As a prerequisite, the student should be familiar with the concept of a function and should be very comfortable with algebraic manipulations. The course is fast paced, and students with minimal algebraic preparation usually have great difficulties. Approximately one third of the course is devoted to trigonometry. Students without any experience at all in trigonometry will be at a disadvantage. It covers differentiation and integration of functions of one variable, techniques for solving simple first order differential equations, an introduction to sequences and series, and an introduction to several variable calculus.
Special emphasis is placed on the process of translating from words into mathematics.
Thus, story problems are at the heart of the course. Mastery of computational fundamentals is essential, but the ability to do routine exercises is not sufficient for success in this sequence. Many students who have had some calculus in high school and done reasonably well on an Advanced Placement exam nevertheless choose to start out at the University of Washington with Math 124, in order to develop a deeper understanding of how calculus is used. We encourage such a decision, because we feel that it is better to build upon a solid foundation than to rush ahead into a more advanced course without a sure footing in the basic problem-solving skills of calculus. To do well in Math 124 it is not necessary for students to have had a previous exposure to calculus.