MTH 111 Precalculus (Spring 2008)

Texts: 1. Just-In-Time Algebra and Trigonometry (3rd Edition), Mueller and Brent. 
               2. Fundamentals of Precalculus , Dugopolski.

Note: These two texts are packaged together in the bookstore. You will need both of them. 

Calculator: A graphing calculator is required (see Technology)

Placement Test  Information  

For information on important dates, course assignments, and learning outcomes, click Calendar/Syllabus.  Start by reading General Information below.   Read, sign and return the student Info Sheet&Contract. This is a course requirement!  

Exams and Grading: There will be three exams given in the evening,on Wed Feb. 20, Thu Mar. 27, and Tue Apr. 22. All sections will take the same exams. Locations will be announced later. See Exam Information for more detail.  Your course grade will be based on a 600 point system as follows:

Students with disability (documented through Disability Services for Students, 330 Memorial Union)  should see their instructor as soon as possible to work out reasonable accommodations.   

General Information 

GOALS OF THIS COURSE: The primary goal of MTH 111 is to prepare you for further courses in mathematics, especially calculus.The calculus sequence is often an essential step toward degree and career objectives, so MTH 111 is also such a step. Thus MTH 111 is aimed at the student for whom it will be the first of an important series of courses rather than a last math course. This course is NOT a good choice simply to fulfill a general education requirement. It demands a very substantial amount of hard work for 3 credits.

EXPECTATIONS: We expect that you will give this course 5-6 hours a week of your undivided attention, in addition to class time. This is an approximate figure of course, but don't assume that you can spend less time than this and still get a grade you'll like. We also expect that you will ATTEND YOUR CLASS.

ADVICE: The key to success in this course is the problem material. It is very important that you try all the assigned problems.  The problems assigned for each topic  indicate what we feel is important about that topic and which ideas and skills you should focus on.  

   An important part of this course is strengthening your algebra skills and using them in new ways.  

  Precalculus also has a body of mathematical facts that you will have to learn.   Be prepared to memorize some formulas and theorems as you learn about their meaning and uses.  

LEARNING OUTCOMES:  The Calendar and Syllabus page shows the topics we will cover.  For each topic you will find a list of learning outcomes for that topic.  These will include things you should be able to do  and things you should know.   The word "know" here means "memorize with understanding."    For example,  if an ability outcome is "Be able to find sin(A+B) given enough information about the sine and cosine of A and B" and a  knowledge outcome is "Know the formula for sin(A+B) in terms of the sines and cosines of A and B"  you should memorize sin(A+B)=sin(A)cos(B)+cos(A)sin(B), and be able to use this formula to solve problems using this formula.  There will be assignments of reading and problem material from both of the course texts.  You will also find supplementary on-line materials.