Science and Engineering Calculus

Course Description: Math 170 is the first of a two-semester sequence in differential and integral calculus, and part of a four-semester sequence of core mathematics courses required by most engineering and science programs. It is designed especially to prepare science and engineering students for their programs, including the mathematical background for core physics courses. Math 170 is also suitable for some mathematics majors. The sequence Math 170-Math 171 is also designed to prepare students for third semester calculus (Math 272), and fourth semester differential equations (Math 374). Topics include: vectors, vector operations (e.g., dot and cross products, projections) and applications of them, functions (both real-valued functions of a real variable and vector-valued functions of a real variable), limits, continuity, techniques and applications of differentiation and integration (for real-valued functions and vector-valued functions), exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometry and trigonometric functions, general definition of a differential equation and some further elementary aspects of differential equations.

Prerequisites: MATH 118 or placement by ACT, SAT, or WMU placement exam.

Goals: In this course you will use tools from prerequisite courses, develop facility with tools of calculus, learn to choose the best calculus tools for new problems, develop your ability to learn by reading and doing problems alone, develop your ability to determine key concepts, develop your ability to learn by working in a group, develop your ability to communicate mathematics clearly in writing and speech, and develop your ability to use technology appropriately.

Attitude Requirements: Mathematics is an interesting subject, and I expect you to be curious about it. No one knows everything. You should be aware of what you do and do not know, and work to learn what you do not know. You should formulate good questions and work to obtain answers for them.

Time Requirements: You must plan to spend at least 10 hours a week outside of class. If your foundation in precalculus is weak, you will need more time.

Text: Calculus with Early Vectors, by Phillip Zenor et.al. We will cover chapters 1-7.5.

Calculator: You must have a graphing calculator. Choose your calculator knowing that your instructor will use a TI-89 and you may be required to have a TI-89 or higher model in a future course. For the calculator requirements of the math courses, see the calculator guidelines page . On quizzes and exams, there may be portions where you are not allowed to use your calculator and other portions for which you need your calculator.

Coursework: For every class, you will have a reading assignment and an assignment of problems. At the beginning of every class, you will submit a response to the reading and solutions to the problems. Your response to the reading should include brief answers to the questions ``What were the major points of this section?'', ``What words were defined?'', ``What techniques were discussed?'', and ``How does this section relate to the sections before it?'' Your solutions to the problems should be written as an explanation of how to do the problem in complete sentences. Some of these problems will be graded. You should file these papers in a binder after they are returned to you. Every week, you will also have a few problems to complete in a group outside of class. Your group will submit a single homework each week. As a group, you should work to understand solutions to the problems and draft solutions in complete sentences. One member of your group will write up the homework each week, and those who sign their names to the solution will receive credit for it. You will rotate who writes up the solutions each week. Occasionally, you may be asked to present a solution to the class.

Quizzes and exams: Quizzes will be given in class at least once per week. There will be two mid-term exams and a final. Questions may or may not be problems you have seen before in the reading or homework, but they will test your understanding of the material in the course.

Grades: Classwork 30% , Exams (two) 40% , and Final exam 30% I reserve the right to lower your grade for habits like poor attendance or consistent tardiness.

Makeups: Makeup exams will be made only in the case of a genuine medical or personal emergency. It is your responsibility to prove that your absence is due to an emergency. There will be no makeup quizzes, but your lowest quiz score will be dropped.

Resources: You may benefit from the following resources. Your instructor has office hours so that she can help you with this course. Learn to ask her questions that help you learn the material! One of the best ways to learn and review is to discuss with your peers. Find people you can learn with well! There are also many other books on calculus which may help you by providing a different point of view. Look through another book at some point in the semester! The university and mathematics department have offered free tutors in the past. Look for these opportunities! If these methods do not work for you, you can also pay someone to tutor you. A list of tutors is available from the mathematics department on the third floor of Everett tower.

Academic Dishonesty: You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate (pp. 274-276) Catalog that pertain to Academic Integrity. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity for a hearing. More details about this procedure can be found at website of the office of student conduct, and an outline of the procedure can be found at this website. You should consult with me if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test.

Disabilities: Any students with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact Ms. Beth Denhartigh at telephone 387-2116 or by email at the beginning of the semester. A disability determination must be made by that office before any accommodations are provided by the instructor.

Important Dates:

Last day to drop/add classes: September 2
Exam 1: Approximately September 30
Last day to withdraw from classes: October 31
Exam 2: Approximately November 8
Final Exam: Monday December 5, 12:30-2:30
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