Frequently Asked Questions

Starting Fall 2023, ULC 147 and ULC 148 are no longer being offered.  Instead, the ULC is offering a number of new courses with the MTH prefix:

• MTH 112 is Intermediate Algebra.  This course is intended for students who are not yet prepared to take a precalculus course.  It's a 4 credit, full semester course.  It's a direct analog to ULC 147.
  
• MTH 113 is Precalculus Without Trigonometry.  This course is intended for students who need a full semester precalculus course, but are not in STEM majors.  This includes students who intend to take MTH 121 or MTH 131, but need precalculus before taking these courses. It's a 4 credit, full semester course.  It's similar to the sections of ULC 148 which did not include trigonometry.
  
• MTH 114 is Precalculus.  This course is intended for students in STEM majors who need a full semester precalculus course.  This includes students who intend to take MTH 141, but need precalculus beforehand.  It's similar to ULC 148, but includes a greater focus on preparation for calculus and is a faster-paced course.
  

Additionally, two seven week courses are being piloted by the ULC in Fall 2023:

• MTH 108 is Algebra and Trigonometry.  This course is intended for students who need to take MTH 141 and need some precalculus review, but not a full semester worth of review.  This is a 2 credit, seven week course.  It is being piloted in Summer 2023 as part of the UB Summer Thrive Program and in Fall 2023. 
  
• MTH 109 is Corequisite Trigonometry.  This course is intended for students who are currently taking MTH 141 and need some review specifically of trignometry.  This is a 1 credit, seven week course.  It is being piloted in Fall 2023.
  

Starting Fall 2023, the ULC is offering the following courses which the general population of students can register for:

• MTH 112 is Intermediate Algebra.  This course is intended for students who are not yet prepared to take a precalculus course.  It's a 4 credit, full semester course.  It's a direct analog to ULC 147.
  
• MTH 113 is Precalculus Without Trigonometry.  This course is intended for students who need a full semester precalculus course, but are not in STEM majors.  This includes students who intend to take MTH 121 or MTH 131, but need precalculus before taking these courses. It's a 4 credit, full semester course.  It's similar to the sections of ULC 148 which did not include trigonometry.
  
• MTH 114 is Precalculus.  This course is intended for students in STEM majors who need a full semester precalculus course.  This includes students who intend to take MTH 141, but need precalculus beforehand.  It's similar to ULC 148, but includes a greater focus on preparation for calculus and is a faster-paced course.
  

Additionally, two seven week courses are being piloted by the ULC in Fall 2023.  The general population of students cannot register for these courses; students in these pilot sections are chosen by SEAS. 

• MTH 108 is Algebra and Trigonometry.  This course is intended for students who need to take MTH 141 and need some precalculus review, but not a full semester worth of review.  This is a 2 credit, seven week course.  It is being piloted in Summer 2023 as part of the UB Summer Thrive Program and in Fall 2023. 
  
• MTH 109 is Corequisite Trigonometry.  This course is intended for students who are currently taking MTH 141 and need some review specifically of trignometry.  This is a 1 credit, seven week course.  It is being piloted in Fall 2023.
  

MTH 112 is intended for students who are not yet prepared to take a precalculus course.  If you need to review the foundations of algebra, this is the course for you.

MTH 113 is intended for students who need a full semester precalculus course but who will not need trigonometry for their degree program.  This is a good course for you if

• You need to fullfill the MQR requirement for the UB Curriculum
• You will take MTH 121 or MTH 131

MTH 114 is intended for students who need a full semester precalculus course and are in STEM majors.  This is a good course for you if

• You will take MTH 141
• You are undecided between degree programs and unsure which calc 1 course you will need to take

If you're unsure whether you will choose a degree program which requires MTH 121, MTH 131, or MTH 141, you should take MTH 114.  This is because MTH 114 can replace MTH 113, but MTH 113 cannot replace MTH 114.

In Fall 2023, the general population of students is unable to reguster for the sections of MTH 108 and MTH 109 which are being piloted.

If you're unsure which course to take, you should consult your advisor.

No.  MTH 113 does not include trigonometry.  MTH 114 does include trigonometry. 

Students who need MTH 113 may take MTH 114 instead.

Students who need MTH 114 may not take MTH 113 instead.  

MTH 112 does not fulfill the MQR requirement.

MTH 113 and MTH 114 do fulfill the MQR requirement.  

No.

Under special circumstances, students may be allowed to take MTH 113 or MTH 114 even if they have already attempted a calculus course.  This is generally permitted if a student performed poorly in calculus, or if significant time has passed since taking a math class.  Department permission is necessary as you will need to be force-registered into the course. If you are interested in taking a precalculus course after already attempting a calculus course, please visit the main office in 217 Baldy Hall.

Under special circumstances, students may be allowed to retake precalculus.  This is generally permitted when a student is trying to improve his or her grade for the course, or if significant time has passed since the original attempt.  Department permission is necessary as you will need to be force-registered into the course.  If you are interested in retaking a precalculus course, please visit the main office in 217 Baldy Hall.

If you're interested in improving your ULC 148 grade, you may take MTH 113 or MTH 114, and this will replace your previous ULC 148 grade.

MTH 112, MTH 113, and MTH 114 use the same textbook and the same online homework service.  The textbook is Algebra and Trigonometry, 6th UB Custom Edition, Robert Blitzer (2024).  The online homework service is MyLab Math; this includes access to the e-Text. If you purchased extended access to MyLab Math, then you can apply that access to MTH 112, MTH 113, or MTH 114.

MTH 108 and MTH 109 will use WebAssign.  Please refer to your course syllabus for details.

MTH 112, at the discretion of the instructor, allows students to use a Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS calculator.  No other calculator is allowed.

MTH 108, MTH 109, MTH 113, and MTH 114 require students to use a Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS calculator.  No other calculator is allowed.

In most cases, students who purchased full access to MyLab Math for ULC 147 or ULC 148 will be able to use the same account when taking MTH 112, MTH 113, or MTH 114.  There is no need to purchase an additional access code.  Please visit MyLab Math for more information.

Even if you receive an unsatisfactory mid-term evaluation, it may still be possible for you to pass the course.  First, you should talk to your instructor about your current standing in the course and see what they recommend to improve your grade.  Make a point to start attending your instructor’s office hours for additional assistance.  You should also attend tutoring at the Math Place for at least 2 hours per week to help you understand the material and work through your homework assignments.  

The Math Place offers tutoring for Algebra, Precalculus, and Calculus 1 and 2 courses.  These include MTH 101, MTH 108, MTH 109, MTH 112, MTH 113, MTH 114, MTH 121, MTH 122, MTH 131, MTH 136, MTH 137, MTH 138, MTH 139, MTH 141, MTH 142, MTH 153, and MTH 154.

The Math Place opens for the Fall 2025 semester on Tuesday, September 2nd. 

During the Fall 2025 semester, the Math Place will be open in Baldy 211 on Mondays - Thursdays, 10am - 7pm.   

The Math Place will close for the Fall 2025 semester at 7pm on Monday, December 8th.  We are NOT open during exam week or official UB holidays.

Tutors at the Math Place are fellow undergraduate students from a variety of programs including mathematics, physics, and engineering.  All of our tutors know how to be successful in these courses.  They are very patient, friendly, and knowledgeable!  Meet our tutors here!

We offer free drop in tutoring- that is, no appointment necessary.  If you need help on an assignment or would like to review material for an upcoming quiz or exam, or just go over the material with a tutor to shore up your understanding, we're here to help!  You can stop by Baldy 211 for in person tutoring on Mondays-Thursdays, 10am-7pm.  Be sure to bring your assignment, notes, textbook, and other study materials with you!

The Math Place is a drop-in tutoring center – we do not offer one-on-one appointments.  Tutors on shift are responsible for helping anyone who is in the center at that particular time.   

The Math Place has copies of each textbook for the courses we tutor which can be used while in the Math Place.  We also have calculators which students can use, as well as lots of scrap paper and whiteboard space on which you can work problems out.

There is no limit to how often you can visit the Math Place – we encourage you to come in as often as you need to!  This will vary for each student.  Some find it beneficial to visit once a week, while others like to come in every day.  This will be based on your individual needs for the class and your availability.

Starting Spring 2023, the Math Place only offers in person tutoring.  We're open Monday - Thursday, 10am - 7pm in Baldy 211.

Math Place tutors must be undergraduate UB students in a matriculated degree program who have taken and successfully completed calculus 1 and 2, at minimum.  If you are interested in becoming a tutor for the Math Place, please forward a résumé and completed application to our Math Coordinator (jmsuddab@buffalo.edu).

Math Place greeters must be UB students who qualify for the Federal Work-study program.  Qualification for this program will be included in your financial aid package.  There are no minimum mathematics requirements for this position.  If you are interested in becoming a greeter for the Math Place, please contact our secretary, Michelle Hacker (mahacker@buffalo.edu).

All instructors for the ULC are currently employed in an adjunct capacity.  If you are interested in teaching an algebra or precalculus course, please forward a résumé/CV and letter of interest to the ULC Coordinator, Angela Samul (asamul@buffalo.edu) 

The Math Readiness Assessment is used to assess a student’s readiness for calculus.  Find more information about the Math Readiness Assessment here.

All students who wish to take MTH 121, 131, or 141, except those who have a grade of C or better in ULC 148 or MTH 113 or MTH 114, a score of 4 or 5 on AP Calculus (A/B or B/C), or a grade of C or better in MTH 121, 131, or 141 will need to take the Math Readiness Assessment. Find more information about the Math Readiness Assessment here.  

From Spring 2018 to Summer 2021, the Mathematics department used a placement exam which was called the ALEKS exam to determine students' readiness for calculus.  As of Fall 2022, the Math Readiness Assessment has replaced the ALEKS exam as the assessment which the Mathematics department uses to evaluate students' readiness for calculus.

Find more information about the Math Readiness Assessment, check here.