Math 115 - Course Syllabus - Fall 2020 Preparation for Calculus

Sep 26, 2026

Math 115 prepares students for the UIUC calculus sequence through a more advanced, conceptual study of precalculus topics. The course develops logic and reasoning, strengthens familiarity with mathematical notation, and builds critical thinking, problem-solving, and study skills. It requires prior coursework in algebra and trigonometry and mandates a minimum ALEKS placement score of 65%. Course delivery uses Moodle for materials and recorded lectures, Zoom-based synchronous discussions, and Campuswire for communication. Grades include lecture knowledge checks, written homework, discussions, three exams, and a final exam.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Welcome to Math 115: Course Description

Prerequisites

Website

Course Materials

Recommended Supporting Textbooks

Lecture Information

Discussion Information

Course Communication

Grading

Math 115 Preparation for Calculus Fall 2020 Instructors: Dr. Hoffmeister ([amhoff@illinois.edu](amhoff@illinois.edu)) and Ms. Placzek ([lplaczek@illinois.edu](lplaczek@illinois.edu)) Office Hours: See Moodle for a detailed list of office hours for both your instructor and your TA under the“Help!” tab. You are welcome to attend any of the office hours, whichever times work best with your schedule. Hours are subject to change, so always check for an announcement on Moodle or Campuswire with the most recent updates. Welcome to Math 115: Course Description The purpose of Math 115 is to help prepare you for the calculus sequence at UIUC. In this course we will explore topics from high school mathematics, but at a more advanced and conceptual viewpoint. The goals of the course are to introduce you to precalculus concepts that will refine your underlying logic and reasoning skills, create a familiarity with mathematical notation, and give you opportunities to improve your critical thinking, problem solving, and study skills. Prerequisites This course is designed for students who have already had coursework in algebra and trigonometry. If you need further exposure in algebra, you may want to consider taking Math 112 (College Algebra) before taking Math 115. All students taking Math 115 must have a minimum ALEKS placement score of 65%. If you do not have this score by the fifth day of class, you will automatically be removed from the course and possibly be placed in Math 112. For more information about the placement exam requirement, you can visit [http://www.math.illinois.edu/ALEKS/](http://www.math.illinois.edu/ALEKS/ or)[ or](http://www.math.illinois.edu/ALEKS/ or) contact a math advisor [at](at mathadvising@illinois.edu)[ ](at mathadvising@illinois.edu)[mathadvising@illinois.edu](at mathadvising@illinois.edu). Website We will be maintaining a course website through Moodle ([https://learn.illinois.edu/](https://learn.illinois.edu/)). This site will contain links to general course information and documents, announcements, homework assignments, grades, etc. You should always check our course Moodle page before emailing us with questions. Course Materials A course packet will be required for the course and is available for purchase at the Illini Union Bookstore. You have the option of purchasing a print copy or a digital copy this semester. Below are recommended supporting textbooks for the course. These textbooks may be helpful resources when studying course notes or working on the homework assignments. The textbook, Calculus: Early Transcendentals, 8th Edition by James Stewart, will be referenced on the course outline. Recommended Supporting Textbooks 1. Calculus: Early Transcendentals, 8th Edition, by James Stewart This is the required textbook for the standard Calculus sequence (Math 220/221, 231, 241) . The appendices and Chapter 1 contain many of the pre-calculus topics we will cover in this course, as well as some topics in Chapters 2 and 11. We will not be following this textbook in any sequential way. 2. Precalculus from OpenStax: [https://openstax.org/details/books/precalculus](https://openstax.org/details/books/precalculus)[ ](https://openstax.org/details/books/precalculus)[This text is available online for free. It presents topics of precalculus addressed in a more](This text is available online for free. It presents topics of precalculus addressed in a more)[ ](This text is available online for free. It presents topics of precalculus addressed in a more)[traditional way. You may find it to be a good resource when studying course notes or](traditional way. You may find it to be a good resource when studying course notes or)[ ](traditional way. You may find it to be a good resource when studying course notes or)[working on the homework.](working on the homework.) Lecture Information While this course is set up as three different lecture sections with two different instructors, we will trea

FAQs

What is the purpose of Math 115 for UIUC students?

Math 115 prepares students for the calculus sequence by developing precalculus concepts with a more advanced, conceptual approach and improving reasoning, notation familiarity, and study skills.

What are the prerequisites and placement requirements for Math 115?

Students must have completed algebra and trigonometry coursework and achieve a minimum ALEKS placement score of 65%. If the score is not met by the fifth day of class, students are removed from Math 115 and may be placed into Math 112.

How are lectures and discussion sections delivered, and how should students participate?

Lectures are asynchronous with prerecorded videos available on Moodle, and students are expected to watch them weekly. Discussion sections meet synchronously on Tuesdays during the scheduled lecture time via Zoom to work collaboratively on worksheets with the assigned TA.

Sep 26, 2026

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