MONTGOMERY COLLEGE

Mathematics and Statistics

Germantown Campus
Fall 2015
1. Instructor Information
Patrick L. Byrne
Office: 314 HTSC (Mailbox) Office Hours: T 10:00-12:00
Patrick.byrne@montgomerycollege.edu Phone: 240-567-7722
By appointment in HT229
II.

General Course Information

MATH165- Precalculus
4 credit hours

MWF 8:00-9:45am

HT403

COURSE DESCRIPTION: MATH165 Precalculus

An examination of topics from advanced algebra, trigonometry, conics, and functions and applied
problems. This course is designed to prepare students for MATH181.
PREREQUISITES: A grade of C or better in MATH 096 and a grade of C or better in MATH105,
appropriate score on mathematics assessment test, or consent of department. Assessment Levels: ENGL
101/101A, READ 120. For computation of tuition, this course is equivalent to five semester hours. Five
hours lecture each week.
4 semester hours
FORMAT: This course is taught in a lecture/discussion format with some group work.
MATHEMATICS FOUNDATION: MATH165 fulfills a General Education Program Mathematics
Foundation requirement. Montgomery Colleges General Education Program is designed to ensure that
students have the skills, knowledge and attitudes to carry them successfully through their work and
personal lives. This course provides multiple opportunities to develop two or more of the following
competencies: written and oral communication, scientific and quantitative reasoning, critical analysis
and reasoning, technological competency, and information literacy. For more information, please see
www.montgomerycollege.edu/gened/.
III.

Important Student Information Link

In addition to course requirements and objectives that are in this syllabus, Montgomery College has
information on its web site (see link below) to assist you in having a successful experience both inside
and outside of the classroom. It is important that you read and understand this information. The link
below provides information and other resources to areas that pertain to the following: student behavior
(student code of conduct), student e-mail, the tobacco free policy, withdraw and refund dates, disability
support services, veteran services, how to access information on delayed openings and closings, how to
register for the Montgomery College alert System, and finally, how closings and delays can impact your
classes. If you have any questions please bring them to your professor. As rules and regulations change
they will be updated and you will be able to access them through the link. If any student would like a
written copy of these policies and procedures, the professor would be happy to provide them. By
registering for this class and staying in this class, you are indicating that you acknowledge and accept
these policies.
http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/mcsyllabus/

IV.

Textbooks and Supplies

MathXL is Required. The access code for MathXL comes bundled with a new text at the MC Bookstore, or it
can be purchased separately at the MC Bookstore or online at www.mathxl.com. Each section of the textbook is
in the MathXL homework for that section.
MathXL: You will be required to use the online software to complete your homework assignments. Students will
be able to work on MathXL in the MAPEL Center (HT229) if they do not have a computer at home. See
attached handout Using MathXL for instructions on how to get started.
Course ID XL20-G1VY-301Z-9NU2

V.

OPTIONAL TEXT:

Precalculus Enhanced with Graphing Utilities by Sullivan & Sullivan, 6th edition

NOTEBOOK:

Required for homework.

CALCULATORS:

A graphics calculator is required. The TI-83/ TI-83 Plus/ TI-84 Plus will be used for
classroom instruction. Other models may be used, but the student is responsible for
knowing that calculators capabilities. Students will not be permitted to share calculators
during quizzes, tests and the final exam. CAS calculators may not be used during quizzes,
tests, and the final exam. No electronic devices (cell phones, etc.) except an approved
calculator may be used during quizzes, tests and the final exam.

Grading
A.
Requirements
It is your responsibility to take all tests and quizzes at the time they are scheduled unless you have a very
good reason for not doing so. If you do not have an excuse that I think is valid or you do not comply with
the make-up policy listed in section D below, you will receive a failing grade for the missed exam.
B.

Course Grade
There are three ways by which you can receive a grade for this course:
1. If the average of all of your exams is 91% or higher AND each of your exam scores is 85% or above,
you are excused from the final exam. or2. If you receive a higher grade on the final exam than your class exam average, you will receive the
grade from the final exam.
or3. If neither of the above is true, your grade will be calculated based on the following:
Hour exams at 100 points each
Quiz total
Final Exam at 200 points

C.

Standards
Grades will be assigned as follows:
90% - 100%
A
80% - 89%
B
70% - 79%
C
60% - 69%
D
Below 60%
F
I reserve the right to lower the scale, but I will not raise it.

D.

Make-up Policy
Make-up exams will be given only if, within 20 hours of the scheduled exam you:
a. call the secretary at 240-567-7722 and give a valid reason why you did not take the exam,
AND
b. make arrangements to take the test before the next class meeting if at all possible.

E.

Late Policy
Try to be on time for class. If you have the occasion to be late, please take a seat near the door to
minimize disruption.

F.

VI.

Audit Policy
Audits are expected to attend class and participate (I will drop an audit from class for lack of
attendance). Audits may take exams and quizzes but are not required to do so.

Classroom Policies
1. Attendance [and Withdrawal from Class]
Attendance is expected but not required.
If you decide to drop the course or change to audit, please do so officially through the registrars office.
B.

Academic Honesty
See the Student Code of Conduct Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct. (Student Handbook)

C.

Classroom Conduct
The College seeks to provide an environment where discussion and expression of all views relevant to
the subject matter of the class are recognized as necessary to the educational process. However, students
do not have the right to interfere with the freedom of the faculty to teach or the rights of other students to
learn. Disruptive behavior includes carrying on individual conversations with classmates or yourself
during class, interrupting the instructor or a fellow student while they are speaking, coming into class late
and/or leaving class early, having a activated cell phone or beeper in class, being rude or belittling to the
instructor or a fellow student. Cell phones and beepers are not permitted in the classroom. Please turn
them off before class. If a cell phone or beeper goes off during class, I will confiscate it and deduct 10
points for each occurrence. If a student behaves disruptively in the classroom after the instructor has
explained the unacceptability of such conduct and the consequences that will result, the student may be
asked to leave the room for the remainder of the class time. If the student does not leave, the faculty
member may request the assistance of Security.

D.

Support Services

MATH, ACCOUNTING, PHYSICS and ENGINEERING LEARNING CENTER:

The Center is located in HT 229 (HT 235). The hours are:
Monday Thursday: 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Friday Saturday: 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Other campuss hours are available at
http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/math/tutoring.html
E.

Cancellation of Classes
On occasion, Montgomery College will announce a late opening or early closing of a specific campus or
the entire college because of weather conditions or other emergencies. Since classes begin at various
times throughout the day, a late opening or early closing will occur during a scheduled class period. Use

the following guide to know whether or not classes are cancelled if the school is opening or
closing at a particular time:

If the College opens or closes at a time when more than 50% of a class period will be missed,
that class will be cancelled for the day. For example, if the College is closing at 11:00 a.m., a
class that begins at 10:35 p.m. would not meet.

If less than 50% of a class will be missed, that class will meet for the remaining portion of its
regularly scheduled time. For example, if the College opens at 11:00 a.m., a class that begins at
10:35 a.m. will meet, starting at 11:00 a.m.

For the most up-to-date information regarding College openings, closings, or emergencies, all
students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to sign up for email and text alerts via the
Montgomery County MC ALERT at https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov/index.php?
CCheck=1

VII.

F.

Disability Support Services

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES: Any student who needs an accommodation due to a
disability should make an appointment to see me during my office hours. In order to receive
accommodations, a letter from Disability Support Services (G-SA189; R-CB122; TP/SS-ST122)
will be needed. Any student who may need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation
must identify to the Disability Support Services Office: guidelines for emergency evacuations for
individuals with disabilities are found at: www.montgomerycollege.edu/dss/evacprocedures.htm

G.

Veterans Service
If you are a veteran or on active or reserve status and you are interested in information regarding
opportunities, programs and/or services, please visit the Combat2College Website at
http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/combat2college/.

Time Commitment for Academic Success

Students are expected to invest a minimum of two hours completing out-of-class course work for every
hour of in-class instructional time. For example, in a 4-credit 5 hour a week course, students experience
at least 4.5 hours of instructional time and should invest a minimum of 9 hours in out-of-class time
preparing for the course and completing assignments per week.
The harder you study and the more homework problems you do will reflect in your test grades and your
understanding of the material. So, I strongly recommend that you do all of your homework and ask
questions about those topics you do not understand. I am always willing to help you both in class and
during my office hours.

VIII.

Course Schedule - (See attached tentative schedule)

Important Dates:
September 17, 2015

Last day to drop with a refund for Fall 2015.

October 1, 2015

Last day to add with instructor permission, drop

without W, or change from audit/credit for Summer I
2015. Audit to credit and credit to audit changes
require instructors signature.

November 19, 2015

Last day to drop with W for Fall 2015.

December 14, 2015

Final Exam 8:00-10:00am

Byrne MATH165 Syllabus Fall 2015