Course Objectives

This is a first course in calculus. Our objectives are for you to:

Grades, Exams, Quizzes, Projects and Homework

If you want to do well in this course, expect to:

The best (only) way to master the material presented in this course is by solving the many problems assigned for homework. There is no math gene. The most important key to your success in this course is your willingness to work hard and seek help when (not if) you have trouble.

There will be four (4) exams of duration 50 minutes, each worth 100 points together with a 250 point final exam.  In addition, five (5) short quizzes, each worth 10 points will be given in recitation from time to time.  Homework, worth a total of 25 points, will be assigned regularly, and you will also be required to complete three projects, each worth 25 points.  Thus, there is a total of 800 points for all the work associated with the course. The final letter grade given will be based upon these 800 points. No hourly test score will be dropped.

All students taking Ma 115 will have the same exams, homework assignments, projects, and final exam. Indeed, Ma 115 will be run as one course that has multiple lecturers and teaching assistants. All exams will be uniformly graded.

Once the results on a particular exam are tabulated you will be sent a scale telling you what is an A, B, etc. on that exam.

You are to turn in the homework on the date indicated on the various homework pages. No late assignments will be accepted without a valid excuse.

At the end of the semester you will be assigned a letter grade of A, B, C, D or F. Minus and plus grades will not be given.

Honor System

All exams, quizzes, and homework are to be pledged. The policies of the Honor board are to be strictly followed. Any perceived violations will be immediately reported to the Honor board.

Attendance

Attendance at all classes is mandatory. Our experience is that there is a definite correlation between poor attendance and poor grades. The following policy regarding absences will apply:

Throughout the semester a grade file will be posted on the Ma 115 site. If you find an error in your grades, please let your TA know as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to make sure that the grades that we post for you  on the Web site are correct. The cut-off for changing grades on the Web will be the Friday, December 3. Absolutely no grade changes will be accepted after this date.

Homework and Projects

Some homework and projects are to be done using Scientific Notebook.  No late homework or projects will be accepted without a valid excuse.

Reading

It is essential that you read the notes which you can access from WebCalC as well as the textbook. Contrary to widely-held belief, this is both possible and productive. However, do not expect to read these materials as a novel---mathematics must be read slowly if it is to be understood. Because reading the text and WebCalC materials is essential, we offer the following suggestions for getting more out of it:

1. Read carefully: read in sentences, not paragraphs or pages, and make sure that you understand what you are reading before you move on.
2. Backtrack: if you find that something doesn't make sense, go back---find the definition that you need, or go back to the beginning of the part that doesn't make sense and read it carefully line-by-line.
3. Work the examples in the book: when the book does an example problem, make sure that you see how it was done---the best way of doing this is by working the problem yourself on scratch paper! Math is meant to be read with a pencil in hand and paper nearby.

Our Philosophy

It is our objective to help you learn as much as you can in this class, and to help you enjoy learning it. While this does not free you from the responsibility of working hard, we hope it will make your work worthwhile (and fun!). If you are willing to work at understanding the material we cover, we will do as much as we possibly can to help you do so.