Precalculus is the basis for upper level courses. This provides the basic languge and tools used to describe real life situations. Functions, algebra, and trigonometry are used to explore reality and to discover properties that are otherwise not straightforward.
COMMUNICATION
Messages and announcements will be done using Canvas. When you need to contact your instructor or TA, please use Canvas as email messages will NOT be replied. This is to make communication more efficient, so we can correctly identify your section and other important information.
We will use Piazza for questions regarding HW, exams, lectures, etc. This tool is great for collaboration and to write math. It is difficult to type math in an email or in Canvas, so use Piazza for all content related questions!
If you have any questions, don't forget to go office hours.
Pedro Morales:
M 9:30-10:30am, 1:30-2:30pm, T 1:30-2:30pm
McHenry 4120
Trang Tran:
M, 10-12pm, F 4-5pm
McHenry 1261
Malachi Alexander:
M,T 4-5pm, F 10:30-11:30am
McHenry 4112
For anything else, you can reach your instructor or TA using email, but please use this as the LAST method of communication.
Grade
The grade will be divided into four skills:
Mechanics has to do with computational skills like arithmetic and algebra. This includes Pre-class, Post-class and Mini-Finals.
Understanding has to do with conceptual and theoretical skills. This includes Activities and Midterms.
Creativity has to do with the ability of applying concepts to other areas, specially real-life applications. This includes the Project.
Responsibility has to do with the effort and discipline shown for the class. This includes Lecture, Fail logs, SGT, ACE, and Consistency.
Grades will be assigned using the +/- system.
Homework and Classwork (40%)
Pre-class (7%)
These are short assignments that you will complete before coming to lecture. They are the learning modules that you will find on Canvas. The pre-class learning module for a topic will be due before we start that topic in class.
We are dropping the lowest 5 preclass in order to account for any abscences.
In-Class (7%)
We will have group worksheets during lecture time. Everyday you will work in groups of three for that day's worksheet. The worksheets are applications of the concepts seen in Pre-Class.
We are dropping the lowest 3 inclass worksheets in order to account for any abscences.
Post-class (7%)
Each week you will have an Online Homework assignment. It will cover the content addressed the previous week.
We are dropping the lowest 2 postclass in order to account for any abscences.
Section (7%)
Each Section day you will have different explorations or activities to work on. Every week you will be assigned a group number that you can check on Canvas. The explorations or activities will be completed on Canvas, so make sure every member of the group brings a computer or handheld device. Participation and attendance will be counted towards the Section grade.
We are dropping the lowest 2 section grades in order to account for any abscences.
Project (12%)
This consists on a research project that can be worked on groups of at most five members. The project can be about any topic related to mathematics or an application of calculus with local relevance.
These are the important dates:
Exams (60%)
No calculators allowed at any Exams.
There will be three midterms and mini-finals.
Mini-finals (20%)
The Multiple Choice portion will include all the material for the semester starting from the begining. This portion will be graded in base of improvement. The grade is computed as follows:
Your base grade is the average of your exams. An improvment factor is added to this according to the statistical confidence of your grades showing an improvement,
$$\bar{x}+\beta\frac{s_x}{\sqrt{n}}Z_\alpha\,,$$
where $\bar{x}$ is the average of the exams, $s_x$ is the standard deviation, $n$ is the number of mini-finals taken, $Z_\alpha$ is the Normal value for a confidence of $\alpha$, and $\beta$ is the significance of the hypothesis test "There has being improvement".
Midterms (20%)
These exams cover the class material. The grade is computed by averaging the exams in the regular fashion.
Both midterms and mini-finals will take place on the same week. Midterms will take place during lecture time and mini-finals will be during section.
Exam 1
October 19
Midterm: Covers Sections 1.1-2.6
Mini-final: Covers everything
Exam 2
November 9
Midterm: Covers Sections 3.1-4.9
Mini-final: Covers everything
Exam 3
December 3
Midterm: Covers Sections 4.4-6.6
Mini-final: Covers everything
Final (20%)
The final will have a multiple choice part and an open-question part. The final is comprehensive.
Final
December 14
8:00-11:00am
Responsibility (+)
This measures your responsibility, consistency, and engagement with the course. It is computed with your Pre-class, Section, Worksheets, Fail logs, and participation in SGT sessions and ACE sessions. This can give you an assessment boost of at most 10pts in your final grade.
The boost is computed by, $$10\beta\,,$$ where $\beta$is the significance level for the hypothesis that the variance of grades is less than $\sigma_0$, $$\chi^2_\beta=n\left(\frac{\sigma_x}{\sigma_0}\right)^2\,,$$ with $\chi^2$ the Chi-square distribution, $n$ the number of assignments and $\sigma_x$ the standard deviation of the assingments.
Prerequisite and degree relevance
Inverse functions and graphs; exponential and logarithmic functions, their graphs, and use in mathematical models of the real world; rates of change; trigonometry, trigonometric functions, and their graphs; and geometric series. Students cannot receive credit for both course 3 and Applied Mathematics and Statistics 3. Applied Mathematics and Statistics 3 can substitute for course 3.
Prerequisite(s): course 2 or mathematics placement (MP) score of 200 or higher. (General Education Code(s): MF.)
The UC Santa Cruz community includes students, staff, faculty, and others who have a vested interest in the University. As members of an academic community, integrity, accountability and mutual respect are vital pillars of being part of this community. The Principles of Community further illustrate the values and expectations set forth for being a part of this community.
Small Group Tutoring provides a small interactive setting for students to be comfortable to engage in conversations about course material with other students. Each session is led by a current UCSC undergraduate student who has taken the course and done well in it. Tutoring sessions are 1-Hour long and generally have a capacity of 6 students. When students sign up for tutoring, students make a commitment to attend tutoring weekly for the entire quarter. All students can sign up for up to 2-Hours of tutoring a week per couse they are enrolled in.
ACE is an academic support program dedicated to increasing the diversity of UCSC students earning bachelors' degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is a community of scholars who strive for and commit to academic excellence.
UC Santa Cruz is committed to creating an academic environment that supports its diverse student body. If you are a student with a disability who requires accommodations to achieve equal access in this course, please submit your Accommodation Authorization Letter from the Disability Resource Center (DRC) to me privately during my office hours or by appointment, preferably within the first two weeks of the quarter. At that time, I would also like us to discuss ways we can ensure your full participation in the course. I encourage all students who may benefit from learning more about DRC services to contact DRC by phone at 831-459-2089 or by email at drc@ucsc.edu.
We understand that our members represent a rich variety of backgrounds and perspectives. UCSC is committed to providing an atmosphere for learning that respects diversity. While working together to build this community we ask all members to:
FAQ
Is the book required for the class?
No. The book is a good reference to clarify concepts and to practice more problems.
I completed the first one/two/three Homeworks in a different section of MTH 3. Now that I have changed sections, those scores are zeros. Can you recover those scores and put them in my new section?
No. Since you added the course late, those Homeworks were not finished by the due date in your current course. Therefore they are late, and will be zeros.
Was there a curve last semester?
No. We don't do curves in this class.
I am going to miss a day of class. What should I do?
Get the notes from someone in class. You can also see what are we going to do that day by looking at the lecture schedule.
Can we use calculators on the Exams?
No.
This Homework problem is impossible to do without a calculator. What should I do if it's on the Exam?
If a Homework problem really is impossible to do without a calculator, it won't be on the Exam.
I have class all the way over on the other side of campus before your class. Can I come in a few minutes late?
Yes, just be courteous to your classmates and be as quiet as possible when you come in.
What can I do to improve my grade?
Study. Do Homework. Do not wait until the end of the semester.
Do you drop any grades?
See the grade description.
I added this class late and missed the first one/two/three Homeworks. Can you accept them late?
No. We do not accept late Homework for any reason. Your two lowest Homework scores are dropped for just such eventualities.
Will there be a curve?
No.
What do I have to make on the final to get an A/B/C in the course?
We use the regular grading system.
I sent a math question to my instructor and I didn't get a response. Why?
Because it's impossible to write math over e-mail.
Can we use calculators on the Homeworks?
Yes.
Do we have to bring our textbooks to class everyday?
No.
I have a doctor's appointment after class today. Can I leave a few minutes early?
Yes, just be courteous to your classmates and be as quiet as possible when you leave.
Do you give extra credit?
No but we have grade boosts based on your performance in class.
What is going to be on the exam?
Everything we have done in class.
Why you don’t reply my emails?
Messages regarding this class must be sent through Canvas or Piazza.
I need a C to keep my scholarship, what can I do?
Study. Do Homework. Do not wait until the end of the semester.