Pre-Calculus Syllabus

2023-2024

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
Malcolm X

Instructor: Ms. L. M. Wiggins Room: F122

Email: lwiggins@bhm.k12.al.us Phone: (205) 231- 6545
Leave a Message: (205) 205-719-2348

Hello and Welcome to Pre-Calculus! I am very excited to have you for a semester and I hope this will be an
enjoyable and rewarding class for you! This school year will be a different and challenging year, but together
we will overcome and conquer all fears. The first thing you should know is that teaching is my passion and I
will do everything within my power to make sure you are successful in this course, but you MUST meet me
halfway. I care about you and I believe in you, and I will always support you! Most importantly, I believe
each of you has greatness inside of you!

Text: Precalculus, plus additional resource books and materials used at the discretion of the instructor.

Course Description: Precalculus is a course designed for students who have successfully completed the
Algebra II with Trigonometry course. This course is considered to be a prerequisite for success in calculus
and college mathematics. Algebraic, graphical, numerical, and verbal analyses are incorporated during
investigations of the Precalculus content standards. Parametric equations, polar relations, vector operations,
conic sections, and limits are introduced. Content for this course also includes an expanded study of
polynomial and rational functions, trigonometric functions, and logarithmic and exponential functions.
Application-based problem solving is an integral part of the course. Instruction should include appropriate
use of technology to facilitate continued development of students’ higher-order thinking skills.

Required Materials:
• 3-Ring Binder (2”)
• Graph Paper
• Notebook Paper
• Pencils
• Electronic Device

Objectives of Course: At the completion of this course, the student will:

• Understand what constitutes a function.
• Identify the Range and Domain and be able to identify intervals for which a function is undefined,
increasing, decreasing, or constant.
• Demonstrate knowledge of which changes in the written equation of the function causes shifts,
stretches, reflections, and translations in the graphs.
• Be able to find composite functions, inverse functions and describe their range & domain.
• Use technology to generate graphs, estimate solutions, approximate equations from data and use this to
solve real life problems.
• Know the six trigonometric functions and how to evaluate them using a calculator, or using
positions on the unit circle with respect to the right triangle.
 • Know the domain, range, and period of the six trigonometric functions and be able to generate the
graph by hand or with a calculator.
• Use trigonometric functions to solve a right triangle and apply the Law of Sines and the Law of
Cosines to solve triangles that are acute or obtuse.
• Use technology and the laws of trigonometry to solve real life problems involving angles & distances.
• Be able to graph inverse trigonometric functions, state the range & domain of such and evaluate them
at given points.
• Find real and imaginary zeros of a polynomial function, and use the remainder theorem to find the
value of a function at a given point
• Be able to describe the nature of the graph of polynomial functions using rational zeros tests and
knowledge of end behavior.
• Perform all arithmetic operations with complex numbers and understand the significance of
conjugate pairs with respect to zeroes of a graph.
• Be able to rewrite a polynomial as a product of linear factors.
• Be able to find horizontal, vertical & slant asymptotes of rational functions.
• Be able to graph exponential & logarithmic functions and understand the same shifts, stretches &
translations take place with them as with other functions.
• Be able to use exponential & logarithmic functions to solve problems involving interest, growth &
decay problems. Use technology to estimate solutions to such problems.
• Use properties of logarithms to rewrite expressions and be able to solve exponential and logarithmic
equations.
• Use systems of two or more equations and inequalities, whether linear, quadratic, polynomial, or
radical, to solve real life problems and hypothetical problems.
• Express sequences using summation notation. Find the nth term and the sum of arithmetic and
geometric sequences. Find the sum of infinite Geometric sequence.
• Use knowledge of sequence & series to find solutions to real life problems.
• Find probabilities of simple events, mutually exclusive events, independent events, and
complements of events.

Assignment Policy: All homework, classwork, and assessments will be in Schoology

 Homework will be assigned.
 Classwork is due on the assigned day.
 Assessments are due at the end of the time period
If an unusual circumstance arises that the student cannot turn in work on time, the student should
discuss it with me before the school day begins. You have 3 days to make up missing assignments
without a penalty. LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THREE WEEKS AFTER
DUE DATE. The grading policy for late work is as follows:

4 - 7 days late 90%

8 - 14 days late 80%
15 - 21 days late 70%
If you are in class and don’t turn in your assignment on time, you will not receive full credit.
For an assignment to be graded, students must follow the following procedures:
• Work must be shown on each problem neatly. No work, no credit!
• All work must be legible.
• Answers must be found easily—circle or box them.

Cheating: Cheating will not be tolerated and will result in an automatic grade of a zero for all parties
involved. If a student is caught cheating on a test, the student will receive a grade of zero and will not be
allowed to take a retest.

Make-Up Assignments: It is the student’s responsibility to get and complete all work missed due to absence.
Time allowed for make-up work is outlined in the Student Handbook. The grading policy for late work also
pertains to make-up assignments. If a student does not make up assigned work within the time allotted, a
grade of zero will be given for the assignment. The student should read the section missed and TRY the
work before coming in for help. However, the student should always feel free to schedule a time to go over
the missed section.

Procedures for make-up work include the following:

• All assignment procedures apply to make-up work.
• Upon returning from an absence, get the make-up assignment for the appropriate place in
Schoology or Google Classroom.
 After absence, you have three days to make up missed assignments for full credit

Grading Categories: Grades will be compiled from classwork, homework, quizzes, test reviews, tests,
and class projects. Homework grades consist of 10% of your overall average, classroom
work making up 50% of your overall average, and assessments making up the other 40%
of your overall average. Extra credit will rarely be provided because students will be given
plenty of opportunities throughout the grading period to bring their grades up.

• Quizzes: Quizzes may be given throughout the school year. Some will be pop quizzes and others will
be made known beforehand to the students. They will count as an assessment grade. If students
complete all homework assignments, pay attention in class, and review their notes, they should
be able to do well on the quizzes.

• Class Notebook: Students will be required to keep a class notebook. Students are expected
to have a typed cover sheet which includes their name, teacher’s name, class, and class period, and will
be at the beginning of the notebook. An example will be provided. This syllabus is to be included
in front of binder. The sections required are Homework, Test Reviews, Quizzes, Notes, and
Miscellaneous, in that order.

• Test Reviews: Before each test, students will be given a test review. This is expected to be completed!
Test reviews will be counted as an all-or-nothing completion grade or a percentage completion
grade. They will be counted as a daily grade. This is an easy way to raise your daily average, just by
completing the test review as well as preparation for the test.

• Tests: Tests will be given throughout the grading period. If the student was in attendance for the test
review and is aware of the test date but is absent the day of the test, the student will be required to
make up test as soon as possible.

o Retests—Students may only retest 3 times per semester. In order to retest, students must
complete a Retest Request Form online.

• Class Projects: There may be at least one project assigned each nine week. Projects will count as a
test grade. More instruction will be given at a later time.

Tutorials: If a student is struggling with the material in class, it is very important to ask for help! I am
available every day before school for extra help. Also, if you would like to get help during my conference
period, please discuss this with me beforehand.
Tardy Policy: If a student is not in the classroom when the tardy bell rings, they will be considered tardy.

Class Preparation: Students are expected to come to class with all materials needed, and be seated
and ready to begin class when the tardy bell rings.

Classroom Rules

 Always obey the Student Code of Conduct approved and provided by the Birmingham Board of
Education.
 Always be on time and prepared for class.
 Do all assignments and turn every assignment in on time.
 Always ask a question if you do not understand what is being asked of you.
 Respect others and their property. Treat others and their property as you would want to be treated.
 Use a pencil to complete all assignments.
 Wait to be recognized before speaking and always get permission before leaving seat.
 Keep the area around you clean at all times.
 Leave all food items (candy, gum, chips, drink) in your locker.
 Leave your book bags in your locker.