MATH 170

Course Description

Lectures

Professor

Textbook

Grades

Exams

Class Participation

Homework Policy

Study Sessions

Calculators &
Computers

Academic Honesty

Disabilities

Homework Schedule



Course Description

Math 170 provides an introduction to the three major tools in calculus -- the limit, derivative and integral. Each tool is defined and applied in a variety of settings. At the end of this course the student should be able to analyze a given problem situation, determine which tool or tools are required, and use these tools to arrive at a correct solution. we will cover chapters 1-6 in the text. The prerequisite is placement by the math program.


Lectures

Section
Meeting Time
Meeting Place
C
MWF 3:00-4:00
Olin 123


Professor

My name is John Wilson. My office is Boles 106 and my telephone number is 238 - 5409. I am available for help or conversations almost any time I am in my office. If you want to be more formal you may set up an appointment to meet with me. My official office hours are from 1 to 2 each day. I am on campus pretty much every day from 8:30 to 4:30 and am happy to meet with you. Do not hesitate to contact me anytime to ask questions or set up a meeting via e-mail at john.wilson@centre.edu.


Textbook

Our textbook is Calculus written by Jon Rogawski and published by W.H.Freeman


Grades

Your grade in this course will be based on your performance on three midterm exams worth 60% of your total grade and a cumulative final exam worth 25%. The remaining 15% of your grade will be based on class participation (5%), weekly homework grades (5%), and a project(5%). Homework problems will not be accepted late.

My typical grading scale for this course is 90's - A's, 80's - B's, 60's and 70's are C's, 50's are D's and below 50 is a U.


Exams

The three midterm exams will take place during the regular scheduled class time. The dates for these exams are given in the table below. The date and time for the final exam is scheduled by the registrar and may not be changed without the approval of Associate Dean Dunn. It is college policy that any student absent without an excuse from the final exam will receive a failing grade in the course.

Exam
Date
Time
Midterm Exam 1
Wednesday Sept 23 in-class
Midterm Exam 2 Monday Oct. 26 in-class
Midterm Exam 3 Wednesday Nov. 18 in-class
Final Exam Wednesday Dec. 9 7:00-10:00pm


Class Participation

I expect all of my students to actively participate in every class. Active participation includes coming to class, putting problems on the board, working with others on group projects, taking any quizzes, doing the homework and studying the notes and text.

Anyone who is obviously not paying attention or is disruptive in any way in my class will be warned. If the behavior continues the student will be asked to leave. (For example you should not use class time to take a nap, read the paper or do your chemistry homework.) Please make sure your cell phones are off during the class.


Homework Policy

It is very important for students to practice writing out the solutions to problems on a regular basis. I have chosen between 10 and 20 problems from each section to do for homework. You may discuss these problems with others in your class or with help session workers or with me but you must write up the problems on your own. On the written work that you turn in you must give credit to anyone who has helped you. Problems are to be written up neatly and turned at the start of class. Homework problems will not be accepted late. If you must miss class, you should try to send your homework with a classmate. To receive credit for the homework, your paper should have your name, date, section number in the book and page number. Each problem should be numbered and written on the page. Sufficient supporting work must be included. You should check answers in the back of the book but you will not receive any credit for simply copying the answers out of the book onto your page. You should expect to spend between one and three hours on each homework assignment.


Study Sessions

Room 123 in Olin has been reserved from 8-9 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays during the term as a place for Math 170 students to gather for study sessions. Bryan Lindsey will be available during this time to meet with you to discuss ideas and strategies for solving problems (see the section on Academic Honesty below). I strongly encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities for help in the course. I may also be able to help via email in the evenings but I cannot promise I will always be available.


Calculators and Computers

Each student should have access to a graphing calculator in this class. Appropriate use of calculators is allowed and is sometimes required on exams in this course. The math department owns TI-83 plus calculators that you will use on exams. You will not be able to use your own personal calculators on exams.

The computer algebra system Maple is available on most college owned computers for public use. We will be having some assignments using this software package. .

Although calculators and computers are wonderful tools, proficiency in their use is no replacement for genuine understanding of the concepts of calculus. The homework problems are intended to increase your understanding of the material and judicious use of these tools may be appropriate.


Academic Honesty

Work on all exams should be strictly your own.

Collaboration on homework is encouraged (and expected), but to gain the full benefit of the assigned homework you should first study the book and notes and try some problems independently. When you do get together with a study group it should not simply be a swap and copy session. A study session should be a time of exchanging ideas not papers. You should not be leaving a study group or a help session with your homework ready to be turned in. Write up your solution sets by yourself. On the homework you turn in you should indicate which students you helped and from whom you received help in doing the problems


Disabilities

1. Centre is committed to making its programs accessible to students with disabilities.

2. In the higher education setting, it is the student's responsibility to inform the College of any disabilities for which he or she seeks accommodation.

3. The College has designated Mary Gulley, the Assistant Dean for Advising, as the beginning point of this process. She is charged with reviewing all documentation of disabilities and with coordinating any accommodations offered to students.

4. A faculty member will likely not know of a student's disability unless the student or Mary Gulley ( in her role as ADA coordinator) discloses the disability.

5. If you wish to seek any accommodations for disabilities, you must initiate the process right away, for relief cannot always be granted at the last minute and will not be granted after the fact.