The goal of the course is to build a proficiency of Algebra and Trigonometry necessary for scientific calculus, Math 0220 or other related science courses. A variety of topics are studied: functions, rational functions, logarithmic and exponential functions, graphs, asymptotes, inverse, conic sections, translation and rotation of axes, trigonometric identities and equations, and possibly vectors.
C or better in Math 0031, C or better in Math 0020, OR math placement score at least 61.
The textbook for this course is Precalculus, A Prelude to Calculus, third edition, by Sheldon Axler. However, the second edition can be sufficiently used. All students who register for this course are automatically enrolled in the RedShelf Inclusive Access program and will be charged on their Pitt student bill unless they opt out before the end of the add/drop period. This program provides students with discounted access to the digital version of the textbook. If you already have a copy of the textbook or would prefer to purchase it from a different source (for example, you may be able to find a used copy at a lower cost), then you should opt out of Inclusive Access. You will be able to opt out by clicking on the "RedShelf Inclusive Access" link in your course on Canvas. More detailed instructions for opting out can be found here. If you do not opt out of Inclusive Access, then you will be able to access the digital textbook.
All your graded homework will be done online using WebWork. You will work individually on problem solving skills, using computer generated problems.
Please read the WeBWorK instructions before getting started. You will need to select your course-section Math0200-XXXXX, where XXXXX should be replaced with your section's five digit class number, from the list on the WeBWorK homepage http://webwork.math.pitt.edu/ and then log in with your Pitt username and password. You must enter your username in lower case. You will be automatically linked to the section in which you are enrolled.
WebWork should work well with any modern web browser. Chrome is recommended.
Each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays you will meet with your TA in a classroom to go over problems related to the material covered the previous week. Your TA may also have a quiz prepared for you during this time.
Students may be given a list of practice problems from the textbook. You are encouraged and expected to be able to solve these problems, although they will not be collected and graded. Exam and quiz problems will often be modeled on these problems.
Your course grade will be determined as follows:
Some sections may deviate slightly from this recipe. Any deviations will be announced by your instructor at the beginning of the term.
Suggested grading scale:
90-100% : At least an A-
80-89%: At least a B-
70-79%: At least a C-
60-69%: At least a D-
Specific cutoffs for letter grades, +, and - will be determined by your instructor, but the above grade ranges are standard for a typical math 0200 course.
All day sections will take a final exam at a day and time to be scheduled by the registrar. Calculators will not be permitted on the final exam.
Evening sections will meet through final exam week, and the final exam will be given during the last one or two scheduled class periods.
See the class schedule for the dates of the two midterm exams. The date and time of the final exam will be announced by your instructor and in PeopleSoft.
The Math Assistance Center offers free tutoring by appointment, including same-day appointments for those who need immediate assistance. Appointments can be made within Pathways. The MAC offers assistance with all courses in the math department in the range 0010-0413, 1180, and 1270. Please see the MAC’s website MAC for instructions on how appointments are made as well as an outline of what you can expect.
Your instructor will announce her/his office hours.
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Office of Disability Resources and Services (DRS), 140 William Pitt Union (412) 648-7890, drsrecep@pitt.edu, (412) 228-5347 for P3 ASL users, as early as possible in the term. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.
All students are expected to adhere to the standards of academic honesty. Cheating, plagiarism, and other acts of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Any student suspected of violating the University of Pittsburgh Policy on Academic Integrity:
https://www.as.pitt.edu/faculty/policies-and-procedures/academic-integrity-code
will be required to participate in the procedural process as initiated by the instructor, as outline in the University Guidelines on Academic Integrity. A minimum sanction of a zero score for the quiz, exam or paper will be imposed.
You should note that only those resources explicitly authorized by the instructor can be used to complete assignments. Assessments are designed so that you learn by doing them. Copying homework or exam answers from outside sources and other such violations of the academic integrity code will not solidify your learning. Passing a course without adequate mastery of the material can set you up for limited success in subsequent courses. Also. it is a violation of the academic integrity code to share any question from an assignment or an exam in any form. The instructor may choose to post a solution set after the assessment but remember that assessments written by the instructor are copyrighted materials and you are not permitted to distribute them in any way. If you inadvertently have access to a shared exam or homework question, then you are obligated to inform the instructor. Remember, academic integrity is not about what you can get away with. It is about personal accountability, honor, ethics, respect, trust, and fairness.
Additional sanctions may be imposed, depending on the severity of the infraction. If there is any doubt about the originality of a student's submission for an assessment, they may be asked to explain their work during a one-on-one meeting with their instructor. If the student's explanations are unsatisfactory, they may receive a zero score for the assessment, or the instructor may choose to administer an alternative assessment in a different format.
Please note, in particular, that Pitt has a data sharing arrangement with Chegg.com that enables us to identify instances in which Chegg.com has been used to cheat on assessments. Consequences of being caught in this academic integrity violation have included zero scores on assessments and F grades for the course.
Amid this pandemic, it is extremely important that you abide by public health regulations and University of Pittsburgh health standards and guidelines. While in class, at a minimum this means that you must wear a face covering and comply with physical distancing requirements; other requirements may be added by the University during the semester. These rules have been developed to protect the health and safety of all community members. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in you not being permitted to attend class in person and could result in a Student Conduct violation. For the most up-to-date information and guidance, please visit coronavirus.pitt.edu and check your Pitt email for updates before each class.
The University of Pittsburgh does not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on disability, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sex, age, sexual orientation, veteran status or gender identity or other factors as stated in the University's Title IX policy. The University is committed to taking prompt action to end a hostile environment that interferes with the University's mission. For more information about policies, procedures, and practices, see: https://www.diversity.pitt.edu/civil-rights-title-ix- compliance/policies-procedures-and-practices.
Some of the materials in this course may be protected by copyright. United States copyright law, 17 USC section 101, et seq., in addition to University policy and procedures, prohibit unauthorized duplication or retransmission of course materials. See the Library of Congress Copyright Office and the University Copyright Policy.
(www.bc.pitt.edu/policies/policy/09/09-10-01.html)
Each student is issued a University e-mail address (username@pitt.edu) upon admittance. This e-mail address may be used by the University for official communication with students. Students are expected to read e-mail sent to this account on a regular basis. Failure to read and react to University communications in a timely manner does not absolve the student from knowing and complying with the content of the communications. The University provides an e-mail forwarding service that allows students to read their e-mail via other service providers (e.g., Hotmail, AOL, Yahoo). Students that choose to forward their e-mail from their pitt.edu address to another address do so at their own risk. If e-mail is lost because of forwarding, it does not absolve the student from responding to official communications sent to their University e-mail address.