Class Policies for ULC 148 -- Pre-Calculus -- FALL 2013 Note: If you have taken a more advanced math

course for credit (e.g. MTH 115, 121, 131, 141, etc.) outside the Learning Center, you are not eligible to take this course. INSTRUCTOR: OFFICE HOURS: LOCATION: E-MAIL: Sandy Kisker kisker@buffalo.edu

TEXTBOOK: Algebra and Trigonometry (Early Graphing) - Custom Edition for University at Buffalo, by Robert Blitzer. CALCULATORS: A scientific calculator is required for this course. However, you will NOT be allowed to use it on all of the quizzes and exams. The instructor will be specific on when a calculator is allowed. GRADING: Your final grade will be calculated by taking the average of five components: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Quiz Average Exam #1 grade Exam #2 grade Exam #3 grade Exam #4 grade

**Important Note: Each of these parts has an equal weight in your final average. Keep in mind, that NONE of your Exam grades will be dropped, unless you take the optional Final Exam (see below). FINAL EXAM: An optional cumulative Final Exam will be offered during Final Exam week after classes have finished. Students who have more than 6 absences will NOT be eligible to take the Final Exam. If you decide to take the Final Exam, the grade will replace your lowest exam grade, EVEN IF the Final Exam grade is lower than the lowest exam grade. This means the Final Exam could end up lowering your final course grade for the semester. ** Final Exam is cumulative which means it will cover all topics from the entire semester, and is lengthy. LETTER GRADES will be broken down as follows: A 93-100 A- 90-92 B+ 87-89 B 83-86 B- 80-82 C+ 77-79 C 73-76 C- 70-72 D+ 67-69 D 60-66 F 0-59

Important Notes: *There is NO curve in this class. This breakdown of letter grades will not be altered in any way. *Also, there is NO extra credit in this course. ATTENDANCE: Attendance will be taken every day. You are allowed to miss 2 classes without penalty. Each missed class after the second will result in a loss of 2 points from the Quiz portion of your grade. Tardiness: Coming late to class puts you at a disadvantage and is very distracting for the instructor and fellow classmates. TWO late instances will be treated as one absence and affects your grade. If you are late to class it is your responsibility to tell me after class that you were here, so as not to be marked absent. Instructors Note: Attendance in this math class is extremely important for your success. If you are absent, YOU are responsible for obtaining all the missed material and announcements. I will not go looking for you. PARTICIPATION: Learning math is an active endeavor. You are expected to come to class prepared with notebook, writing utensil, graph paper and calculator. You cant expect to do well in this course if you dont make an effort. EXAMS: There will be FOUR 1-hour in class exams. The material tested will be from the textbook, classnotes, homework problems and quizzes. Important Note: A grade of ZERO will be given for any missed exam unless suitable documentation is provided within one class day of the exam. Any zero will be averaged into your final grade. QUIZZES: There will be a quiz approximately once a week. There are NO make-up quizzes for any reason. Any missed quizzes will receive a grade of ZERO. Because there are no make-up quizzes, every quiz beyond 6 is a BONUS quiz which will allow you to drop a low quiz grade or replace a zero from a previously missed quiz. In other words, the six highest quiz grades will be averaged at the end of the semester.

STRICT Homework Policy: Assignments are given on a daily basis and DUE the next class. Homework will be collected/checked at random without any prior notice. Any previous assignment is fair game for collecting, so make sure you bring them all to class. *ALL Graphing problems MUST be done on GRAPH PAPER! (if not, the assignment wont be accepted) *** NO LATE HW will be accepted for any reason!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Homework is considered LATE immediately after I have collected/checked it in class. *Being absent the day I assign HW is NO excuse for not having it done the day it is due. If you are absent you must e-mail the instructor or a classmate BEFORE the next class, so you can be prepared if I collect/check it. * Having trouble completing the assignment because you were absent for the lesson is NO excuse for not having the assignment finished when it is due. Attend office hours, MATH PLACE, any other tutoring lab, or ask a classmate or friend for help. BONUS for your grade: I will collect/check 12 homework assignments throughout the semester. A hw grade is based on completion (you must try ALL problems NO EXCEPTIONS). Since the homework is NOT part of your final average, students who have 75% of their hw completed (9 out of the 12) will receive 6 points on the lowest Exam grade. The Math Place: Beginning the third week of classes, FREE tutoring is available in the Math Place located in Baldy Hall, Room 209. Hours of operation will be announced. Experienced tutors will be available to assist students with any ULC 148 math questions. All students are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable FREE resource. Any student maintaining a grade below a "C in the course is expected to visit the Math Place at least 2 hours per week.