) although it is not allowed during the final
exam. See “calculator policy” for additional details.
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SPECIAL NOTE:
During full semesters (fall and spring), students enrolled in Math 095 through Math 182 are required
to attend a mandatory presentation regarding the online evaluations, tutor clinic and other tutoring
options offered. Your instructor will provide you with specific details.

EVALUATION AND GRADE ASSIGNMENT:

In-Class 15 Week Courses
Weight Item
5% Discussion Session Attendance
Held each week -- hours and location linked with course registration. Students are required
to log 16 total hours per term to receive full credit. Any lesser amount of time will be
prorated. Contact your instructor for details.
10% Online Homework
15% Test 1
15% Test 2
15% Test 3
10% Quizzes and Projects
30% Cumulative Final Exam*

Modular and Distance Education Courses

Weight Item
15% Online Homework
30% Cumulative Final Exam*

* The Final Exam for all Math 126 sections will be a 2-hour comprehensive exam administered on
Friday December 14th 2018 at 10:10am-12:10pm. The auditorium location will be announced
towards the end of the term. Absolutely no make-ups or re-scheduling allowed. No calculators
or formula cards permitted during the final exam
Letter grades will be assigned according to the following scale: A 93-100, A- 90-92.9, B+ 87-89.9, B 83-86.9,
B- 80-82.9, C+ 77-79.9, C 73-76.9, C- 70-72.9, D+ 67-69.9, D 63-66.9, D- 60-62.9, F below 60.
Extra credit will not be permitted on final grades, or the final examination.

TOPICAL OUTLINE:
Chapter 1, Sections 1-8, 10
Chapter 2, Sections 1-7, focus on Modeling problems (pgs 218-222)
Chapter 3, Sections 1-7
Chapter 4, Sections 1-6
Chapter 10, Sections 1-9
Chapter 12, Section 6

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
In addition to the listed outcomes, we expect students to have mastered or continue to hone their
expertise in algebraic manipulations. All assessment questions should be considered tests of the
appropriate use of these (and prerequisite) algebraic skills. The included outcomes below are only a
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 subset of the objectives covered in the course, see “exam hints” link below for a sample of the
material covered on the final exam.
• Find the equation of a line given its graph
• Identify domain restrictions of square root and rational functions
• Find the equation of a line given data (either two points, slope and one point, a point and a
parallel line, a point and a perpendicular line, etc.)
• Evaluate and graph a piecewise function
• Combine functions (multiplication, division, addition and subtraction and composition)
• Identify whether a given function is odd, even or neither
• Operate on complex numbers (add, subtract, multiply, divide, find the conjugate)
• Define and use the quadratic formula to find the roots of a quadratic equation
• Determine the characteristics of a quadratic function (axis of symmetry, roots, vertex, etc.)
• Solve non-linear inequalities
• Determine what happens to a given polynomial as the independent variable tends to positive and
negative infinity
• Find an inverse function of another, given function and its domain and range
• Find the domain and range of a log function
• Solve exponential equations with different bases by utilizing logs
• Find the equation involving half life or doubling time given context of model
• Solve a system of two linear equations and two unknowns

SAMPLE PROBLEMS/EXAM HINTS:

A topical outline and sample set of written homework problems can be found online
(https://faculty.unlv.edu/bellomo/CourseInfo/CourseInfo.html). This includes hints for each exam
and the final. You are strongly encouraged to review these handouts.

COURSE SCHEDULE:
see attached

CLASS POLICIES:
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is a mandatory component of all on-campus classes, and will be taken daily. Without
regular attendance of this class, success will not be possible. Along with attendance, it is expected
students will participate in the classroom examples.

CALCULATOR/TECHNOLOGY:
Calculators will not be permitted on the final exam. Calculators will not be permitted on tests or
quizzes. At no time during classroom instruction or assessments may you use cell phones, laptops,
ipods (or similar such devices), nor are you permitted to share a device with another student.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community; all share in
upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility and
professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the
Student Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices to always take
the ethical path. Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a
manner compatible with UNLV’s function as an educational institution.

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 An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism. Plagiarism is using the words or ideas of
another, from the Internet or any source, without proper citation of the sources. See the Student
Academic Misconduct Policy (approved December 9, 2005) located at:
http://studentconduct.unlv.edu/misconduct/policy.html.
While the UNLV Department of Mathematical Sciences encourages students to collaborate with
peers, there is a distinction between verbal collaboration and copying. Specifically – it is not
acceptable to “divide” work, and it is not acceptable to use another persons’ hard work (current or
former student, teaching assistant, or tutor) as your own. Further, if you feel you are being
misguided, it is your responsibility to report this to your instructor before testing, so they can
correct the situation and give you proper clarification.
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated; the College of Sciences emphasizes zero tolerance for
academic dishonesty. All acts of academic dishonesty may result in: automatic zero on the
assignment, F in the course, disciplinary review, revoking of degree, probation, expulsion, etc.

HOMEWORK:
Homework will be assigned and graded using WebAssign. The necessary account information is
included with new textbooks. Students who purchase used textbooks may purchase an Access Code
at http://www.webassign.net/. Further information will be provided on the first day of class. A list
of sample homework problems is located in the “final hints” section towards the end of this
document. For Technical Support, students may call toll-free at 1-800-955-8275, M-F 9:00 am -
8:00 pm, EST. The Class Key for this course is unlv 8573 3726 .

MAKE-UP POLICY:
No make ups for tests or quizzes.

TESTING:
Test days you will arrive on time, and minimize the amount of clutter you bring into the classroom.
Leave all electronic devices in your home or automobile; if it is necessary to carry them for
emergency purposes, they should be turned OFF before the assessment begins. If you create a
disturbance with an electronic item (even in vibrate mode) you may receive a zero on that
assessment. Bring a photo id to all tests (especially the final exam), you may be asked to provide
proof of identification. Calculators and formula cards will not be permitted on the final exam.
Quizzes will be unannounced.The best way to prepare for quizzes is to keep up with the homework
assignments, participate in class, and read the section from the book ahead of time.

TUTORING:
Tutoring through the Department of Mathematical Sciences is available for this course – this
includes Coaching Labs and Course Specific Labs, and a walk in tutoring clinic held in CDC-7. For
more information including location and hours please call (702) 895-3567 or email math@unlv.edu.
Additional free and pay tutoring is available in the Academic Success Center,
http://academicsuccess.unlv.edu/tutoring.

UNIVERSITY POLICIES:
(1) The UNLV Disability Resource Center (SSC-A 143, http://drc.unlv.edu/, 702-895-0866)
provides resources for students with disabilities. If you feel that you have a disability, please
make an appointment with a Disabilities Specialist at the DRC to discuss what options may be
available to you. If you are registered with the UNLV Disability Resource Center, bring your
Academic Accommodation Plan from the DRC to the instructor during office hours so that you
may work together to develop strategies for implementing the accommodations to meet both your

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 needs and the requirements of the course. Any information you provide is private and will be
treated as such. To maintain the confidentiality of your request, please do not approach the
instructor in front of others to discuss your accommodation needs.
(2) Any student missing class quizzes, examinations, or any other class or lab work because of
observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester to make up
missed work. The make-up will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It shall be the
responsibility of the student to notify the instructor no later than the end of the first two weeks of
classes of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays which do not fall on state
holidays or periods of class recess. For additional information, please visit:
http://catalog.unlv.edu/content.php?catoid=6&navoid=531.
(3) Copyright – The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize
themselves with and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. You are individually and
solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws. The university will neither protect
nor defend you nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws.
Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal
liability, as well as disciplinary action under University policies. Additional information can be
found at: http://www.unlv.edu/provost/copyright.
(4) By policy, faculty and staff should e-mail students’ Rebelmail accounts only. Rebelmail is
UNLV’s official e-mail system for students. It is one of the primary ways students receive official
university communication such as information about deadlines, major campus events, and
announcements. All UNLV students receive a Rebelmail account after they have been admitted to
the university. Students’ e-mail prefixes are listed on class rosters. The suffix is always
@unlv.nevada.edu. Emailing within WebCampus is acceptable.
(5) One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to UNLV students
at the Writing Center, located in CDC-3-301. Although walk-in consultations are sometimes
available, students with appointments will receive priority assistance.
Appointments may be made in person or by calling 895-3908. The student’s Rebel ID Card, a
copy of the assignment (if possible), and two copies of any writing to be reviewed are requested
for the consultation. More information can be found at: http://writingcenter.unlv.edu/
(6) The grade of I – Incomplete – can be granted when a student has satisfactorily completed three-
fourths of course work for that semester/session but for reason(s) beyond the student’s control,
and acceptable to the instructor, cannot complete the last part of the course, and the instructor
believes that the student can finish the course without repeating it. The incomplete work must be
made up before the end of the following regular semester for undergraduate courses. Graduate
students receiving “I” grades in 500-, 600-, or 700-level courses have up to one calendar year to
complete the work, at the discretion of the instructor. If course requirements are not completed
within the time indicated, a grade of F will be recorded and the GPA will be adjusted accordingly.
Students who are fulfilling an Incomplete do not register for the course but make individual
arrangements with the instructor who assigned the I grade.
(7) The University requires that final exams given at the end of a course occur at the time and on
the day specified in the final exam schedule. See the schedule at:
http://www.unlv.edu/registrar/calendars

GUIDELINES FOR COURTESY AND RESPECT:

I would like to welcome all students into an environment that creates a sense of community pride,
courtesy, and respect; we are here to work cooperatively and to learn together.
In order to create a smooth and harmonious learning community, please make every attempt to
come to all the class sessions, to come to class on time, and to stay until the end of the meeting.
There may be a time when you are unavoidably late for class. In that case, please come into the

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 room quietly and choose a seat closest to the entrance. Once the class session has begun, please do
not leave the room and then re-enter unless it is an emergency.
It is important that we are all able to stay focused on the class lecture/discussion. For this
reason, only one person at a time in the class should be speaking. Side conversations are distracting
for surrounding students and for the professor. All electronic devices should be turned off BEFORE
entering the room. You must have instructor permission for use of a laptop, and it is only to be used
for instructional purposes.
As you can see, simple norms of courtesy should be sufficient to have our class run in the best
interests of all. Any student considered to be a distraction to the learning environment may be
asked to leave the classroom at any time. Any student who is continually a distraction to the
learning environment may be administratively dropped. Thank you in advance for your
cooperation.

OTHER INSTRUCTOR POLICIES:

What to do if you are absent
1. Please do NOT email me that you are absent. I obviously will know you are absent when you do not
sign the roster for the day.
2. Get notes from a classmate. I do not give out notes.Do NOT put these in the classroom notebook.
3. See me in office hours if you have questions regarding those notes or homework.
4. Remember pop quizzes may occur on a day you are absent. Make-ups are not permitted for quizzes.
So if you are missing class make sure your reason for absence is justifiable.

ClassRoom Notebook: The classroom notebook needs to be a 3 ring binder with loose leaf paper. In the
notebook you will create the two column example notes based on the problems done in class. It is
expected students will make an attempt for problems. See Handout. The notebooks will be collected
on test days for grading. If you miss class you will leave those pages blank. This will count as a
project in the grading scheme.

DMQs: DMQ stands for Daily Math Question which can be found on WebCampus. There are two
DMQs per week. The first is due Monday at midnight. The second is is due Friday at midnight. The
purpose of the DMQ is to have you practice current concepts from the week. You have 3 opportunities
to submit a DMQ before the deadline. With each submission I will give you feedback on how to
correct any mistakes you may have made.Think of it like a rough draft in English class. Therefore it
is best to start the DMQ as soon as possible and start your "rough draft" early so you can get feedback
in time for you to make the necessary corrections before the due date. Please submit your DMQ on
WebCampus in PDF format. Submissions in other formats or submitted through email will not be
accepted. If you do not know how to get your document into a pdf form please consult various outside
resources for assistance. This falls under the projects category of grading system.

Office Visits: I love when students stop by my office! If you find yourself beginning to struggle with
the material, please come to see me in my office. I can't stress how important it is to NOT fall behind.
My office hours are Monday, Wednesday, 8:00-8:20 9:50-11:00am Because office hours can get
quite busy, please have all of your materials ready so that I can help you. Please bring any WebAssign
problems printed, bring paper, a pencil, your calculator, the notes, etc. in order to get help

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