Dual Credit Pre-Calculus

In-depth study and applications of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions, and systems of equations using matrices. Additional topics such as sequences, series, probability, and conics may be included. Pre-requisite: MATH 0401 or two years high school algebra and appropriate placement test.

Paris Junior College will continue to monitor and assess the COVID-19 impact on the communities served. Per CDC guidelines:

● All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be safe and effective at preventing COVID-19. Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

● Anyone on PJC campus/property will be expected to govern themselves by the CDC's cleaning and disinfection, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquette.

Masks are no longer required on a PJC campus. However, if you have not been vaccinated, you should consider wearing a mask to protect your own health.

Aug. 28: First class day for Fall semester PJC

Oct 20: Mid-term grades due
Nov. 16: Last day to drop with a “W” for Fall semester
Nov. 22 - 24: Thanksgiving Day holiday begins
Nov. 27: Classes resume
Dec. 12: Final exam
Dec. 15: Commencement

This book is online in My Math Lab:

Blitzer, R. (2022). Algebra and trigonometry. 7e Hoboken, NJ: Pearson. ISBN: 978-0-13-446321-6

● Binder or folder (for notes and assignments)

● Pencil (No pen is allowed except when writing notes.)

● Loose leaf paper

● TI 84 CE

● Headphones that can be used with a Chromebook

Required Core Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes (Core Curriculum-Level):

1. Demonstrate Critical Thinking Skills--to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
2. Demonstrate Communications Skills--to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
3. Demonstrate Empirical and Quantitative Skills-to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.

Student Learning Outcomes (Mathematics Program-Level)

1. Apply algebraic, analytic, geometric, or statistical reasoning to solve abstract and applied problems appropriate to an individual discipline.
2. Interpret mathematical, quantitative or symbolic models such as formulas, graphs and tables, and draw inferences from them.
3. Construct and interpret mathematical models using numerical, graphical, symbolic, and verbal representations with the help of technology in order to draw conclusions or make predictions.

Student Learning Outcomes (MATH 1314 Course-Level)

1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions, including domain and range, operations, compositions, and inverses.
2. Recognize and apply polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions and solve related equations.
3. Apply graphing techniques.
4. Evaluate all roots of higher degree polynomial and rational functions.

TOPICS: The topics to be discussed are listed below with an approximate pacing.

NOTE: This is an approximation and can be subject to change at anytime.

I. Introduction (week 1)

● Goals for Course

● Working in Groups

● Calculators & Computers

● Number System

II. Review (weeks 1 & 2)

● Absolute Values

● Inequalities

● Integer Exponents

● Polynomials

● Radicals & Fractional Exponents

● Pythagorean Theorem

III. Equations (weeks 3 & 4)

● Linear Equations

● Quadratic Equations

● Applications of Equations

● Other Equations

IV. Inequalities (weeks 5 & 6)

● Linear Inequalities

● Quadratic Inequalities

● Applications of Inequalities

V. Graphing (weeks 7, 8 & 9)

● Intro to Graphing

● Distance Midpoint Formulas

● Circles

● Lines

VI. Functions (weeks 10 & 11)

● Definition & Notation

● Function Operations

● Graphs of Functions

● Functions as Models

● Quadratic Functions

● One-to-One Functions & Inverses

VII. Exponentials & Logarithms (weeks 12, 13 & 14)

● Definitions & Graphs of Exponential Functions

● Exponential Growth & Decay

● Logarithmic Functions

● Exponential & Logarithmic Applications

The grading scale is as follows for PJC. The same is true for PHS except that 69% and below is an F.

90% – 100% A

80% – 89% B

70% – 79% C

60% – 69% D

0% – 59% F

The grade weighting will be as follows for PJC. For PHS, it will be on the 25%/75% scale:

Assignments 20%

Test 1 10%

Test 2 10%

Mid-Term 15%

Test 3 10%

Test 4 10%

PJC Project 5%

Final 20%

You will have several assignments, 4 tests, 1 mid-term, and 1 final over the course of the SEMESTER. I will keep a detailed gradebook on Blackboard and an updated grade in the PHS gradebook. If you want to know your current grade for PJC, you must log into Blackboard to get that information. PHS will also have a grade book. It is possible that your PJC grade and your PHS grade will be different. It is because of the weights on each assignment, test, and quizzes. If we have a quiz, that quiz will only count towards that PHS grade. There will be some assignments that are only for PHS.

Per PJC and PHS math department policies, there are no make-up tests. This is a non-negotiable. You are not allowed to retake any test or quiz, even if you get below 70%. All test grades will be entered as 2 test grades in the PHS gradebook. All reviews, as long as they are under 100 questions, will count as 1 test grade.

All tests must be finished on the day it was given. All tests must be finished in class. You will have 55 minutes to finish your test. The tests are usually anywhere from 33 questions to 37 questions. If you do not finish the test, it will be graded as is on the work that you have already completed.

NOTE: Once you close out of your test, when you reopen your test, the questions that you have already seen are no longer available for you to go back and correct. Please make sure you do not look through the whole test. All tests are timed. Once you have ran out of time, the test will end and it will be graded. If you are allowed extra time, you must make arrangements PRIOR to the test. Once the test has begun, if you have not made any arrangements to use the extra time you are allowed, you will not be able to.

There will be several assignments given this semester. All assignments will have a due date and are due by 11:59 that evening. No late work will be accepted, even if you were absent, unless you have a doctor’s note. If you will be out the day an assignment is due, you still must turn it in on the due date. You are given plenty of time to do all the work that is required of you and there will be days in class where you are able to work on the assignments as well. You must learn how to manage your time properly. All reviews for tests will count as a homework grade for PJC and a test grade for PHS.

Grades will not be rounded for any reason. This is a 6 point weighted class. If you have an 89.7%, it will remain an 89.7% which will be a B. This class is a weighted GPA class. This is the main reason for no rounding or no extra credit.

You may NOT exempt the final exam for any reason.

If you have accommodations at PHS, you MUST go to PJC and fill out the forms for PJC. Your PHS accommodations will not apply to this class, you MUST have PJC accommodations. You will fill out the form, then you will bring it to me to sign. Once this happens, then your accommodations will begin at that time. Accommodations are NOT retro-active. They start from the moment I sign the PJC accommodation form. This is a non-negotiable. This has to be done for each semester.

Class attendance is critical for the successful completion of this course. For online courses, students must complete work in a timely manner and follow due dates. Withdrawals must be initiated by the student. The last day for a student to withdraw from a course with a grade of “W” is Thursday, November 16th.

You must be present at least 90% for the semester and maintain at least a 70% in order to get credit for the class for PHS. This means that you cannot be absent more than 9 days a semester.

Per Paris ISD attendance policy: A signed parent's note or doctor’s note must be provided to the campus immediately upon return in order for the absence to be considered excused. Notes submitted more than three school days after the absence will NOT be considered, and the absence will remain unexcused. If you are absent it is your responsibility to make arrangements: DO NOT DELAY!

No cellphones will be allowed in the classroom. When you come in, you will have the option of putting your cellphone in the calculator bin. That way, if it goes off during class, you will not be penalized. You can keep your cellphone on you, but be aware that if you are on it for any reason, this includes your mom texting, job calling, listening to music, or even doing an assignment for another class, your cellphone will be taken up, turned into the main office, and you will serve 2 days of detention. There is a Chromebook cart in the classroom. There is absolutely no need for you to be on your phone for any reason. This will be the ONLY warning that you get. If the phone is picked up again, it will be a write up, in addition to the phone being turned into the office.

If your cellphone is out during a test or a quiz, and this includes smart watches, then the cellphone will be taken up and you will receive a 0 for the test or quiz and you will NOT have the ability to retake that test or quiz.

There will be times that I will not be here. Whoever covers my classes deserves the same respect that I am asking for. If there is an issue, just do what you were asked to do and we can talk about it when I am back. Do not make an issue worse by arguing. Also, per school policy, you are not allowed out of the classroom for any reason when there is a substitute. Make sure you handle all of your personal business before you get to class. If you are called out, that will be fine, but you will not be able to leave. This is a safety reason and is a non-negotiable.

Please turn off or silence and put away all cell phones, pagers, IPods, headphones, etc. before entering the classroom/laboratory. No obscene/vulgar language will be permitted in the classroom/laboratory. Faculty reserve the right to drop a student for violations of the Student Conduct Policy as listed in the Student Handbook.

In the pursuit of learning, it is expected that students will engage in honest academic endeavor to the highest degree of honor and integrity. Students who are found to engage in academic dishonesty through such activities as cheating on exams, plagiarism, or collusion with others will be referred to the Vice President of Student Access and Success for disciplinary action such as dismissal from the college. These students will immediately receive a score of zero on the exam/assignment in question with no possibility of makeup work and will forego the right to receive any bonus points for the remainder of the semester. Students who are suspected of cheating due to questionable activities may be required to prove their innocence.

It is the policy of Paris Junior College to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are students with disabilities. This College will adhere to all applicable federal, State and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange an appointment with a College Success Coach in the Advising & Counseling Center to obtain a Request for Accommodations form. For more information, please refer to the Paris Junior College Catalog or Student Handbook.