The calculus is the greatest aid we have to the application of physical
truth in the broadest sense of the word.       - W. F. Osgood

Announcements, course information and assignments will be posted on the course web page.  The URL for this course is http://www.gac.edu/~mcs121/2000F/

Course Objectives:

• To reinforce prior understanding of functions.
• To understand what a derivative is, how to find derivatives (limits, formulas), and how derivatives can be used.
• To understand what definite integrals are (areas, accumulation of change, Riemann sums) and how to find them.
• To develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• To have fun doing mathematics.

Two years of high school mathematics beyond plane geometry, including trigonometry, or MCS 120.

Text

Calculus by Hughes-Hallett, Gleason, et. al. (John Wiley & Sons, New York, Second Edition, Alternate Version, 2000).  This text is written specifically to aid you in understanding the concepts of calculus.  Our questions and problems will require you to invoke your understanding rather than to mimic template problems worked in the text, so you should read this text, both before and after each class.

Calculators

You should have a graphing calculator available for use in class and on exams.  If you do not own a calculator, please talk to your instructor.  The department recommends the TI-83 or TI-86.  You may use other calculators (especially other TIs, Casios, HP or Sharp) as long as you are able to enter a simple program into your calculator and you are comfortable with basic graphing features.   Calculators with symbolic algebra capability will not be allowed during exams.

Exams

We will have two in class skills tests, two exams during the semester and a cumulative final exam.  The  exams during the semester will be given in the evening.  The tests and exams are tentatively scheduled for

• September 19 (in class)
• October 9 (evening)
• October 27 (in class)
• November 14 (evening).

Academic Integrity

The academic honesty policy can be found on page 31 of the 2000-2001 college catalogue.  I call your attention to the following excerpt:  ``In all academic exercises, examinations, papers, and reports, students shall submit their own work. Footnotes or some other acceptable form of citation must accompany any use of another's words or ideas.''

Accessibility

Please contact your instructor immediately if you have a learning or physical disability requiring accommodation.

Class Format

We learn by thinking and doing, not by watching and listening.  Learning is an active process:  it is something we must do, not have done to us.  Class time will be a mixture of lectures, discussions, problem solving and presentation of solutions.  At various times you will be asked to present problems, reflect on the reading and generate questions for your classmates.  It is essential that you come to class prepared to do the day's work.  In particular, you shouldread the text and attempt homework before coming to class.  Class meetings are not intended to be a complete encapsulation of the course material.  You will be responsible for learning some of the material on your own.
 

``A good lecture is usually systematic, complete, precise -- and dull; it
is a bad teaching instrument.''                -- Paul Halmos

``The best way to learn anything is to discover it by yourself... .
What you have been obliged to discover by yourself leaves a path
in your mind which you can use again when the need arises.''
                                                                             -- George Polya

There are two types of homework in this course, preparation problems and weekly homework.  Preparation problems are meant to help you prepare for classes. Note that preparation problems for a section are assigned at the same time as the reading for that section.  This means that you are being asked to read and digest a section and attempt problems before we discuss the material in class. This is intentional.  These problems will often serve as the starting point for class discussions.  The problems will be collected at the beginning of class and will be graded primarily on effort.  Occasionally you will be asked to generate questions on the reading in lieu of preparation problems.  Weekly homework is assigned for each section and is usually collected each Friday at the beginning of class. Only selected problems will be graded.  You are allowed (even encouraged) to discuss  both preparation problems and weekly homework problems with others.  However, ultimately you must work the problems and write up the assignment entirely by yourself.

I hear, and I forget;
I see, and I remember;
I do, and I understand.
                          -Proverb

When asked what advice they would give a student about to take Calculus I, previous students most often responded with the following suggestions:

• Study frequently, in small doses.
• Work on calculus every night. Stay caught up with the homework.
• Read the text sections to be covered before and after class.
• Ask questions early and often. Don't just assume you'll figure it out later.

Calculus I (MCS121) satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning criteria of Area D.

• Knowledge of the language of mathematics and logic (understanding of the notion of function, limit, derivative and integral).
• Familiarity with logical or algorithmic methods of symbolic reasoning  (finding limits, derivatives, antiderivatives and

     definite integrals).
• Knowledge of the practical applications of mathematical modeling and axiomatic systems (applications of derivatives in

     physical, biological and social sciences).
• Appreciation of the role of the formal sciences in the history of ideas, and their impact on science, technology, and society (historical development of calculus)

We will proceed through most of chapters 1 through 6 in Hughes-Hallett.  (Tentative schedule)