Math 125-Calculus I

Section 001 Spring 2011.

Exams | Grading | Schedule |

Professor: Greg Knese
Office: 145 Gordon Palmer
Telephone: 348-1979 (do not leave a message)
e-mail: use the email through elearning
or geknese at bama dot ua dot edu
Office Hours: M 9-10am, W 10-11am, Th 11am-12pm
or by appointment

CLASS HOURS: Lecture MWR 8:00-8:50 am, in Biology Hall room 202. Recitations on Tuesday 8:00-8:50 (Rooms: Gordon Palmer 226 and 207)

Class will divide into separate recitation sections on Tuesdays. You will be assigned a recitation room later.

PREREQUISITES: A grade of C- or higher in MATH 112 and MATH 113 (or MATH 115) or a mathematics placement score in the 440-550 range. To be successful in this course you must be proficient in algebra, analytic geometry, and trigonometry. If you want to test your skills, I encourage you to try this pretest.

DESCRIPTION: First course in the three part basic calculus sequence for students majoring in mathematics, science, or engineering. Topics include limits, continuity, differentiation, applications of differentiation, and integration. Applications of the derivative are covered in detail, including approximations of errors using differentials, maxima and minima problems, curve sketching, optimization problems, and Newton's Method. Topics on integration include Riemann sums, properties of definite integrals, integration by substitution, and integrals involving logarithmic, exponential, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and hyperbolic functions.

GOALS:
Any one who completes this course should:
1. understand and be able to explain the concepts of the limit, the derivative, and the integral.
2. be able to calculate limits, derivatives, and integrals for a variety of functions (rational, exponential, trigonometric, inverse trig, logarithmic, and hyperbolic)
3. be able to apply derivatives to optimization problems, linear approximation, curve sketching, and Newton's method.
4. be able to use the integration technique called substitution, and recognize when it can be used.
5. be able to use integration to compute the areas of planar regions bounded by graphs of functions.

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:
1. Text: Essential Calculus: Early Transcendentals by J. Stewart, published by Brooks/Cole.
2. A calculator for aid in doing homework problems. Please note also that the use of electronic devices (calculators, cell phones etc.) will not be permitted during tests.
3. WebAssign Access Code : See description below.

CHAPTERS COVERED:
1 Functions and Limits
2 Derivatives (2.7 optional)
3 Inverse Functions:Exponential, Logarithmic and Inverse Trigonometric Functions (3.4 optional, 3.7 omit)
4 Applications of Differentiation
5 Integrals
7 Applications of Integration (7.1 only-Areas between curves)

READINGS:
Reading (and learning how to read) mathematics is the most important part of this course. Read the "to the student" section of our text on page xii for advice on how to read math. It is important to read the text actively: take notes, write outlines, fill in missing details, and attempt worked out examples on your own before looking at the text's approach. You are expected to read assigned sections before class and complete a few basic questions about what you read. The schedule lists the assigned readings and problems for each day. Class will be based around the fact that you are doing the reading. Each class I will end with a preview or overview of the next assigned reading, and on the next day we will go over the assigned reading problems. Then we will discuss the most important or difficult points of the assigned reading.

EXAMS: There will be four (4) midterm exams during the semester. The exams will be given on Tuesday evenings, 6:30 - 7:50 p.m. (classrooms will be announced). The lowest midterm test score will be replaced by the final exam score if the final is higher. There will be no make-up tests: if you miss a midterm for any reason, that test will count as your lowest score and will be replaced. No student should miss two tests. Each test counts 12.5% towards your final course grade. The final exam counts 30% towards your final course grade.

Exam Schedule:

Exam DATE
Test 1 Feb 1, 2011(Comprehensive)
Test 2 Feb 22, 2011 (Comprehensive)
Test 3 March 22, 2011 (Comprehensive)
Test 4 April 12, 2011 (Comprehensive)
FINAL EXAM Thursday May 5 from 3:30-6:00 pm. (Comprehensive)

Please note that this overrides any information concerning exams in the syllabus that you can find at other websites. Note that each exam will be comprehensive, that is, each exam will be based on ALL previous work in the course. Please note also that the use of calculators and other electronic devices will not be permitted during tests.

Last day to drop with a grade of W: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 No withdrawals from this course can be made after this date.

RECITATION: This course will consist of three lecture days and one "recitation" session. Recitation sessions are sessions focused on more conceptual or intricate problems. Refer to "homework in recitation" below. Recitations will begin the second or third week of classes.

HOMEWORK: Homework will be 20% of your grade. There will be three types of homework in this course.

Homework based on readings:

Almost every class will have a small number of problems due based on assigned readings. These problems will be graded in class (by yourself or a classmate). I will only "grade your grading" on these homeworks: if you attempt every problem and grade accurately you will receive full credit on the homework. If you are unable to do a problem you must give a specific reason why (for example you could say "I do not understand the concept of a limit" but not "I did not know how to start the problem"). I will drop roughly 20% of these homeworks.

Homework in recitation

Every recitation will have problems due and they will be of a more conceptual or intricate nature. These problems will graded similar to homeworks based on readings. You will get these problems a week in advance. I will drop 20% of these homeworks.

WebAssign homework

  • There will be weekly homework due online using the website "webassign."
  • To log into WebAssign click on thelink WebAssign using the class key ua 9656 9061. Complete the profile section by providing your full name and e-mail address. Choose as user ID your MyBama user ID, then enter a personal password. Save your profile and start doing the homework.
  • The list of the assignments so far and due dates appear in the section titled My Assignments. You should also check the section New Announcements for any new information about the course.
  • Late submissions are not allowed and extensions cannot be given since I will release answers and solutions as soon as the due date passes. However, I will drop roughly 10% of your webassign homeworks at the end.
  • Report any problems encountered during the submission to me right away via Ask Your Teacher or Requests links.
  • If you suspect that any of your answers have been misread by WebAssign because of syntax or other reasons, then let me know right away, i.e. before the due date, so that I can review your response and re-score the problem.
  • To use Webassign for the semester, you will need an access code. If you do not have one (e.g. packaged with your book), you will need to purchase one (about $35). The access code can be purchased online after you login (at the time you are asked for the code). Webassign gives you a short grace period in which you can access and work problems before you have to have an access code. After the grace period, you must enter a valid code before you can continue using WebAssign.

    Homework "drop"-policy summary:
    20% of "homeworks based on readings" and "recitation homeworks" will be dropped. 10% of webassign homeworks will be dropped.

    GRADING SUMMARY:

    Here is the grading scheme in chart form:

    Assessment Percentage towards final grade
    Homework 20%
    Midterm Tests 50% (12.5% each exam)
    *Final Exam 30%

    *Your lowest midterm test score will be replaced by your final exam score if it helps your grade.

    Your grade for the course will be based on the following scale:

    A+ [96.5,100) A [93,96.5) A- [90,93)
    B+ [86.5,90) B [83,86.5) B- [80,83)
    C+ [76.5, 80) C [73,76.5) C- [70,73)
    D+ [66.5,70) D [63,66.5) D- [60,63)
    F [0,60)

    HELP AVAILABLE:

  • Lectures for this course
  • MTWR from 5 - 7 p.m. in Paty Hall 162 instructional staff will be available to answer questions about homework or other Math 125 content
  • Instructor and GTA office hours
  • For free tutoring, contact the Center for Teaching and Learning. Go to Center for Teaching and Learning for more information.

    COMPUTER LABS: Check the website http://pclabs.ua.edu for a listing of location and hours of open computer labs. Engineering students will need to check with the College of Engineering about the availability of computer labs maintained by the College of Engineering.

    CODE OF ACADEMIC CONDUCT STATEMENT

    All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct. This includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information, misrepresentation, and abetting any of the above. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event that academic misconduct occurs. Students should refer to the Student Affairs Handbook which can be obtained from the Student Life Office in Ferguson Center. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct (see also Student Handbook).

    DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT

    Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with the Office of Disability Services, 348-4285 (see also Office of Disability Services). Thereafter, you are invited to schedule appointments to see me during my office hours to discuss accommodations and other special needs.


    Exams | Grading | Schedule |