Course Information
Math 229: Topics in Calculus – Section 08, Spring
2014
4 Credits: TH 1:30pm – 2:45pm Bridges
Room 268
Textbook: College Algebra and
Applied Calculus (by M. L. Lial et. al.) MSUM Custom
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 11:00 – 11:50am Webpage: web.mnstate.edu/jamesju
T H 3:00 –
3:50pm
Other times by Appointment
Course Description: Introduction to differential and
integral calculus with an emphasis on applications. Introduction
to matrices and their applications. Not open to mathematics majors or
minors. Satisfies MnTC Goal 4 and LASC Area 4.
Prerequisite: Must have successfully completed
College Algebra (Math 127) with a C- or an acceptable placement exam score.
Major Content Areas:
·
Exponential and logarithmic functions
·
Limits
·
Derivatives and their applications
·
Definition of integrals, power rule, substitution
·
Solving systems of linear equations using matrices
Student Learning Outcomes:
·
Use differential calculus to solve a variety of real
world problems.
·
Use integral calculus to solve a variety of real
world problems.
·
Use matrix methods to solve a variety of real world
problems.
Course Requirements: You are expected to complete all daily
homework and writing assignments, and to take and pass all exams and quizzes on
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 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 Quizzes:
I have listed suggested homework problems on the course
schedule. I will collect and grade a
subset of the assigned book problems regularly. You will be told in class at
least 1 day in advance which problems to turn in.
I will also give
regular 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 220 points toward your final grade. Expect at least one homework grade and at
least one quiz grade to be dropped.
MyMathLab:
Pearson, the publisher of our textbook, offers an online, interactive homework
system called “MyMathLab”. Students who bought their textbook through the
bookstore receive a code that gives them access to this system (along with
other resources on the Pearson website).
Our course page has several assignments related to course material. You are encouraged to use these assignments
to help you practice and learn course content.
However, these assignments will not figure into your course grade. I will give you a separate handout containing
instructions for registering for and logging in do make use of these
assignments.
Reflective Writing Assignments: During
the semester, you will be given three 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.
Extra Credit: 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 may assign
a few “Extra Credit” problems during the course. Well written solutions to these problems will
earn you bonus points. These points will
be added to your total points at the end of the semester.
Exams: This
course will have three 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.
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. Each exam will be worth 80 points, but one exam score may be replaced by your
unscaled percentage score on the final exam (provided that this improves your
grade). The final exam is worth 200
points.
Course Grading
Policy: Your final grade in the course will be
computed as follows:
Quizzes
and Homework: 220 points
Reflective
Writing Assignments
30 points
Unit Exams: 300
points
Final Exam: 200
points
Total: 750
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
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 expect written
documentation in either of these cases.
If you miss an exam and a make-up exam is not warranted, you may still
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. Information regarding Disability Services is
available at http://web.mnstate.edu/disability/
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!!
Math 229
– Section 08 Course Page