Prerequisites
To take MAT 131, you must have either passed MAT 123 or MAT 130 with a C or better, or you must have received a score of 5 or better on the Mathematics Placement Exam. For more information about the differences between MAT 131 and other calculus courses, please see the First Year Mathematics Courses document.
Textbook
The course textbook is James Stewart's Single Variable Calculus: Concepts and Contexts (Third Edition; Stony Brook University Edition) (Brooks/Cole 2006, ISBN 0-495-08145-0). The book is available at the campus bookstore.
Course Grade
The course grade will be determined by the exam grades along with a homework/recitation grade using the following percentages:
| Exam 1 | 25% |
| Exam 2 | 25% |
| Final Exam | 35% |
| Homework/Recitation | 15% |
Homework
Homework assignments will be assigned weekly and collected in the recitation sections. The homework problems, along with the course schedule, are found on the Homework webpage; each assignment will be due the week after we cover the material. For instance, we cover sections 1.1-1.6 the first week, and the assignment is due the second week (usually in the second meeting of the week). Though homework is not a large portion of your final grade, it is extremely important to take seriously. It is impossible to learn the material by merely paying attention in lecture, and failing to do homework will greatly affect your exam performance. You are welcome and encouraged to work with others on homework; however, the actual writing up of solutions must be your own work. Finally, only a few problems in each homework assignment will actually be graded. This will allow the recitation instructor to give useful comments as opposed to merely checking the final answer. No late homework will be accepted, but the lowest homework grade will be dropped.
Recitations
In addition to the lectures, there are also two recitation sections per week. You must enroll in the recitation section you attend. In addition to collecting and returning homeworks, recitation leaders will go over some of the homework problems and also administer periodic quizzes. These quizzes contribute to the Homework/Recitation grade, and they are designed to prepare you for exams.
Calculators
No calculators will be permitted during the exams. However, you may need to use a calculator for a few of the homework problems. Otherwise, we strongly recommend that you do your homework without using a calculator.
Don't Miss Exams
The exam dates and times are not flexible, and there will be no make-up exams except in the case of a serious, documented emergency. It is your responsibility to properly arrange your schedule. In particular, work conflicts are not a valid excuse for missing an exam. In the case of a serious illness or death in the family, please notify your professor as soon as physically possible and then bring documentation once you are able to return.
Office Hours and MLC
Lecturers and recitation instructors will hold three office hours per week. These are listed on the Sections webpage. Another source of help is the Math Learning Center (MLC), located in Room S-240A of the Mathematics Building. It is staffed by experienced mathematics tutors, including professors, graduate students, and advanced undergraduate students. Students may drop in without an appointment. Also, your recitation instructor will hold at least one office hour per week at the MLC. Check out the MLC website for more information.
Important Dates
| Friday, February 2 | Last Day for Add/Drop |
| Tuesday, February 20 | Midterm 1 |
| Friday, March 2 | Last Day to Drop Down to Lower Math Course |
| Monday, March 19 | Midterm 2 |
| Friday, May 11 | Final Exam |
Disabilities
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.stonybrook.edu/ehs/fire/disabilities.shtml.