Instructor: Lubos Thoma
Office: Tyler Hall 214, tel: 874.4451
Email: thoma@math.uri.edu
Class Schedule:   MW 6.00 -- 9.45pm;   Providence campus
Office hours:   MW before class and by appointment

Syllabus:   A detailed schedule and a list of suggested problems can be found   here.

Textbooks:   Just-In-Time Algebra and Trigonometry (3rd Edition), Mueller and Brent. 
                     Fundamentals of Precalculus , 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)
                    TI-83 Troubleshooting

Exams and Grading: There will be two midterms and a comprehensive final exam. Your course grade will be based on a 450 point system as follows:

Non-URI students should be sure to have prior approval from their own schools to guarantee that credits will transfer.

GRADES OF "INCOMPLETE" WILL BE GIVEN ONLY UNDER THE STRICT GUIDELINES OF THE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN.

YOU ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE A REASONABLE GRASP OF TWO YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL ALGEBRA AND ELEMENTARY TRIGONOMETRY. Read the information sheet

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: I expect that you will give this course 12-14 hours per 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. I 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 listed on the syllabus. The problems chosen for each textbook section indicate what we feel is important in that section and which ideas and skills you should focus on. Also, an important part of this course is strengthening your algebra skills and using them in new ways. Much of your success in precalculus depends on your grasp of basic algebra -- be prepared to review basic algebra and seek help as needed.

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.

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.

Students with disability (documented through Disability Services for Students, 874-2098)  should make arrangements with me as soon as possible.