Calculus I Math 131
Fall 2004
Copley 244
Instructor: Richard Hammack Office hours:
Office: 238 Copley Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:30--10:30
Work: 752-7210 (and voice mail) Tuesday, 10:00 -- 11:30
Home: 353-8572 (before 9:30 p.m., please) and by appointment
Fax: 752-4724
E-mail: rhammack@rmc.edu http://faculty.rmc.edu/rhammack/
Texts:
 Required: Calculus (Early Transcendentals) by Anton, Bivens and Davis, seventh edition
Optional: Student Resource Manual for Calculus, by Wigley and Herr

Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra and a year of plane geometry. You must also have a good understanding of trigonometry.

Math 131 is the first course in a two-semester sequence covering the calculus of one-variable functions. In this course we study the fundamental ideas of differential calculus: functions, limits, continuity and differentiation. We also explore how these ideas apply to solve real-world problems. All this involves Chapters 1 through 5 of the text. The course is designed to give you the mathematical background necessary for many courses in the natural and social sciences, as well as to provide a foundation for further study in mathematics.

You are expected to read the text actively and thoroughly, and to test your understanding by working problems. I will maintain an Exercise List. This is a list of odd-numbered problems that have answers in the back of the book and complete solutions in the Student Resource Manual. Even though I will not grade these problems, it is absolutely essential that you work as many of them as possible, for doing them is the key to your understanding the course material. You are welcome to give me your solutions, and I will check them for accuracy. In addition, I will maintain a Graded Homework List. It is a shorter list of (mostly even numbered) problems from the text. You should work these carefully ane be prepared to turn them in on appointed days.

Your grade is determined by weekly quizzes, graded homework, three tests, a final exam, and participation. Details follow.

Quizzes: Short (10 minute) closed-book quizzes are given once a week. Quizzes are announced at least a week in advance. Most problems will be similar to those from the Homework Problem List, though occasionally I will throw in a new type of problem whose solution demands some creative thought.

Tests: There are three in-class tests, tentatively scheduled as follows. Each of these tests is closed-book and closed-notes. Tests are written under the assumption that everyone is studying the material at least 8 hours per week outside of class.
Test #1: Tuesday October 5 Chapters 1, 2
Test #2: Wednesday November 3 Chapter 3
Test #3: Wednesday December 1 Chapter 4 and part of 5

Final Exam: The final exam is comprehensive, covering Chapters 1 through 5 of the text. I teach two sections of this course, and each has its own final exam time. Thus, you may take the final exam either on Monday, December 13, 2:00-5:00, or on Wednesday, December 15, 2:00-5:00. A make-up final can be given only with the consent of the Dean's office.

Participation: Participation means that you in some way demonstrate intellectual involvement in the course. It does not necessarily mean that you ask questions and volunteer answers. Active participation may include your working lots of homework problems, taking advantage of office hours, and displaying preparedness, dedication and intellectual curiosity.

Graded Homework: I will assign graded homework problems to be due 2 to 4 days per week. You should be prepared to turn these solutions in to me on the appointed days. However, on some days, instead of collecting the papers, I will call randomly on several students to present some of their solutions on the board. I will maintain a Graded Homework List where you will find the latest assignments.



Make-up Tests and Quizzes: I will drop your lowest test grade and several of your lowest quiz grades. If you miss a test or a quiz, that is one of the grades that will be dropped. As was noted above, a make-up final can be given only with the consent of the Dean's office.

Grading:
The 10-point grading scale will be used:
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: 0-59
Your final average will be computed as follows:
Quizzes 20%
Highest 2 test grades 40%
Homework 5%
Participation 5%
Final Exam 30%


Attendance: I do not take attendance, but I do notice if you are not attending class. If your grades are high, I do not mind if you miss class. However, if your grades are low and you miss a lot of class, I will notify your advisor and the Dean of Students. Excessive absences can result in a lower participation score. As a matter of courtesy, you should arrive punctually and stay for the entire duration of each class you attend. Please inform me ahead of time if you must leave early.

I reserve the right to deduct a one- or two-point service charge on each test that, due to an unexcused absence, is not claimed on the class day after the test is given.

Cell Phones: Please be sure that all cell phones and pagers are turned off for the entire duration of each class.

Calculators: Although calculators are not used on tests and quizzes, they are occassionally useful (though not essential) for verifying homework answers or for personal exploration of course ideas.
Your calculator should have buttions for ln(x), ex, cos-1 (or arccos), sin-1 (or arcsin), and tan-1 (or arctan).

HAC Tutoring: If you need extra help, the Higgins Academic Center runs weekly tutoring sessions for calculus. I will announce the schedule when it becomes available.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If your class average is below a "C," you are REQUIRED to attend at least one HAC session per week until your average reaches a "C" or higher. Failure to do so will result in a lower participation score.

Internet: Information about this course is posted on the Internet. To find it, go to my home page (http://faculty.rmc.edu/rhammack/) and click on "Math 131." There you will find the syllabus, homework assignments, a course calendar, grades, and copies of tests and quizzes from previous semesters.

Office: Please feel free to stop by my office whenever you have a question, or if you just want to chat. If my posted hours are inconvenient I will be happy to schedule an appointment.
Tell me if you are having trouble. Catching up can be very difficult once you get behind, so let me know as soon as you think there is a problem.

Notice: The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other federal laws require Randolph-Macon College to provide a "reasonable accommodation" to any individual who advises us of a physical, psychological, or learning disability. If you have a physical, psychological, or learning disability that requires an accommodation, you must first register with the Office for Disability Support Services, located in the Higgins Academic Center.