Instructor: Mr. Stephen Adams

Instructor Information:

I have been a University of Mississippi HS mathematics instructor since 2011. I teach Algebra II, Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus. In addition to teaching online, I am a full time math teacher at Pontotoc High School where I teach Statistics, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, and ACT Prep.

sadams@calhoun.k12.ms.us

Contact Information:

If you have questions concerning the content of the course, you may contact the instructor directly using the email link in the "Communications & Tools" tab. NOTE: Whenever sending an email, please be sure to indicate your Course title and number in the subject line (ie, AP Art History).

Course Description:

The main objective of this course is to cover those skills necessary for success in calculus. This entails discussing topics such as sequences, series, functions, and higher order polynomials.

This course will also provide opportunities for students to become mathematical problem solvers, to gain confidence in their ability to use mathematics, to learn to communicate and reason mathematically, to generalize when appropriate, and to make mathematical connections.

Required Textbook:

Precalculus by Pearson Prentice Hall.
ISBN:0-13-143120-x

Other Materials Needed:

1. Scientific or Graphing Calculator Required (TI-83 is recommended).
2. Computer with Internet connection.
3. Microsoft Office 2003 or later.

It is the student's responsibility to order his or her textbook. Online textbook retailers such as Amazon.com, ABEbooks.com, or Half.com usually provide used textbooks at economical prices.

You must make sure you are ordering the exact book required in this syllabus.

Course Objectives include (but are not limited to):

• Understand numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers, and number systems.
• Understand the meaning of operations and how they relate to each other.
• Understand patterns, relations, and functions.Analyze change in various contexts.
• Represent and analyze mathematical situations and structures using algebraic symbols.
• Apply transformations and use of symmetry to analyze situations.
• Formulate questions that can be addressed with data and collect, organize, and display relevant data to answer them.
• Select and Use appropriate statistical methods to analyze data.
• Build new mathematical knowledge through problem solving.
• Monitor and reflect on the process of mathematical problem solving.
• Create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate mathematical ideas.

Course Outline:

This course consists of 6 instructional modules (or lessons).

Lesson A-1

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 Test

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 Test

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Test

Midterm

Chapter 10

Chapter 10 Test

Chapter 11

Chapter 11 Test

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 Test

Final

Grading Scale:

93 - 100% = A
85 - 92% = B
75 - 84% = C
70 - 74% = D
Below 69% = F

The grading format is as follows:

The grading in this course is comprised of three elements:

Chapter tests = 60%
Mid-term = 15%
Final exam = 25%

Practice Problems
Practice problems will follow every lesson. While they will not be collected, they are still considered mandatory coursework. Questions very similar to those in the practice problems will appear on the quizzes and tests.

Tests
Chapter tests will be completed at the end of every chapter covered in the course. They will cover the material discussed within the most recently completed chapter. However, the structure of this course is such that you are expected to remember previously covered material.

Mid-term Exam
The midterm exam will take place after completion of the first four chapters. This exam will include all concepts covered within the four completed chapter. The midterm exam will consist of questions similar to those on the chapter tests.

Final Exam
A final exam will be given that covers all the material within the course with a particular focuses on chapters 10, 11, and 13. The final exam will consist of questions similar to those on the chapter tests and midterm.