Fall 2009 Math 101A Sections 2 & 5

MATH 101A - Fall 2009

Class Meetings:
Section 2 - MTWF: 9:05-10:00(B)
Section 5 - MTWF: 11:15-12:10(D)
Classroom: Robinson 7
Text: Essential Calculus by Stewart

Instructor: Dr. Carrie Finch
Office: Robinson 24
Phone: 458-8209
E-mail: finchc@wlu.edu

Office Hours:
TWF: 10:10-11:05(C)
R: 11:15-12:10(D)
M: 12:20-1:15(E)
or by appointment

Class Calendar

Homework Assignments

Notes

Math 101 Help Session:

Sunday-Thursday 8:00-9:30pm in R6

Why Calculus? Learning Objectives

Students will develop a thorough understanding of the principal tools of calculus--how the tools are designed and how they are used to analyze the behavior of functions.
By modeling and solving a variety of problems, including some with real-world applications, students will acquire problem-solving skills and strategies--such as breaking complex problems into simpler subproblems. They will also come to understand how theoretical results and concepts can be developed and then used for problem solving as well as further investigation.
Students will gain an appreciation for the mathematical process, which consists of pattern recognition, pattern description, and pattern explanation (proof).
Students will develop a sense of the importance of criteria, such as clarity, efficiency, and elegance, by which competing solutions to problems might be judged.

Topics

limits and continuity
derivatives: definition, rules, implicit differentiation
applications of derivatives: shape of graphs, curve sketching, optimization problems, rates of change, the Mean-Value Theorem
antiderivatives, areas and distances, the definite integral
the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
integration by u-substitution
the natural logarithmic and exponential functions, exponential growth and decay

Assessments

Announced quizzes will be given regularly in class to check student progress on the course material.
The lowest in-class quiz score will be dropped when calculating course grades.
Students will complete 5 take-home quizzes throughout the term.
There will be 4 chapter tests during the term.
There will be a comprehensive final exam to be scheduled by each student during exam week.
Homework will be assigned corresponding to each section in the text that is covered.
Quiz and test problems will be strongly related to the homework problems.

Grading

Your course grade will be determined using the following weights for the different types of assessments:

Quizzes: 15%

Take-home quizzes: 5%

Tests: 60%

Final Exam: 20%
Your course grade as a percentage will be converted into a letter grade using the following scale:

A+: 98-100% B+: 87-89% C+: 77-79% D+: 67-69%

A: 93-97% B: 83-86% C: 73-76% D: 63-66%

A-: 90-92% B-: 80-82% C-: 70-72% D-: 60-62%

Policies

Please help our classroom be a respectful and productive learning environment.
The use of cell phones or distracting your classmates in other ways is not appropriate during class periods.
Calculators may NOT be used on tests, quizzes, or the final exam.
Make up quizzes and exams must be arranged in advance and will be given only due to an illness or a university related activity.
The instructor is available for questions anytime during the posted office hours, with no appointment needed.
In addition, it may be possible to schedule a meeting during other times.

Math 101 Help Session:

Sunday-Thursday 8:00-9:30pm in R6

A+:	98-100%	B+:	87-89%	C+:	77-79%	D+:	67-69%
A:	93-97%	B:	83-86%	C:	73-76%	D:	63-66%
A-:	90-92%	B-:	80-82%	C-:	70-72%	D-:	60-62%

Quizzes:	15%
Take-home quizzes:	5%
Tests:	60%
Final Exam:	20%