Welcome to Math 101:  Calculus! 

 

Professor:  Amy N. Myers

E-mail:  anmyers@brynmawr.edu

Office:  Park Sciences 331

Office Hours:  Mondays 2:30 – 4:00 PM, and Wednesdays 2:30 – 5:00 PM

Open Door:  Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 2:30 – 5:00 PM

 

Required Textbook:  Calculus, 6th Edition, by James Stewart

Recommended Supplement:  The student solutions manual for this textbook has ISBN 0495012343.  Stewart has written several different calculus textbooks, each of which appears in several different editions.

 

Course Objectives:  Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to define, explain, compute, and solve problems concerning limits, derivatives, and integrals, both by hand and using Mathematica (computing software).

 

Grading:  Course grades are based on: 

 

Written Homework:  Homework assignments will be graded on a scale from 0 to 3.  If you try all the problems, you are eligible to receive 2 or 3 points.  If you skip problems, you will get 1 point.  Late homework earns 0 points.  If you complete most exercises and make only minor errors, you will receive 3 points.  If your mistakes are more substantial, you will receive 2 points.  For each assigned exercise, the grader will circle your first mistake, if any, then leave it to you to resolve the problem from there.  Please record your solutions to homework exercises in a logical step-by-step fashion that makes it clear to the grader that you understand the mathematics involved. 

     I will assign homework following most class periods, but collect it only on Fridays.  Since it takes daily concentration to learn calculus properly, you should do all assigned exercises prior to the next class meeting, even though it may not be collected then.  Because I understand that occasionally students have other assignments or commitments that make attention to calculus on a particular day impossible, yet do not accept late homework (out of respect for the graders), I feel I cannot fairly collect homework as often as would benefit most students.  Friday homework collection gives you more flexibility in study time, but is not intended limit your study hours to Thursday night.  I strongly encourage you to work on calculus every day, and not save it all until the last minute.  I expect students to arrive in class ready to move on to new material, and will assume most are ready to do so.  For this reason you should schedule at least two hours of study time for calculus between successive class meetings.

 

Computer Assignments:  In this course you will learn to use Mathematica through the regular completion of computer-based assignments.  Math majors Stephanie Aspero, Kate Goldstein, and Yaena Park will be available in the Mathematics Computer Lab (Park Sciences 354) at the following times to assist you.

  

Tentative Exam Dates:

á      Midterm 1:  October 5

á      Midterm 2:  November 14

á      Final Exam:  Self-scheduled

 

Study Groups:  Numerous studies have shown that working with others is generally the best way to learn calculus, and I strongly encourage you to do so.  What you turn in, however, must be your own work written in your own words.

    

Homework Help:  Math majors Eva Herzog and Caitlin Iles and will be available in Park Sciences 349 at the following times to answer questions concerning homework.

 

Extra Practice:  Learning calculus is like learning to speak Italian, drive a car, or play the piano.  If you want to become proficient, you have to practice.  It is difficult and awkward at first, but becomes second nature when you make a concentrated effort.  Like Italian, driving, and the piano, calculus comes more naturally to some people and less naturally to others; but with committed determination anyone can become proficient at calculus.  For this reason I encourage you to attend Peer-led Instruction.  Sarah Khasawinah is the math major in charge, and she will answer questions on course material, re-explain important concepts, and help you practice problems not assigned as homework at the following times

 

Helpful Advice:  The following italicized paragraphs are quoted from page xxiii of the textbook.  I wish I had received  (and followed) such advice when I was learning calculus in college!  The process our textbook author describes for learning mathematics is the one I use now.  I would have had much less trouble learning calculus if I had tried it as a student.

     ÒReading a calculus textbook is different from reading a newspaper or a novel, or even a physics book.  DonÕt be discouraged if you have to read a passage more than once in order to understand it.  You should have pencil and paper and calculator at hand to sketch a diagram or make a calculation.

     Some students start by trying their homework problems and read the text only if they get stuck on an exercise.  I suggest that a far better plan is to read and understand a section of the text before attempting the exercises.  In particular, you should look at the definitions to see the exact meanings of the terms.  And before you read each example, I suggest that you cover up the solution and try solving the problem yourself.  YouÕll get a lot more from looking at the solution if you do so.Ó---James Stewart

     You may also find it helpful to read the section entitled ÒA Preview of CalculusÓ on pages 2 – 9 right away.  This section gives you the big picture of what calculus is all about.  It is often easier to absorb new details into an existing general framework.

     Chapter 1 provides a review of functions and their use in modeling real-world phenomena.  You may need to review or reference this chapter throughout the semester.  We begin the course with a brief overview of Chapter 1 followed by a more serious consideration of Chapter 2.

 

Office Hours:  My office hours are 2:30 – 5 PM Mondays and Wednesdays in Park Sciences 331, but I am often available at other times as well.  If I am not in my office when you need me, please try the Mathematics Function Space (328), the Mathematics Computer Lab (354), or the Mathematics Lounge (355).  

 

Open Door:  During open door hours, you may or may not be able to find me in my office.  If I am there and free for questions, my door will be cracked open and you should feel free to knock and come in!  Please note that office hours and open door hours are for students needing extra help with course material or wishing to express other course-related concerns.  They are not intended for students wishing to make up a missed class.  Such students can find homework assignments and announcements posted on the course website, and copy notes from a classmate.

 

Email:  Please note that my email address does not fit the usual Bryn Mawr pattern.  I will sign my emails Amy N. Myers to help you remember my middle initial.  Because students often send me messages quickly then immediately realize they can find the answers they need on the course website, I will not respond to such messages.  This policy saves students the Òoops sorryÓ message and me the response time.  On weekdays I usually check email at least every couple of hours until 10 PM or so.  On weekends you may have to wait longer for a response.

 

Extra Credit:  You can recover from missed homework by attending various math-related events throughout the term.  Such events will be announced on the course website.

 

Accommodations: If you think you may need accommodation in this course because of the impact of a disability, please contact Stephanie Bell, Coordinator of Accessibility Services in Canwyll House at 610 526 7351 or sbell@brynmawr.edu, as soon as possible, to verify your eligibility for reasonable accommodations.  Early contact will help to avoid unnecessary inconvenience and delays.