GRADE COMPUTATION Go to Grading.
QUIZZES
Homework is not collected, but a QUIZ is scheduled at the very beginning of nearly every class, and the problem(s) will be similar to homework problems for the lesson most recently introduced. The date given in the schedule is the date the topic is introduced, NOT the date of the quiz. Plan time to ask me questions between classes.
Ask me for help before it's too late. Free tutoring is usually available, starting about two weeks into a fall or spring semester, and ending before final exams. If you study with someone else, be sure both of you are learning. You are expected neither to give nor to receive help (except from me) on a paper submitted for a grade.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Missing class will usually make it harder for you to learn the subject, and you will usually miss a quiz in the process. The only makeup quizzes will be those already scheduled during class periods. You are responsible for information missed because of absence. But absence will not necessarily have a direct effect on your grade. You are expected to arrange your other classes, studying for tests, employment, and appointments with physicians or advisors at times which do NOT conflict with meetings of this class.
Makeup quizzes are not given outside class, nor on the
specific
topic you miss when you are absent. But only your best quiz scores
count,
so you have some extra grades to replace missing quizzes. Please do not
ask for additional makeup quizzes! Remember: if you miss
class,
you will find it harder to keep up.
Schedule conflict is not an excuse: arrange your appointments so as
not to conflict with class! Other instructors are not permitted
to
schedule tests or final exams that conflict with this scheduled
class.
If this happens to you, I will gladly discuss the matter with the other
instructor.
Special arrangements can sometimes be made for the final exam
if you talk to me early enough.
Illness the day of a test is an excuse for missing a test
(not
a quiz); talk to me about arranging a makeup test (not quiz).
Once
you have seen the test, I will not allow you to take a makeup.
Makeup tests may be arranged in case of an emergency, but you
must convince me that the cause of your missing the scheduled time was
a serious matter. If you know of a problem beforehand, please
discuss
it with me then. If you miss a test shortly before or shortly after a
scheduled
vacation, you must document your activities by letters from physicians
or court officials. If you just extend your vacation, you will not be
permitted
to make up the test.
SKILLS NECESSARY TO BEGIN CALCULUS II
Students in MATH 202 are expected to be proficient in trigonometry and MATH 201, preferably with a grade of B. Some of the skills expected are completing the square, trigonometric identities, graphing in Cartesian coordinates, limits, the chain rule for differentiation, initial value problems, and integration by algebraic substitution.
But even if you are well prepared to begin, you will have to prepare each new assignment faithfully, if you want to succeed in calculus. Every time you get behind, it is hard to catch up.
CALCULATORS
In parts of this course, every student will need a scientific
calculator
for homework, quizzes, tests, and class discussions.
Besides the usual +,-,x, features,
students
will need the exp, ex, or ln
x
key. Also students will need the sin, cos, and tan keys.
Don't get too many special features, because you won't use them in this course and they may confuse you. The following features cause trouble, but it is very hard to avoid all of them:
(1) MODE. This allows changing the display, but if you operate it
accidentally,
you may be unable to read the display.
To reset the
calculator for normal operation, press these keys: MODE, 9
To reset the
calculator for 3 decimal places, press these keys: MODE, 7, 3
(2) SCIENTIFIC NOTATION. If you square 0.03, the answer 0.0009 may
be written 9.00x10-4, meaning 9.00
with
the decimal point moved 4 places to the left. But your calculator may
express
it as 1.00 - 4, which may at first appear to be a mistake. A
proper
use of the MODE feature can prevent this accident, but some calculators
are not so quick to switch to scientific notation.
WRITING A SOLUTION
Writing the solution to a problem in mathematics is a valuable skill which must be learned. Your solutions to graded problems will be judged by their logic, clarity, and completeness, as well as the correctness of their conclusion. Please follow these directions.
Summarize the relevant information in the problem using conventional symbols; explain any unconventional symbols. Draw a table, sketch, or graph if appropriate, placing relevant symbols in their proper places. Place the steps on the paper in a reasonable order. State the final result or conclusion, using words and previously defined symbols in appropriate combinations. Use three significant figures in calculation, provided the data are accurate enough.
FORBIDDEN FORMS
Even if a solution is otherwise correct, the following mistakes may
result in a partial loss of credit:
= Using an "equals" sign between expressions that are not equal, such
as 2.5 = .4938 or x =
2x
= Confusing variables with functions: y=y(x)
CLASSROOM PHILOSOPHY AND DECORUM
The purpose of this class is learning in a pleasant, intellectual environment. Students should feel comfortable thinking about the subject matter and asking questions. Some questions are to clarify statements made by the instructor. Other questions are to explore difficulties encountered in doing homework. Of course, the student is expected to come to class and afterward make an effort afterward to understand the material. But certain questions of clarification are best asked as soon as they occur to the student.
To facilitate class discussion, you are encouraged to speak up without raising your hand. Simply find a pause in the lecture, as you would in a conversation. If this seems awkward, because the lecture is moving quickly, or because others are asking questions too, then raise your hand. I will be scanning the faces of students and call on you.
Private discussions apart from the academic purposes of the class may be good if they help the class members to be comfortable with each other. But they may be bad if they make others uncomfortable, interfere with class discussion, or distract the instructor. Helping another student during a class may interfere with the class if it is too loud or lasts too long. Even quiet discussions during a lecture or class discussion can be very distracting. But conversation is appropriate when class members are asked to work a problem at their seats during class. Appropriate communication is well-timed, brief, and not loud.
Sitting in the back of the classroom does not absolve a student from controlling his private discussion. In fact, sitting in the back of the room is discouraged, because it can make participation difficult, especially if the room is large. During a test, students sitting in the back row should be separated from each other by empty chairs.
Class discussion is comfortable only if participants show respect for each other. This means speaking kindly, taking others' ideas seriously, and assuming they speak with good will. It also means controlling private discussions so that they do not interfere with the class. Students who fail to cooperate with these rules are interfering with the education of others.
TEST REVIEW AND EXTRA CREDIT Go to Test Topics
There will be review classes partly devoted to extra credit presentations by students. In some of these reviews, you may receive extra credit for discussing a problem as described BELOW. Each time, you can earn extra points to be added to your total grade. You are limited to one extra cedit per review, and there may not be time enough for all interested students on the later tests, so consider doing some extra credit for the first or second test.
The first step is to CHOOSE A TOPIC from the review list. You may make up your own problem or choose one from the list provided, but let me approve your choice, so that two people don't do the same problem. Use problems like homework problems (on the topics of the test), but not homework problems already assigned. It is your responsibility to avoid homework problems, or you will lose all credit. I will suggest some problems.
Put your sorting number at the upper right corner of the solution you give me, and put your name at the top center. It is not necessary to state the problem on your solution sheet, but do indicate the section, page, and problem number. When you have worked out your problem on an ordinary sheet of paper, make (and pay for) enough "Xerox" copies for the class, and bring them to me at the review class.
To receive credit, you must be present at the review session to
discuss
your problem. Don't read the solution to the class, but
point out the salient features of the problem. What was hard
for you about the problem? What approaches helped you solve
it? What principles and techniques does it use?