Math 260 - Computer Calculus - 1 credit

Syllabus

MA 169

Spring 2005

9:00-9:50 am W or 10:00-10:50 W

Course Description  

This course uses the computer program Mathcad to illustrate the concepts in Calculus.  We have two main goals:  To learn to use mathematical software to do complex calculations (and the limits of said software) and to use the visual aids available with a computer to help understand calculus.  Although we will use only one example of mathematical software, the techniques are similar on other software platforms.  Likewise, the drawbacks tend to exist with all mathematical software.  There is no perfect solution in integrating technology and calculation.

From the MSUM Bulletin:  Introduction to applications of computer software to calculus.  Students must either have taken, or be concurrently enrolled in, Math 261.

Attendance

Each class period will consist of examples meant to teach you the basics commands of Mathcad needed to do the current assignment.  Occasionally, I will also give a brief lecture on the material we are doing, either because the sections of Calculus I have not yet gotten there, or because there may be a fair number of students who are not in Calculus I and who might need a refresher.  There will generally be some time to work on the next week's assignment as well.  Early in the semester, the class period will have very little work time, but it will generally get better as the semester goes on.  I strongly suggest that you come every week, but it is not absolutely necessary.  The only exception is the last class day.  On Wednesday, May 4, there will be an in-class exam on the skills we have learned throughout the semester.  You must be in class on that day.

General Comments

There will be a weekly assignment.  The assignment is generally expected to be turned in via email (as an attachment) to me at elhill@mnstate.edu.  The assignment is due at 12:00 noon on the Wednesday one week after we cover the material in class.  Late work will be accepted at a penalty of 20% per 24-hour period that it is late.  (So if it is turned in on Saturday morning, it is 3 days late, and worth at most 40%.)  You have a full week to do the assignment, so I will not waive the penalty for illnesses or other short-term reasons.  Do the assignment early and submit it when you have finished with it.

I do not curve courses of this level.  I have given a class average of a B+ in a course of this level, and I have also given a class average of a D+.  I grade you as individuals, and by whether or not you personally have mastered the material.  I also very rarely give extra credit, and when I do it is to the entire class.  If you come to my office at the end of the term and ask if you can do extra credit to improve your grade, my answer will be no.  The grading scale and weights for the homework and exams are given here.

I will in general return any work the week after it is due.  If you are not there, I will not give it to friends, nor will I give out grade information on the phone.  (These restrictions are not arbitrary - they are based on federal law regarding student privacy.)  Normally, I include any old assignments with any current ones, but I do not try to pass them back a second time unless you have turned in the most recent assignment.  I will bring the old assignments with me every day, so if you ask at the end of class you can get them then.

I expect you to be responsible for yourself as far as getting notes from a classmate if you miss class.  (My notes rarely have answers, just problems, so are not very useful to students.)  I also expect you to turn in any homework early if you know that you will miss class.  This includes those instances when the absence is due to an official university activity.

Submitting Assignments

Information on how to submit the assignments is given in the general directions.  This is also available on the schedule page.

Academic Honesty

As in any college class (or any level, for that matter), cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated.  On the other hand, when doing the assignments and when working in the labs I do encourage you to work together.  This is not the same as copying from each other, however.  Working with someone else in a small study group is often very conducive to learning mathematics and most other subjects (as long as you stay on task!).  Working together, however, will not be allowed on the exams, so you must make sure that you learn the material yourself.  There is also tutoring available in the main math office tutor lab (MA 362A).  See also the statement on academic honesty in the student handbook.

Textbook

There is no textbook.  You also do not need to buy Mathcad.  It is available in MA 169, MA 343, and Library 204 (there is also an older version of Mathcad available in the other labs in the library and in Hagen).

Exams

There will be one exam, on the last day of class (May 4).  If you have to miss it for any reason, I expect to be notified as soon as possible.  In particular, this means before the exam.  If it is a reason that I would expect you to know now (such as a MSUM official activity, a family commitment such as a wedding, etc.) I expect to be notified no later than Wednesday, September 1.  If you do not notify me by that time, I may not give you a makeup exam.  If you are sick on the day of the exam, I expect a phone call or an email before the exam starts.  I also assume that if you are sick enough to miss an exam then you are sick enough to go to the health center - after all, you don't want to be sick longer than absolutely necessary.  In any event, if you miss an exam, I insist on written documentation before I grade a makeup exam.  This can be a dated and timed note from the doctor's office saying that you were seen (I do not need to know what you were seen for), a program from the wedding, a published obituary notice, a copy of the police report from an accident you were in on the way to the exam, etc..

Note:  For any university-sanctioned activity, I expect to be notified at least two weeks prior to the event, as required by the Student Absence Policy.  Failure to meet this deadline will be a problem for you.  Note that this means that you will likely have to get on your coach's case - few coaches or academic advisors meet this deadline without prompting, in my experience.

Special Accommodations

If you have any special needs that may affect your success in this class please let me know as soon as possible so that accommodations can be made.  This includes (but is not limited to) any physical or learning disabilities that you may have.

Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-2652 (phone) or 477-2047 (TTY), CMU 222 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

Cell Phones

Cellular phones and other distracting devices generally have no place in a formal or semi-formal setting, such as a classroom.  If your phone rings audibly during class, I will require you to leave the classroom for the remainder of the period.  This includes those days we have exams.  Hence, if your cell phone rings during an exam, you will have to turn in what you have completed up to that point.  No extra time will be given.  I strongly suggest that you always remember to turn off your phone.  (You are free to return to class the next day, and there will be no other consequences.)  Note:  I have found that cell phones on vibrate, when in a backpack next to a textbook, are still quite loud since they reverberate against the book.  If I can hear it at the front of the room or if most of the students next to you react to it, it is still an audible ring.  Keep it on something soft or on your waistband or in your pocket.

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This page maintained by Ellen Hill, elhill@mnstate.edu
Last Revision:  01/04/2008

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