Math 1421 Preparation for Calculus is designed to equip students with essential skills for success in calculus. The course, taught by Dr. Scott Lacy, emphasizes problem-solving techniques, function analysis, and trigonometric concepts. Students will engage with the required textbook, 'Precalculus eText with MyMathLab,' and participate in lectures and labs. Key learning outcomes include constructing mathematical arguments and graphing functions. This syllabus outlines grading policies, exam schedules, and attendance requirements for students enrolled in the Spring 2016 semester.

Key Points

  • Focuses on problem-solving techniques and mathematical arguments.
  • Covers essential precalculus topics including functions and trigonometry.
  • Includes two midterms and a comprehensive final exam.
  • Utilizes MyMathLab for online homework and skills reviews.
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Math 1421-250 Syllabus Spring 2016 Page 1 of 8
Math 1421 Preparation for Calculus
Spring 2016
Instructor: Scott Lacy, PhD.
Office Number: PKH 452
Office Telephone Number: (817) 272-3261
Email Address: scottl@uta.edu
Office Hours: Wed & Thu, 11:00am until 12:00pm (noon), or by appointment
Section Information: MATH 1321-250
Time and Place of Class Meetings: Lecture – TTh 5:30-6:50 pm in in LS 101
Lab 251 – TTh 4:30-5:20 pm in PKH 311
Textbook (Required)
Precalculus eText with MyMathLab and Explorations and Notes -- Access Card Package by Eric
Schulz, William L. Briggs, & Lyle L. Cochran.
Course Materials (Required)
ScanTron (form SC882-E)
Calculators: TI-30XA or TI-30XIIS
Course Materials (Optional)
Graph Paper
Course Prerequisite
A grade of C or above in Math 1302 or a minimum score on the Math Placement Test.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of Math 1421:
1. Students will be able to justify and explain their steps in problem solving. In particular, students will
be able to construct correct and detailed mathematical arguments to justify their solutions to
problems.
2. Students will demonstrate facility with expressing, applying, and combining functions in tabular,
graphical, and symbolic forms.
3. Students will be able to identify and analyze the unifying characteristics of functions and their
graphs including invariant properties under function transformations, domain and range,
asymptotes, zeroes, and end behavior.
4. Students will be able to interpret and define the six trigonometric functions, in terms of both right
triangles and the unit circle. They will be able to graph trigonometric and inverse trigonometric
functions, without the aid of a graphing calculator, by applying the concepts of amplitude, periods
and phase shifts. Students will also be able to verify and use trigonometric identities and formulas
and to apply them to solve trigonometric equations and word problems, including problems that
require solving a triangle.
Math 1421-250 Syllabus Spring 2016 Page 2 of 8
Grading Scale 90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
0-59 F
Grade Components
Midterm 1 20% Friday, February 12, 2016 from 6-8 pm
Midterm 2 25% Friday, April 1, 2016 from 6-8 pm
Final Exam 35% Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 12:30-3 pm
Lab Worksheets 5%
Quizzes 5%
Homework 8%
Skills Review 2%
All students in Math 1421 must pass the Calculus Gateway Exam on or before Friday, May 6 in order to
receive a grade above D in the course. See details under Calculus Gateway Exam below.
Exam Location
Note that the location of exams will be announced prior to the exam date. The location will, most likely,
NOT be in our classroom.
Homework
Homework will be completed online using MyLabsPlus and Blackboard. No late homework will be
accepted for any reason. The three lowest MyLabsPlus homework grades and at least one Blackboard
homework grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.
Quizzes
Quizzes will be given during the first 25 minutes of the second lab session each week. Students who
are late will not be given additional time to complete the quiz. At least one in-class quiz grade will be
dropped at the end of the semester.
Skills Review
Over the course of the semester you will be assigned a series of skills reviews to work on through
MyLabsPlus. You must complete all of them over the course of the semester and you may continue to
attempt the assignments until you have mastered the material. You may not attempt the next skills
review until you have mastered (80%) the previous one. These skills reviews will help solidify skills you
will use frequently in calculus (and have seen in Math 1302), but will not be directly discussed in Math
1421.
Calculators: The only calculators allowed for use on labs, quizzes, midterm exams, and the final exam
are TI-30XA and TI-30XIIS. You may not use a cellphone as a calculator on exams.
Math 1421-250 Syllabus Spring 2016 Page 3 of 8
Attendance
At The University of Texas at Arlington, taking attendance is not required. Rather, each faculty member
is free to develop his or her own methods of evaluating students’ academic performance, which
includes establishing course-specific policies on attendance.
Lecture Attendance Policy
Attendance is required, and will be recorded at every lecture session.
Lab Attendance Policy
Attendance is required to receive credit for labs and quizzes.
Electronics Policy
Students may not use electronics during course meetings without prior consent from the instructor
(unless the instructor is using technology to poll the entire class). This includes (but is not limited to):
cell phones, tablets, laptop computers.
Midterms and Finals
Exams are departmental, i.e., all sections of Math 1421 will take the same exam and the grades will
have the same weight in each section. All of these exams are comprehensive. Each exam will be a mix
of multiple choice problems and show-your-work problems.
You must bring a photo ID to each exam; failure to do so may result in you not being admitted to the
exam or your exam not being graded.
Students may bring one 3”x5” note card to use as a formula sheet on the final exam. Formula sheets
are not allowed on the midterms.
Make-up Policy
All makeup exams are scheduled through your instructor and must be requested by Census Date
(February 3). If you know that you have a conflict with one of the dates listed above you must contact
your instructor, in writing, before this date. It is up to the instructor whether or not to grant a makeup
exam.
Makeup exams will not be granted after the fact; that is, requesting a makeup after Census Date will
result in a denial of makeup unless substantiation of an emergency (i.e. hospital records, etc.) is
provided.
Students absent for religious holidays or University events must give notice to the instructor at least 7
days before the absence; substantiation may be requested.
There are no make-ups on homework, labs, or quizzes.
Calculus Gateway Exam
All students in Math 1421 must pass the Calculus Gateway Exam on or before the last class day in
order to receive a grade above D in the course. The Calculus Gateway Exam (CGE) will become
available under the “lab” link in MyLabsPlus on April 2. The CGE can be taken anytime during the
eligible time period between April 2 and May 6. Students are allowed up to 3 attempts on the CGE,
however these attempts can only be used during the eligible time period. The CGE is to be taken
outside of class and is subject to University rules on academic dishonesty. You are allowed to use a
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FAQs

What are the main learning outcomes for Math 1421?
Upon completion of Math 1421, students will be able to justify and explain their problem-solving steps. They will demonstrate proficiency in expressing and applying functions in various forms, analyze characteristics of functions and their graphs, and interpret the six trigonometric functions. Additionally, students will verify and use trigonometric identities and formulas to solve equations and real-world problems.
What is the grading scale for Math 1421?
The grading scale for Math 1421 is as follows: A for 90-100, B for 80-89, C for 70-79, D for 60-69, and F for 0-59. The course includes various components contributing to the final grade, such as midterms, a final exam, quizzes, homework, and lab worksheets. Midterm 1 accounts for 20% of the grade, Midterm 2 for 25%, and the final exam for 35%.
What materials are required for Math 1421?
Students must have the 'Precalculus eText with MyMathLab and Explorations and Notes' as the required textbook. Additionally, a ScanTron form SC882-E and a TI-30XA or TI-30XIIS calculator are necessary for quizzes and exams. Optional materials include graph paper for lab work.
What is the Calculus Gateway Exam requirement?
All students enrolled in Math 1421 must pass the Calculus Gateway Exam by May 6 to receive a grade above D. The exam will be available online through MyLabsPlus, allowing up to three attempts during the specified period. This requirement ensures that students have the foundational skills necessary for success in calculus.
How is attendance handled in Math 1421?
Attendance is mandatory for both lectures and labs in Math 1421. While the university does not require attendance tracking, the instructor will record attendance at each lecture session. Students must attend labs to receive credit for quizzes and lab work, emphasizing the importance of participation in the learning process.

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