NASSAU  COMMUNITY  COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS/STATISTICS/COMPUTER PROCESSING

 

 

MAT 111 - Elementary Functions

4 credits

Fall 2004 – Spring 2005

 

Instructor:        Prof. T. Vecchiarelli                                Campus Office:    Room: D3116

E-Mail:             vecchit@ncc.edu                                                                 Phone:   572 - 7920           Webpage:   www.matcmp.nc.edu/~vecchit                                                                                                                                                       

Lectures:          Alt. Wednesdays           Bethpage          Mr. Miller           periods 1,2

                        Alt. Wednesdays           Hicskville           Mrs. Warner      period 1

                                                                                    Ms. Gimmi        period 3                                                                        

Required:         Text:     Functions Modeling Change

                                    by Connolly,  Hughes-Hallet

 

Student Solutions Manual (Optional) (may be found at NCC Bookstore)

 

                        Calculator:         Graphing calculator specified by your HS teacher.

 

 

Catalog Description:

A primer course for the study of Calculus. The function concept plays a unifying role in the study of polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric  functions. The modeling of elementary functions is stressed throughout the course along with a basic philosophy of examining the function concept using the Rule of Four, i.e., every topic should be presented graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. Technological support using a graphing calculator or appropriate computer software is integrated throughout the semester.

Prerequisite:      At least a 75% average in three years of high school mathematics (including                                  trigonometry) or at least a C in MAT 109.

 

 

Requirements:

 

Grades:

You will get two grades for this course: a grade given by your high school teacher (that will appear on your high school transcript) and a grade from me, your college instructor.  If you get a C or better, as a college grade, you may be able to transfer 4 SUNY college credits to the college you attend.

 

Your college grade will consist of three (3) interim exams, assignments/projects, a final exam, and your high school grade, provided to me by your teacher. ( See your high school teacher about requirements for that grade.)

 

College Exams:

The time line for college exams is given below:

 

Exam #1 ( Chapters 1 - 3)                                 End of First Marking Period

Exam #2 ( Chapters 1 - 4)                                 Midterms Week in January

Exam #3 ( Chapters 1 - 6)                                 Fourth Week in March

Final Exam  ( Chapters 1 - 7.5, 9)                     3rd Saturday in May,  at NCC  from 8:30 – 12noon

 

 

 

 

There are NO Make-Up College Exams!  College exams will be announced, by me and your teacher, in advance so you have sufficient time to study.  If you miss an exam for ANY reason, your final exam grade will count as your final exam AND the missed exam.  Missed exams will be considered to be your ‘low grade.’

 

Exams will be cumulative, with the emphasis on new material learned.  You will be expected to know how to use your calculator to answer exam questions.

 

College Grades:

Your college grade will be calculated as follows:

 

                                    HIGHEST COLLEGE EXAM GRADE                   10%

                                    MIDDLE COLLEGE EXAM GRADE                     10%

                                    LOWEST COLLEGE EXAM GRADE                       5%

                                    COLLEGE ASSIGNMENTS/PROJECTS                 5%

                                    COLLEGE FINAL                                               35%

                                    HIGH SCHOOL GRADE                         35%

 

Letter grades are assigned as follows:

 

A          90% - 100%      means outstanding

B+        85% - 89%        means very good

B          80% - 84%        means good

C+        75% - 79%        means better than average

C          70% - 74%        means average

D+        65% - 69%        means below average

D          60% - 64%        means poor

F          < 60%               means failing

 

Homework:

Homework is a necessary component to this class.  The daily assignment given is the minimal number of problems that should be completed.  The back of the text provides solutions to most odd-numbered problems.  I suggest that you form study groups EARLY in the semester. I encourage you to work together on homework and review problems. 

 

 

Extra Help:      

As a member of this class, you are an official Nassau Community College student with all the rights and privileges of a college student.  You are permitted to use our library on campus and our Math Center.  Driving directions to NCC can be found at http://www.ncc.edu/admissions/campus_map/directions.html#car .

 

 The Math Center is staffed by full time professionals who will answer questions or direct you to computer software and other materials that may be of some assistance.  The Math Center has answer keys to the text and may be used while in the lab. The Math Center is found in Cluster B, Room B130.  A schedule will be provided to you shortly at http://polar.sunynassau.edu/~mathlab/

 

To use the Math Center, you must have a college ID that can be obtained at the Campus Public Safety Office.  You may find more information on how to obtain ID’s by calling Public Safety at 572-7100.

 

Also, feel free to e-mail me at any time with questions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule of Lectures for the Fall:

 

Bethpage          Wednesdays

                        September 8, 22

                        October 6, 20

                        November 3, 24

                        December 8

 

Hicksville           Wednesdays

                        September 15, 29

                        October 13, 27

                        November 17

                        December 1, 15

 

A new schedule will come out for January – May.