First Day Handout--Precalculus--Fall, 2009
Course No./Sections Math 2312/Sections 11, 12
Texts Functions Modeling Change, Third Edition by Connally, et al. 

Instructor Handouts 

Instructor Dr. Michael Engquist
Phone/E-mail 233-1674/michaele@stedwards.edu
Office/Office Hours Andre 317/TR 10:00-11:30, and by appointment 
Home Page http://myweb.stedwards.edu/michaele
Course Content This course focuses on the ideas central to the theory of functions and stresses conceptual understanding along with multiple ways of representing mathematical ideas.  Students will be expected to use Maple and/or graphing calculators in solving problems.  Maple is a computer algebra system which is available in all campus computer labs.
Course Policies Students should read the topics assigned before coming to class.  Three exams and a comprehensive final exam will be given.  Any exam which is missed will receive a grade of zero unless a makeup exam is completed before the next scheduled exam.  Part of the grade for the course will be based on a student's classroom participation.  Homework should be handed in at the beginning of the class for which it is due.  Late assignments will not be accepted without the permission of the instructor.  Class attendance is encouraged (see bonus point below), but not required.  The instructor will not drop students from the course for lack of attendance.
Grades A student's grade will be determined by a weighted average as follows: 
Three Exams:   50% 
Participation:     5% 
Final Exam:     25% 
Homework:    20% 
One bonus point (equivalent to one homework problem) will be added to a student's homework score for each day he/she attends class. 
Course grades will be assigned based on the weighted average: 
90-100% is an A, 80-89% is a B, 70-79% is a C, 60-69% is a D, and 0-59% is an F.
Honesty All exam answers must be the product of an individual student's own thought and effort, but homework may be discussed and worked in groups.  However, copying or trading entire solutions to homework problems is cheating and will be penalized when detected. 

The St. Edward's University Undergraduate Bulletin and the Student Handbook state that a student who is dishonest in any work may receive the maximum penalty of a mark of F for that course.  Withdrawal from a course is not allowed when an F in the course for academic honesty has been imposed.  Students caught committing academic dishonesty in this course will be subject to the full range of penalties as described in the Undergraduate Bulletin and in the Student Handbook.

Academic Planning and Support Academic Planning and Support Services wants each student to perform to the best of their ability academically. To assist students in their efforts, we offer individual academic counseling appointments. These meetings can allow for discussion of the structured academic skills, training in such topics as time management, reading skills, goal setting, test preparation, etc. All St. Edward's students are encouraged to utilize these appointments through their entire college career. By doing so, you are increasing your chances of doing well not only in this course, but in your overall experience here at the University.  To make an appointment, call APSS at 448-8660 or stop by Moody Hall 155.
Special Circumstances If you have a medical, psychiatric or learning disability and require accommodations in this class, please let your instructor know early in the semester or as soon as you are eligible.  You will first need to provide documentation of your disability to the Student Disability Services office located in Moody Hall 155 in the office of Academic Planning and Support Services.
Important Dates Monday, August 24:  Undergraduate classes begin 
Friday, August 28:  Last day to change/add sections 
Thursday, September 10 :  Last day for unrecorded drop 
Tuesday, November 3:  Last day to drop or withdraw from undergraduate classes 
Friday, December 4:  Last day of undergraduate classes 
Monday-Thursday, December 7-10:  Final exam period for undergraduate classes