MATH 131 - Calculus 1 with Precalculus B (Section 001) – Spring 2008

 

            Instructor:   Gene Abrams

            Graduate Teaching Assistant supporting this course:  Jennifer Holmes

            Contact Info: (Gene Abrams)   Office  EAS 288     262-3182      abrams@math.uccs.edu

(Jennifer Holmes)  Office EAS 281     262-3522    jholmes3@uccs.edu  

Gene Abrams’ office hours:   Monday and Wednesday 3:45 – 4:20, Tuesday and

            Thursday 11:30 – 12:00noon,  and by  appointment

Jennifer Holmes’ office hours:  Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 – 9:15 am. 

AND Supplemental Instruction sessions, time and dates to be determined.  

            Text:   Essential Calculus by Stewart,  ISBN: 0-495-10957-6   (same as Math 131 text)

            Supplementary Materials:  Available at

http://www.uccs.edu/~math/Courses/Refresher/index.php

Course Web Site:  Homework assignments and important dates and exam materials will be posted on the course web site, which you can access from Abrams’ homepage

www.uccs.edu/~gabrams .

Course Goals for Math 131 / 132: To learn the concepts and techniques of differential and integral calculus; to learn to participate effectively in mathematical discourse as a means of deepening understanding of algebra, trigonometry and calculus concepts, to improve problem solving and critical thinking, to create a learning community, and to demonstrate applications of Calculus I.

Exams:   There will be three 75-minute exams.   They will be given on APPROXIMATELY the following dates.  (The actual dates will be announced at least three class sessions in advance.)

            Exam 1:  4.1 through 4.4, and 4.6                     Thursday, February 21

            Exam 2:  4.5, 4.7, 5.1                                       Thursday, March 20

            Exam 3:  5.2 through 5.5                                   Thursday, April 24

Final Exam:   The cumulative Final Exam will be Tuesday, May 13, 1:40 – 4:10pm

Oral Exam Preparation:  As was done in Math 131, students will be given the opportunity to discuss the concepts covered in each unit test in a small group setting. These orals will be facilitated by the instructors. They are optional but will help students prepare for the exams.

Homework:    Homework is worth 15% of your course grade.  Homework will work somewhat differently than Math 131.   There will be a homework assignment given almost every day of the class.  But this semester homework will be due only on Thursdays.  Typically, the two assignments given during one week will BOTH be due the following Thursday, so you will normally be handing in TWO assignments each Thursday.    Every Tuesday, the last 15 minutes of class will be set aside for homework problem presentations.  Each Tuesday, three of you will be asked to present the solution to a homework problem in class.   You will earn a grade on your presentation.  Your classmates will help to grade your presentation.  More details about the process will be given in class.   As with last semester, Jen will grade the homework, and decide which of the problems to actually grade.  These will be graded on a 5 point scale.  I encourage you to use any types of resources in order to complete the homework, e.g. me, Jen, classmates, Math Learning Center, etc.  The only real stipulation is that you actually write down the answers to your own homework assignment (i.e. no xeroxing of others' assignments).   Homework will not be accepted more than two class sessions after the date it was due.

 

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           Course prerequisites:  Successful completion of Math 131. 

           Mathematics Learning Center:   The MLC is located in EAS 129.  Drop-in tutoring services are available FREE OF CHARGE.   MLC hours for this semester are:  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Calculators:  You are required to have a calculator to use for exams.  This must be a NON-graphing scientific calculator with a minimal number of storage registers, and no QWERTY keyboard.  These are widely available for around $10.    (You will also need a calculator to do the homework.  You can either use a minimalist one like the one you need for the exams, or you can use a more powerful one if you like.)

Grading system:  Each 75 minute exam is worth 20%.  The Final Exam is worth 25%.  Homework is worth 15%.  As with Math 131,  I utilize what I call “Guaranteed minimum grading”. (All of this assumes that you pass the Derivatives Gateway Quiz with a score of 100%.)  If you get at least 90% of the total points in this course, you are guaranteed of earning AT LEAST an A-.   Similarly, at least 80% guarantees you of AT LEAST a B-, at least 70% guarantees you of at least a C-, and at least 60% guarantees you of not getting an F.  This system is meant to remove any worry that any of your group work, or appropriate out-of-class cooperation on work, could in any way jeopardize your own grade.  

           Important administrative dates:   Last date to drop the course without any mention of it on your permanent transcript is Wednesday, February 6.  The last date to drop this course is Wednesday, April 2. (my signature and the LAS dean’s signature is required).  There will be no classes during the week March 24 – March 28 for Spring Break.  

            Some general thoughts on homework, course participation, and Academic Dishonesty:   To do well in this course, you must come to the lectures and do (and understand!) the homework.   I STRONGLY suggest that you take advantage of as many of the support systems as possible this semester.  Establish a firm calculus foundation now and it will pay off for the rest of your college career. Strong calculus skills will help you in other math, science and engineering courses. 

You are allowed and encouraged to discuss the homework problems with other students in the class, and to work on the problems together, but only until you get to the point that you understand how to solve the problem. Then each student is required to write up and to submit his/her own homework set. (If, on the other hand, you think that you work better and more efficiently by working alone, then that’s fine too!) 

On all graded aspects of this course (homework and exams), violation of the UCCS Student Academic Misconduct Policy 

http://web.uccs.edu/studentconduct/academicdishonesty.html

will result in a course grade of F. Remember, giving unauthorized help is also considered a violation and incurs the same penalties as receiving help. If you are uncertain about whether or not some specific activity constitutes cheating, feel free to consult me.