If you are good at the nuts and bolts of algebra, then you can certainly find success in this course. In particular, you should be able to readily simplify algebraic expressions, factor binomials and some trinomials, find the sum, difference, product, or quotient of rational functions by factoring and obtaining common multiples, graph linear and quadratic functions, apply the quadratic formula to solve equations of degree two in one variable, and use algebra to describe and then solve elementary applied problems. You should be comfortable working with exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and be able to use them to describe and solve applied problems. This prerequisite material is covered in a typical College Algebra, Trigonometry, or Precalculus course. The first five lessons reviews some of this material.
Carefully read the syllabus so that you understand course policies and procedures. Explore each of the links on the left portion of the homepage.
Click on the Text link and you will find instructions to purchase the Hawkes Learning courseware. These instructions are also given in the Syllabus.
Once you have the software installed, you are ready to go. Remember the old saying: Mathematics is not a spectator sport?" Well, the absolutely best feature of this course is the interactive, online nature of the lessons. Each lesson includes an Instruct, Practice, Tutor, and Certify mode with error specific feedback. The homework assignments may be repeated as many times as necessary (without penalty) in order to help you learn the material. Once you achieve the mastery level of success for a lesson, you are given full credit for that lesson, your success is noted in the Gradebook, and you are ready to move on to the next lesson. Of course the homework is graded in seconds!
Now for your favorite part of the course: Testing.
There are three midterms, each worth 100 points. The final test is comprehensive and is worth 200 points. To schedule and take an exam, just click on the Test link and follow the instructions. The exams are not open-book; however, you may use your own 5x8 card (both sides) for formulas and notes. You may use your graphing calculator for computation and graphs, not for formulas or notes.
The tests are randomly generated using a variety of problem types and parameters. They are based on the same problem types that are used to build your homework.
Practice exams are also available, one for each exam; go to Assigned Tests in Hawkes and select a practice exam. Don't choose the actual exam. Worked-out solutions for each exam can be printed.
So the way to get top scores on the exams is to Work Hard. Life is that way. The interactive lessons with Instruct, Practice, Tutor, and Certify modes and the practice tests are your key to success.
Finally, as with any mathematics course, it is important that you do not get behind schedule. Each lesson usually builds on material from previous lessons. If you let the time between homework assignments drag out, the material gets "cold" and it will be more difficult to catch back up. Your reward will not only be a decent semester grade but a possession of important mathematical knowledge. This course leads to the second semester in the science-based calculus series. Furthermore, there are many examples and exercises that encourage you to apply your knowledge of calculus to solve interesting real-world problems.
| Dr. E Robert Heal, Professor Department of Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Website Robert.Heal@usu.edu 435-760-0704 |
