Instructor: M. O'Kennon
Office: Palenske 305 Office hours:
(tentatively) MTF 3:10.
E-mail mokennon@albion.edu
Text: Thomas's Calculus, Tenth Edition, Addison-Wesley, 2001.
Paraphernalia: Graphics Calculator (departmental recommendation: TI-83
or TI-83+ but there are other adequate ones, so check your current one
with me) which you must bring to class each day and know how to use.
In math classes, like all other classes in a liberal arts college, the
student must learn by doing. This class will consist of both lecture and
direct student participation. You will be working in small groups
both in and out of class, and your input is crucial to your own and the
learning experience of your group.
This learning by doing is also the key to my philosophy of calculators. They have their place, for instance in doing nasty calculations or getting an idea of what a function looks like when you are unfamiliar with the function, but are not to be used as a substitute for your own understanding of concepts.
Attendance. You must attend every class and every out-of-class group session unless you have a serious medical or family emergency. This is important for the smooth working of the class and for the continuity of your learning. Attendance is your responsibility! Missing more than three classes will negatively impact your grade.
Office Hours. On my part, I promise to be in my office during my posted office hours, and by appointment to help you with any questions you may have, but not to give you a lecture when you have missed a class for a chance to sleep in or study for another class! I'll be glad to answer questions about any problems on which you have put in some work but are stymied. The same goes for questions in class. You will get more out of the answer if you have tried to figure out the answer for yourself first! Really!
Help! If you feel you are having a hard time in calculus because of a weakness in algebra skills, we are pleased to announce that we have a Quantitative Skills Center. Ms. Karla McCavit is in charge of the center. There you will find resources to help you strengthen your algebraic muscles. Most students find that calculus is not a difficult subject when they know some very basic algebra, like finding a common denominator and factoring polynomials.
If you know or suspect you might have a learning difficulty of some kind, please see Pamela Schwartz to discuss how you and I can work together to maximize your learning.
Homework. Homework is due on the assigned day. You will typically have three days from the time of assignment till the due date. Many assignments will be done in a group. Just like class attendance, you must attend all your group sessions and contribute to the progress of your group. Again, I will try to get your homework marked and back to you within three days!
Tests. There will be a test at the end of each of the 5 chapters we cover. No makeup tests will be given, but see the next paragraph.
How your grade will be determined. The best 4 out of the 5 major tests will each count 20 points and a final exam will count 30. Let me explain how this works. You should plan not to miss any tests. (In case of severe illness or family emergency you may need to use this test as the one you will drop.) Makeup tests are very difficult to quality-control so I just don't give them. Your homework (some will be group assignments) will be evaluated for a total of 25 points. There may be a few quizzes, announced or unannounced. Quizzes may count variably, but probably about 2 to 5 points each. Plan to study each section before you come to class, as most quiz questions will relate to the reading assignment! My usual grading scale will be used, that is: 94-100 = 4.0; 87-93 = 3.7; 84-86 = 3.3; 80-83 = 3.0; 77-79 = 2.7; 74-76 = 2.3; 70-73 = 2.0; 67-69 = 1.7; 64-66 = 1.3; 60-63 = 1.0.
Back by popular acclaim: the board points. In order to quantify participation, I ask that if you want to try for the 4.0 you plan to put up as many problems as possible during the semester. I will ask that you arrive a few minutes early so that the problems are on the board the day they are due ready to be discussed. Your courage in writing your problem on the board and your effort to clearly explain your solution in words to the class will earn you a board point. When you have amassed 5 board points, you will be awarded a handsome certificate suitable for framing somewhere, and which can be redeemed at the end of the semester for 2 percentage points to be added to your final average. Note: two certificates (4 percentage points) is the limit counted for credit, but if everyone has had a chance and you want to put up a problem, you are welcome to as many handsome certificates as your fridge can display.
Tentative timetable: The numbered sections refer to the textbook.
Week 1 (Begins Aug. 20): Sections 0.1 - 0.3
Week 2 (Begins Aug. 27): 0.4-0.5, 0.7
Week 3 (Sept. 4): Note: Monday September 3 is
Labor Day-- 0.7, Review, Test #1, 1.1
Week 4 (Sept. 10): 1.2-1.4
Week 5 (Sept. 17): 1.5, Review, Test #2, 2.1
Week 6 (Sept. 24): 2.2 - 2.4
Week 7 (Oct.1): 2.4- 2.5
(Note: Fall Break begins at 5:00 pm on Friday, October
5, and runs through Tuesday, Oct. 9)
Week 8 (Oct. 10): 2.6-2.7
Week 9 (Oct. 15): 2.7, Review, Test #3, 3.1
Week 10 (Oct. 22): 3.2 - 3.5
Week 11 (Oct 29): 3.5-3.7,
Review
(Note: last day to drop with grade of
"W" is Wednesday, October 31)
Week 12 (Nov. 5): Test #4, 4.1- 4.3
Week 13 (Nov. 12): 4.4 - 4.6
Week 14 (Nov.19): 4.7, Review (Note: November 21-25
is Thanksgiving Break)
Week 15 (Nov. 26): Test#5,
5.1- 5.3
Week 16 (Dec.3): review for final
(Note: Wednesday, December 5, is the last day
of classes)