Stony Brook University

MAT 123 Intro to Calculus

Fall 2003

* Index
* Course Description
* Teaching Staff, Office Hours
* Syllabus and Schedule
* Homework

Course Description

MAT 123 is a thorough preparation for the calculus sequences at Stony Brook University (MAT 125-127, MAT 131-132, and AMS 151-161). Its primary objective is strengthening students' grasp of the mathematical tools needed for calculus: functions, graphs, polynomials, exponentials, logarithms, trigonometry, and their applications. Towards the end of the course the first fundamental concepts of calculus (limits and derivatives) will be examined as part of a transition to the beginning of MAT 125, 131 or AMS 151.

The fundamental objects of study in mathematics are functions. The approach taken in MAT 123 is to present and analyze functions from several points of view: as symbolic formulas, as graphs, as numerical data, and as relationships between quantities arising in applications. Similarly, the concepts of calculus are studied from these vantage points. All of these approaches to understanding are essential.

Prerequisites: Students in MAT 123 must have received a score of 3 or better on the Mathematics Placement Examination (MPE) administered by the Department of Mathematics to all incoming freshmen. If you received a lower MPE score, take courses such as MAP 101 and MAP 103 to improve your performance on the MPE. (For more information, refer to the webpage First Year Mathematics at Stony Brook. - not yet updated for Fall 2003!)

Text: The required textbook comprises selected chapters from two books by James Stewart: Precalculus, Chapters 1-7; and Calculus: Concepts and Contexts, Single Variable, Chapters 1-3. The textbook is intended to be read. Read the assigned sections before the lecture! Reading the textbook will greatly increase your comprehension and enable you to ask intelligent questions in class. Furthermore, the lecturers and recitation instructors will not always be able to cover all of the subject material for which you will be responsible.

Internet Access: Internet access using a web browser is essential. Announcements concerning MAT 123 such as lecture topics, homework assignments, and room assignments for examinations will be found on this web site, as well as links to supplementary material such as review sheets and practice examinations .

Examinations: The course examinations are common to all sections of MAT 123. There will be two evening examinations and a final examination, scheduled as follows.

Midterm Exam I: Tuesday, October 14     8:30 - 10:00 pm
Midterm Exam II: Thursday, November 13     8:30 - 10:00 pm
Final Exam: Tuesday, December 16     11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Students will be expected to have use of a graphing calculator for their examinations.

Homework: You cannot learn Mathematics without working problems. Homework problems will be assigned each week. Do all of the assigned problems. Solutions should be written neatly and clearly. Problems that ask you to "explain" or "describe" should be answered with complete English sentences. Submit your solutions to the recitation instructor at the recitation meeting of the following week; selected ones will be graded. It is also recommended that you work additional problems to increase your understanding. If you do not understand how to solve a certain problem, get help from your recitation instructor, your lecturer, your classmates, or from tutors in the Math Learning Center. You are encouraged to study and discuss homework problems with others from the class, but please write your solutions yourself.

Grading: Your final grade in MAT 123 will be determined by the following components.

Recitation Grade: 15%
Midterm Exam I: 25%
Midterm Exam II: 25%
Final Exam: 35%
The Recitation Grade will be determined by your recitation instructor based on your homework grades, quiz grades, and class participation.

Calculators: Students will be expected to have calculator with graphing capability for use in lectures and recitation sections, on homework and on examinations. A graphical calculator is a good learning tool because it allows you to visualize and analyze functions as well make numerical calculations. But calculator proficiency is not the point. If you do not have a reliable grasp of the mathematical ideas, the calculator will give you meaningless and useless numbers. Some recommended graphical calculators are the Texas Instruments TI-82, TI-83, TI-85 and TI-86 and the Sharp EL-9300 and EL-9600 models. Calculators implementing computer algebra, such as the TI-89, may NOT be used in examinations.

Math Learning Center: The Math Learning Center (MLC), located in Room S-240A in the Physics Building, is an important resource. It is staffed most days and some evenings by mathematics tutors (professors and advanced students); your lecturer and recitation instructor will hold at least one office hour there. For more information and a schedule, consult the MLC web site.

Americans with Disabilities Act. If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disability Support Services, ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, room 128, (631) 632-6748. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential. Students requiring emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Support Services. For procedures and information, go to the following web site. http://www.ehs.sunysb.edu/fire/disabilities/asp