GFA Precalculus

Course Syllabus

Course Overview

Welcome to GFA Precalculus! We have designed an engaging, supportive, and personal

learning experience for you that will help you successfully complete a core requirement for
many global universities. In this course, you will prepare for calculus by focusing on quantitative
reasoning and functions. As you begin the course you should already have a strong
understanding of algebraic skills such as factoring, basic equation solving, and the rules of
exponents and radicals. You will concentrate primarily on linear, exponential, logarithmic,
polynomial, rational, and trigonometric functions.

Content in this course will be adaptive, allowing you to achieve mastery in a certain concept
before moving on to the next. Utilizing the ALEKS learning system, students in this
personalized, self-paced course will be instructed on the topics they are most ready to learn
while also providing individualized coaching as they move through each topic.

This 3-credit hour course satisfies the Mathematical Studies (MA) general studies requirement
at Arizona State University. This course may satisfy a general education requirement at other
institutions; however, it is strongly encouraged that you consult with your institution of choice to
determine how these credits will be applied to their degree requirements prior to transferring the
credit.

Course Learning Objectives

On successful completion of this course you will be well prepared to do the following things
regarding linear, exponential, logarithmic, polynomial, rational, and trigonometric functions:

• Describe the behavior and properties of such functions

• Solve problems involving such functions

• Understand and apply such functions to real-world problems

• Begin your study of calculus

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Recommended Prior Knowledge

To be successful in this course, we recommend English language fluency and computer

literacy. In addition, we recommend knowledge of College Algebra.

If you are concerned that you may lack knowledge in some areas of College Algebra, we invite
you to join the course anyway. The ALEKS learning and practice software will help you identify
preliminary topics for study to achieve readiness for more advanced learning. If the score on
your Initial Knowledge Check is concerning, we will discuss other options that may be available
to you.

Online Course Requirements

This is an online course. The content and learning activities will be found within the edX
platform. All course interactions will utilize Internet technologies. It is your responsibility to read
the information about the course, watch the videos within the course, and do the coursework.

Personalized Coaching

We have an experienced and knowledgeable coaching staff to help you during your learning
journey. Every coach is skilled in working with students, experienced in mathematics, and
proficient with the software that you will be using.

You are encouraged to interact with coaches when needed by posting your questions using the
“Message Your Coach” link within the ALEKS learning and practice software. In addition, you
are encouraged to interact with your peers in discussion forum conversations and to use the
discussion area to ask any questions that you may have.

The course orientation videos will provide you with extremely important information about the
coaching experience, please ensure you watch them carefully.

The following link will take you to the course orientation materials: Course Guide

Computer Requirements

Due to limitations in VPN Internet connectivity at non-United States locations, students

registering for this course may experience timed outages that are beyond the control of Arizona
State University. We do not recommend that you take this course for credit if you must use VPN
to connect.

Success in this course requires a reasonably modern browser on a laptop or desktop computer,
as well as a robust and stable Internet connection. Smart phones and tablets are not compatible
with the proctoring requirement for the final exam.

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If you are interested in taking the course for credit, you will need to install the required
proctoring software and supporting computer hardware described here: Software Secure
Proctoring Information

Course Communications

Communication will take place in the Coaching Center (Newsfeed), in discussion boards, and
through announcements.

Additional information about communication channels can be found in the Course Guide
materials available at the following link: Course Guide

Course Time Commitment

Arizona State University’s accreditation requirements stipulate that you complete College
Algebra within one year from the date you register and enroll to be eligible for academic credit.
This means that you have one year from the date you enrolled to complete the course, and you
have one year from the date you complete the course to purchase your academic credit.

Please plan your goals accordingly. During this year, you are encouraged to work through the
course at a pace that suits your needs.

The work in this course is equivalent to a university-level 15-week course (one semester),
although there is no requirement that the course be completed in one semester.

Tips for Completing the Course Successfully

• Carefully review the navigation and orientation videos to ensure you understand how the
course is designed for your success.

• As you begin your work in the ALEKS learning and practice software, be sure to allow 60
minutes or more to do the Initial Knowledge Check. This is your only opportunity to
demonstrate what already you know about College Algebra as you begin the course.
Doing your best on this test ensures that ALEKS can place you at the right level as you
begin your work in Precalculus.

• Always have paper and pencil available to take notes and work problems.

• Use a scientific calculator or a graphing calculator if you wish. Be sure to use only the
approved types of calculators as shown on the provided list. You do not need to buy a
personal graphing calculator since a graphing calculator will be provided online by
ALEKS when one is required as you work through the lessons in the course.

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 • Calculators with QWERTY keyboards or those that do symbolic algebra, such as the
Casio FX2, Casio 9970Gs, TI-89, TI-92, or TI-nspire CAS should not be used in this
course and cannot be used during the exam. Cellular phone calculators and online
calculators should not be used in class and are not permitted during an exam.

• Use the ALEKS learning and practice software in the course to help learn and retain the
concepts of Precalculus at a pace that suits your needs.

• If you have a question, post it using the “Message Your Coach” link in the ALEKS
learning and practice software. Your coach will respond in the Coaching Center with
advice and support.

• Complete each of the objectives to at least 90% mastery.

Taking the Final Exam

• You must be ID Verified prior to taking the final exam if you wish to be eligible for credit
following the final exam.

• You may upgrade to ID Verified status at any time during the course.

• After you are ID Verified and achieve 90% proficiency in each of the objectives in the
course, you will be invited to take a practice proctored exam in preparation for the final
exam. Taking more than one practice exam will better prepare you for the final exam.

• To take the final exam, you will need a web cam and microphone that are compatible
with your computer and the proctoring software. You will also need reliable and robust
Internet access. It is required that you take the practice exam in a proctored setting
before taking the final exam to ensure that your system will work.

• You may use pencils, paper, and your scientific or graphing calculator during the
proctored practice exam and the proctored final exam.

• No notes, no cell phones, no consulting other websites except those white-listed, and no
help from others will be allowed as you take the proctored practice exam and the
proctored final exam.

• As an ID Verified student, once you pass the final exam with an A, B, or C grade, and we
have confirmed that your proctoring process was successful (that you did not violate
academic integrity policies), you will have the opportunity to purchase academic credit
from Arizona State University.

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Course Grading

Final grades for this course are based on the number of points you earn on the ID Verified final
exam. There is no extra credit available. No grade will be assigned to exam scores that are less
than 70%. There will be no + or - added to grades.

The grading scale is shown here:

A = 90% or higher
B = 80% to 89.99%
C = 70% to 79.99%

Academic Integrity
The highest standards of academic integrity are expected of all students at all times. For more
information, see http://provost.asu.edu/academicintegrity and https://www.edx.org/edx-terms-
service

Student Support

The link that follows here will take you to the edX Student Frequently Asked Questions page:
https://www.edx.org/about/student-faq

Disabled students are encouraged to contact our accommodations and accessibility team as
soon as possible to ensure we are meeting your needs for success. Please email [email protected]
and we will connect with you.

Subject to Change Notice

All materials are subject to change. It is your responsibility to stay in touch with announcements,
connect with your instructor and coaches through the discussion boards, review the course site
regularly, and communicate with other students.

This syllabus should not be considered final and may change as the course progresses. The
instructors reserve the right to modify it to meet the needs of the class.