Office Phone

425-4575 (Leave a message on the answering machine and I will try to reach you at least two times before giving up.) My office is EMCS 410.

Prerequisites

If you do not have one of the following prerequisites see your instructor: (1) UTC Math placement level 20, (2) 106 with minimum grade of C, (3) ACT Math 24 or greater, (4) SAT Math 560 or greater . Credit not allowed in 131 after completion of 136 or 144 with a grade of C or better or any other mathematics courses for which these courses are prerequisites. Credit not allowed in both 131 and 144. Transfer students must show a printed transcript or other convincing evidence of prerequisites.

Syllabus

Homework

We will have two types of homework in this course: web homework and problems assigned from the textbook. If you miss attending the first class then you will need to quickly go by your instructors office to get signed up for the web homework since you cannot do web homework late. The score that you have at the moment that the web homework expires at midnight is the score that you will get. You must repeat the web homework problems until you get them all correct, but you don't have to repeat a problem once the system says that you got it correct. If you wait to the last minute on the web homework you will almost surely encounter computer problems that your instructor will not consider to be a valid excuse. The web homework will count as part of your grade, and it will also count indirectly since the exams will also have problems similar to the web homework problems and similar to the textbook problems. If you feel that you can't complete all of the homework problems for any reason then you might want to drop this course so that you can concentrate on your other courses.

Calculators

In Math 131 you will be allowed to use a graphing calculator on some exams, but some exams might be calculator free. Reasonable calculators would the TI-82 throught TI-86 or an equivalent calculator from another company. You are not allowed to use calculators with symbolic capabilities such as TI-89, TI-92, HP-48 etc.

Attendance

You are expected to give me a 3 by 5 index card each day that has your name and student id written on it. You can tear off a piece of paper that is approximately 3 by 5 if you forget the index card, but you shouldn't do this every time. I record your attendance or your lack of attendance in my gradebook and if you cut the class more than 5 times there are severe penalties. Each cut over 5 reduces your final grade by one letter grade. You are expected to be here for every class. Coming late and leaving early should be rare occurrences since it is impolite and distracting to the entire class. However, it is better to be tardy than not to come at all. If you are tardy, please enter as quietly as possible and sit near the entrance. If you have to leave early for any reason, please let me know ahead of time and sit near the exit. I work very diligently to present the new material and go over homework each day. I have very little patience with those who constantly cut class. If you are serious about your future, you will be serious about learning the material and you will be present each day. I will be more than happy to help those who clearly indicate that they are interested in learning the material and passing the course.

Catalog Description

UTC Communication Statement

To enhance student services, the University will use your UTC email address (firstname-lastname@utc.edu) for communications.(See http://onenet.utc.edu for your exact address.) Please check your UTC email on a regular basis. If you have problems with accessing your email account contact the Help desk at 423/425-2678.

UTC Honor Code

Your instructor has had to turn in a number of students to the honor court for cheating. This is usually devastating to the student.

Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability(e.g.,physical, learning, psychiatric) and think that you might need assistance or an academic accommodation in this class, contact the Office for Students with Disabilities at 425-4006 or come by the office-110 Frist Hall.

Common Courtesy

All personal electronic devices(cell phones, beepers, Ipods, PDA's, etc) should be turned off and put away while you are in class. Points will be deducted from your final average for violations and repeated violations will result in exponentially increasing numbers of points deducted. If you are expected to wear a beeper(fire department, police department, etc), then you will need to prove to me that you are required to wear the beeper.