Math 118 Calculus I Syllabus
 
Fall 2005
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 11:00 – 11:50 in Buttrick G-13
 

Instructor:  Jim Wiseman
Office:  Buttrick 331
Phone:  x6202
Email:  jwiseman@agnesscott.edu

Office hours:  Tuesday 3-5, Wednesday 3-4
Course information:  Available on Blackboard and the course website, http://ecademy.agnesscott.edu/~jwiseman/mat118b
 
Textbook:  Hughes-Hallett et al., Calculus (Single Variable), 4th edition, available in the bookstore.  (There are copies of the 3rd edition and the 3rd edition student solutions manual on reserve in the library – the 4th edition student solutions manual isn't available yet.  Also on reserve are videotape tutorials on the TI-83, TI-86, and TI-89 calculators.)
 
Plan:  We'll cover most of chapters 1-6.  There's a more detailed schedule on Blackboard and at http://ecademy.agnesscott.edu/~jwiseman/mat118b/schedule.html, but it's subject to change.
 
Homework:  Working problems is vital to learning math; there will be homework assignments nearly every week, due at the beginning of class on Wednesday.  Assignments will be posted on Blackboard and at http://ecademy.agnesscott.edu/~jwiseman/mat118b/assignments.html – you are responsible for checking the assignments, as I won't give them in class.
 
Honor code and group work: All students are expected to follow the honor code throughout the semester.
I strongly encourage you to work on the homework in groups.  I suggest that you work on the problems by yourself first, making a note of anything giving you trouble; then meet with your group and work through the remaining problems together; and finally write up the solutions by yourself.
Every group member must write up her own solutions independently; just copying the group's answers is plagiarism and is unacceptable.
 
Getting help:  As Talking Barbie says, "Math class is tough."  (Unless she's the hacked version - then she says, "Eat lead, Cobra.")  Chances are that sooner or later you'll get stuck on something, so don't get frustrated.  Think hard, and if you're still stuck, do something else for a while.  (It's amazing how often that works.)
My office hours are above - these are times when I'm guaranteed to be in my office and willing to talk.  If you want to see me at other times, the best thing to do is to set up an appointment with me by email or after class.  Of course, you're welcome to just drop by my office, as long as you don't mind if I'm not there or don't have time to talk.
Just to get you in the habit of coming to office hours (mine and your other professors'), I'm requiring each of you to come ask at least one question during office hours before the first midterm (Oct. 7).
Our Learning Support coordinator, Ms. Schwarzlose, together with student learning assistants will be able to provide help throughout the week. More details, including the schedule, are on Blackboard. You are encouraged to use this service, and should think of it as part of your weekly mathematics regimen.
Finally, I can't emphasize enough that your classmates are your best source of help.
 
Course goals:
 
Exams:  We will have two midterm exams and one final exam, all closed-book.  The midterms are in-class exams, and the final is self-scheduled.  The first midterm covers all material up to that point, the second covers all material since the first, and the final is cumulative.  
Final project:  During the last full week of classes, you and a partner will turn in a calculus project.  The project consists of a paper and a 15-minute in-class presentation.  The paper is due at the beginning of class on Friday, 12/9; the exact time of your presentation will be determined later.  The details of the assignment are at http://ecademy.agnesscott.edu/~jwiseman/mat118b/stuff/project118.pdf, and descriptions of the possible topics are at http://ecademy.agnesscott.edu/~jwiseman/mat118b/stuff/projectlist118.pdf.
 
Gateway test:  All Calculus I students are required to pass a "differentiation gateway test." This test will have 8 differentiation problems and you must get each problem correct in order to pass. You may re-take the test as often as needed until you pass it, but you may not take more than one test per day. The deadline to complete this is 12/5. This test is 5% of your final grade, and no partial credit will be given. Unlike your other tests, the gateway test is given on-line. To take the test, you must first register for the class on Egrade: http://aca-egrade.agnesscott.edu/classes/118BF05 .  Once you've registered, you can take the test by selecting the "Differentiation Proficiency" assignment and clicking "Go."  Compute the derivatives of the 8 functions you're given, then select "Grade" from the menu at the top.  If you have any trouble with Egrade, just let me know.
 
Assessment:  Your grade will be based on:
Letter grades will be given as follows: 90 and above is an A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, below 60 F.
 
Late assignments and exams: Late assignments won't be accepted, and you won't be allowed to make up missed exams, except under very exceptional circumstances (e.g., the sasquatch attacks - and even then you should get a note from the sasquatch).  In the case of a conflict that you absolutely can't resolve, you may arrange to take a midterm exam early.
 
Attendance:  I expect you to be at every class, on time.  However, tardiness or absence will have no (direct) effect on your grade.
 
Feedback: I'm very interested in your feedback throughout the class:  what you like, what you don't, what's working for you, what isn't - anything that you think might help me make the course better.  If you have any comments (and you probably should), the easiest thing to do is to talk to me (or send email) about them.  If you want to remain anonymous, you can fill out the anonymous feedback form on Blackboard.

Back to MAT 118 homepage.