Professor: John Verzani
Office: 1S-224
Telephone: 982-3623
e-mail: verzani@math.csi.cuny.edu
www: http://www.math.csi.cuny.edu/~verzani
Office Hours:
Required Text: Larson, Precalculus – an internet approach
Meeting Time and places: no scheduled class hours
Exam dates:
Special dates:
Class Web Site: http://www.math.csi.cuny.edu/Courses/iMTH123

Expectations College Algebra at CSI involves the study of functions. We will study basic properties of a function in chpater 1 of the book. These include how to evaluate and how to graph.

The remainder of the term is spent studying families of functions. In chapter 2 we study quadratic functions and more generally polynomials. Quadratic functions look like $y = x^2$. The most popular example is the function that describes the trajectory of a falling ball. This may be familiar from other math classes.

In Chapter 3, we move on to study functions which grow and decay – exponential functions, and their inverses logarithmic functions. These functions are used to describe things such as the amount of money in a bank that awards interest.

Finally in Chapter 4 and 5 we study trigonometric functions. The basic examples are the sine and cosine functions which are used to model oscillatory or periodic behavior such as the average daily temperature in a city, or the signal in AC current.

This particular class will be unlike any ever taught at CSI. Lectures will be replaced with ’distance learning’. We will see how it goes. Be prepared to make adjustments as the term progresses.

Lectures As there are no formal lectures in this class, you will need to learn the material on your own. I will provide some notes to help direct your reading, but ultimately, you will need to read and understand the mathematics on your own.

The book you purchase has a webcard that gives you access to the accompanying web site. A most useful part of this site is the interactive problem sets. You can try answering the questions online and the computer will guide you to an answer. Be warned that it can be slow. I have already complained to the book representative.

Getting Help Help is available. Don’t worry. Here are some ways:

• via email

• via a newsgroup. I actually will encourage this as it will allow the entire class to view the conversation. I have some software for this that hopefully will work well.

• via the phone. You can call me during office hours.

• via office hours. You can come visit during office hours. Other visits should be by appointment only.

• The tutoring center. CSI provides a tutor center that generally is open Monday through Thursday. Exact will be available

I really hope that we can create a working and productive virtual community. If this doesn’t happen I don’t see much point to this type of class. (opinions are welcome.)

Grading Your grade will come from a quiz grade, mid-term exams and the final.

Quizzes will be weekly and will account for 10% of your grade, (should you be passing the other exams.)

The three mid-term exams are set up to be taken during windows of time. You will take these at the testing center. You must arrange ahead of time with them the time that you will take the exam. Mid-terms will account for 20 The final time will be announced towards November. It will count for 30 I will return grades via e-mail. You may pick up your exams in my office.
m Bear in mind that the typical MTH123 class has a terrible passing rate. (About 1/2 the students will drop or fail on average.) I hope that this group is anything but typical.

the e-Pupils software The quizzes for this class are done online using web-based software called e-Pupils. This software is fairly easy to use, but some aspects require attention. There is an online manual to answer most of your questions. You need a password to have full access to the software. If you forget your password, you have the option to work as a guest.

The software is being developed at CSI and may contain ’features’. If you suspect a ’feature’, please use the bug report form, or inform me in person.