Math 100: Foundations for Calculus, Fall 2009
Syllabus

Text: Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus, Fifth Edition by Stewart et al. We will cover most of chapters 1-7 during this semester.

Instructor: Kelly Bickel (kbickel@math.wustl.edu)

Web Site: http://www.math.wustl.edu/~kbickel/math100.htm. This page contains the syllabus and a link to updated homework assignments.

Office: Cupples I, Room 203

Office Hours: Mon 2-3pm, Tues 10-11am, and Thurs 10-11am. If you have questions about anything, I strongly encourage you to come talk with me.

Class Time and Location: Cupples I, Room 111, Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30-10am.

Graphing Calculator: You will need a graphing calculator. The TI-83 or TI-83+ is the standard model that I will use when I use a calculator in class. Calculators should be used on homework when appropriate, and can often be used to check answers. Since you typically will not be allowed to use a calculator on most quizzes and tests, I discourage becoming dependent on them.

Homework: Homework will be assigned every class and will be due two class periods later. You can find updated homework assignments at:
http://www.math.wustl.edu/~kbickel/math100sd.html . Since many answers are in the back of the text book, turning in answers with no work will result in no credit for the assignment. Since the only way to get a good grasp of the skills you will need in Calculus is to do a lot of practice problems, homework is crucial, and many quiz and exam problems will be similar to assigned homework problems. I encourage you all to work together on homework assignments, but the solutions you turn in should be your own work. A good rule of thumb is to discuss problems together but always write up your final solutions by yourself. Late homework receives an automatic 50% reduction, but you are allowed to drop one homework assignment.

Study Sessions: If grades drop below a certain point (probably C-level), I am going to set up a weekly mandatory study session through Cornerstone. If you require help outside my office hours or simply want to ask someone else questions, math graduate students will be in the Calculus Help Room (room 323 in Lopata Hall), which is open from 10am- 5pm Monday through Thursday and 10am-4pm on Friday.

Quizzes: Every day, we will have a short (10-15 minute) quiz at the beginning of class. These will be very straightforward (a definition or small calculation) and will be designed to remind you what we covered during the previous class. If you miss class, you will not be able to make up these quizzes. However, when calculating your grade, I will drop the lowest two quiz grades.

Exams: There will be three hour-long evening exams throught the semester; their time and dates are yet to be determined. The final exam will be on December 14th from 1pm to 3pm.

Grade Breakdown: Your final grade will be based on the following: Academic Integrity: Because this class is designed to provide the tools you will need for calculus next semester, I strongly discourage any form of cheating. This should not be a high-stress course, and if you have any problems with the material or assignments, please just come talk to me. If cheating ever does occur, I will take the strongest measures allowed under Wash U's policy on academic integrity.