Instructor: Orlando
Merino, merino@math.uri.edu, Lippitt Hall 101C, 874-4442
Text:
Hughes –Hallett, et. al., 4th edition, Applied Calculus (Wiley), with WileyPLUS registration code
Calculators: A graphing
calculator is required.
Calculators may not be permitted for some class quizzes
and for parts of exams.
Prerequisite: Precalculus
MTH 111 or equivalent.
Homework Problems and Exam Schedule: GO HERE
GOALS OF THIS COURSE: Math 131 is a calculus course primarily intended for students in the life or social sciences, such as Biology, Pharmacy, and Economics. It is different than the four-credit calculus course, Math 141, designed for students who intend to take more advanced math, such as engineering, computer science, and mathemactics majors. The main emphasis will on the practical interpretation of calculus in numerical, graphical, and algebraic terms, although important theoretical concepts will also be covered. The main topics of the course are functions, differentiation, integration and applications.
GRADING: Your grade will be determined as follows:
TWO exams (Feb.23, April 5): 20% for each exam
Comprehensive Final Exam (May 3): 35 %
Homework and Weekly Quizes: 25%
WILEY PLUS SYSTEM:
We will be using WileyPLUS online homework system in this course. To sign up for this system, you will need a WileyPLUS registration code.
If you buy a new copy of the textbook at the bookstore, or the online version at the Wiley website, a registration code for the WileyPLUS will be included with the book at no additional cost.
If you buy a used copy, you will need to purchase a WileyPLUS code separately. The cost of a code at the Wiley site: WileyPLUS is about $50.
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.
EXPECTATIONS: We expect that you will give this course 7-9 hours a week of your undivided attention, in addition to your 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 EVERY CLASS MEETING.
Do the homework. An important purpose of
the problems is to make you think through and master the ideas of the subject
so that you can confidently apply your knowledge in new situations. It is
essential that you devote adequate time attempting to solve each assigned
problem. Discipline yourself not to check the solution manual too quickly,
be willing to spend an occasional half hour or more on a challenging problem.
You may learn a great deal from honest hard work on a problem, even if
you don't succeed in solving it. Read the text material before working
on the problems.
Read the textbook: Read the textbook. You may not be used to reading mathematics texts, but you will be actively encouraged to read this one. By reading the text before class you will have a better chance of making good use of your time in class. Don't worry if you don't understand everything. Ask questions in class and read the material again late
Homework We will be using the WileyPlus system, which is web-based. Click on the link below to access the list of WleyPLUS Student Registration URLs for section 200 of MTH 131.
Help
I will be available at 6:30 p.m. for questions on the homework.
I will be answering questions by email, phone, or in my office in
Kingston
at the Mathematics Department Lippitt Hall 101, at a time that will be
announced. There is also free URI tutoring available in room 222 of the Shepard
Building (schedule is posted there), and in Kingston at Lippit and at
the Academic Enhancement Center, located in the 4th floor of Roosevelt
Hall.
Exams and
Evaluation There will be TWO exams given during the
semesterand a final exam which is comprehensive. 50% of the final exam is
on material learned after test 2. The exams will reflect the variety of the
homework problems. Do not expect to be asked merely to solve homework problems
with the numbers changed. The best way to prepare for the exams, and to
develop confidence in your ability to solve problems, is to work on the homework
problems as suggested. NOTE: Laptop computers, PDAs, cellphones are
not allowed during tests.
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.
Excused absences from exams: see the University manual sections 8.51.11-14 http://www.uri.edu/facsen/8.50-8.57.html
University policy on plagiarism: see the University manual sections 8.27.10-21
http://www.uri.edu/facsen/8.20-8.27.html
Special Needs: Any student with a documented disability is welcome to contact me early in the semester so that we may work out reasonable accomodations to support your success in this course. Students should also contact Disability Services for Student, Office of Student Life, 330 Memorial Union, Kingston, 874-2098.
Illness
If you become ill, notify me at 874-4442 or merino@math.uri.edu of your status, and we will communicate through the medium we have established for the class. We will work together to ensure that course instruction and work is completed. We will follow regulations as stated in the University Manual 8.51.1--8.51.14, see
www.uri.edu/facsen/8.50-8.57.html
Civility Policy: The University of Rhode Island has adopted a civility policy regarding disruptive classroom behaviors. Disruptive behaviors are defined as behaviors that interfere with the learning and/or teaching process. Disruptive behaviors in the classroom include inappropriate talking during lectures or class discussions or in any manner interfering with other student's ability to have a quality learning experience. Students who engage in disruptive behavior will receive one warning without penalty. Continued incidents of disrupting the class will result in the initiation of removal procedures or the loss of a letter grade. Disruptive behaviors include cell phone and pager use. Cell phones and pagers must be turned off, silent, and out of sight during classes, and you should not be checking for calls or messages during class (including "texting"). Common sense and common courtesy should govern classroom civility.
Incomplete Grade: I follow to the letter the URI regulations concerning incomplete grades, namely the following paragraphs taken from the university manual:
8.53.20. A student shall receive a report of "Incomplete" in any course in which the course work has been passing up until the time of a documented precipitating incident or condition, but has not been completed because of illness or another reason which in the opinion of the instructor justifies the report. An instructor who issues a grade of "Incomplete" shall forward a written explanation to the student's academic dean.
8.53.21. The student receiving "Incomplete" shall make necessary arrangement with the instructor or, in the instructor's absence, with the instructor's chairperson to remove the deficiency. This arrangement shall be made prior to the following midsemester for the undergraduate student and within one calendar year for the graduate student.