Math 318 - Calculus of Several Variables – Fall 2018

 

Agreement

A goal of this course is to offer a rigorous, welcoming, and rewarding experience to every student; you will build that experience by devoting your strongest available effort to the class. You will be challenged and supported. Please be prepared to take an active, critical, patient, and generous role in your own learning and that of your classmates.

 

General Information

            Lecture: MWF 12-1pm in Wilson 214

            Professor: Laura Escobar

            Office hours: Monday 2-3:30pm and Wednesday 10:30-12 in Cupples I 204C (for now)

            Email: laurae (at) wustl (dot) edu

            Website: Canvas, www.math.wustl.edu/~escobar/teaching/318Fall18.html

 

Prerequisites

         Math 233 and Math 309

 

Textbook and Topics

Theodore Shifrin, Multivariable Mathematics. Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, and Manifolds, John Wiley & Sons, 2005.

 

We will cover Chapters 1-8 of the textbook. There will not be time to cover all these chapters in equal detail. Shifrin's book is a source for further explanations and examples, and you are encouraged to supplement lectures by reading of the corresponding topics in the book. A detailed schedule will be kept in Canvas and updated as the course progresses.

 

Grading Information

Homework

15%

Weekly

 

Midterm 1

25%

September 28

 

Midterm 2

25%

October 31

Cumulative

Final

35%

December 19, 10:30-12:30

Cumulative

 

Your lowest midterm exam score will be replaced with your final exam score if this increases your grade. If you miss one midterm exam for some reason, the missed exam grade will be replaced with your final exam grade. Absences on both midterm exams or on the final exam require a documentable excuse and meeting with the professor.

 

Letter grades will be given based on your overall score. The cutoffs will be no higher than the following: A-: 85%, B-: 70%, C-: 55%, D: 50%

 

Pass/Fail Policy: You must get at least a C- to earn a Pass.

 

Homework

There will be weekly homework. The problems will be posted in Canvas and you will submit your solutions through Crowdmark. When a homework set is assigned, registered students will receive an email with a due date and a submission link. You will need to use the submission link to upload your scanned solution. After an assignment is graded, you will receive another email with a link to view your graded homework.

 

Your lowest two homework assignment scores will be dropped. For this reason, there will be no late homework allowed. If, for whatever reason, you cannot or forget to turn in a homework, it will count as one of your dropped homework scores.

 

You may discuss the homework with other students provided you have already given the homework a serious attempt. If you have already solved a problem and someone asks you about it, then any help you provide should consist of hints or suggestions and not complete solutions. In particular, homework should be written up independently and it should not be possible to tell who worked with whom. Do not search or post requests for solutions to HW.

 

Academic Integrity

All students are expected to adhere to the University's academic integrity policy.

 

Plagiarism is a form of cheating or fraud; it occurs when a student misrepresents the work of another as their own. For example, you are not allowed to search or post requests for solutions to HW. Also, pay attention to how you collaborate on your assignments. See above for details on what type of collaboration is allowed.

 

Do not post any course materials online without my permission.

 

Disability Resources (DR)

Special accommodations for exams are offered to students who have registered in a timely manner at Disability Resources (DR). Information about DR may be found at http://disability.wustl.edu  Students who desire to take advantage of this service should go to the DR early in the semester, well before the first exam. Once approved for accommodations, students should work with DR for these exams.

 

Acknowledgements

This syllabus is based on syllabi from previous semesters which were prepared by various Professors. Parts of this syllabus are based on Professor Federico Ardila’s syllabi for his courses at SFSU.