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Precalculus MATH F156X Summer 2026

Dr. Latrice Bowman

Section Course Information

Math F156X Precalculus Summer 2026 Course Syllabus.

This is a 4-credit course. This course requires both in-person (proctored testing) and online components. If you do not have a testing center nearby, please work with Testing Services to set up proctoring. If you do not have reliable internet, you will need to make arrangements to access and submit course materials. In this course, we will use a mastery-based assessment format instead of the traditional percentage-based system. This assessment style will give you a clearer picture of the expectations in our course, how well you have mastered the course material, and how you can improve your understanding (and your grade!). Throughout the course, you will be given opportunities to develop your skills, assess these skills, and relearn material to improve your understanding. We will have online homework, written quizzes, and proctored assessments. Every problem on a quiz or assessment will be mapped to one of the course standards. In addition to these assignments, you will also be asked to complete engagement activities throughout the course.
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The key ideas of mastery-based learning are:
  • You will either receive credit or need to reassess; There are no 0 grades unless you do not try;
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  • You will be given many opportunities to improve your understanding and your score;
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  • Non-mastery items are based on completion;
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  • Once you have attained a minimum grade you can only improve.
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Instructor and Section Information.

Instructor: Dr. Latrice Bowman
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Office: Chapman 301B
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phone: 907-474-5427 (you will find it easier to reach me through email)
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Student Help Hours
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Hours are by appointment through Zoom. You can use Dr. Bowman’s Appointment Scheduler to set up an appointment.
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Class Meetings This is an asynchronous online course so there are no class meeting times, however, you will need to set up times with your proctor to take assessments.
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Course Description Various classes of functions and their graphs are explored numerically, algebraically and graphically. Function classes include polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric. Skills and concepts needed for calculus are emphasized. This class is intended for students intending to take MATH F251X.
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Prerequisite Placement or Instructor Permission.
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Textbook and course materials
  • Canvas - Canvas is our Learning Management System (LMS). This is basically where you will find all of the resources for this course (videos, readings, due dates, quizzes, practice, and your feedback). It is also a good place to collaborate with your peers.
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  • Gradescope - an online tool we will use to submit quizzes, review feedback, and store your graded work. You can access Gradescope through any of the links in Canvas or by going to gradescope.com and logging in with your school credentials. Gradescope is free for your use.
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  • Flatworld and eText - We will use Precalculus v3.0 by Edward Burger. The ebook and HW access can be purchased through the bookstore for about $39.99 (plus bookstore markup). Links to the course software and ebook will be included in the Canvas modules so that you will not need separate login information. You should not expect to buy a physical textbook for this course unless you want a print version (this is an additional cost through the bookstore). Be aware that you will have 2 weeks of free access to this software before you need to purchase access, so everyone will be able to access the material on the first day of class.
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  • Airtable access - In the first week of class, you will receive an email allowing you access to the Airtable Grade Progress page (this link will also be in Canvas). You will want to bookmark this link. This link will provide you with information about your course progress throughout the semester.
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  • Digitizing materials. For some of the work in this course, you will need to take pictures of your work or create a PDF of your solutions and upload them. You are welcome to use the course apps if you do not have other means for digitizing your work.
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  • Proctor for assessments. If you are in the Fairbanks area, you will be expected to take your assessments at the UAF Testing Services located on the 6th floor of the Rasmuson Library. If you are not in the Fairbanks area, you will need to find a proctor. For all assessments in this course, you will need to schedule them in advance and ensure you take them within the required dates.You will need to set up your proctor in the first week of class, as your proctor will need to be approved by Testing Services prior to any materials being sent.
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  • This course tests the student’s ability to apply mathematical methods. Many of these methods require basic algebra skills as well as some computations necessary for Calculus. Students should get into the habit of simplifying answers and writing out exact solutions. This means that while working through the course, some problems may require the use of a graphing calculator or other computer graphing system, students should get into the habit of writing out exact solutions and using the calculator only when specifically asked to round an answer or to get approximate answers for complicated expressions. You will be expected to show specific methods and computations. Calculators are NOT allowed on any quiz or assessment. The use of a calculator on either of these items is a form of academic dishonesty and will result in an automatic grade of N on that assignment and possible disciplinary action for repeated offenses.
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Course Learning Outcomes.

When students leave this course, they should have a solid foundation that prepares them for a Calculus course. This means that students will have
  • acquired study habits and learning tools to prepare them for success in a math course;
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  • a solid foundation in algebraic manipulation;
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  • an ability to effectively communicate mathematics, both written and oral;
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  • acquired methods to effectively evaluate one’s work;
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  • acquired knowledge of functions to model and analyze various mathematical situations.
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To meet these course outcomes, students will be specifically assessed on the following standards:
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Foundation Standards are assessed in all of the content modules
  • PF-1 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
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  • PF-2 Basics of Graphing Functions
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  • PF-3 Problem Structure
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  • PF-4 Mathematical Communication
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Content Standards are assessed through the specific content modules
  • Basics of Functions
    • BF-1 Linear and Quadratic Equations
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    • BF-2 Forms of Linear Equations
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    • BF-3 Difference Quotients and Piecewise Functions
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    • BF-4 Transformations and Combinations
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  • Graphing Algebraic Functions
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  • Exponentials and Logarithms
    • EL-1 Graphing Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
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    • EL-2 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
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    • EL-3 Exponential Models
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  • Trigonometric Functions
    • TF-1 Right Triangle Applications
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    • TF-2 Graphing Trigonometric Functions
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    • TF-3 Trigonometric Equations
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    • TF-4 Law of Sines and Cosines Applications
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There will be concepts covered in this course that are necessary for understanding some of this content, which may be given in the course lectures and homework but will not be assessed formally.
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