College Algebra Syllabus Fall 2006
Section 003 Call Number 12530
MW 6:10-8:05pm Hamilton Hall 503
Instructor: W. D. Gillam
Office Hours: Wed. 3-4 MATH 408 and by appt.

Course Objectives: This class covers precalculus mathematics with an emphasis 
on functions and their graphs and is intended to prepare students for calculus 
classes.  We will mainly study polynomials, rational functions, and trigonometric 
functions.  Logical thinking and careful technical writing will be important.  
The general plan is to cover the first eight chapters in the book, with 
additional topics depending on student background as time permits.

NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN AND NO LATE HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED 
without a note from a medical doctor or dean, unless prior arrangements are made!

Text: J. Stewart, L. Redlin, S. Watson, "Precalculus" (FIFTH EDITION)

Grading: Final exam 40%, 2 midterm exams 20% each, homework 20%
Tentative Midterm Exam Dates: 10/04, 11/08

09/06: First day of class.  Pretest.  Fundamentals 1.1-1.4
09/11: Fundamentals 1.5-1.6
09/13: Fundamentals 1.7-1.8, 1.10
09/18: Functions 2.1-2.3
09/20: Functions 2.4-2.5
09/25: Functions 2.5-2.6
09/27: Functions 2.6
10/02: Functions 2.7
10/04: First Midterm ?
10/09: Polynomial and Rational Functions 3.1-3.2
10/11: Polynomial and Rational Functions 3.4-3.5
10/16: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions 4.1-4.2
10/18: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions 4.3-4.4
10/23: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions 4.5
10/25: Trigonometric Functions 5.1-5.2
10/30: Trigonometric Functions 5.3
11/01: Trigonometric Functions 5.4
[11/06 is an academic holiday.  Rest up to vote on 11/07!]
11/08: Second Midterm ?
11/13: Trigonometric Functions as presented in Chapter 6
11/15: Analytic Trigonometry 7.1
11/20: Analytic Trigonometry 7.2-7.3
11/22: Day before Thanksgiving
11/27: Analytic Trigonometry 7.4
11/29: Analytic Trigonometry 7.5
12/04: Systems of Linear Equations 8.1 and 8.3
12/06: Additional topics
12/11: Review for final