Science and Engineering Calculus

Course Description Math 171 is the second 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 171 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, sequences and series, general definition of a differential equations, and some further elementary aspects of differential equations.

Prerequisites MATH 1700 or 1230 with a grade of C or better, or equivalent transfer credit. If you did not take math 1700 at WMU, it would be wise to discuss with your instructor your previous course to identify areas that you may need to review or learn.

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 or first semester calculus is weak, you will need more time.

Text Calculus with Early Vectors, by Phillip Zenor et al. This semester, we will cover Sections 4.5, 5.8, 6.7, 7.1-2, 7.6-9 and Chapters 8, 9, and 10. Time permitting, we will cover parts of Chapter 11 or other topics.

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 . 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.

Gateway You will be required to take a gateway exam to demonstrate to yourself that you have prerequisite skills from Calculus I. See the math department policies on the gateway.

Quizzes and exams Quizzes will be given in class at least once per week. They may be announced or unannounced. Unannounced quizzes will often be open notes -- you will be able to use any notes you may have taken in class or from the text, and any homework you may have completed. There will be three 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 Gateway 15% , Coursework 15% , Exams (three) 45% , and Final exam 25% . Instead of grading on a curve (90=A, 80=B, etc.), I use some statistics. Borderline cases are determined by attendance habits, attitude, and if you improved over the course of the semester. You cannot determine your grade from the raw percentage. You should focus on learning the material and reaping the benefits of the resources at the university, instead of worrying about your grade or GPA. If you are concerned about your performance in class, come see me as soon as possible.

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 as soon as possible. In cases with some ambiguity, my response to your plight will be determined in part by how quickly you talk to me about your situation. There will be no makeup quizzes, but your lowest two quiz scores 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: January 13
Exam 1: Approximately February 3
Exam 2: Approximately February 23
Last day to withdraw from classes: March 13
Exam 3: Approximately March 31
Final Exam: Monday April 24, 10:15-12:15

Miscellaneous Advice

Talk to me. Come to my office hours. I am here to help you. Bring any concerns you may have to my attention in a timely fashion.

Copying the correct solution from the a solution guide, me, a tutor, or another student does not mean you understand the solution. Make sure you can do each problem from scratch on your own without notes after you get help from a solution guide, me, a tutor, or another student.

I am horrible at remembering names. I will remember your name faster if you come to my office hours. You can help me out by reminding me of your name.

Explaining what you do (or do not) know helps you understand the material. Talk to your fellow students. Talk to me.

Get help as soon as you know you need it.

Keep up with the material, so you know you need help as soon as possible.

Ask to make an appointment if you cannot make my office hours.

Find a group of friends with whom you can meet regularly to discuss the material in the class. There are many things to you can do together. You can discuss what has been happening in class. You can help each other determine the main concepts. You can help each other with homework.

Think about the material in as many ways as possible. One way to think differently about the material is to try to come up with your own homework, quiz, or test problems. Then solve them.

Learn from your mistakes. What mistakes have you made in previous math courses, and how would you do things differently this semester?

What are you mathematical weaknesses? Write any that come to mind. Work on these! If you find something difficult, that is often a sign you need to work harder on that topic.

Mathematics has concepts and computations. Make sure you can answer both ``What are the concepts?'' and ``What computations should I be able to do?'' Then make sure you understand those concepts and can do those computations.