Course Information - Math 323: Calculus III - Section 01, Spring 2009

4 Credits: MTRF 12:30-1:20p.m. MacLean Room 272

 

Textbook: Calculus – The Classic Edition, 5th ed., by Earl W. Swokowski [Required]

Instructor: Justin James, Mathematics Dept.                            Office: MacLean 375M          

Office Phone: 477-4011                                

Office Hours:   MTWHF   9:30 - 10:20am                             Email:  jamesju@mnstate.edu

                          MTWHF   1:30 -   2:30pm                             Webpage:  web.mnstate.edu/jamesju

                          Other times by Appointment

 

Course Description:  Calculus of several variables-- partial differentiation, multiple integration, vector calculus, line and surface integrals, Green's Theorem, and Stoke's Theorem. Students must have taken, or be currently enrolled in, Math 260.     Prerequisite:  MATH 262 

 

Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course, students will be able to demonstrate an ability to solve a variety of problems using multivariable or vector calculus, including applied problems.

 

Student Learning Outcomes:  Upon completion of the course, students will be able to do the following:

 

Course Requirements: You are expected to complete all daily homework, labs, and writing assignments, and to take and pass all exams and quizzes at their scheduled dates and times.

 

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 assignments cannot be made up.  You are expected to read the assigned material in your textbook prior to each lecture and to attempt the problems on the homework assignment.  When working in groups, you should participate fully in what the group is trying to accomplish.  You are encouraged to form a group to study and work with outside of class.   You should bring your book, calculator, and solutions to recent homework problems with you to class.

 

Homework: I will collect homework for grading several times during the semester.  You will be told in class at least a day in advance which problems to write up and turn in.  Even when homework is not collected, you will need to complete the homework problems in order to learn the course material.  Each day, I will spend a few minutes at the beginning of class answering homework questions, but the bulk of our time will be spent covering new material or working on labs.  You are encouraged to discuss homework with your classmates and with me outside of class during my office hours.  If my office hours do not match your schedule, see me about arranging another time to meet.

 

Quizzes: I will give quizzes at various times during the course.  Some will be “in-class” quizzes, while others will  be “take home” quizzes.  I typically announce quizzes at least one day before I give them so you have time to prepare for them.  Quizzes will be worth from 5-15 points, depending on their length and scope.

 

 Extra Credit: There will be a few extra credit assignments during the semester (don’t count on more than a handful).  Some will be announced on the course website while others will be given in class.  All extra credit will be given to the entire class and must be handed in by the due date.  There will be no individual extra credit assignments.

 

Reflection Papers:  Twice during the semester, you will be given a short writing assignment in which you will be asked to give your personal thoughts and reflections on different aspects of the course.  These papers must be typed and should be about 1 page in length (typed, double spaced).   These informal papers will be graded mainly on their content and completeness, but do write in complete sentences and express your thoughts clearly.  Each reflection paper will contribute 10 points toward your final grade.

 

Exams:  This course will have four in-class exams, one take-home exam, and a comprehensive final exam, as outlined on the course syllabus.  Be sure to mark the date of each exam on your calendar, especially the final exam.  In class exams will be closed book and closed notes.  I will allow the use of an approved calculator, but other electronic devices (cell-phones, etc.) are not allowed.  The 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 best three

in-class exams will be worth 100 points each, while your lowest exam will be scaled in half to be out of 50 points.  The take-home exam will be given during the last week of classes and will be worth 75 points.  The final exam is worth 175 points. 

 

Weekly Problem Sessions:  Every Wednesday from 12:30-1:20pm an optional problem solving session will be held in MacLean Hall Room 167.  Those that choose to attend will use this time to work collaboratively on problems from the assigned homework.  I will be there to help and give suggestions.

 

Course Grading Policy:                     Your final grade in the course will be computed as follows:

 

Homework/Quizzes                        180 points

Reflection Papers                              20 points

Highest 3 Unit Exams:                     300 points

Lowest Unit Exam:                           50 points

Take Home Exam                             75 points

Final Exam:                                     175 points

Total:                                              800 points

 

I will compute the percentage of the total possible points each student earned during the semester (rounded to the nearest .1%), and will then assign letter grades based on the following scale.  I may make slight adjustments to this scale (down, never up), but don’t count on this happening.

 

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 you are allowed to drop several scores, I will 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, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-5859 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 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 Semester!!

 

 

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