MCS 121 - Calculus I
Spring 2006
Course Description/Online Syllabus
Calculus in many ways is the culmination of 17th century European
mathematics. Problems in integral calculus (finding complicated
areas) and differential calculus (finding instantaneous rates of
change and tangents) date back to antiquity, but the genius of Newton
and Leibniz was connecting differential and integral calculus with
``The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus''.
The calculus is the greatest aid we have to the application
of physical
truth in the broadest sense of the word.
- W. F. Osgood
Web Page
Announcements, course information and assignments will be posted on
the course web page. The URL for this course is http://www.gac.edu/~mcs121/2006S/
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.
Prerequisites
Two years of high school mathematics beyond plane geometry,
including trigonometry, or MCS 120.
Text
Calculus by Hughes-Hallett, Gleason, McCallum et. al. (John
Wiley &
Sons, New York, Fourth Edition, 2005).
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. (Suggestions
and more suggestions
about how to read mathematics.)
Calculators
You should have a graphing calculator available for use in class and
on exams. If you are buying a new one, 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 (e.g. TI-89 or TI-92) will
not
be allowed during exams. A couple of calculators are on
reserve
in the library.
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
- February 20 (in class)
- March 9 (evening)
- April 4 (in class)
- April 25 (evening).
The final exam is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 10:30 am
- 12:30 pm.
Please reserve these dates on your calendars. Make-ups will only be
given for verifiable emergencies. In particular, make-ups
will
not be given to accommodate travel plans.
Determination of course grade:
We will provide you with a number grade on each assignment and on each
test, so that you may keep track of your performance. Your instructor
will provide you with the details of his/her grading policy.
Academic Integrity
The academic honesty policy and honor code can be found here.
In particular,
``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.''
On each examination students will be required to sign the following
pledge:
On my honor, I pledge that I have not given, received, or
tolerated
others' use of unauthorized aid in completing this work.
Accessibility
Please contact your instructor during the first week of class if you
have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and
require accommodations. All discussions will remain confidential. You
can provide documentation of your disability to the Advising Center
(204 Johnson Student Union) or call Laurie Bickett (x7027).
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. It is essential
that
you come to class prepared to do the day's work. In particular,
you
should read 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
Prep Problems
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. By reading
and trying to understand the material before class, you will understand
it better after being in class. These problems
will often serve as the starting point for class
discussions.
Prep problems, when assigned, must be done before the beginning of
class,
by the time deadline given.
I hear, and I forget;
I see, and I remember;
I do, and I understand.
-Proverb
Homework is assigned for each section. Homework assignments will be
collected about twice a week, but you are advised to do the problems
from each section right after the class meeting on that section. A
selection of the problems turned in will be graded. You are allowed
and encouraged to discuss homework and prep problems with others, but
(see the College Academic Honesty policy) ultimately you must work the
problems and write up the assignment entirely by yourself. As a
general rule, you must justify your answers: Explain, or show your
work. Let the Golden Rule be your guide in preparing this homework:
write it as if you were the person who would have to grade it.
Homework rules
- Acknowledge your sources (people and texts).
- In nontrivial problems, show how you get your answers.
- Turn in neat, well-written solutions, not messy first drafts.
Trim
"fringes."
- Do not copy collaborative solutions; write up solutions in your
own
words.
- Turn in homework on time. (Consult your instructor for
their
policy
on late homework.)
Advice from Your Peers
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.
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