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Precalculus Program

Location and Contact Information

Office Location: The Weber building, located on the west side of the Oval.

Precalculus Center Office: 137 Weber
Phone: (970) 491-5761
Email: precalc_math@colostate.edu

Hours

Summer 2024:  May 13 – August 2
  • 10:00 am to 2:00pm, Monday – Friday
Fall 2024:  August 19 – December 6
  • 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday – Thursday
  • 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Friday

Closed during University holidays and breaks.

Precalculus Center Professional Staff

Dr. Steve Benoit, Co-Director
Ms. Anita Pattison, Co-Director
Mr. Will Bromley, Associate Director
Mr. Patrick Orchard, Associate Director

At Colorado State University, precalculus mathematics is taught through an innovative instructional program that uses guided exploration and a mastery approach to learning. Instructional resources are provided in an online format, and students are encouraged to interact with instructors and tutors in our walk-in Learning Center. Although much of the coursework can be completed remotely, students are required to complete proctored exams on campus.

The Precalculus courses cover topics in College Algebra, Logarithmic & Exponential Functions, and Numerical and Analytic Trigonometry. Each course is worth one University credit, and students will typically register for several courses within a single semester.

Course Descriptions

MATH 117 and MATH 118 College Algebra in Context I & II

Prerequisite for MATH 117: Satisfactory performance on the CSU Math Placement Tool or the ELM Exam.
Prerequisite for MATH 118: Place out of MATH 117 on the CSU Math Placement Tool, or complete or successfully challenge MATH 117.

In MATH 117 and MATH 118, concepts and skills traditionally identified with college algebra are presented in a learning environment that emphasizes active student involvement in investigating, interpreting, applying, and communicating mathematical ideas. Topics include linear functions, quadratic functions and equations, polynomials and polynomial equations, piecewise functions, inequalities, linear systems, rational and radical functions, inverse functions, and fractional exponents.

A Texas Instruments TI-83® or TI-84® Graphing Calculator is required. Students who are not familiar with the TI-83® or TI-84® may check out a calculator and manual from the Resource Desk to practice within the Precalculus Center.

MATH 124 Logarithmic and Exponential Functions

Prerequisite for MATH 124: Place out of both MATH 117 and MATH 118 on the CSU Math Placement Tool or
Complete or successfully challenge each of MATH 117 and MATH 118, or
An equivalent combination of placement and course challenge/completion.

The topics in this course include definitions and graphs of exponential functions, definition of the logarithmic functions as the inverses of the exponential functions, properties of logarithmic functions, techniques for solving exponential and logarithmic equations, and mathematical models involving logarithmic or exponential functions.

A Texas Instruments TI-83® or TI-84® Graphing Calculator is required. Students who are not familiar with the TI-83® or TI-84® may check out a calculator and manual from the Resource Desk to practice within the Precalculus Center.

MATH 125 and MATH 126 Numerical and Analytic Trigonometry

Prerequisite for MATH 125: Place out of both MATH 117 and MATH 118 on the CSU Math Placement Tool or
Complete or successfully challenge each of MATH 117 and MATH 118, or
An equivalent combination of placement and course completion.
Prerequisite for MATH 126: Place out of MATH 125 on the CSU Math Placement Tool or
Complete or successfully challenge MATH 125.

This sequence of two courses is designed to help students acquire conceptual understanding and computational proficiency with traditional topics from plane trigonometry. Content includes definitions and graphs of the six trigonometric functions, techniques for solving right and oblique triangles, the inverse trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities, and solving trigonometric equations.

A Texas Instruments TI-83® or TI-84® Graphing Calculator is required. Students who are not familiar with the TI-83® or TI-84® may check out a calculator and manual from the Resource Desk to practice within the Precalculus Center.