Math 131 Syllabus
Course title and number
Term
Class times and location
Mathematical Concepts
Fall 2015
MW 4:10-5:25pm BLOC 169
MATH 131-503
Instructor Information
Name
Phone number
e-mail address
Office
Office hours
Help Sessions
Week in Review
Wen Liu
http://www.math.tamu.edu/~wenliu
Math Department: 845-3261
wenliu79@tamu.edu
Blocker 625X
MWR 3-4pm, Blocker 111, other times by request
http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/helpsessions.html
http://www.math.tamu.edu/~drost/131wirFALL15c.html
Course Description: Limits and continuity; rates of change, slope; differentiation: the
derivative, maxima and minima; integration: the definite and indefinite integral
techniques; curve fitting.
Prerequisites: High school algebra I and II and geometry. Credit will not be given for
more than one of MATH 131, 142, 147, 151 and 171.
Textbook and/or resource material
 Single Variable Calculus: Concepts & Contexts, 4th Edition, Stewart (2010)
 Important: When you registered for this course, you paid for an electronic
version of the textbook and access to your online homework. You are welcome
to purchase a physical copy of the textbook if you prefer, but this is not
required.
Calculator Policy: This course requires that you have a TI-83 or TI-84 (Plus or Silver)
calculator or the TI-Nspire (non-CAS version). I will NOT discuss other calculators. TI89 and above calculators are NOT allowed. Calculators will be allowed on most
quizzes and exams. Bring your calculator to class each day since calculator
instructions will be demonstrated often in class. During in-class quizzes, calculators
cannot be shared.
Email Policy: Check your official TAMU email account EVERY day. You are
responsible for any information I send via email. Also, because of privacy rights, I
cannot discuss grades via email. Note: Due to the large volume of students, there is
no guarantee you will receive a same day reply to an email. Start your studying and/or
homework in plenty of time so you can stop by my office hours or a Math 131 Help
Session to be sure your questions are answered. Also, please use “Math 131 Your
initials” as the subject. If any of this information is missing, it will delay my response.
Cell Phone Policy: All cell phones must be turned OFF and out of sight during class.
Late Work Policy: Late work (for which you do not have a University approved
excused absence) will NOT be accepted.
Learning Outcomes
This course is focused on quantitative literacy in mathematics found in the natural and
social sciences and everyday life. Upon successful completion of this course,
students will be able to:
















Logically formulate mathematical variables and equations to quantitatively
create mathematical models representing problems in everyday life.
Recognize and construct graphs of basic functions, including polynomials,
exponentials, logarithms, and trigonometric functions and use them to model
real-life situations.
Identify patterns in numeric data to calculate limits and derivatives of functions
numerically.
Compute limits of functions numerically, graphically, and algebraically.
Justify whether a function is continuous or not using the mathematical definition
of continuity.
Compute derivatives using the limit definition of the derivative.
Understand the derivative as a rate of change in order to quantitatively apply it
to everyday life. For example, recognize that derivatives can be used to find
the velocity and acceleration of an object given its position function.
Compute derivatives of polynomials, rational, trigonometric, exponential, and
logarithmic functions.
Apply the product rule, quotient rule, and chain rule to take derivatives of
compositions of functions.
Compute the linear approximation of a function and use it in applications of
approximation and error estimation.
Investigate the relationship between a function and its first and second
derivatives, and use the information obtained from its derivatives to identify
pertinent information about the function.
Find the local and absolute extrema of functions, including optimization
applications such as minimizing the cost of fencing in a particular area of land.
Compute antiderivatives and understand the concept of integration as it relates
to area.
Apply the definite integral to quantitatively determine solutions to problems in
everyday life including areas between curves, average value of a function, and
total distance traveled.
Recognize and appreciate the derivative (rate of change) and the definite
integral (accumulation of change) and utilize the Fundamental Theorem of
Calculus as the bridge between the two.
Apply the substitution method to compute integrals.
Grading Policies
The course grading will be based on the results of
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given regularly throughout the semester. If you use cell
phones, you will receive a zero. You will be expected to take off your hat and show
ALL of your work NEATLY on all problems for full credit. If you miss a quiz, you must
have written proof of a University approved excused absence AND contact me NO
LATER than the second working day after the quiz to schedule a make-up quiz during
my office hours (see University Student Rules).
Homework:
 Online homework will be posted on WebAssign along with the due date.
The WebAssign Login Page is: www.math.tamu.edu/courses/eHomework/
 You have a “practice” version and a “homework” version for each assignment.
You have 20 attempts for each question in the practice version, and you have 3
attempts for each question in the homework version (you can submit the
answer(s) to each question individually). The practice versions are NOT
counted toward your grade.
 After submitting an answer in the practice version, you will see the correct
answer. It is very important that you work the practice version at least once so
you will see the format you need to use for your answers in WebAssign.
 If you ever have technical issues with WebAssign, please fill out the “Student
Help Request Form” found at http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/eHomework/.
 I will NOT give an extension due to technical difficulties, so be sure to start
your homework well in advance so that you have time to resolve any technical
issues.
Exams Timeline (Dates are tentative)
Activity
Date
Percent
Exam I
09/23
19
Exam II
10/21
19
Exam III
11/18
19
Homework
weekly
10
Quizzes
Weekly
10
Final (comprehensive)
12/14 3:30-5:30pm
23
TOTAL
100
If you use cell phones, you will receive a zero. You will be expected to take off your
hat and ALL of your work NEATLY on all problems for full credit. You MUST bring
your student ID or driver’s license to the exams. After entering the classroom on exam
days, you will NOT be allowed to leave until you turn your exam in.
Grading Scale (Percentages expressed are rounded to one decimal place)
Range
Grade
90-100%
A
80-89.9%
B
70-79.9%
C
60-69.9%
D
0-59.9%
F
Grade Disputes: If you disagree with any deduction taken on an assignment or exam
handed back in class, you must bring it to my attention BEFORE leaving class the day
the assignment is returned. Due to privacy issues, I cannot discuss grades over email
or phone. If you have a question about your grade, please come see me in person.
Attendance and Make-up Policies
 Excused Absences: Attendance is mandatory and may affect your grade. For
excused absences we refer the student to Student Rule 7 at http://studentrules.tamu.edu/rule07 Excuses for absences during an exam must be
substantiated by appropriate documentation. Falsification of documentation is a
violation of the Honor Code.
Where you sit on Monday 09/07 is your seat for the rest of the semester except
for exam days.
 Make-up Policy: No make-ups will be given without written evidence of an
official University excused absence (see University Student Rules). In addition,
you must notify me NO LATER than the end of the second working day after
the missed assignment:
... the student must notify his or her instructor in writing (acknowledged e-mail
message is acceptable) prior to the date of absence if such notification is
feasible. In cases where advance notification is not feasible (e.g. accident or
emergency) the student must provide notification by the end of the second
working day after the absence. This notification should include an explanation
of why notice could not be sent prior to the class. (Section 7.3 of the University
Student Rules)

If no such notice is given, the rights to a make-up are forfeited. Specifically, in
the case of injury or illness, students are required to obtain a confirmation note
from a health care professional affirming date and time of a medical office visit
regarding the injury or illness. I will NOT accept the “Explanatory Statement for
Absence from Class” form as sufficient written documentation of an excused
absence.
Make-up Exams: Make-up exams will be only allowed due to excused
absences and the next possible make-up time be chosen from
http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/makeupexams.html. If you have a written
University approved excused absence for missing an exam, you will be
expected to make-up your exam according to the schedule above. If you do not
complete your make-up exam on one of the following scheduled make-up
days, then you must have a University approved excused absence (in writing)
for ALL the possible make-up days (in addition to the regular exam day you
missed). Note: You must contact me within 2 working days of missing an exam
AND at least 2 working days BEFORE the make-up exam day you choose in
order to schedule your make-up exam. For example, if you miss a Thursday
exam and need to take the make-up exam on Monday, you must contact me by
Thursday evening.
The make-up exams will cover the same material, but they are not multiple
choice. They will be workout as well as short answer for the conceptual
questions.
Copyright Policy: All notes, exams, printed handouts and/or assignments, and webmaterials are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws. No multiple copies can be made
without my written permission. No exams or assignments may be shared with anyone
outside of the class or posted on any website.
Courtesy & Respect: Please respect other students’ time (and also yours). That
means you should ALWAYS silence your phone before the class starts and you
should NOT have conversations in class. If I feel you are being disruptive or
disrespectful during class, you may be asked to leave the room.
Course Topics (Tentative weekly schedule)
WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
TOPIC
Functions, Models (emphasize function classes),
Transformations of Functions
Exponential Functions, Inverses and Logarithmic
Functions, Approximating Slopes of Tangent Lines
Introduction to Limits, Calculating Limits (excluding
Squeeze Theorem), Continuity (excluding the
Intermediate Value Theorem)
Limits Involving Infinity, Review, Exam I
Derivatives and Rates of Change, Limit Definition
of Derivatives, Slope Graphs and Antiderivative
Derivatives of Polynomials and Exponential
Functions, Product and Quotient Rules, Derivatives
of Trig Functions (de-emphasize special limits of
trig functions to prove derivative formulas)
Chain Rule (excluding tangents to parametric
curves and proving the chain rule), Derivatives of
Log Functions (excluding logarithmic
differentiation), Applications in Natural and Social
Sciences
Linear Approximations and Differentials, Review,
Exam II
Local and Absolute Extrema, Curve Sketching,
Optimization (excluding trig optimization)
Antiderivatives (excluding inverse trig functions),
Approximating Area, The Definite Integral
(excluding evaluating an integral by computing the
limit of a Riemann sum)
Evaluating Definite Integrals, Fundamental
Theorem of Calculus, Substitution
Review, Exam III
Area Between Curves (excluding parametric
curves)
Average Value of Functions, Applications to
Biology (blood flow and cardiac output)
Review for Final Exam
Final Exam
REQUIRED READING
Sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
Sections 1.5, 1.6, 2.1
Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
Section 2.5
Sections 2.6, 2.7, 2.8
Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3
Sections 3.4, 3.7, 3.8
Section 3.9
Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.6
Sections 4.8, 5.1, 5.2
Sections 5.3, 5.4, 5.5
Section 6.1
Sections 6.5, 6.7
Additional Resources:
 Office hours: I offer 3 hours of office hours per week. You are encouraged to
ask me questions in class, come to my office hours, and talk with me. I love
talking with students.
 Your classmates: You are welcome to form study groups. You may also work
together to understand the material and the homework. But make sure you are
able to finish the homework by yourself.
 Suggested Homework:
http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/math131/m13110c_currenthw.html
 The Department’s Week In Review will be held on Mon. nights from 6:158:15pm in BLOC 166. The major topics from the previous week will be reviewed, with example problems provided.
http://www.math.tamu.edu/~drost/131wirFALL15c.html
 Help Sessions: Drop in sessions to get help and suggestions on specific
homework questions; time and location can be found at
http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/helpsessions.html
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that
provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among
other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a
learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities.
If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact
Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room B118, or call 845-1637. For additional
information visit http://disability.tamu.edu
Academic Integrity
For additional information please visit: http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu
“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.”
In this course students can discuss homework assignments and solutions. However, it
is NOT permissible to copy homework solutions from another student. It is NOT
permissible to discuss any aspect of any test or examination until ALL students have
completed the exam. The penalties for violating this policy will range from an F on an
assignment or test, to failing in the course.
Helpful links
- Academic Calendar
- Final Exam Schedule
- On-line Catalog
- Religious Observances
http://registrar.tamu.edu/General/Calendar.aspx
http://registrar.tamu.edu/General/FinalSchedule.aspx
http://catalog.tamu.edu/
http://dof.tamu.edu/content/religious-observance