Course Information
Math 261: Calculus I – Section 05, Fall 2013
4 Credits: MTWRF 8:00am – 8:50am
Bridges Room 268
Textbook: Thomas’ Calculus by
Thomas (rev. by Weir and Hass), 12th Edition [Required]
Instructor: Justin James, Mathematics Department
Office: MacLean 375M Office
Phone: (218)477-4011
Office Hours: MTWHF 10:00 – 10:50am Email: jamesju@mnstate.edu
MTWHF 1:00 –
1:50pm Webpage:
web.mnstate.edu/jamesju
T 9:00 –
9:50am
H 2:00 – 2:50pm
Other times by Appointment
Course Description: Calculus of one
variable-differentiation, introduction to the integral. Students entering Math
261 should have a solid background in algebra and trigonometry. Must have successfully completed College Algebra and Trigonometry
or acceptable placement score.
Prerequisites: In
order to take Math 261, students must have successfully completed Math 143 –
Trigonometry or have an acceptable math placement score.
Learning Outcomes (MN Transfer Curriculum)
Upon
completion of the course, students will be able to do the following:
·
Illustrate
historical and contemporary applications of mathematical/logical systems.
·
Clearly
express mathematical/logical ideas in writing.
·
Explain
what constitutes a valid mathematical/logical argument(proof).
·
Apply
higher-order problem-solving and/or modeling strategies.
Course Requirements: You are expected to complete all daily
homework, labs, and writing assignments, and to take and pass all exams and
quizzes on their scheduled dates and times.
Learning Outcomes (General)
·
Understand
limits and the derivative and how to use them to describe real-world phenomena.
·
Read
and interpret information presented in graphical form.
·
Use
the derivative to solve real world optimization problems.
·
Understand
numerical solutions to problems and error analysis.
Instructional Strategies: Lecture, discussion, small group work.
Attendance
and Academic Expectations
You
are expected to attend class regularly and on time. The penalty for unexcused absences is that missed in-class assignments cannot be
made up. If you have to miss class for a
reason that you believe merits being excused, come see me (preferably in
advance). You are expected to read the
material in your textbook prior to each day’s lecture and to have attempted the
problems on the homework assignment.
During class, you should participate in discussions. When working in groups on labs, you should
participate fully in what the group is trying to accomplish. You are encouraged to form a group to study
and work with on homework and labs outside of class. You should bring your book with you to
class.
Homework and Labs:
I have listed suggested homework problems on the course
schedule. The listed problems are
primarily for your own practice and study.
I will periodically collect and grade a subset of the assigned book
problems. You will be told in class at least 2 days in advance which problems
to turn in.
You
will also have several lab assignments. We will start lab assignments during class
and you will have some time to work together in groups on them. You will be expected to finish the remainder
of the lab and to turn in the completed lab the day of the next class meeting
by 4:00pm. Your best 20 labs will be combined to contribute 200 points toward
your final grade (at least 2 labs will be dropped).
Quizzes: I will also give occasional
quizzes. Most will be in-class quizzes, but a few may
be “take home” quizzes. Your quiz and homework scores will be combined
to contribute 50 points toward your final grade. There will also be two Major Quizzes – one on
differentiation techniques and one on integration.
Each of these major quizzes will contribute 25 points toward your final grade
in the course.
Reflective Writing Assignments: During
the semester, you will be given a few short writing assignments in which you
will be asked to give your personal thoughts and reflections on different
aspects of the course. These informal
papers will be graded mainly on how well they address the questions they pose,
but you should write in complete sentences and clearly express your
thoughts. Each reflection paper will
contribute 10 points toward your final grade.
Challenge Problems: In
order encourage you to think deeply about the material that we are learning and
to develop your mathematical thinking and problem solving skills, I will assign
a few “Challenge Problems” during each unit of the course. Well written solutions to these problems will
earn you 1-2 bonus points. These points
will be added to your score on the subsequent unit exam.
Exams: This
course will have four unit exams plus a comprehensive final exam, as outlined
in the course schedule. Be sure to mark
the date of each exam on your calendar, especially the final exam. Exams will be closed book, and closed
notes. I will allow the use of an
approved calculator (no graphing calculators), but other electronic devices
(cell-phones, etc.) are not allowed. Credit given on exam questions will be
proportional to the amount of correct work shown. Little to no credit will be given if
sufficient work is not shown, even when the final answer is correct. In your final grade, your each exam will be
worth 100 points. The comprehensive final
exam is worth 200 points.
Course Grading
Policy: Your final grade in the course will be
computed as follows:
Quizzes
and Homework:
70 points
Reflective
Writing Assignments
30 points
Major Quizzes 50 points
Labs (best 20 scores) 200 points
Unit Exams: 400
points
Final Exam: 200
points
Total: 950
points
I
will compute the percentage of the total points you earned and then assign
letter grades based on the following scale:
96.5-100.0% A+ 81.5-86.4% B 69.0-71.4% C–
91.5-96.5% A 79.0-81.4% B– 66.0-68.9% D+
89.0-91.4% A– 76.5-78.9% C+ 60.0-65.9% D
86.5-88.9% B+ 71.5-76.4% C <60.0% F
Make-up
Work: Because of the pace
of summer courses and the fact that you are allowed to drop several scores, I only
give make-up assignments for extreme personal emergencies or for absences
which are officially sanctioned by the University. I will expect written documentation in either
of these cases. If you miss an exam and
a make-up exam is not warranted, you may replace your grade on one missed exam with your un-scaled percentage score on the final
exam.
Special Accommodations: Students with disabilities who believe
they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Director of Disability Services at 477-4318
(Voice) or
1-800-627-3529
(MRS/TTY), Flora Frick 154 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations
are implemented in a timely fashion.
Academic Honesty: You are expected to do your own work. You may work
with others and get help on assignments, but the work you submit must be your
own. During exams and quizzes you will not be allowed to get help
from others. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in any course
at any level. See the MSUM Academic Honesty policy for more information
on the possible consequences of cheating.
Thanks,
and Let’s Have a Great Summer!!
Math
261 – Section 05 Course Page