Math 050
Precollege Mathematics I

Autumn 2009
 
MWF 10:30-12:00 in MR 284

Instructor: Dr. John Maharry

Office: Morrill Hall 370

e-mail: maharry.1@osu.edu or maharry@math.ohio-state.edu

Office Hours: Monday-Wednesday-Friday 12:00-1:00 or by appointment

Web page:  www.math.ohio-state.edu/~maharry

Text:      Beginning Algebra (with applications) (7th ed.) by Aufmann, Barker, Lockwood (Houghton-Mifflin)

Carmen Web Site for grades for the course

Required        TI-30+ SOLAR, TI-30   STAT, TI-31, TI-32, TI-35,  TI-50-2,  Sharp EL520,
Calculator:     Casio 82, Casio 300, or equivalent scientific calculator.
Programmable calculators are not allowed in Math 050! If you have questions about what calculators may be used, ask your instructor.

Description
Arithmetic of fractions and decimals, basic algebra, graphing equations, geometry, exponents, applications of exponents, lines and slopes, area.

Tentative Schedule:  Click Here

Class Philosophy: Mathematics is best learned by repetition to learn how to recognize patterns. There will some 'lecture' almost every class to present new concepts, definitions and types of problems. However, most of the learning will take place as you put your mind to solving problems, both in and out of class. For that reason, there will be many opportunities to work on problems both in and out of class.

Grading: The final grade will be based on the following:

• Three midterm exams (100 points each),
• the final exam (150 points), 
• Daily quizzes (5 points each)
• Homework (5 points each)

Grading Scale: (Minimum percentages needed to earn the respective letter grade) (May be lowered at the end of the quarter, but will not be raised.)

Alternate Grading Method:  This will help you if you miss one exam without an accepted excuse or do very poorly on one exam. It will only be used if it results in a higher grade. Take your best two exams out of 100 points each and the final exam out of 150 points. Find percentage based on those. Subtract 5% penalty for throwing out one exam. If this gives a higher grade, then this method will be used to determine the course grade.

Disability Accommodation: Students with disabilities that have been certified by the Office for Disability Services will be appropriately accommodated. They should inform the instructor as soon as possible of their needs. Students who feel that they need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Marge Hazelett (740-725-6247) to discuss their specific needs. The Office for Disability Services is located in room 128 Maynard Hall. General Information are available at http://www.ods.ohio-state.edu

Academic Misconduct: It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academic Misconduct to handle all reported cases of student academic misconduct. The term "academic misconduct" includes all forms of student academic misconduct wherever committed, illustrated by, but not limited to, cases of plagiarism and dishonest practices in connection with examinations. All instances of alleged academic misconduct are reported (by University By-Law) to the committee. For additional information, see the Code of Student Conduct. Copying any part of someone else's work (on homework, quizzes, tests, or exams, etc.) and handing it in as your own work is academic misconduct and has serious consequences at this university. Collaboration (getting together with other students to discuss HOW to solve problems) is encouraged. But you must do the work and on your own.

Getting Help in the class: Whenever you find a section or a type of problem that you are having trouble with, ask someone for help sooner rather than later. The ideas in this class build on each other very quickly and if you are having trouble with Chapter 1, that makes the later chapters much more difficult. Feel free to ask me questions before, during or after class. There will be plenty of opportunity for this. Also, feel free to ask your classmates, they might be able to help you and you might be able to help them. A third option, is to visit the Math Tutor room with Bruce "The Math Guy" in MR 222. His hours are for this quarter are Monday-Tuesday-Thursday 7:30-1 and 2-5:30, Wednesday 7:30-1 and 2-5 and Friday 7:30-1 and 2-4. Don't wait to ask for help.

Homework