MAT 171

The Syllabus below is the standard syllabus for the course

Official Course Description: 4 hours, 4 credits. The use of functions, graphs, and matrices to solve various applied problems. Geometry of linear, quadratic, logarithmic, and exponential functions.

Prerequisite: A grade of C (or better) in MAT 104 or placement by the department

Notes: Students may not receive credit for both MAT 171 and MAT 172. A grade of C (or better) in both MAT 171 and MAT 108 are needed to take MAT 175 Calculus 1.

Textbook and Materials: Blitzer, precalculus 7th edition. The course will also utilize the text’s online companion MyLab. The purchase of MyLab is required for this course. The MyLab card is roughly valued at $100 dollars. I will provide with further instructions on how to obtain access to our course’s MyLab page. In addition, students enrolled in both MAT 171 and MAT 108 do not need to purchase the access code twice as the same purchased access code will work for both courses.

Learning Goals. Upon completing the course, students will be able to:

·      Graph linear, quadratic, logarithm, and exponential functions

·      Apply linear and quadratic equations to applications

·      Factor, add, subtract, and divide polynomials

·      Evaluate functions or expressions including using the quadratic formula

These objectives will be assessed on the final exam along with other important techniques

Course format. Students are expected to learn both the mathematics covered in the assigned readings and in the textbook as well as all materials covered during the lectures. This course is being taught in-person although we have hybrid capabilities for optional synchronous off campus meetings. Any assigned reading will be assigned both during the in-person sessions as well as our course’s Blackboard page.

Communication. Communication is essential in succeeding on this course – this cannot be stressed enough. After identifying topics that may be giving you trouble, it is your responsibility to share this information with me.

Where to get help:

·  Me. I will be available for office hours once a week on a time and date specified above. All office hours will be conducted virtually via Zoom, MS Teams, or a similar video system

·  Your classmates. If you missed a class or re struggling with a topic, it is a good idea to communicate with another student in the course and working together to understand the material

·  Tutoring. The Mathematics & Computer Science Learning Center will provide free tutoring for this course. Details on their location and hours of operation will be made available to students early in the semester

Your final grade. Provided that you attend class regularly and on time, your grade for the course will be made up of the following:

Assignment Type Grade Percentage

Homework/quizzes 20%,

Exam 1 22.5%

Exam 2 22.5%

Final Exam 35%

Total 100%

Grading policy:

Homework assignments. This course will utilize Pearson’s MyLab software for all homework, quizzes, and exams. You are responsible to complete each assignment in a timely manner. The assignments will be announced at the end of every lecture. For homework, you have unlimited attempts at achieving 100%. Caution: Do not do the bare minimum as this is 20% of your total grade. No homework assignments or quizzes will be dropped for any reason.

Exams. There will be two exams administered in the course. Each exam will be announced at least two weeks in advanced and one day of in class review will be provided the week immediately prior to the exam. The final examination of the course will be administered at a time and date that the college allocates.

Grading Scale

93-100 = A

83-86.9 = B

73-76.9 = C

60-66.9 = D

90-92.9 = A-

80-82.9 = B-

70-72.9 = C-

Below 60 = F

87-89.9 = B+

77-79.9 = C+

67-69.9 = D+

Accommodating Disabilities. Lehman College is committed to provide access to all programs and curricula to all students. Students with disabilities who may need classroom accommodations are encouraged to register with the Office of Disabilities Services, Shuster Hall, Room 238, Phone number 718-960-8841

I look forward to a great semester. Please contact me with any questions or concerns.