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MAT 140: Differential
Calculus with Review
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Course Description
Lectures
Purpose
Professor
Textbook
Grades
Exams
Class Participation
Office Hours
Calculators
Study Sessions
Academic Honesty
Disabilities
Questions
Homework Schedule
The official course description is as follows:
This is the first course in a two-course sequence that provides both
an in-depth review of functions and an introduction to differential calculus.
In particular, limits and derivatives are introduced as tools used to
analyze the behavior of algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
Approximately 14 years ago, the mathematics program decided that a separate
course in precalculus was inappropriate since almost all of our students
had had such a course in high school. Dr. John Wilson decided to try integrating
precalculus topics into an introductory calculus course where they were
needed. This two course sequence (MAT 140-141) covers the material in
calculus I (MAT 170) and those topics from precalculus that are required
for calculus and those topics requested by other programs. We have found
this sequence to be a quite successful transition to college mathematics.
Lectures
Classes will meet in Olin 128 during the period
1:50 - 2:50 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Purpose
The purpose of this course is to
- review ideas from algebra and trigonometry as they apply to differential calculus ,
- state and use the definition of limit and apply its properties,
- find limits analytically, graphically, and numerically,
- state and use the definitions of continuity and derivative and apply their properties, and
- use the derivative to solve problems such as related rates and optimization.
My name is Neil Eklund and I will be your instructor in MAT 140. My official office is in Jurassic Park (a.k.a. 206 Maple Avenue), I am rarely found there. However, I will be in Olin 110 for at least 30 minutes both before and after class. Otherwise, you my reach me at my home phone at 236-8807; my only requirements are that my phone ring the first time after 9 a.m. and before 9 p.m.(seven days a week). If I am not home and either my wife answers or the answering machine answers, please leave your name, the fact that you are in MAT 140, a phone number where you can be reached, and some range of time when you would be willing to have me call you. If you want help with a problem over the phone you should have pencil and paper ready to write suggestions I might have. If you want to learn a little about my non-academic life, you will be able to check me out at http://web.centre.edu/eklund/personal.htm. However, that file has not been constructed yet.
Textbook
Our textbooks are Calculus, by Jon Rogawski and Just-In-Time by Guntram Mueller and Ronald Brent . This calculus text is the same as the text used in Calculus I (MAT 170),Calculus II (MAT 171), Calculus III (MAT 230). Therefore, if you take Calculus II after successful completion of MAT 141, you should have the same text.
Suggested materials: Since you will be turning in homework, I suggest that you keep your notes and homework in a loose-leaf binder; a 1-1/2 inch binder should be large enough. While you may want to have a calculator available in your room, you will be required to use calculators handed out in class for the tests and the final exam.
Grades
Your grade for the course will be determined using the following:
| Homework | 20% |
| Tests | 60% |
| Final Examination | 20% |
Homework and Exams
Homework will be collected daily at the beginning of the hour. Each assignment will be graded on the basis of 10 points with each problem worth 1 point. I shall be the judge of whether you get the 1 point. Absolutely no late papers will be graded. If you must miss class for any reason, you may have a classmate bring your paper to class or you may place (prior to class) it in a box for my mail in the first room on the right (no number) as you enter Olin Hall via the back door At the end of the term, I will add each person's daily scores (ignoring the lowest four scores of each person) and pro-rate that to the 20% of your total grade.
There will be three hour-long tests, two 30 to 45 minute exams during the term, and one final examination. These exams have already been scheduled and the dates will be changed only for catastrophic events that cause us to get off the daily schedule. All of these tests have been scheduled and students who have scheduled excused absences should plan on taking these test prior to the scheduled time. No exams will be given early or late so as to accommodate personal travel plans or a multitude of tests in other classes. No calculators will be permitted on exams except for calculators that I hand out. Please keep this in mind while working on your homework. The exams will take place on the following dates and times:
| Tests | Date | Day |
| Test 1 | Sept. 14 | Monday |
| Test 2 | Oct. 2 | Friday |
| Test 3 | Oct. 26 | Monday |
| Test 4 | Nov. 16 | Monday |
| Test 5 | Dec. 2 | Wednesday |
| Final Examination | . | |
| MAT 140e | Thursday, Dec.10 | 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. |
On days where a test or final exam is scheduled, place ALL of your belongings (with the exception of a writing instrument -- please, no red -- and a straight edge) along the front wall of the classroom. You will be permitted to use calculators that we hand out on test days and the final exam. These are very basic calculators that have no memories and do not do graphics.
Class Participation
Class participation is an essential part of the course; mathematics is not a spectator sport. For this course, class participation consists of class attendance, reading assignments, homework exercises, and presentation of solutions to homework exercises on the board.
ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD IN CLASS AND ALL CELL PHONES WILL BE TURNED OFF .
You are expected to attend every class; I shall take attendance every day. You have invested a large sum of money for the opportunity to come to class and I will invest a large amount of time and energy in preparing for class; let's not waste the investments we have made. The college catalog points out that you are permitted three absenses in this class whether it is for a scheduled intercollegiate competition, illness, or some other reason. I shall notify the Associate Dean if you miss more than three classes.
Reading assignments consist of reading the section to be discussed prior to class.
If you are ill on a test day let me know by either calling my home phone and leaving a message. You should see me as soon as you are "healthy" so that we can arrange a make-up. I will give the same exam as I gave the class and you are on your honor to not communicate with anyone about the test prior to your taking it. If you have to take a second make-up exam, it will be very different from the exam the class took.
The homework exercises on the syllabus will be collected. For further details consult the Homework Schedule.
Finally, I shall ask if you would like the solution of any assigned exercise put on the board and then invite a student to write a solution on the board. I shall note the name of the presenter and I shall try to pass that opportunity around during the term. I do exercises on the board in the hope that the students will understand and be able to carry out the thinking process involved. A volunteer who puts something of value on the board may reap potential benefits at the end of the term. While such volunteering may help you and your grade, it will hurt you only if I have the impression you are wasting class time.
Office Hours
My office hours are
1:15 - 1:45 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
12:00 - 1:00 Thursday
I can also meet with you at another mutually agreed time by request.
You may make these requests before or after class or by telephoning my
home.
Calculators and Computers
As I have indicated above, the only calculators that will be permitted on exams will be the TI-30X-IIS that I hand out; use of any other calculator will be considered cheating. The homework problems are intended to increase your understanding of the material and judicious use of your calculator may be appropriate. However, while doing your homework, you should also attempt to simulate to some extent the test environment.
Study Sessions
Study sessions have already been arranged. Brian Bowles will run study/help sessions for MAT 140 (all five sections) in Olin 123. They will be held 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. He will be instructed to work no even numbered problems that we have assigned. I encourage you to take advantage of the fact that this room has been reserved solely for MAT 140. He will keep a list of the students who attend.
Academic Honesty
Work on all exams will be strictly your own.Collaboration on homework is encouraged (and expected); however, you should first spend some time in individual concentration to gain the full benefit of the homework. On the other hand, copying is discouraged. You should not be leaving a study group or a study session with your homework completed; write up your solution sets by yourself. You should remember that being a student is a full time job; thus, we expect you to put in two hours of study for every hour in class.
Disabilities
I encourage students with disabilities including but not limited to chronic diseases, learning disabilities, and psychiatric disabilities;students dealing with such exceptional circumstances should see Mary Gulley. She will explain the process used at Centre College to inform teachers of relevant disabilities. You should not discuss this with your teacher until you have received the appropriate form for the teacher to sign.Questions
If you have any questions about this syllabus or about the material presented in this course, come talk to me. Although, I do enjoy mathematics, I am not here just to have fun. My primary goal is to help you learn and understand the material we will cover. Your questions are an important part of your learning process, and I can help you find answers. They not only help you but me also; I learn what you, and probably others, find confusing in our course.
Homework Schedule
To see your daily homework schedule, click http://web.centre.edu/eklund/m140f09hw.htm.
