Math 141.01

Calculus I

 

Spring 2015

 

Instructor:

Professor Tom Valente

 

Office Hours:

            Bagby 123 (1st floor, at the end nearest John’s),   x6210

             

 

Class Meetings:

            MWF  11:30-12:20 and R 2:30-3:20 in Bagby 217

                                   

Required Textbook: 

            Calculus of a Single Variable, 10th Edition, by Larson and Edwards (2014).

 

 

Course Description: 

 

The most important concept in studying Calculus is that of limit of a function. Thus, our goal for the first part of the course will be to build to the point where we have a reasonable understanding of what “limit of a function” is. With this concept, we then define an important class of functions known as continuous functions. We can also define the notions of derivative, and later integral of a function as particular limits. Once we define and understand the derivative, we can interpret it as a rate of change, and use it in a variety of problems, particularly optimization problems.

 

Once we understand the integral, we can interpret it geometrically as an area and begin to use it also as a tool for solving problems in a wide range of fields.  The course will culminate with an amazing theorem known as the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, which relates the two seemingly unrelated concepts of derivative and integral!

 

Attendance:

 

You are permitted no more than four unexcused absences, in accordance with the policy on p.42 of The Academic Catalogue.  Three such absences may precipitate a WF warning letter, sent to you and to your adviser. Note that attendance will affect a portion of your grade (see below).


 

Outline of Topics:

 

Functions and their Graphs

Inequalities and Absolute Value

           

Functions and Limits:  

Continuity                                                                  

                        The Derivative

                                    The Definition

                                    Geometric interpretation

Differentiation techniques                                         

                                    Applications of the Derivative

                                                                       

            The Definite Integral: 

                                    Definition

                                    Geometric interpretation

Integration techniques

 

The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

                                                                       

Grading:

           

Your grade is computed as follows:

 

                        4 in-class exams                                              400 points

                        Quizzes                                                           100 points

                        Final Exam      (Saturday May 2nd 9AM)        200 points

 

Additionally, if at the end of the semester you have no more than four

absences (excused or unexcused),  I will reward you by dropping either your lowest in-class exam grade or your homework/quizzes grade.

 

 

Exam Policy:

           

The 4 in-class exams are tentatively scheduled for the following days:

                        February 5th, February 26th, March 26th, April 16th

                                     .

 

Makeup exams are not a given unless you have a very good reason and you contact me beforehand.

           

             

Homework:

 

Plenty of homework will be assigned during the course of the semester, and these problems will serve as practice for quizzes, which will be given on a frequent basis. \

Enough homework will be assigned, so that you will need to spend at least some time each night on Calculus.  Please seek me out after class or during my office hours if you have questions on the homework.  I enjoy the give-and-take that comes with helping students and the learning that hopefully comes about in one-on-one sessions.

 

 

ALEKS:

 

As you probably know, our department now requires all students who are taking MATH 140/141 to complete an assessment using the ALEKS online assessment and tutoring system.  Our web page explains the benefits of using the system to discover which topics you have mastered, and which you need further work on.  I expect you to use ALEKS regularly during the first few weeks of the semester to improve your skills and to show improvement with each successive assessment.  As an instructor, I have the ability to access each individual’s record and to see how much time you have put in and to monitor your progress.   I will do this often.  But it is all about you and insuring the best possible grade you can achieve in Calculus.  I will be happy to discuss your progress with you at any time.

 

 

Links:

 

The ALEKS login page

Slope of a Curve

Area Under A Curve