Math 18A – Calculus I: Differential Calculus

 

Prerequisites:             Trigonometry and either Precalculus or College Algebra

Class Meetings:          Monday, Wednesday, Friday;    9:40 – 11:10 am;     Juniper 4

 

Professor:       Maryl Landess                        Office Hours: Mon, Wed :    11:30 am – 1 pm

Office:                        Juniper 6                                              Tues, Thur:       2 - 3 pm

Phone:            588 – 5175                                          or by appointment

E-mail:            landessm@yosemite.edu

 

 

Required Materials:

ุ  Text:   CALCULUS, Single Variable (4th ed.) Hughes-Hallet, et al.                       (we will cover chapters 1-5 this semester)

ุ  Programmable graphing calculator (will not be allowed on some quizzes/exams)

ุ  Engineering paper or graph paper

ุ  Ruler, lots of pencils and erasers

 

 

Course Description:

 

“Calculus is the mathematics of change, one of the greatest achievements of the human intellect.  Inspired by problems in astronomy, Newton and Leibniz developed the ideas of calculus 300 years ago.  Since then, each century has demonstrated the power of calculus to illuminate questions in mathematics, the physical sciences, engineering, and the social and biological sciences.”  (text)   The primary focus of the first semester of calculus is to explore the concepts, mathematical development and applications of instantaneous rates of change.

 

Student Responsibilities:

 

Learning mathematics is not a spectator sport.  It is your job to actively engage in the process of learning mathematics; I can only guide you in your efforts to learn. 

 

You are responsible for

ุ  Being informed on all class lectures, discussions, activities, announcements

ุ  Participating in class discussions, asking for clarification on points of confusion

ุ  Understanding the mathematical development and examples in the text

ุ  Solving problems on daily homework assignments and writing up your solutions in a neat and complete manner (expect to spend 2-3 hours per class meeting)

ุ  Submitting assignments on time; late assignments will not be accepted

ุ  Seeking help as soon as questions arise

ุ  BEING RESPECTFUL OF YOUR FELLOW CLASSMATES

ุ  Taking all quizzes and exams during the scheduled class period.  You must contact me immediately if you believe your situation warrants exception to this policy.

 

Recommendations for success

 

ุ  Read text sections prior to lecture

ุ  Start daily homework as soon after class as possible

ุ  Work with classmates on assignments

ุ  When you complete your homework, take some time to reflect on the assignment.  Summarize for yourself the general concepts, types of questions and problem solving techniques presented in the reading, lecture and assigned problems.

ุ  Seek help.  (Office hours, Math Lab, Academic Achievement Center)

ุ  Do not fall behind.  Most lessons build on the foundations of the previous lesson.  The inability to understand and apply new material quickly snowballs. 

ุ  Keep lecture notes, assignments, quizzes and exams in an organized binder.

ุ  Maintain a record of your grades.

ุ  Start studying early for quizzes and exams.

 

Grading:

Your grade in the course is based on your overall weighted average

 

Daily Homework                    10%     (four lowest scores dropped)

Weekly Quizzes                      20%     (lowest score dropped)

Exams (4)                                50%

Final  exam (cumulative)         20%                            

 

and the following scale:

 

90 -100 %        A

80 – 89 %        B

70 – 79 %        C

60 – 69 %        D

below 60 %     F

 

FINAL EXAM:          Wednesday, December 12, 8 – 10 am

 

Classmates:

 

Name

Phone

E-mail