MTH 111 Precalculus (Fall 2009)

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

Announcements:

Practice problems For Exam 3 are now available under Exam Information.

Calculators are a REQUIREMENT for Exam 3 and the Final Exam.

The Final Exam will be held on Saturday, December 19 from 7 – 10 pm. Make up exams will only be held in case of a snow day or other official cancellation.

The final exams will be given by individual instructors by section. A list of locations by section can be found under Exam Information.

There will be practice problems posted for topics 23 – 25 one week before the final.

Message from the Provost's Office:

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 via their chosen method or the math department at mathdept@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 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 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, with links to the www.cdc.gov site.

POLICY: Exam Proctors will not answer student questions during the three mid-term Exams and the Final Exam. Please review the Practice exams when they are made available, and ask any questions during your class, during your instructors office hours, during a review session, or during an SI session.

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 DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED. 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 650 point system as follows:

Three evening exams	300 points
Final exam	200 points
Classwork/Homework	100 points
Online Homework	50 points
Total	650 points

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.

ONLINE HOMEWORK: This course will use an on-line homework system, MyMathLab. It is an essential part of the course and is not optional. It will count as 50 points out of the 650 total points. Moreover, regular use of this system will provide you with the practice needed to do well on the exams. Your instructor may also assign other problems to be discussed in class and/or handed in

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.

The Academic Enhancement Center

The work in this course is complex and demanding. To do well, it is best to attend all classes, stay on top all assignments, review your notes regularly, and work with the students at the Academic Enhancement Center (AEC) in Roosevelt Hall. AEC tutors are students like you who have succeeded in this course and understand how challenging it can be. They can answer questions, clarify concepts, test your understanding, and show you how to study in the most effective ways possible.

You can make an appointment or walk in anytime during office hours -- Monday through Thursday from 9 am. to 9 pm, Friday from 9 am to 1 pm, and Sunday from 4 pm. to 8 pm. For a complete schedule -- including when tutors are available specifically for this class -- go to www.uri.edu/aec, call (401) 874-2367, or stop by the fourth floor in Roosevelt Hall.

See the AEC Website for more information.

SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION: Supplemental Instruction, SI, is a program offered by the Academic Enhancement Center to help students in courses such as MTH 111. See Supplemental Instruction.