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Syllabus
We are going to cover a lot of material this semester. We'll start
with chapter 7 (General Algebraic Functions) and work our way systematically
through chapter 15 (Applications of Integration), if all goes as planned. A
preliminary
schedule is posted.
Need a little extra help?
I love office hours. Please use them, and don't be afraid to send an email or give me a call.
You can also get help at the
Math and Science Learning Center in Roop Hall most days of the week.
It's free, and you don't need an appointment!
Homework
Do the homework. Here is the current
homework problem set.
Even though you will (most likely) submit only 1 assignment in 6,
the time you spend working on the homework will be invaluable.
You'll need to write the solutions clearly, including the steps
that you took to get your final answer. You should be writing up a
solution, not just an answer.
Every section of this book has a summary question (the infamous 'problem zero') which will always be assigned.
By the end of the course, you should have your very own study guide for the
entire text!
Each day in class, someone will roll a die to decide if the daily assignment is to be collected. Since the assignment is always two parts (problem 0 and the rest), the die is rolled twice. I'll even let you choose the unlucky number each day! The section summary (problem 0) will be evaluated for effort and completeness. Here is a problem 0 solution, written by professor Taalman. The remaining problems will be checked for completeness, with select problems (chosen by me) to be graded for accuracy. I'll post homework solutions as they become available. I'll drop the lowest score from the graded assignments, but will not accept late assignments (although exceptions are possible in exceptional circumstances.)
Quizzes and Tests
These will take place on our 'long' class day, Thursday. The quizzes will be short, taking about 10 minutes or so. The test will usually consume your entire class period. Professor Taalman has posted
tests and quizzes from previous years on her webpage.
I'll post quiz and test solutions as they become available.
Also,
make sure to check out the schedule of the three in-class tests.
Contact me in advance if you must miss a quiz or test.
The time for the final has been
predetermined by the registrar, and can not be rescheduled.
Grading
Grades will be based on the your
tests (3 at 50 pts), comprehensive final (100 pts),
quizzes (12 at 5 pts), section summary (3 pts each)
and your homework (5 pts each). You'll roll a die each day to find out if
the homework gets turned in. I'll rig the odds so you can expect to turn in
about 8 summaries and 8 homeworks this semester.
I'll drop the lowest score of the last three categories (lowest q,s and h).
I'll add up your personal score as follows:
score = earned(t + f + q + s + h) / possible(t + f + q + s + h),
and use this score and statistics to determine your final letter grade. The trend in your performance (up or down over the course of the semester) and my impression of your effort will affect your grade in borderline situations.
I'll consider requests for WF or WP grades up to one week after the second test. A sucessful WP request requires a C-.
Calculators
A graphing calculator is required for this course. While I'm most
familiar with the TI-83/84, you may decide to use other brands. Calculators are great to
help build intuition and to convince yourself that you can do calculus.
But since some calculators can handle symbolic algebra and calculus
operations, they will not be allowed for most quizzes and exams.
Honor code
Remember that JMU has a strict
honor code.
While you are strongly encouraged to work with others in this class,
the work you submit must be your own. Copying someone else's work
won't help you learn the material and might just get you expelled.