Faculty Syllabus
MATH-2412 Precalculus: Functions and Graphs
Peter Nagel
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
MATH-2412-015 (17756)
LEC MW 6:00pm - 7:45pm RRC RRC8 8210.00
Course Requirements
Grading
The grades in this course will be weighted among the following required components:
Homework : 10%
Online Homework : 10%
Exams : 55%
Final Exam : 25%
Letter grades will be assigned on the following basis:
- A = 90% - 100%,
- B = 80% - 90%,
- C = 70% - 80%,
- D =60% - 70%,
- F < 60%.
If the performance on the exams during the semester warrants, the lowest exam score (not including the fi nal exam) of each individual student will be down-weighted to 5% of the final grade and the other two exams will be equally weighted to constitute 50% of the fi nal grade.
Exams
There will be 3 exams during the semester and 1 final exam to be held during the nal week of
class. The exam schedule is as follows:
- Exam 1, Wednesday February 18th. (to be taken in class)
- Exam 2, Wednesday March 25th . (to be taken in class)
- Exam 3, Wednesday April 22nd . (to be taken in class)
- Final Exam, Monday May 12th (Part I) and Wednesday May 14th (Part II).
Missed Exams
Missed Exams can be made up. If the reason for the absence is valid, the exam can be
made up within two days of the original date without any loss of credit. For unexcused absences, 25% of the
grade will be deducted after the exam is made up.
Homework
The list of homework problems is given on the homework sheet. The homework problems for
each section will be due on the Tuesday after that section is covered in class (see the course calendar). Up
to 5 problems will be graded for each section of homework problems assigned. The two lowest homework grades will be dropped.
Course Subjects
Course Description: A course designed to prepare students for Calculus I (MATH 2413). Content includes the study of algebraic, rational, logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions, graphs, equations, and applications; trigonometric identities; parametric equations; conic sections; vectors; the polar coordinate system.
Course Rationale: This course is designed to teach students the algebraic and trigonometric modeling concepts needed for scientific/engineering calculus. It is not simply a review of college algebra and Trigonometry.
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of properties of functions.
- Recognize and apply algebraic and transcendental functions and solve related equations.
- Apply graphing techniques to algebraic and transcendental functions.
- Compute the values of trigonometric functions for key angles in all quadrants of the unit circle measured in both degrees and radians.
- Prove trigonometric identities.
- Solve right and oblique triangles.
- Graph and transform equations in polar coordinates and using parametric equations.
- Apply vector operations and use vectors to solve applications.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the graphs and applications of conic sections.
Appropriate use of technology will be encouraged throughout the course.
The General Education Competency of:
- Critical Thinking: gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information is covered in every SLO.
- Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning: applying mathematical, logical, and scientific principles and methods is covered in every SLO.
- Technology Skills: using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze, and present information is covered in every SLO.
- Written, Oral and Visual Communication: communicating effectively adapting to purpose, structure, audience and medium is covered in every SLO.
Office Hours
T Th 5:20 PM - 6:00 PM Online via Class for Zoom
NOTEM W 5:20 PM - 6:00 PM RRC8 8210.00
NOTET Th 5:20 PM - 6:00 PM SGC1 1201
NOTEPublished: 01/16/2026 13:13:29