Math 118 Mathematics for the Natural Sciences

Meeting Times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:00 - 8:50 am
Location: Hirt 207
Office Hours: Monday 3-4, Tuesday 12-1:30, Thursday 8-9:30, Friday 9-11
Prerequisite: Minimum math placement score of at least 54 (or senior)

This course has been designed for students who plan to take calculus but may be deficient in some aspects of their mathematical preparation. While many of the topics covered are similar to those covered in a typical college precalculus course, there is more emphasis on the application, a faster pace is maintained, and a greater depth of understanding is required. It is expected that students have taken intermediate algebra and precalculus prior to this class; as stated, this course is intended to fix deficiencies.

Upon successful completion of this course a student will be mathematically prepared to succeed in a college calculus course, and subsequent science courses. In particular, you will learn to:

• demonstrate a working knowledge of the basics of the language of mathematics,
• have acquired study habits necessary for continued success in your subsequent science and mathematics courses,
• apply your understanding of algebra as required in both calculus and applications in sciences,
• organize all of your mathematical tools, techniques, procedures, and problem solving skills further developed in this course. This will enable you to utilize the appropriate tools to restate, setup, and then solve problems in calculus and beyond,
• continue to develop your mathematical skills and thought processes subsequent to this course, given the solid foundation you built in this course.

To remain enrolled in this course, you must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

• Began studying at Mercyhurst prior to Fall 2016
• Score of 54 or better on the ALEKS Mathematics Placement Assessment
• Passed Math 111 (College Algebra), or transfer credit for equivalent

If none of these apply, you should make arrangements to take the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment before the Add/Drop deadline. {\bfseries Students that do not meet the prerequisites by this deadline may be dropped from the course.} You will be contacted via email by the instructor reminding you to show proof of meeting prerequisites before any action is taken.

Textbook

Calculators

You will be given quizzes on the material regularly. Keeping up with the homework will ensure that you are prepared for the quizzes, which will feature problems very similar to those in the homework. The dates for quizzes is provided in the schedule below; note that exact topics covered on a quiz is subject to change if we are behind.

Quiz grades will not be based strictly on whether or not you found the correct answer. Your work must also be written clearly, and with proper notation, to receive full credit. Material from the quizzes will frequently appear on exams, so they are your best indicator of how well you are understanding the material before you take each exam.

Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped from your average, including any missed quizzes. Make up quizzes will only be given for excused absences. All make ups must be completed before the graded quiz is returned to the class; this will typically be the next class meeting.

There will be four midterm exams given throughout the semester, in addition to the final exam. The material on the exams will be similar to topics covered on quizzes and homework. You will be given review guides for each exam. All exams are cumulative; each exam will include some material from the previous exams. Mathematics is a cumulative effort, and mastering each topic is only possible if you have mastered earlier concepts. Use of notes, textbooks, calculators, electronic devices, or other materials will not be permitted during an exam.

If you need to miss class during a scheduled exam for a documented, excused reason (illness, family emergency, athletics), you will be able to make up the exam. You must schedule a time to retake any exam within one week of the day the exam was given in class.

Your lowest exam grade (including a missed exam) will be replaced by your final exam grade, if your final exam grade is better. A second missed exam will receive a grade of 0, so please check your schedules carefully and ensure that you can attend all exams.

Basis of Final Grade

Grading Scale

The Department of Mathematics offers free tutoring for Math 118 students in Zurn 213. No appointments are needed, just drop by according to the schedule here. You are free to ask tutors questions on any assigned homework and exam review sheets.

In keeping with college policy, any student with a disability who needs academic accommodations must call Learning Differences Program secretary at 824-3017, to arrange a confidential appointment with the director of the Learning Differences Program during the first week of classes.

This course supports the mission of Mercyhurst University by creating students who are intellectually creative. Students will foster this creativity by: applying critical thinking and qualitative reasoning techniques to new disciplines; developing, analyzing, and synthesizing scientific ideas; and engaging in innovative problem solving strategies.

When we finish a section in the book, you should immediately begin working on the homework problems from the list below. Solutions to these problems are available on Blackboard. For additional practice, try similar odd-numbered problems (the answers to most of these are in the back of the textbook).

Your work will not be collected. However, actually working through these problems is the key to your success in this class. Attending every class is not enough; mathematics can only be learned through practice. You should plan to spend a significant amount of time on the homework. It is expected that you spend approximately 8-12 hours per week studying the material outside our class meetings, according the the typical 2-3 hour per credit rule of thumb.

Stay up to date with homework, and get help if you cannot understand a problem after trying it on your own. Do not ignore a problem that you are struggling with. If you are having trouble with a topic, please come talk to me during office hours, ask questions in class, seek help from a classmate, or go to the department tutors for assistance. You are expected to try to work on all problems on your own first; when coming to my office, be prepared to show me what you've already tried.