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Syllabus for MATH 1B: PRE-CALC II - Winter 2026

Course Overview

This Pre-Calculus II course is designed to prepare students for Calculus. It is taught in a manner where students will acquire a solid foundation in Algebra and Trigonometry. This course focuses on various functions that are very important to study and/or review before starting Calculus. Emphasis is placed on understanding the properties of linear, quadratic, piecewise, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Students will learn to work with various types of functions in symbolic, graphical, numerical, and verbal forms.

This is a fast-paced online course, so success will require self-motivation, strong time management skills, a willingness to seek help when needed, and most importantly a commitment to enjoy the learning process.

Almost all of the lessons and learning material for this course are embedded in the online software called ALEKS. In ALEKS you will have what is called a "knowledge pie," which represents your knowledge of Pre-Calculus II. It will start out partially filled with the math knowledge you have, and your goal is to fill up your knowledge pie by the end of the course. (For more information on how to register with, and use, ALEKS please see the 'ALEKS' tab above.)

There are no official lectures for this course. However there are numerous short topic videos under the 'Lecture/Course Videos' tab above that will help you with the material. These videos are HIGHLY recommended.

There are mandatory in-person discussion sections (referred to as ALOHA). Attendance and participation in these ALOHA sessions are part of your grade. During these ALOHA sessions you will actively work on topics that are generated from ALEKS reports. These reports target the topics that are troublesome for students. (For more information on ALOHA, please see the 'ALEKS/Discussion' tab above.)

Course Breakdown

1) Software and Text

For this course, we will be using the ALEKS software and the 1st edition of the textbook, Precalculus, by Miller.

You can purchase the ALEKS software directly from the company website at www.aleks.com. The ALEKS software is mandatory but optionally bundled with Miller's e-book, guided solutions, and videos.

You will not be able to access the assignments or exams without the ALEKS software. Note: BE SURE you are using the correct ALEKS Course Code for our course, which can be found under the 'ALEKS' tab above.

(Again, the ALEKS software is mandatory; whereas the textbook is optional, but highly recommended.)

2) Course Homework Assignments (ALEKS IOs)

All of the homework assignments for this course will be done using ALEKs. In ALEKs, the system will be able to assess your current PreCalculus II knowledge and hence work you through topics covering the content in this course at you own pace. All of the lessons and learning materials for this course are embedded in ALEKS.

There are no lectures for this course, but there are numerous short topic videos under the 'Lecture Course Videos' tab above. In ALEKS you will have a pie which represents your knowledge of Pre-Calculus II. It will start out partially filled with the math knowledge you already have. Your goal is to completely fill this knowledge pie by the end of the course.

There are six Intermediate Objectives (IOs) to help you pace your learning and make sure you complete the material on time. For more information on how to use ALEKs, please click on the 'ALEKS' tab above and throughly read through all the information. You will receive a grade for each objective, which is the percentage of the IO that you complete by the deadline.

NOTE: In ALEKS these IOs are sometimes referred to as 'Modules'. They mean the exact same thing. However, we will be referring to these homework assignments as IOs.

3) ALOHA/Discussion Sections

ALOHA stands for Active Learning Office Hours & Assignments. They are hence Office Hours They will occur in-person at the time of your enrolled Discussion Section.

Note ALOHA = Discussion as specified under the 'ALOHA/Discussion' tab above. Participation and attendance will be 7% of your final grade. (Please also see the 'ALOHA/Discussion' tab above for information on which weeks these sessions will be held.)

4) Ed Discussion

We will be using Ed Discussion as the MAIN form of class discussion and communication.

This system is highly catered to getting you help fast and efficiently from classmates, me, and my teaching staff.

You can access Ed Discussion by navigating to the 'Ed Discussion' link located on the left-hand sidebar.

You can also use this direct link:

https://edstem.org/us/courses/90350/discussion (https://edstem.org/us/courses/90350/discussion).

Participation in Ed Discussion is worth 2% of your final grade, which includes posting math questions that you have during the week, as well as answering questions that your peers have. (Please see the 'Ed Discussion' tab for much more information.)

5) Quizzes

There will be four quizzes for this course, which will be taken in ALEKS. You will have a 10-hour window in which to take each quiz. Once you start the quiz you will have 30 minutes to complete it and there are 10 questions on each quiz. The quizzes are in ALEKS and their Lockdown browser will be on, but students are expected to work independently on the quizzes and are held as such via the UCI's Academic Integrity Policy_(https://conduct.uci.edu/academic-integrityl). The quizzes provide practice to solve Precalculus II problems in a timed setting in preparation for the midterm and final exam.

NOTE: ALEKS lockdown browser is different than Canvas' lockdown browser.

6) Exams

There is one midterm exam and a cumulative final exam for this course. Both exams are online using ALEKS. Please look under the 'Examinations' tab above for details on how to sign up for either an in-person spot or a virtual option via ProctorU.

7) Technological Requirements

As this is an online course, there are some requirements, and no exceptions will be allowed.

Students must have access to the following.

A computer capable of accessing Canvas, ALEKS, Ed Discussion, Zoom, and the peripherals required for interacting with the teaching staff synchronously (i.e., microphone, camera, solid WiFi). Note that a built-in microphone and camera will suffice.

Certain apps or additional software may be needed to download to your computer (e.g., ProctorU extensions if you are taking your exams remotely).

NOTE: An unstable internet connection will make your experience in the course very difficult, if not impossible, and no make-ups or extensions will be made if you have an unstable internet connection.