MTH 131 Applied Calculus I—Fall, 2000

Text:    Applied Calculus, by Hughes-Hallett, Gleason, et al.

About the 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 (but not easier) than the four-credit calculus course, Math 141, designed for students who intend to take more advanced math, such as engineering, science, and mathematics majors.  The main emphasis will be on the practical interpretation of calculus in numerical, graphical, and algebraic terms, although important theoretical concepts will also be covered.  The authors of the textbook have gone to great lengths to fill the book with many exciting, real-life examples that show how calculus concepts appear in the life sciences and other areas.  The main topics of the course are functions, differentiation, integration and applications.

Calculators:  A graphing calculator is required. 

Click here for calendar, syllabus, homework problems, etc. [Revised12/1/00]

Click here to see copies of quizzes from other sections of Mth 131.

Click here to see the answer key to exam 1. Answer key to exam 2. Answer Key to Exam 3.

Schedule of tutoring hours in the Learning Assistance Network, Roosevelt Hall (Revised 11/1/00)

Testing:  The exams in the course are the same for every section, and are administered outside of class time on Wednesday evenings at 6 pm in Chafee Social Science Center, room to be announced.  [Click here for the time, place, and sections covered for exam 1.] [Exam 2 Announcement.] Exam 3 Announcement The dates are October 11, November 8, and December 6.   Reserve these dates on your calendar.  If it is impossible for you to make one or more of these times, please discuss the problem with your instructor by September 15, or as soon as possible after you discover the conflict.  The final exam in MTH 131 will be scheduled for all sections in one time slot. Final Exam Announcement.

Grading Policies:  Your grade in the course will be based on your score out of 700 points distributed as follows:

Three exams at 100 points each         300 pts

Quizzes, homework, class work 200 pts

Final Exam (cumulative) 200 pts

TOTAL        700 pts

A rough guideline for grading is as follows: 

Ais approximately  93% or better,

A-                        90 

B+  87

B                        83 

B-                       80

C+                        77

C                       73

                                       C-                 70

D+                        65

D                       60.

Homework:  It is fair to say that most of the learning that you achieve during any math course is from your homework.  This is particularly true in Math 131, since the problems are often applications of the concepts in lecture, and include far less drill and routine than in a traditional calculus class.  The exams will reflect the variety of the homework problems, but do not expect that you will be asked on exams 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 in the homework problems as suggested on the following page.

Read the textbook:  An important part of your mathematical education is acquiring the knack of learning mathematics on your own, from books.  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, even if you don’t understand everything the first time, you will have a better chance of making good use of your time in class.  Reading the text after class is a good way of reinforcing the material in the lecture, and nailing down what questions you need to ask in the next class.

Attendance:  You are expected to attend every class.  Your instructor will inform you of the attendance policy for your section.