Calculators
A scientific calculator or a basic graphing calculator is required for this course. A scientific calculator costs approximately $10; it has buttons that say ln, log, sin, cos, etc and does not have the ability to graph.
Graphing calculators are more expensive at approximately $45-$100, but you will be required to have one in the next applied course MTH 131. If you intend to take that course in one of the coming semesters, it is recommended to make the investment to obtain one now and get comfortable with using it (if you are not already).
Below is a short list of acceptable graphing calculators and a short list of strictly forbidden graphing calculators. There are many different models of graphing calculators out there. If you do not see your model listed here and you are unsure if it is approved for use in MTH 103, you MUST consult your instructor for verification. The use of a forbidden calculator on any exam or quiz will be considered cheating and will result in a grade of 0 for that assessment.
ACCEPTABLE GRAPHING CALCULATORS
- TI-83 series
- TI-84 series
- TI-85 series
- TI-86 series
- Casio fx-9750GII
- Casio fx-9860GII
- HP 48 Series
FORBIDDEN GRAPHING CALCULATORS
- any graphing calculator with a QWERTY keypad and/or wifi capability
- TI-Nspire CX, TI-Nspire CX CAS
- TI-89, TI-89 Titanium
- TI-92
- Casio ClassPad II fx-CP400, Casio ClassPad 330 PLUS
- Casio ALGEBRA FX 2.0 PLUS
- HP Prime
- HP 49 Series
- HP 50 Series
Expectations
- You are expected to attend every lecture, and to submit your homework on time. We cover a great deal of information at a rapid pace; missing a class will result in a large amount of material missed. Students are responsible for all missed work, regardless of the reason for absence. It is also the absentee’s responsibility to get all missing notes or materials.
- It is your responsibility to communicate clearly in writing up solutions for homework, quizzes, and exams. Your results must display your understanding well and be written in a correct, complete, coherent, and well organized fashion. The rules of language still apply in mathematics, and they apply even when symbols are used in formulas, equations, etc. Precise communication and neatness count!
- The pace of the class requires that you spend enough time every week doing homework, reviewing notes, reading the textbook, and working out extra problems, all in addition to the time spent in class.
Major Exam Make Up Policy
Makeup exams may be scheduled in the event you are unable to attend exams under the following conditions. In particular, if you must miss the exam because of a scheduling conflict, you must notify your instructor before, not after, the exam, and emergencies require you to contact your instructor within 24 hours. See University Manual sections 8.51.10 and 8.51.14 for guidelines.
- If your reason for missing the exam as scheduled is (i) a University sanctioned event for which verifiable documentation can be provided (including another scheduled class), (ii) a responsibility to an employer that cannot be rescheduled (with documentation from your employer), or (iii) Religious holidays, then you MUST INFORM YOUR INSTRUCTOR 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE EXAM AND PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION IF REQUESTED. Makeup exams will be scheduled after the actual exam, and preferably before the class period when exams are to be handed back, but no later than one week after the original date.
- If the reason for missing the exam as scheduled is due to (i) illness (with verifiable documentation from a medical provider), or (ii) an emergency (with appropriate documentation), then you MUST INFORM YOUR INSTRUCTOR WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE EXAM and provide documentation upon your return. Failure to notify your instructor within 24 hours will result in a 0 for the exam. No exceptions. Makeup exams may be scheduled no later than a week after the original date, unless the illness or emergency precludes this, in which case the makeup exam will be given on a common date during the last few weeks of the semester.
- If your circumstances do not meet either of the above (no documentation, a non-emergency excuse without sufficient notice, etc.), then you will receive a zero for the missed exam. No exceptions.
Final Exam Travel Policy
The final exam will be held during one of the Common Exam slots at the end of the semester; the exact date/time/locale is determined by Enrollment Services near mid-semester. You are expected to refrain from making any travel plans until your final exam schedule has been finalized; make up final exams will not be given due to a desire to leave campus prior to your scheduled final exam date.
General Exam Policies
- You must bring your URI Photo ID with you to each exam, and you must show it to a proctor as you hand in your exam.
- You may not take any books, bags, papers, or anything else to your seat. If you bring any of these items with you, you must leave them at the front of the room.
- Proctors will not answer any questions regarding the content of the exam.
- During the exam, you may not leave the room for any reason. Please remember to use the bathroom before the exam.
- No cell phones, MP3 players, smart watches, or any electronic devices of any kind (with the exception of an acceptable calculator) may be used or even accessible to you at any time during the exam. Any student found with any electronic device for any reason during the exam will be considered to be cheating.
Electronic Devices
All electronic devices (cell phones, ipads, ipods, laptops, etc.) should be turned off during class. Excepted from this are allowable calculators and tablets used for note-taking. Your instructor may tell you about other exceptions.
Academic Honesty Policy
Cheating is defined in the University Manual section 8.27.10 as the claiming of credit for work not done independently without giving credit for aid received, or any unauthorized communication during examinations. Students are expected to be honest in all academic work. The following are examples of academic dishonesty:
- Claiming disproportionate credit for work not done independently
- Unauthorized possession or access to exams
- Unauthorized communication during exams
- Unauthorized use of another’s work or preparing work for another student
- Taking an exam for another student
- Altering or attempting to alter grades
- The use of notes or electronic devices to gain an unauthorized advantage during exams
- Facilitating or aiding another’s academic dishonesty
Furthermore, course content and outlines, exams, and assignments created by instructors shall be considered the instructors' intellectual property. Course materials shall not be distributed, shared in any public domain or third party website, or sold without prior written consent of the instructor. See the University Manual section 8.27.22.
Special Needs
Any student with a documented disability is welcome to contact their instructor as early in the semester as possible so that reasonable accommodations may be arranged. As part of this process, please be in touch with Disability Services for Students Office at 302 Memorial Union, 401-874-2098 (https://web.uri.edu/disability/) or the Academic Skills Center, 239 Shepard Building, Alan Shawn Feinstein Providence Campus, 401-277-5221 (https://web.uri.edu/ceps/academic-skills-center/).
Academic Enhancement Center
This is a challenging course. Success requires that students keep pace with the work, understand course concepts, and study effectively. The Academic Enhancement Center helps URI students succeed through three services: Academic Coaching, Tutoring, and The Writing Center. To learn more about any of these services, please visit https://web.uri.edu/aec/ or call 401-874-2367 to speak with reception staff. In Providence, the Academic Skills Center (ASC) is at 239 Shepard Building, (401) 277-5221. Hours are posted each semester at https://web.uri.edu/ceps/academic-skills-center/.
No Work Submitted and Incomplete Grades
University of Rhode Island regulations concerning no work submitted and incomplete grades will be followed. See the University Manual section 8.53.12 regarding no work submitted and sections 8.53.20 and 8.53.21 regarding incomplete grades for details.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University of Rhode Island to accord students, on an individual basis, the opportunity to observe their traditional religious holidays. Students who plan to be absent from classes or examinations for religious holy days that traditionally preclude secular activity shall discuss this with the appropriate instructor(s) in advance of the holy day. See the University Manual section 8.51.11 for details.
Standards of Behavior
Students are expected to treat faculty and fellow classmates with dignity and respect. Students are responsible for being familiar with and adhering to the published “Community Standards of Behavior: University Policies and Regulations” which can be accessed in the University Student Handbook.