Syllabus

Post Baccalaureate in Pre-Health

MATH 1011: Precalculus – 8 Week Accelerated – Spring 1 2024

Credits -

Description

Precalculus was intentionally designed to prepare students for subsequent college level Calculus courses. This course will review a variety of the prerequisite mathematical concepts necessary for Calculus. Topics include rational functions, trigonometric functions, polar coordinates, sequences and series, probability, and a brief introduction to continuity. Each of these topics will be applied to real-world situations that can be modeled mathematically. In this course, students will practice communicating the realistic applications of each of these topics.

It is recommended that students have completed College Algebra, Algebra 2, or Intermediate Algebra within the last five years before enrolling in this course.

Materials

Textbooks

Resources

Hardware

UNE-compliant webcam and whiteboard – To be used during proctored exams

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Course Objectives

  • Interpret graphical information of rational and trigonometric functions. 
  • Construct graphs of rational and trigonometric functions. 
  • Solve trigonometric functions.
  • Determine angle measures and side lengths of triangles using trigonometric identities. 
  • Graph equations in polar coordinates.
  • Communicate algebraic facility of trigonometric functions with respect to real-world applications. 
  • Evaluate mathematical series. 
  • Solve counting problems using combinations and permutations. 
  • Compute probabilities of events using counting theory and probability models. 
  • Find the limits of a function. 
  • Identify the continuity of a function.

Assignments

Greetings Discussion Board

Before getting started with any material in the course, students will need to participate in the greetings discussion board. This is an opportunity for students to introduce themselves to their peers and instructor. Students are encouraged to read other students’ posts to get to know their classmates. 

Desmos Interactive Activities (8)

Each week, students will complete an interactive activity in the Desmos Classroom. These activities are designed to deepen students’ understanding of the concepts covered in the assigned readings and videos. Each activity consists of 10-20 questions. Grades for these activities are based on participation. Students must complete the entire activity to receive all points. 

Homework Assignments (14)

Each week, students will submit completed homework assignments. The problems in these activities will reference the material covered in the week of the submission deadline. The problems on these activities will focus on real-world applications of algebra, trigonometry, counting and introductory calculus concepts. Each activity is graded out of 20 points and partial credit is possible. 

Reflective Discussion Boards (2)

In weeks 2 and 6, students will have the opportunity to showcase their knowledge of material they’ve learned up to that point as well as reflect on their understanding of the material. One of the reflective discussion boards will require students to write an explanation of how to complete a problem they initially found challenging (called Reflective Discussion Board with a Written Teaching Component). The remaining discussion board assignment will require students to create a short video in which they will teach an important problem covered in the course (called Reflective Discussion Board with a Video Teaching Component). 

Projects (2)

There will be two small projects in the course. The projects will give students the opportunity to showcase their understanding of the material covered in this course. The projects will wrap up the midterm and final weeks of the course. 

Midterm Assessment

In the middle of the course, students will complete a cumulative assessment. This assessment will be made up of multiple choice, true or false, and numerical answer questions. The assessment will be administered through ProctorU. Students should see UNE’s ProctorU page for information on proctoring logistics and scheduling. 

Final Assessment

The course will conclude with a cumulative assessment in the last week. Students will answer multiple-choice, true or false, and numerical answer questions. The assessment will be administered through ProctorU. Students should see UNE’s ProctorU page for information on proctoring logistics and scheduling. 

Review Guide Pages

At the end of each week, students will fill in the review guide page that corresponds to that week. This outline will help students reflect on and summarize the most important material covered throughout the week. Students are also encouraged to include examples of problems they find challenging. Students will need to submit their review guide pages; however, the content of the submissions will not be graded. Feedback on review guide page submissions will be provided by the instructor when appropriate. 

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

AssignmentTotal Points
Greetings Discussion Board20
Interactive Desmos Activities (8 total)140 points (6x20 points, 2 x10 points)
Homework Assignments (14 total)280 (20 points each)
Reflective Discussion Boards (2 total)100 (50 points each)
Midterm Assessment100
Midterm Project100
Final Assessment130
Final Project130
Total1,000

Grade Scale

Grade Points Grade Point Average (GPA)
A 94 – 100% 4.00
A- 90 – 93% 3.75
B+ 87 – 89% 3.50
B 84 – 86% 3.00
B- 80 – 83% 2.75
C+ 77 – 79% 2.50
C 74 – 76% 2.00
C- 70 – 73% 1.75
D 64 – 69% 1.00
F 00 – 63% 0.00

Schedule

All weekly assignments are due by 11:59 PM ET at the end of the appropriate week. Check your course for additional due dates within the week.

Week 1: Jan 17 – Jan 23
Week 2: Jan 24 – Jan 30
Week 3: Jan 31 – Feb 6
Week 4: Feb 7 – Feb 13
Week 5: Feb 14 – Feb 20
Week 6: Feb 21 – Feb 27
Week 7: Feb 28 – Mar 5
Week 8: Mar 6 – Mar 12

Week Topic Readings Assignments
1 Polynomials, Rational Expressions, and Equations

Algebra and Trigonometry

  • Chapter 1: Prerequisites
    • 1.4, 1.5, & 1.6
  • Chapter 2: Equations and Inequalities
    • 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, & 2.4
  • Greetings Discussion Board
  • Desmos Interactive Activity
  • Optional Practice
  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment 2
  • Review Guide pp. 1-2
2 Overview of Functions

Algebra and Trigonometry

  • Chapter 3: Functions
    • 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, & 3.7
  • Desmos Interactive Activity
  • Optional Practice
  • Reflective Discussion Board 1
  • Assignment 3
  • Assignment 4
  • Review Guide pp. 3-4
3 Trigonometric and Periodic Functions

Precalculus

  • Chapter 5: Trigonometric Functions
    • 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, & 5.4
    • Unit Circle Chart
  • Chapter 6: Periodic Functions
    • 6.1, 6.2, & 6.3
  • Desmos Interactive Activity
  • Optional Practice
  • Assignment 5
  • Assignment 6
  • Review Guide pp. 5-8
4 Trigonometric Identities and Equations and Midterm Assessment

Precalculus

  • Chapter 7: Trigonometric Identities and Equations
    • 7.1, 7.2, & 7.3
  • Desmos Interactive Activity
  • Optional Practice
  • Assignment 7
  • Review Guide p. 9
  • Midterm Mini-Project
  • Midterm Assessment
5 Solving Trigonometric Equations, Non-right triangles, and Polar Coordinates

Precalculus

  • Chapter 7: Trigonometric Identities and Equations
    • 7.4, 7.5, & 7.6
  • Chapter 8: Further Applications of Trigonometry
    • 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4
  • Desmos Interactive Activity
  • Optional Practice
  • Assignment 8
  • Assignment 9
  • Review Guide pp. 10-11
6 Parametric Equations, Vectors, and Sequences and Series

Precalculus

  • Chapter 8: Further Applications of Trigonometry
    • 8.6, 8.7, 8.8
  • Chapter 11: Sequences, Probability, and Counting Theory
    • 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, & 11.4
  • Desmos Interactive Activity
  • Optional Practice
  • Assignment 10
  • Assignment 11
  • Reflective Discussion Board 2
  • Review Guide pp. 13-14
7 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions and Limits

Precalculus

  • Chapter 4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
    • 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6, & 4.7
  • Chapter 12: Introduction to Calculus
    • 12.1 & 12.2
  • Desmos Interactive Activity
  • Optional Practice
  • Assignment 12
  • Assignment 13
  • Review Guide pp. 14-15
8 Continuity and Derivatives and Final Exam

Precalculus

  • Chapter 12: Introduction to Calculus
    • 12.3 & 12.4
  • Desmos Interactive Activity
  • Optional Practice
  • Assignment 14
  • Review Guide p. 16
  • Final Mini Project
  • Final Assessment

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies. Questions? Email: prehealth@une.edu.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Instructor and Support Contact Information

Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.

UNE Libraries

Further Assistance

Your student service advisor monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.

Policies

Attendance Policy

Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.

Assignments

Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted. Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded. Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Proctored Examinations

The University of New England has contracted with ProctorU to provide students with the most convenient online exam proctoring system. This system provides a simple, no cost to the student, secure, online proctor for exams and allows the student to take all the exams at home and on their own schedule.

Upon enrollment into the course, each student will register with ProctorU and establish a login name and password. This will give the student access to all of ProctorU's services. When ready, students will schedule each of their proctored exams with ProctorU. Exams must be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance to avoid fees. Prior to taking their exams, students must be sure that they have downloaded the ProctorU Chrome or Firefox extension and are using the most current version of Chrome or Firefox. They must also be sure their testing site's connection meets the minimum requirements by using ProctorU's "Test It Out" utility.

Upon the exam day and hour, students will log in to ProctorU and click on "exams". After following the procedures outlined at ProctorU's website, the student will log in to Brightspace and locate their correct exam. The proctor will then allow student access to that exam.

Students must use ProctorU and must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited.

Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Length

A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.

Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 8 weeks

  1. Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar found on the Student Success Portal.
  2. Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.

Withdrawal and Refund Policies

Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact PreHealth@une.edu with any questions.

Grade Policy

Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. Contact support with any questions.

Transcripts

Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.