| Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | |
| Fall 1999 | |
| Section F | MTWR, 12:00 noon, MAK 1112 |
| F, 12 noon, Henry 117 | |
| Instructor: | Dr. David Austin |
| MAK 2273, 895-3431 | |
| david@merganser.math.gvsu.edu | |
| Office Hours: | M, W, 10:00 - 10:50 |
| T, R, 1:00 - 1:50 |
Text: Calculus: Concepts and Contexts, by James Stewart
Calculator: You are required to have a graphing calculator for this course---we recommend either the TI-83 or TI-86---and advised to bring it to class every day. While we will discuss the most important features of your calculator in class, it is your responsibility to learn to use it effectively.
Course Content and Goals: This course aims to introduce the fundamental ideas of Calculus: differentiation, integration and their relationship through the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. In Stewart's book, this corresponds roughly to Chapters 1-4 and the first half of Chapter 5. We will aim to develop a strong conceptual understanding of Calculus and then use this understanding to solve practical problems. You will be expected to develop the ability to reason using the tools of Calculus and to express your reasoning clearly.
Grading: Your final grade will be determined in
the following way:
| Homework | 10% | |
| Labs | 10% | |
| Projects | 10% | |
| Quizzes | 10% | |
| Exams | 40% | |
| Final Exam | 20% |
The final grade assigned to you will not be lower than that computed in this way. However, I reserve the right to raise your grade if you are an active, thoughtful participant in class and there is evidence you are working consistently and with care.
| Homework: You will be given a homework assignment
related to the material discussed in class each week. From this
assignment, you will hand in two specially noted problems which will
be graded and returned to you. Your grade will primarily be
determined by the correctness of your work; this includes your
reasoning in addition to the final answer. However, you are expected
to write your submissions clearly and neatly and a portion of your
grade will be determined in this way.
Labs: Our meeting every Friday will consist of a computer lab experience presented in a variety of formats. It is hoped that these will be interesting and useful to developing your understanding of Calculus. Projects: In the middle of the term, you will be given projects which you will complete with a group. These will be a bit more involved than a typical homework assignment and are intended to give you a deeper experience of Calculus. Your group is expected to work together cooperatively and submit a single report. All members of the group will receive the same grade unless one member or more fail to contribute an equal portion of the work. Quizzes: There will be three quizzes given throughout the term each lasting approximately 20 minutes. Calculus is a subject which requires constant practice and thought; the quizzes are designed to reward your efforts so questions on the quizzes will be taken directly from the assigned homework. The dates of the quizzes are: September 22, October 13, November 10. Exams: There will be three exams scheduled throughout the term each lasting 50 minutes. These will test your understanding at a deeper level than the quizzes. The dates of the exams are: September 29, October 27, December 1.
Final Exam: The final exam will be Wednesday, December 15 from 2:00 - 3:50 pm. |
Drop Date: The deadline for withdrawing from this course is Friday, October 22 at 5 pm.
General Education Category: This course falls within Category IA (Formal Reasoning) of the General Education Program. The following is from the General Education Program and accurately reflects the aims of this class.
| The development of formal and abstract thought, exemplified by logic, mathematics, and computer science, has uniquely characterized Western philosophy, science and technology. Awareness and appreciation of this are fostered by the courses in this category, which develop the student's ability to reason with abstract ideas and symbols through an examination of deductive and inductive argument in logic and mathematics, or through the application of algorithms in mathematics, statistics, or computer science. |
Workload: Be aware that this is a 5 credit course with the
amount of work expected of you reflecting this fact. You must work
diligently and consistently throughout the term to complete this
course successfully.