Winter Semester, 2004
Daily 8:00-8:50 in 116 TMCB
This is a pre-publication version of this textbook. On the down side, this means that the graphics and layout are simplistic. On the up side, this version costs less than the second edition it precedes. In addition, if you find a mistake that the author is not yet aware of (first check out the current Errata for Calculus Revised (PDF file)) bring it to Dr. Gardner's (lynng@math.byu.edu) attention and he will give you a candy bar.
I recommend that you purchase a graphing calculator. We will use them often in class and I encourage you to use them when you study. You will be allowed to use them on your midterms but, unfortunately, you are not allowed to use graphing calculators on the departmental final. In order to prepare for this unnatural setting you will not be allowed to use your graphing calculators on our quizzes.
Resources
I
suggest you locate another Calculus textbook to supplement the one we
are using for this course. It is extremely helpful to have additional
examples and explanations. There are some Calculus books available in
the library and you can often purchase used textbooks at Deseret
Industries for just a few bucks.
The
Math
Lab (159 TMCB) is a great place to study and get extra help. The
quality of help you receive will be greatly increased if you learn to
be very specific about what you want and do not want. Rather than
simply asking, "How do you do this problem?", ask questions like, "This
is what I think the question is asking--am I on track?", "This is what
I have tried and it doesn't seem to be working. Can you help me find
where I am going wrong?" or "I am struggling to understand
_____________. Could you help me understand this concept?". You may
have to remind tutors (and yourself) that you are not there to have
them simply work problems for you--you want them to help you understand
the concepts and be able to work the problems yourself.
My office hours are T TH from 9-9:50 in my office and M W F from 11-11:50 in the Math Lab.
Assignments (25% of total
grade)
There will be two types of
problems assigned each week: practice problems and write-up problems.
The set of practice problems are given as an indication of the types of procedural problems you should know how to solve. The departmental final is written "based on" this set of problems. These problems will neither be handed in nor graded. You will need to determine how many of these problems you need to practice in order to become proficient in the procedures.
Write-up problems are of
a more conceptual nature than the practice problems. There will
generally be 3-5 of these problems assigned per week (one per class
period). A write-up of
these problems is due each Thursday (in general) at the beginning of
class. Late
work will not be accepted. A write-up is
more than a solution—it involves written explanation of both the
approach
and the solution to the problem, as well as a demonstration that you
understand
the underlying mathematical concepts (similar to how examples are
written in a textbook). It also involves justifying the validity of
your approach and solution. Although it is perfectly acceptable
and recommended that you work with others on solving these problems,
the
write-up of the problems should be done independently.
Your objective in a
write-up is to make a case for your own understanding--you are trying
to convince me that you know what you are talking about. Higher marks
will be given to write-ups that are neat, well-organized, grammatically
correct and that demonstrate the appropriate use of mathematical
language. You can follow these links to see a generalized rubric for grading write-ups and and examples (PDF) of write-ups that received full
marks.
Quizzes (25% of
total grade)
There will be a quiz at the beginning of class each Tuesday, except
those weeks during which midterms are scheduled. These short quizzes
will consist
of problems taken directly from the suggested practice problems.
Midterms (25% of
total grade)
& Final (25% of total grade)
There will be three midterm exams and a comprehensive (departmental)
final exam. The
final exam will be given Friday, April 16 from 3:00 PM to 6:00
PM. We will receive a room assignment for the final the last week
of classes. Sample finals
from the past few years can by helpful in preparing for the final as
well as for our midterms.
Final grades are
determined by a departmental grade distribution and our class average
on the departmental final. Although there is certain to be variation,
the grade breakdown from my MTH 112 class last semester provides a
rough estimate:
A: 80-100
B: 63-79
C: 53-62
D: 40-52
E: <40
More information on
plagiarism can be found in the
Honor
Code. For an excellent tutorial on plagiarism see the website
Understanding
Plagiarism at Indiana University. If you have any questions about
these
matters please feel free to talk to me or to get advice from the
BYU
Writing Center.
Preventing Sexual Harassment
BYU's policy against sexual harassment extends not only to employees of the University but to students as well. If you encounter sexual harassment, gender based discrimination, or other inappropriate behavior, please talk to your professor, contact the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, or contact the Honor Code Office at 422-2847.
Students with Disabilities
BYU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability that may adversely affect your success in this course please contact the Service for Students with Disabilities office at 422-2767. Services deemed appropriate will be coordinated with the student and instructor by that office. For more information go to the University Accessibility Center web site.
Check
out
S.H.O.E
(Students Helping Others Excel) if you are interested in mentoring a
student with a disability.