Syllabus - MATHS 165

CALCULUS I

Section 003 Spring 2012
MTRF 2 - 2:50 pm in RB 118

INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Rich Stankewitz (email: rstankewitz@bsu.edu)

OFFICE AND PHONE:

RB 422

285-8645

MASTER SYLLABUS:

To view the Master syllabus for Maths 165 go to http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/Math/ForCurrentStudents/GeneralCourseInformation/100Level.aspx.

TEACHING SCHEDULE AND OFFICE HOURS:

TEXT:

You are expected to READ THE TEXT.  My lectures are only a supplement to the book.  I will not be able to cover everything in lecture, but you are responsible for what is covered in the text as well as what is covered in the classroom. 

Many of you may have seem some calculus in high school.  Maths 165 is a college level class and we expect you to obtain a much deeper understanding than what you likely have seen in high school.

J. Stewart, Calculus: Early Transcendentals (7th Edition), Brooks/Cole Publishing, 2012.

LABS:

We will have some computer lab work to motivate or reinforce selected topics. This work will not require previous knowledge of a programming language. We will use Mathematica, a moderately friendly CAS software package. You will be provided with any information you will need about Mathematica.

I anticipate giving three lab assignments.

I will strongly encourage (perhaps even require) all computer assignments to be team projects. A team consisting of two or three students should submit a single report for each project. There is strong anecdotal evidence that students have more computer lab success working in a team environment.

You should be aware that there are goals for these labs beyond simply enhancing the understanding of specific course content. Learning to verbally formulate mathematical ideas and to converse about mathematics is an important part of your mathematical development. Working in small groups provides a relatively risk-free environment for starting to develop these skills. Similarly, the required lab reports should give you a start at learning to write about mathematics.

TESTS AND CALCULATOR POLICY:

There will be three in class exams (see dates and times at  /math165.html) and a cumulative two hour final examination.

The final examination will be given at:  2:15-4:15 pm, Wednesday May 2.

Calculators will NOT be allowed on exams.  The exams will be written in such a way that calculators will not be needed.  We will, however, use the calculator as well as Mathematica to illustrate concepts as well as tackle problems too complicated to do by hand.

HOMEWORK AND QUIZZES:

Most every week I will give a quiz (based on the homework) OR collect homework for grading.  You will not be told ahead of time. All homework should be written up neatly, be stapled and be with full explanation of the work. Remember, the right answer is only part of the solution. You need justification for the rest.  Each person is allowed to miss one HW/quiz due to illness.  If you turn in all HW and take all quizzes, then the lowest will be dropped.

You should feel free to discuss homework problems with other members of the class. In fact, you are strongly encouraged to participate in a study group which focuses on homework. However, you should write out the final solution to each problem on your own.

Homework problems will be regularly posted at the course web page /math165.html as will solutions to selected problems.

TUTORING HELP FROM LEARNING CENTER:

MAKE-UPS:

There will be NO MAKEUPS for HW or quizzes.

Exam makeups will only be given with documented University-approved excuses. You may notify me by

• calling my office (285-8645),
• sending an e-mail message to rstankewitz@bsu.edu,
• leaving a message with the departmental office (285-8640)

 ALGEBRA-TRIG QUIZ:

To make sure everyone is up to speed on their algebra and trig skills your first assignment will be to take a web quiz.  See /math165.html for details.

ATTENDANCE:

Attendance at class is expected even though it is not counted toward your grade in a formal and direct way.  I may approach some of the course material from a different perspective than the text. These differences may well affect the way questions are phrased on tests. You are responsible for what we talk about in class whether or not it is in the textbook. More to the point, it is my experience that students who miss class frequently seldom complete this course successfully.

Furthermore, during class it is expected that you respect the rights of your fellow students by being careful not to disrupt class (e.g., through arriving to class late, not turning off your cell phone, ...).

ADAPTATIONS:

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

GRADING:

Your grade will be based on the following weights:

Exam I-III: 20 % each

HW/Quiz: 15 %

Final Exam: 25 %
 

To refresh yourself on how to compute a weighted average you may go to:  weightedavg.htm

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY:

SCHEDULE:

See /math165.html for regular updates on the weekly schedule.  In particular, HW assignments will be posted here. 

I will also use your BSU email accounts frequently to disseminate information.  Make sure you check this account often.