Please read this syllabus carefully. You will be responsible for all the information given here, and for any modifications to it that may be announced in class.
Text: The textbook for this course is Calculus (5th edition), by James Stewart.
Instructor: Darryl McCullough, Professor of Mathematics
| Office: | 804 Physical Sciences Center |
| Phone: | 325-2743 |
| Email: | dmccullough@math.ou.edu |
| Office hours: | Tuesdays 10:30-11:30, Wednesdays 2:30-3:30, Thursdays 10:30-11:30, and by appointment. |
Class Participation: You are expected to attend and participate in all lectures, and are responsible for all information given out during them.
Homework: It is absolutely essential to work a large number of problems on a regular basis. Problem assignments will be posted on the course web page. The homework assignments are the bare minimum for most students to gain basic familiarity with the material. As manager of your own education, it is up to you to work whatever additional problems may be necessary for you to master the subject.
You may consult with other students about the homework problems, indeed I encourage you to do so. However, you will need to write up the solutions clearly, carefully, and in your own words, since that is the only way to achieve and retain understanding. It is a complete waste of time just to copy from a solutions manual or from someone else's work. It would be better just to Xerox the solutions, and spend your time doing something constructive.
For help, I encourage you to come to my office hours, or to make an appointment with me to meet at another time. Email is the easiest way to contact me.
Testing: There will be three in-class examinations. Details about what they will cover will be posted on the course website.
Occasionally there may be unannounced five-minute quizzes at the start of class. These will cover material from the previous lecture or lectures, such as major definitions, examples, and may also include easy homework problems. If you are staying properly caught up, you should have no difficulty with the quiz questions. Whatever points you obtain will be added directly to your test score total. There is no makeup for these quizzes if you miss class or are late to class, there will simply be nothing added to your test total.
The final examination will be held in the usual lecture room on Thursday, May 11, 1:30 to 3:30 p. m. University regulations require that you take it at that time.
Grading system: Your grade will be based on your point total as follows. There are 300 possible points: 75 for the final examination, 50 for each of the three in-class examinations, 50 for homework, and 25 for class participation. The grades will be assigned by calculating the point total for each student in the class, listing the totals in rank order, and assigning grades according to a reasonable total needed for each letter. After each in-class examination, I will post interim grades, so by the middle of the course you will have a very good idea of where you stand, and what is required for a given grade.
The assigned homework must be turned in on time, with the problems in the same order in which they are given in the assignment, and with the logic of the solution clear and complete. Your homework will be cursorily examined, and a few problems graded. If the homework is complete and correct, except for occasional missing or improperly solved problems, you will receive full credit. If it is exceptionally good, you might even receive a little extra credit. If it is incomplete or poorly prepared, you will receive half credit. If it is not turned in on the due date, you will receive zero credit. Your final homework total will be scaled to equal 50 points, that is, equal to one in-class examination. Since you can ask about any homework problem in class, and may come to office hours or arrange an appointment to ask me about any problem that may be causing you difficulty, there is no reason not to obtain full credit on the homework.
I expect you to arrive on time for all of the lectures, properly prepared and in good physical condition--- in particular, adequately rested and up to date on the course material so that you can maintain full concentration during the lecture. If you cannot accomplish this, please reenroll in another course. You will start the course with 25 points of class participation credit. For each missed lecture beyond three, your point total will be reduced by five points. Since the average score on an in-class examination is typically around 30 points, six missed lectures will probably cost you the equivalent of half a test grade, and nine lectures (achieving a class participation grade of -5) the equivalent of a full exam.
For each lecture fewer than three missed, you will receive a token credit of 2 points. This will almost certainly not affect your grade, but it is something to be proud of.
I have no concept of an excused absence--- I assume that you are an intelligent person, so if you are not in class, there must be a very good reason why you could not attend. Any missed lecture will have an impact on your learning the course material, but you can miss up to three lectures because of academic or personal travel, university-sanctioned activities, illness, transportation breakdown, or whatever, without directly impacting your point total. Save them in case you need them.
Withdrawal Policy: Until January 30, there is no record of a grade for dropped courses. From January 31 through March 31, you may withdraw and receive a “W” grade, no matter what scores you have so far achieved. After March 31, University regulations specify that you may withdraw only in “very unusual circumstances,” and only with the permission of the Dean. Avoidance of a low grade is not sufficient reason to obtain permission to withdraw after March 31.
Grade of Incomplete: The grade of “I” is a special-purpose grade given when a specific task needs to be completed to finish the coursework. This is typically a term paper or other special assignment, so rarely makes sense in a mathematics course. An “I” cannot be given to avoid receiving a low grade.
Calculators: This is a course of mathematical ideas and techniques, not a course of mechanical computation. You may use a calculator when working on the homework assignments, if you wish, but use of calculators or other mechanical aids during exams is prohibited.
Academic Misconduct: If cases of academic misconduct arise, they will be dealt with according to University policies. Don't go there.
Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability that may interfere with the demonstration of your abilities, please contact me as soon as possible to arrange accomodations necessary to ensure your full participation in the course.
Final Grades: Grades will be posted on our course website as soon as they are available. You may pick up your graded final exam from me any time within one year of the end of the course, after one year they will be discarded.
Internet Resources: On the Internet there are numerous websites that contain calculus theory, tutorials, and problems with solutions. My website has links to some calculus sites, and if you follow it to the UC Davis Calculus Page, there is a much longer list there.
Advice: Stay caught up. Get full credit on the homework and class participation--- these are the easy points. Always use good mathematical notation. Live with calculus.