Course Guidelines for Calculus I (MATH 1823 - 30) - Fall 2010

Please read this page carefully. You will be responsible for all the information given here, and for any modifications to it that may be announced in class. Any such modifications will be made on the course webpage.

Text: The textbook for this course is Calculus (6th edition), by James Stewart. The course covers Chapters 1-4 of the textbook.

Instructor: Kimball Martin

Office: 924 Physical Sciences Center
Phone: 325-3537
Email: kmartin@math.ou.edu
Office hours: Wed 2:30-3:30, Fri 1:30-2:30, and by appointment
Course webpage: http://www.math.ou.edu/~kmartin/calci/
Teaching Assistants
all TA office hours are in the Math Help Center (PHSC 425A):
Shayna Grove (OH: MWF 11:30-12:30)
Lee Lerner (OH: TuTh 12-1:30)
Qinghua Luo (OH: Tu 4:30-5:30, W 3:30-4:30, Th 3-4)

Contact note: Even though I may send periodic emails from my university (@ou.edu) email address, I do not check it nearly as frequently as my department (@math.ou.edu) address. Thus you are advised to use the address above when contacting me if you want a timely response.

Prerequisites: MATH 1523 at OU, or satisfactory score on the placement test or ACT/SAT. If you do not feel comfortable with the prerequisite material, please see me as soon as possible.

Class Participation: Class participation (e.g., asking questions) is highly encouraged. It is not only helpful for you and other students, but it also helps me understand what you are thinking and makes class more enjoyable. If you feel uncomfortable asking questions in class or discussion sections, you are especially encouraged to come to office hours.

Attendance: Regular attendance of lecture and discussion sections is strongly recommended and figures into the final grade (see below). Attendance will be taken at the weekly discussion sections as well as at select lectures. While you need not contact me about having to miss a single class (unless it involves a scheduled exam or not being able to turn in a homework), if you must miss several classes for whatever reason, please inform me.

Office Hours:You are encouraged to come to office hours (either mine or a TA's) to ask questions and discuss the course. This is also a good way for me to receive feedback on the course. You are also welcome to make impromptu visits outside of office hours, though I may be busy or away. If it is a premeditated affair, you can make an appointment with me.

Help Center: Another resource you are encouraged to use is the Mathematics Department Help Center (payed for by your fees). It is open from 9:30-5:30 MWF and 9-5:30 TR and staffed with graduate students ready to help you.

Homework: Homework is, in my opinion, the most important part of the course. Homework is where you really learn the material. You should expect written homework every week, usually due each Monday at the start of class, and you should plan to spend roughly 6 hours each week on work out of class. Each homework assignment will be posted on the course website, typically by the end of the day the Monday before it is due.

Homeworks may also include bonus questions. These will typically be more challenging questions (though not necessarily) you can submit with the written assignment for bonus points.

The homework policies are the following. Turning in an assignment means that, to the best of your knowledge and ability, you honestly abided by the following. Unless stated otherwise for a specific problem, you may not use calculators, computers (including the web), other texts or the solutions manuals to find the answers; however you are allowed to use them to check your answers. Collaboration is allowed, and even encouraged, though you should earnestly try to solve each problem on your own before learning from someone else. However, you are to write up (not copy) your solutions by yourself, in your own words. Late homework is not accepted.

Examinations: There will be two in-class exams and a final during the final examination period. The in-class examinations will be on Monday Sep 27 and Monday Nov 1. The final exam is Thursday Dec 16 from 1:30-3:30pm. Topics covered on the exam will be posted on Exams Page of the course website. You may not use notes, texts, calculators, computers or other references during the exams. Make-up exams are not given except in extenuating circumstances.

Grades: It is always better to focus on learning the material and understanding the homework than to worry about grades. If you do this, and put forth a sincere effort in the class, your grade should not be an issue. This course is meant to be challenging and educational, but not stressful. If you ever find yourself worried about your grade or how you are doing in the course, please come see me. Please don’t wait until the end of the term to do this.

The grades will be computed as follows. A raw score is computed for you, which is

10% Attendance
25% Homework
10% Midterm 1
20% Midterm 2
35% Final

Preliminary letter grades will be assigned to raw numeric scores. Then I may adjust your final letter grade individually for such things as bonus points, attendance/participation, consistently good homeworks, or improvement throughout the term. To get an idea of where you stand, shadow grades will be given after the first and second midterm.

Withdrawal Policy: Through Sep 3, there is no record of a grade for dropped courses. From Sep 7 through Oct 1, you may withdraw and receive a W grade, regardless of your performance to date. From Oct 4 to Oct 29, you must come see me if you wish to drop the course. You may receive a W if you then have a passing grade in the course. After Nov 1, withdrawing is a more serious matter, and you must consult with the Dean.

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.

Academic Misconduct: If cases of academic misconduct arise, they will be dealt with according to (rather strict) University policies. Remember that you responsible for knowing and adhering to the University guidelines for academic integrity:

http://www.ou.edu/provost/integrity/

as well as the student code:

http://www.ou.edu/studentcode/

Religious Holidays: It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide without penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and additional class work that may fall on religious holidays. Please contact me (and/or your TA in the case of missing a discussion section) in advance if you must miss a lecture or scheduled exam date for such reasons.

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. You should also contact the Office of Disability Services, Goddard Health Center, Suite 166 (325-3852 or TDD 325 4173).

Final Remark: Bear in mind that the course polices are put in place for solely your benefit. Please to not hesitate to ask me if you have any questions about these policies.

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