Syllabus
Instructor: Stan Benkoski, Ph.D.
Course Description: This is an intensive course covering precalculus algebra and trigonometry. It is designed for the honor student in mathematics who desires to fulfill the requirements of Math D (Trigonometry) and Math 1 (Precalculus Algebra) in the same semester. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have a working knowledge of polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and their graphs. The student will be able to solve trigonometric equations; find rational and complex roots of polynomials; solve systems of equations and inequalities; and prove theorems by mathematical induction. The successful student will also have a beginner's knowledge of sequences, series, and the polar coordinate system
Prerequisite: Math 106 or 106 R (or one year of High School Algebra II) and Math 104 (or one year High School Geometry).
Texts: Algebra and Trigonometry, 1997, by Bittinger, Beecher, Ellenbogen, and Penna, Addison-Wesley and Graphing Calculator Manual, 1997, by Judith A. Penna, Addison-Wesley . Bring both texts to class every day.
Calculator: The TI - 83 is required for this class. Bring your calculator to class every day.
Grading: The course grade will be determined by the student's performance on the basis of quizzes, three one-hour exams, and the final exam. The weights used are:
Quizzes (20 of 25) 500 Pts. Hour Exams (3) 375 Pts.
Final Exam 125 Pts.
Total 1000 Pts.
Total Points Grade
900 or greater A
800 to 900 B
700 to 800 C
600 to 700 D
Below 600 F
Exams: There will be 3 exams during the semester. Each will be 50 minutes in length and be worth 125 points. There are no make-up exams. (The points from a missed exam are added to the final.) These exams will be given at the start of class on September 14, October 16, and November 14.
Final Exam: The Final Exam will be worth 125 points and will cover the entire course. The Final Exam will be given on December 15 starting at 11:50 AM.
Quizzes: There will be 25 quizzes. The dates for these quizzes are listed in the Tentative Class Schedule. Quizzes will be given at the start of class and will be worth 25 points each. A missed quiz is a 0. The highest 20 scores will count toward the final grade. The quizzes will be worth a total of 500 points. While these quizzes are each worth “only” 25 points, taken together they will count for 50% of your grade. They are intended to motivate you to keep up. Mathematics is a cumulative subject. Each new topic builds on the previous one and we assume you retain everything that has already been covered.
Homework: Evidence of skill in Mathematics is demonstrated by solving problems. Mathematics tests consist of Mathematics problems. The best way to learn Mathematics is to do problems. Because of this, it is suggested that the student do all the exercises from the text. As a minimum, the student should spend 2 hours studying and doing homework problems for every hour in class.
A separate handout contains the priority homework assignments for each section. It is recommended that these problems be done first. Homework will neither be collected nor graded. Instead, the student who has completed and understood the priority homework exercises should be well prepared for the quizzes. It is assumed each student has done the homework assignment before arriving at class.
As part of your homework, you should read the section(s) we will cover during the next class.
Study Groups: Study groups can be very effective. You are encouraged to get to know other students in the class. You can assist each other in understanding how to do the homework, provide information from missed classes, study for tests together, etc.
Instructor Contact Information:
Stan Benkoski
Campus email: Stan_Benkoski@westvalley.edu
Telephone: (408) 741- 4052 (Messages will be returned within 24 hours.)
Office Hours: SM3A: MTWThF 9:30 – 10:30 and by arrangement.
Tutorial Services: Tutoring is available at no charge at Tutorial Services. It is provided by qualified, trained students who have been recommended by the faculty. Contact Tutorial Services in the Library Building or call 741-2038.
Math Resource Center: The Math Resource Center is located in SM5. It is open from approximately 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM MTWThF and staffed by student tutors and faculty. You may use the center to study, work in groups, and/or obtain assistance from the student tutors or faculty.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend every class, to arrive on time, and participate until class is dismissed. If a student misses a class, the student is responsible for the content of that class.
At the instructor's discretion, you may be dropped from this course if you fail to attend the first class or if you are miss 9 or more scheduled class meetings.
Class Size: The class size will not exceed 35.
Class Structure: Class will start promptly at 12:30 PM and end at 1:20 PM. Generally, we will start with questions from the homework, followed by a quiz, if scheduled. The remainder of the class time will be spent introducing new topics, doing examples at the board, and doing examples in small groups. No smoking, drinking, or eating is permitted in the classroom.
Adding This Class: The last date to add this course is September 9. If you receive an add slip, please process it immediately. If you have not taken the add slip to Admissions and Records, you are not in the class.
Dropping This Class: It is your responsibility to drop the course by submitting a drop slip to Admissions and Records. If you fail to do so and your name appears on the final roster, then you will receive an F for the semester. The last date to drop this course with no notation on your Academic Record is September 16. The last date to drop this course with a W is November 22.
Please notify me if you drop this course.
Cell Phones and Pagers: Please turn off (or set to vibrate) all cell phones and pagers while in the classroom. For every your cell phone or pager disrupts the class, 5 points will be deducted from your total points.
Academic Honesty: Dishonesty includes but is not limited to in-class cheating, out-of-class cheating, plagiarism, knowingly assisting another student in cheating or plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to College staff, faculty, administrators or other officials. Following are definitions of in-class cheating, out–of-class cheating, plagiarism, and furnishing false information. These are not all-inclusive and the list itself is not meant to limit definition of cheating to just those mentioned.
a. In-class cheating: during an examination or on any work for which the student will receive a grade or points, unauthorized looking or procuring information from any unauthorized sources, or any other student's work.
b. Out-of-class cheating: unauthorized acquisition, reading or knowledge of test questions
prior to the testing date and time; changing any portion of a returned graded test or report and resubmitting as original work to be graded; or presenting the work of another as one's own for a grade or points.
c. Plagiarism: unauthorized use of expression of ideas from either published or unpublished work(s) as a student's own for a grade in a class. This also includes the violation of copyright laws, including copying of software packages.
d. Furnishing false information: forgery, falsification, alteration or misuse of College
documents, records, or identification in class or in laboratory situations.
When a student is charged with plagiarism or cheating related to a class, and the instructor has reasonable proof or documentation or the student admits the violation, the instructor may select one or more of the following options:
a. Issue an oral or written notification and warn the student that further acts of this sort will result in additional disciplinary action.
b. Issue a NC or a failing grade (“F”) or “0” for the assignment in question.
c. Issue a NC or a failing grade for the course. The student will not be permitted to drop the class and will receive an “F” or NC for the semester grade.
d. Drop the student from the class and assign a withdrawal (“W”) for the class up to the last day to withdraw from semester courses. Students dropped after stated date will be
assigned a failing grade (“F”) for the class, pursuant to the uniform grading policy.
e. Refer the student to the CSSO for disciplinary action.
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