MTH 131 Applied Calculus I - Fall 2009

• Text: Hughes-Hallett, et. al., 3rd edition, Applied Calculus, with WileyPLUS registration code.
• Calculators: A graphing calculator is required.

We will be using WileyPLUS online homework system in this course. To sign up for the WileyPlus system, you will need a WileyPLUS registration code.

If you buy a new copy of the textbook (Hughes-Hallett, et. al., 3rd edition, Applied Calculus) at the URI Bookstore, a registration code for WileyPLUS will be included with the book at no additional cost.

If you buy a new copy of the book from some other source, make sure it includes the WileyPLUS registration code.

Sign up for the WileyPLUS system by clicking the link below. Choose the URL for your section of MTH 131. Do not sign up for WileyPLUS until you have decided which section of MTH 131 you are taking and you have registered for that section. Student Registration for Wileyplus  

Practice Exams, Available Help

Practice exams will be posted in this section before each exam.

There will be plenty of help available during the semester: your instructor's office hours, tutoring at the Math Department and at the Academic Enhancement Center. For schedules and other useful information click the following links:

Fall 2009 Tutoring Schedule    Instructors' Office Hours    Math Department Home Page

THE ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT CENTER: The work in this course can be difficult.  You can seek help at the Academic Enhancement Center (AEC) in Roosevelt Hall.  AEC tutors can answer questions, clarify concepts, check your understanding, and help you to study. You can make an appointment or walk in anytime Mon-Thur 10 AM to 10 PM, Fri 10 AM to 1 PM, Sun 4 PM - 8 PM. For a complete schedule go to www.uri.edu/aec, call (401) 874-2367, or stop by the fourth floor in Roosevelt Hall.

Technology

Technology will play an important role in this course and we will make extensive use of graphing calculators. Be sure to bring your graphing calculator to each class and to every exam. The applets below may help you to understand some of the material.

• Functions Grapher  Graph functions, find points of intersection.
• Families and Points Plotter  Explore the standard families of functions, plot points, match formulas.
• Matching Formulas to Data Enter any number of points, enter any family of functions with up to four parameters. Vary the parameters dynamically to match your data points.
• Derivative Plotter  Learn how to plot derivatives, explore graphs of derivatives.
• The Definite Integral in Terms of Areas  A simple applet that dynamically illustrates the interpretation of the definite integral in terms of areas.
• Accumulated Change Plotter Plot total change given a rate of change; practice the Fundametal Theorem; plot antiderivatives.

Description of the Course

MTH 131 is a calculus course primarily intended for students in life or social sciences, such as biology, pharmacy, and economics. Much emphasis will be placed on the practical interpretation of calculus in numerical, graphical, and algebraic terms. The main topics of the course are functions, differentiation, integration and applications.

Exams and Evaluation

There will be three exams given in the evenings common to all sections. The evening exams will be scheduled soon. Times and locations are as follows: Exam 1: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 6-7:30, Edwards Aud.; Exam 2: Thursday, 6-7:30, Nov. 5, Chafee 271; Exam 3: Thursday, Dec. 10, 6-7:30, Edwards Aud. The Final Exam will be common to all sections of MTH 131 as well and will be scheduled in one of the Common Exams slots.

Please remember to bring your URI ID to every exam.

Your grade will be based upon a possible total of 650 points, as follows:

• Three common tests at 100 points each -- 300 points,
• Final exam -- 200 points,
• Homework and quizzes as assigned by your instructor -- 150 points.

Illness Due to Flu

The H1N1 Flu Pandemic may impact classes this semester. If any of us develop flu-like symptoms, we are being advised to stay home until the fever has subsided for 24 hours. So, if you exhibit such symptoms, please do not come to class. Notify your instructor of your status via email, and we will work together to ensure that course instruction and work is completed for the semester.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have posted simple methods to avoid transmission of illness. These include: covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; frequently washing your hands to protect from germs; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and staying home when you are sick. For more information, please view http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm . URI information on the H1N1 will be posted on the URI website at www.uri.edu/news/h1n1.html with links to http://www.cdc.gov site.