MATH 5A SYLLABUS
SPRING 2011

(You are responsible for all the information on this sheet)

PREREQUISTE: Calculus is the mathematical analysis of change. This course is the first semester of the calculus sequence. It covers the concepts of limits and derivatives, including differentiation rules and applications, and an introduction to integrals. It is designed to meet the needs of students in the physical and life sciences, engineering, and some of the social sciences. The prerequisite for this course is a "C" or better in Math 4, Pre-Calculus Algebra and Trigonometry, or the equivalent. This course requires a minimum of 15 hours of work per week.

HELP: Please come see me during my office hours. Office hours are for you. My office hours are daily (MTWTh) from 9:00 - 9:30 and Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:05 - 3:45 in room 711B. If these times are not convenient, please see me before or after class to make an appointment, or try the Math Learning Center in room 1094 or the MESA Center in room 714. They are both equipped to answer any of your questions. MESA's math focus is on classes at the level of Math 4 (Pre-calculus) or higher. My office phone is 479-6499, please leave your name, message, and speak clearly. Students needing accommodations should contact me ASAP. As required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), accommodations are provided to insure equal opportunity for students with verified disabilities. If you need assistance with an accommodation, please contact Disabled Student Servides, Room 810, (479-6379) or the Learning Skills Program, Room 1073, (479-6220). 

TEXTBOOK: Calculus, Early Transcendentals by James Stewart, 6th Edition.

ATTENDANCE: There have been studies that show a high correlation between regular attendance and success. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to come PREPARED to the next class. I suggest that you exchange phone numbers with at least three of your classmates so that you can contact them to get the assignment if you are absent. YOU are encouraged to form study groups of 3 to 5 students and meet at least once a week to work on the material. Excessive absences may result in a drop from the course. ON TIME REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS.

QUIZZES & HOMEWORK: Seven 25-point quizzes will be given throughout the course. Some will be in-class and some will be take-home. You may drop your two lowest scores, so, there will be NO MAKEUPS. The in-class quizzes will cover homework material. Homework will be assigned at each class meeting. I expect you to work through the problems and bring your homework to the next class meeting with your questions. I can only allow 20 minutes at the beginning of class for homework questions due to our required pace. If you have additional questions, please come to my office hours. Research has shown that reviewing material within 24 hours of first learning it results in better retention and therefore an increased probability for success. Each week’s homework will be collected on the first class day of the following week, with a completed cover sheet entitled "Weekly Progress Report". This packet will be graded on a seven-point scale, divided as follows: five points are for completion (all assigned problems must be done completely to receive all five points); two points are for two randomly selected problems that are checked for completeness and correctness.

HOMEWORK PROTOCOL: I have a "reader" that assists me in checking over the homework to ensure completion and comprehension of the subject matter. In an attempt to minimize the amount of time required to check your packets, they need to be fairly uniform. So, for your packets to be accepted for grading, the following guidelines must be followed.
1.   Do not use paper that has been torn out of a spiral notebook as paper with a shredded edge will not be accepted.
2.   Use pencil to do your homework - DO NOT use red ink.
3.   Each new section assigned needs to be started on a new page. Clearly mark each section with the section number and the assigned problems. Example: Section 1.6, 1-57 eoo, 65, 77, 87-107 eoo.
4.   Problems must be in order and complete to receive full credit. Take the time to make sure you are on track. If you mistakenly do non-assigned (out-of-sequence) problems, put an X through the wrong problems and go back and do the correct ones. 
5.   Any work must be shown on your paper to receive full credit. When doing application problems, the information provided in the problem should be noted in an organized fashion. An application problem is not complete unless the final solution is written as a complete sentence, answering the question(s) asked in the problem.
6.   Graph problems need to be done using a consistent grid – make sure your axis scales are evenly spaced. If you are not using one square for one unit, you need to clearly note the scale you are using.

EXAMS: There will be three exams worth 150 points each for a total of 450 points. See the schedule for the date and coverage of each exam. Following each exam will be a required "Error Analysis" worth 20 points. All exams are to be taken on time. MAKEUPS ARE NOT ALLOWED. If you're going to miss an exam, you need to CALL ME PRIOR TO THE EXAM AT 479-6499 with the reason for the absence. If the absence is excused, the value of the final exam will be increased by the value of the missed exam and its error analysis (170 points). If the absence is unexcused, the exam score will be ZERO. If a second exam is missed, it will be recorded as a ZERO.

FINAL EXAM: There will be a 267-point comprehensive final exam. Check your schedule for the time and date of this exam.

CALCULATORS: No graphing calculators or CAS calculators will be allowed on exams or quizzes. A scientific calculator will be needed in this class. Bring it to each class meeting.

MP3 PLAYERS/IPODS/CELL PHONES: No IPODS or MP3 players and all cell phones will be on vibrate or turned off during class.

CHEATING: During exams, all notes, books, etc. will be put away. There will be no talking, and no wandering eyes. It is your responsibility, to make it abundantly clear to me, that you are not cheating. Any person caught cheating will be given a grade of zero for the exam. The second offense will result in a grade of F for the course.

DATES TO REMEMBER: