Math 112:  Transition to Calculus

• Instructor:  L. Peterson
• Section information:  Section 1, class number 16618, 2:00-2:50 P.M., TuTh, Witmer Hall, Room 211.
• Special note:  This is a part-term course. It will meet from August 25, 2008 through October 10, 2008 on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.
• Special note on grading:  Although you will receive number grades for individual exams and homework assignments, the final course grades for this course will use the S/U, i.e. satisfactory/unsatisfactory, grading system.
• Prerequisites:  Math 107 (Precalculus), Math 146 (Applied Calculus I), or an appropriate score in the Placement Testing Program (PTP) administered by the Mathematics Department. Permission of the Mathematics Department is also required.
• Phone numbers:  777-4609 (office), 795-8984 (home), 777-2881 (Mathematics office)
• E-mail address:  lawrence.peterson@und.nodak.edu
• Office:  322 Witmer Hall
• Office hours:

  	Mondays:	1:00-1:50 P.M.
  	Tuesdays:	noon-12:50 P.M.
  	Wednesdays:	1:00-1:50 P.M.
  	Thursdays:	noon-12:50 P.M.
  	Fridays:	1:00-1:50 P.M.

  These office hours do not apply during university recesses and holidays, on Reading and Review Day (December 12, 2008), or during final exam week. It is generally better for me if you come to see me during my posted office hours rather than at other times, but you may drop in to see me anytime during normal business hours. If I am available and not overly busy, then I can meet with you. We can also set up an appointment if this is necessary.
• URL for Web site:  http://www.und.nodak.edu/instruct/lapeters. I will post assignments and announcements on the Web site. Use of the Web site is optional.
• Textbook:  The textbook for this course is a set of photocopied notes entitled "Lecture Notes for Transition to Calculus." These notes should be available for a modest price at the Barnes & Noble bookstore, located at 775 Hamline Street in Grand Forks. If Barnes & Noble does not have any copies of the notes in stock, then you may need to talk to the people at the Barnes & Noble textbook counter and ask them to order a copy of the notes for you. It appears that Barnes & Noble is the only bookstore that carries the notes for Math 112.
• Computers:  You may not use computers or calculators during exams. You will, however, need a scientific calculator or a graphing calculator to do some of the homework problems. Graphing calculators are generally better than ordinary scientific calculators but are much more expensive. In any case, you will need a calculator that can compute the values of trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions.
• Course objectives and course content:  The objective of Math 112 is to provide students with the background preparation necessary for success in Math 165, 166, and 265 (Calculus I, II, and III). The course is intended for students who are familiar with most of the material in UND's four-credit Precalculus course (Math 107) but who still need additional preparation for the study of calculus. For example, if you completed Math 107 with a grade of "D," then it may be appropriate for you to take Math 112. Some students may take Math 112 concurrently with Math 165. In Math 112, we will study exponential and logarithmic functions, partial fraction expansions, trigonometry, and other topics as time permits.
• Special note for Math 146 students:  Math 146 (Applied Calculus I) formally satisfies the prerequisite requirements for this course. Instructors of Math 146, however, do not normally cover trigonometry. If you have taken Math 146, it is possible that you have never undertaken a thorough study of trigonometry. If this is the case, you may have difficulty in Math 165. Although we will study trigonometry in Math 112, we will not have sufficient time for a very detailed study of the subject.
• Grading:
  • Midterm exam: 30%
  • Final exam: 45%
  • Homework: 25%
• Grading scale:
  • 70% and above: S (satisfactory).
  • Below 70%: U (unsatisfactory).
• Exams:  There will be one midterm exam and one final exam. Both will occur during our regularly scheduled class period. In particular, the final exam will take place on Thursday, October 9, 2008, from 2:00 P.M. to 2:50 P.M. in Witmer 211. The final exam will be comprehensive with an emphasis on the material that we cover after the midterm. We will not have quizzes.
• Homework:  I will assign homework problems regularly, collect them on announced due dates, and grade selected problems. I encourage you to work on the homework problems together in groups, but do not copy someone else's solutions. A file folder in the Mathematics Learning Center (rooms 310 and 312, Witmer Hall) will contain solutions to past homework problems. You may borrow them for a few minutes at a time. Feel free to photocopy them. There is a photocopier near the elevator on the second floor of Witmer Hall.
• Policy on late homework:  I will collect homework in class, but it is not officially due until 4:20 P.M. on the announced due date. If you hand in your homework after class, please bring it to my office; if I am not in my office, please bring it to the secretary in the Mathematics Department office. Homework coming in after the 4:20 P.M. deadline will receive 50% credit, provided you hand it in by 4:20 P.M. on the following business day.
• Absences from exams:  If you will be absent from an exam, call me in advance.
• Study time:  Historically, many students have received poor grades in Math 112. Please attend all class sessions if possible. You should plan on spending at least two hours of study outside of class for each class period.
• Tutorial help:  You may come to see me in my office for help with questions or difficulties that you may have. Tutorial help is also available in the Mathematics Learning Center (rooms 310 and 312, Witmer Hall) and in the University Learning Center (Room 201, Memorial Union). This help is free to students who are registered for the course.
• Last days to add or drop:  The last day to add this course is apparently August 30, 2008. The last day to drop this course is apparently September 23, 2008.
• Changes to policies:  Course policies, including all policies described in this syllabus, are subject to change. The tentative schedule which follows later on in this syllabus is also subject to change. I will announce any changes to course policies or to the tentative schedule.
• Disabilities and medical information:  If you have emergency medical information to share with me, if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, or if you need accommodations in this course because of a disability, please make an appointment with me. If you plan to request disability accommodations, please register with the Disability Services for Students (DSS) office (190 McCannel Hall, 777-3425 voice/TTY).

       Aug. 26  Section 1:  Functions
                Section 2:  Polynomial Functions
       Aug. 28  Section 3:  Rational and Algebraic Functions

      Sept.  2  Section 4:  Partial Fraction Expansion
      Sept.  4  Section 5:  Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
                Section 6:  Exponential Growth and Decay

      Sept.  9  Section 7:  Conic Sections
      Sept. 11  Section 8:  Basic Trigonometric Functions

      Sept. 16  Midterm exam
      Sept. 18  Section 9:  Special Values of Trigonometic Functions

      Sept. 23  Section 10:  General Sinusoids
      Sept. 25  Section 11:  Trigonometric Identities

      Sept. 30  Section 12:  Applications of Trigonometry
       Oct.  2  Section 13:  Polar Coordinates

       Oct.  7  Section 14:  Parametric Equations
       Oct.  9  Final exam (in class, at the usual class time and
                location)

Lawrence J. Peterson home page

Information on tutoring

Mathematics Computer Lab home page

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University of North Dakota home page

Contact Person: Larry Peterson
E-mail: lawrence.peterson@und.nodak.edu
Phone: (701) 777-4609
Date of most recent update: 21 August 2008
University of North Dakota home page