MATH 108 --INFORMATION COMMON TO ALL SECTIONS
Spring 2012



Course Objective: The purpose of Math 108 is to equip the student with math skills sufficient for the study of calculus. There is a review of basic algebra and the study of algebraic manipulations involving absolute value and/or inequalities. There is the study of functions, including polynomials, rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions. Approximately four weeks of the course is devoted to trigonometry.

Achievement of the objectives is measured mostly by tests, as described under "Grading" below.

Text: The required text is the Math 108 Course Pack, 7th edition, Parts I and II. Part I is available now. Part II will be made available mid-semester.

The course will cover nearly all of the material in the course pack.

Calculators: All quizzes, tests and exams will be written in such a way that the use of a calculator is not required. Therefore, NO CALCULATORS OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES WILL BE PERMITTED DURING QUIZZES, TESTS OR EXAMS.

Test Schedule: Dates for the tests and final exam are below. Students who have a valid schedule conflict with the date or time for the final exam will have the chance to have their situations addressed a few weeks before the end of the semester. See Final Exam.

Date Time Room
Test 1 Tuesday, February 21In Class Regular Classroom
Test 2 Tuesday, March 13In Class Regular Classroom
Test 3 Thursday, March 29In Class Regular Classroom
Test 4 Tuesday, May 1In Class Regular Classroom
Final Exam To be determinedTBATBA


Grading: The course grade will be determined based on the points accumulated by the student out of a possible 1000 points.

  • Ten percent of the grade (100 pts.) will be based on the student's performance in class. This includes quiz scores, class participation and preparedness, and/or attendance. These points are awarded at the discretion of the individual instructor. Each instructor will inform their class of how these points will be awarded.
  • Students in all sections will take common (not necessarily identical, but common) tests. There are four of these tests. Each is worth 15% of the course grade (4 x 150 = 600 total pts).
  • There is also a common final exam worth 30% (300 pts.) of the course grade.

    Course Grades will be given as follows:
    Total PointsGradeTotal PointsGrade
    900-1000A650-699C+
    850-899A-600-649C
    800-849B+550-599C-
    750-799B500-549D
    700-749B-0-499F

  • One important note about grading: instructors do not "give grades." Instructors simply award points based on the work the student produces. Each student's point total happens to correspond to a letter grade at semester's end. Very little (if any) subjectivity is involved in the grading process. Students are responsible for earning the requisite number of points (as detailed above) to earn the grade they desire.
  • Students using the Pass/Fail grading option need 500 points for "P."
  • Be sure to read the information concerning late withdrawals and the granting of the grade "I" on the following link: Late Withdrawals and Incompletes

    • Homework: Homework will not be collected for a grade unless an instructor has determined that homework, will be part of the 100 points of instructor discretion grade. It is expected that the student is mature enough to do the non-collected homework without the instructor checking.

    It cannot be overstressed that homework, including reading assignments, is an integral part of the course. There is not sufficient class time for an instructor to go over every variation of problem that can be encountered. The homework therefore is meant to reinforce what is done in class AND is a tool for independent discovery. There is a definite correlation between students who have faithfully and seriously done the homework and those who are familiar with the problems on tests.

    Attendance: It is EXPECTED that students will attend class. We do reserve the right to enforce university policy that allows an instructor to take punative measures (including not allowing a student to take the final exam or even failing a student in the course) if a student is absent for 25% of classes. Individual instructors may include attendance as part of the 100 points of the instructor discretion grade.

    Attendance may be taken at every class via a sign-in sheet that will be passed through the class. It is the student's responsibility to make sure that he/she signs the sheet. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCE is it acceptable for a student to sign a classmate in.

    Special notice from the Provost's Office concerning H1N1 Flu Virus (Swine Flu): If you have a fever, body aches, cough and/or sore throat, PLEASE DO NOT COME TO CLASS. Please remain at home or in your room and follow instructions from the university's Health Services that will be available on the web.

    Math Help:

  • Each instructor maintains office hours (usually at least 3 hours each week) to help students.
  • The Discovery Center offers free tutoring for Math 108. Their website Discovery Website contains time and location information.
  • If you need help for an issue related to the class, see your instructor during his/her office hours or make an appointment.
  • If you have any questions regarding Math 108, see the course coordinator, Dan McKinney, in LN-2227 (office) or at 777-2982 (phone) or via mckinney@math.binghamton.edu (email). Email is the easiest way to contact the coordinator.

    Binghamton University is committed to full and equitable access for all enrolled students. Students requesting accommodations based on a disability must register with Services for Students with Disabilities located in Lecture Hall B-51 (777-2686).