1) James Stewart, Single
Variable Calculus, Concepts and Contexts, 2e. Brooks/Cole (2001).
Calculator: You will be required to
have a programmable graphing calculator with you when you are in class. They
will not be allowed at the evening exams. See below for more information.
Computer: You will be required to do
a project on a computer, using the computer algebra system, Maple.
See below for more information.
Syllabus and core exercises from the texts: Click
here.
Evaluation Methods and Your Grade: Three exams will
be given outside of regular class hours. These exams are common for all
sections of this course and are scheduled as indicated on the syllabus.
Final: There will be a
final exam given during the final class
Homework: You are expected to do all of the core pencil and
paper exercises from the text, Concepts and Contexts.
Quizzes: There will be a quiz every Thursday.
Grade: Your grade will be based on the following point system.
|
Evaluation
Method: |
Possible points: |
|
Final exam |
200 points |
|
Quizzes |
200 points |
|
Homework |
100 points |
|
Total possible points |
500 points |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General
Information
Students with a disability should see me as soon as possible to work out
reasonable accommodations.
GOALS OF THIS COURSE: This is the first in a series of three
calculus courses for students of engineering, mathematics, science and other
areas of study that require a strong mathematical background. In MTH 141 we
shall explore the basic ideas of calculus: functions, limits, derivatives
and integrals, and their applications to problems in physics, geometry,
chemistry and biology. We will approach ideas and problems from algebraic,
graphical, numerical, and verbal points of view. It is a four-credit
course with four classroom hours per week. The fourth hour is not optional
and should be considered an integral part of the course.
EXPECTATIONS and PREREQUISITES: We expect that you
have a good grasp of pre-calculus. There will be a rapid review of
pre-calculus at the start of the semester but it is expected that this material
is already very familiar to you. We expect that you will devote at least 8
hours of your time, per week, to this course in addition to class time. This is
an approximate figure of course, but don't assume that you can spend less time
than this, on average, and still get a grade you'll like. We expect that
you know how to use your programmable graphing calculator or if not, will seek
instruction in its use and learn the basics within the first two weeks of the
course. See below for more information.
ADVICE: The key to success in this course is putting
time into it outside of class. It is very important that you do all of
the core exercises from both texts and make sure that you are
doing them correctly.
SPECIAL ADVICE FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE HAD SOME PREVIOUS COURSE IN
CALCULUS: The approach to first semester calculus at URI, and the level of
understanding and problem-solving ability we expect, may be significantly
different from what you experienced elsewhere. You might also find that
things seem familiar for a time, but then get hard and new suddenly.
Beware. It is advised that you put the same effort into this course
that you would if you were taking it for the first time.
USE OF Maple: This course will
introduce you to the use of the computer algebra system Maple.
You can think of Maple as an extremely powerful programmable calculator
that can do algebra and calculus computations as well as a wide range of 2d and
3d graphing. Click here to find a guide
that will help you get started with Maple.
OTHER TECHNOLOGY IN CALCULUS: We
expect that you have a programmable graphing calculator and are familiar with
its use. The Quick Start guide that comes with your calculator should
suffice for learning its basic use. For further help, consult with your
instructor and/or ask your classmates for guidance. Calculator use may be
restricted on some exams since more advanced calculators, like the TI-89 can do
some of the calculus computations that we expect you to learn to do with just
pencil and paper. You may be asked during the semester to enter some
programs into your calculator. The University of Arizona has some sample
programs that you may use for this purpose for most of the different brands and
models of calculators. University of Arizona’s
guide to programs for programmable graphing calculators.
Your
text comes with a CD-ROM that has a variety of items you might find
helpful. The most important of these is connected to the problems in the
text, which are numbered with red numerals on a beige background. For
these problems, you will find a sequence of hints on the CD-ROM, which you can
use to assist you.
You
will find some very useful interactive programs to illustrate key
calculus concepts at this site: Flash movies for calculus
URI Civility
Policy
The University of Rhode Island is
committed to developing and actively protecting a class environment in which
respect must be shown to everyone in order to facilitate the expression,
testing, understanding, and creation of a variety of ideas and opinions. Rude,
sarcastic, obscene or disrespectful speech and disruptive behavior have a
negative impact on everyone's learning and are unacceptable. The course
instructor will have disruptive persons removed from the class.