Math 151

 

Instructor:                 Bryan Dorner

Office:                      Morken Rm. 254

 

Phone:                      535 - 8737

 

email:                       dornerbc@plu.edu  (Phone is best, but I will try to check email too.)

 

Office Hours:           

 

                                 10:30-11:00, 12-12:20               Monday, Wednesday, Friday

 

         Text:               

Calculus, Early Trancendentals, Sixth Edition,  James Stewart

 (We will cover topics from chapters 1-5.)

 

         Calculator:       TI-83 or TI-84

 

Software:

Maple, The Graphing Calculator, and Microsoft Office applications are available in the classroom. We will use Maple frequently.

 

Goals:

To read, write, understand and explain mathematics at the level of this course.

 

To apply the ideas and techniques of calculus to "real" situations. (In particular to be able to clearly translate "word" problems into the language of calculus and correctly interpret the results back in the "real" situation.)

 

To learn how to learn mathematics both on one's own and also with others.

 

To master the concept of the derivative of a function, to solve problems using the derivative, to derive and use the shortcut rules for finding derivatives.

 

To begin the study of integration.

 

(The terms derivative and integration will be described in the first lecture.)

 

         Groups:           Experience shows that most students learn better working in

groups than in isolation.

1. There is more opportunity to get your questions answered. 

 

2. Answering others' questions makes one think carefully about the material. (You really learn when you must teach someone.)

 

3.  Knowing what to ask and how to ask it is an important skill for learning (and makes you carefully identify the difficulties -i.e. really think about the material).

 

4.  Being able to explain a technical point clearly is an extremely valuable communication skill (employers love - and demand -  it!)

 

5.  The atmosphere of mutual help and moral support helps individuals accomplish difficult tasks.

 

You are encouraged to form study groups and meet regularly with your group to discuss course work.  Occasionally class time will be provided, and impromptu groups assigned, but you are encouraged to meet outside class as well. 

 

Pick someone as a class buddy.  You and your buddy should communicate between each class for mutual support.

 

Reading the text:

Always read mathematics with a pencil in hand.  Jot down questions in the margin as they come to you.  Fill in the gaps in the text's discussion of examples.  Mathematics must be read with care.  Analyze it line by line as when reading poetry.  It cannot be skimmed like a novel. 

 

The reading assignment must be read before coming to class so that you will be prepared for the class activities based on the reading.  Come with written questions from the reading.

 

Attendance:  

Daily attendance is expected.  Each student's presence is needed for the class to function properly.  You are responsible for the work on all days whether present or not.  Attendance and participation may affect the semester grade.

 

 

Homework, Projects, Reflections:    

 

Successful students normally spend at least 2 hours outside of class on homework for each hour spent in class.  Create a schedule.  Build this time in.  Keep to it, no matter what else comes along.  Most of the learning in the course occurs outside class.

 

Homework  (50 pts)

 

Homework from the textbook will usually be assigned daily. You are expected to come to the next class with as much as possible already done.

 

There will often be a chance to discuss homework during the class following the one when it is assigned.  Written homework will be due at the beginning of the class following the discussion.  (Wednesday homework is due Monday, etc. )

 

Each written assignment will be nominally worth 10 points and the total at the end of the course adjusted proportionally so that a perfect score becomes 25. The lowest two written homework assignment scores will be ignored.

 

Each assignment will be graded on a scale of 0-10:

 

0 if no assignment was turned in

 

1-10 depending on the number of essentially correct and/or insightful responses.   (An insightful response is one of the form;  ÒI could finish this problem if I knew ÉÓ and correctly identifies a specific obstacle to completion.)

 

Written homework should adhere to the standards found in Guidelines for Written Work.

 

Put

á      Name,

á      Math 151, 9:15am (or 12:30pm)

á      (Date Due)

á      Assignment

at the top right corner of the first page of the homework you hand in.

 

Projects (30 pts)

Projects to gather experimental data and analyze it mathematically will be given. Other projects to explore or discover key patterns and/or relations may also be given. The project points in the semester total will be:

[(your total project points)/(all possible project points)]*30

 

Reflections (20pts)

Frequently you will be asked to reflect on a lecture or assignment. Reflections will be graded simply as done (1) or not done (0). The reflection points in the semester total will be:

[(your total reflection points)/(all possible reflection points)]*20.

 

Grading:      

         Exams:            1 1-hour midterm exam                                   100pts

                                 1 2-hour final exam                                         200pts

 

                                 No early or make up exams will be given.

                                 If you really must miss an exam, please see me ahead of time.

 

 

         Quizzes:                                                                                  100 pts (total)

We will, usually, have a quiz each week.  Quizzes may cover the reading assignment for the day as well as recent material. 

 

Homework:

Textbook homework   50pts

Projects                       30pts

 

Reflections:                                         20pts

                                                        

            Letter Grades:

Letter grades will be assigned on a scale similar to the one shown below.  Attendance and participation can affect borderline grades.

 

                                 Total Course Points =     Final pts :                 200

                                                                     + Midterm pts:            100

                                                                     + Quiz pts:                  100

                                                                     + Homework pts:          50

                                                                     + Project pts:                 30

                                                                     + Reflection pts:            20

                                                         ______________________________________

                                                                     =                                  500

 

                                             90 - 100 % of course total   A

                                             80 -  90  % of course total   B

                                             70 -  80  % of course total   C

                                             60 -  70  % of course total   D

                                              0  -  60  % of course total   E

 

         Incompletes will be given only in extremely unusual cases.

 

Dates:           Midterm Hour Exam:             Fri. Oct. 28

 

                     Final:                                       12:30 section - 2-3:50 am Mon. Dec. 12

                                                                     9:15 section   - 8-9:50 am Tues. Dec. 13

                    

Special Needs:  (University-wide policy.)

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.  Students are also reminded that they are responsible for notifying instructors of any conditions that may impair their academic performance.  Without advance warning, such difficulties cannot be used later as the basis for requesting make up exams or reconsideration of grades.