Calculus 161

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the prerequisites for this course?

Calculus 161 requires that you have passed  MAT111 0r MAT160 or higher or an equivalent pre-calculus course at the High School level.

2. Do I need to have a course in Trigonometry to take this course?

Yes. Students are expected to be familiar with the basic definitions of trigonometric functions, their graphs and their values at special angles. Pythagoras identities occur quite often and occasionally we run into the sum, double angle and half angle formulas for sine and cosines.

The second semester of calculus relies extensively on trigonometric identities.

3. Do I need a computer for or a calculator for this course?

Every student should have basic graphing calculator such as TI-84. You do not need a personal computer. The department provides sufficient computer facilities. If you already own a PC you might consider purchasing the student version of Maple. Computers are not allowed during exams.

4. What happens if I miss a test?

As indicated in the syllabus, under exceptional circumstances, students who missed one exam with a proper excuse, will be allowed to replace the score in that exam with half of the score in the final exam.   

You must send me an email message to let me know that you will be unable to take a test.

6. What happens if I miss a quiz?

Only the best five quiz scores will be counted.  In a typical semester there usually eight or more quizzes.

7. What happens if I miss a lab?

You are expected to attend every laboratory session.  There are no make-up labs.  You will receive a 0 for every lab you do not attend, regardless of the reason for the absence.  At the end of the semester, your lowest lab grade will be dropped. 

8. Are there tutors available to help me with MAT 161?

Yes, free tutoring for MAT 161 is available at the Math Lab.  The department also maintains a list of personal tutors. These are expensive