Handout 1

MA139 Applied Calculus

 

Sections  2, 5, and 70 -- Spring 2008

 

T. Wallgren -- Mathematics Department -- Semo

 

T,Th  at  9:30 (Section 2), 11:00 (Section 5 ), and 5:00 (Section 70), all in Johnson 226.

 

 

TEXT.   The text is Calculus for the Managerial, Life, and Social Sciences, Seventh Edition, by S. T. Tan; Brooks/Cole, 2006 .   There is a student study guide (detailed solutions to some problems, plus other material) available for purchase at the bookstore. 

 

CONTENT.  The concept of limit is the fundamental underlying idea in calculus.  Differentiation and integration are the main techniques, applied to algebraic functions, exponential functions, and logarithmic functions.  There are a large number of applications.  The course is intended for students in business, social sciences, or life sciences.

 

PREREQUISITES:   MA134 with a minimum grade of 'C' or 2 units high school algebra and 1 unit precalculus mathematics. Any required developmental mathematics courses must be completed before enrolling in this course. Credit may not be received for both MA 139 and MA 140. [Top].

 

GRADES and TEST DATES. The course grade in MA139 will be based on about 700 total points, broken down approximately as follows:

	Three 75-minute exams, for 100 points apiece, tentatively scheduled for the 5th week, the 9th week, and the 13th week  totaling . . .	300 points
	A comprehensive two-hour final exam, on   Thursday, May 8 at 8am (9:30 class),  at 10am (11:00 class) and at 5pm (5:00 class) for . . .	200 points
	Turn-in homework exercises; pop quizzes (at any time) or scheduled quizzes; and other assignments, together averaged in as about . . .	200 points

Cutoffs for A, B, C, D will be about 91%, 81%, 71%, 61%.  An unexcused absence from an examination or a quiz will result in a score of 0.  [Top.]

 

SOME EXPECTATIONS.

Workload.   Some students find this class challenging; others find it not too bad. To do acceptable work in MA139, you need three things:  

·         First, you need a solid understanding of the prerequisite course:   College Algebra (or high school equivalent). If you feel you may have been placed at the wrong level, see me.

 

·         The second component is average-to-good logical ability -- i.e., you don't have to be a rocket scientist, but you do need to be fairly logical.

 

·         The third and most important component -- the equalizer -- is good work habits:   Start early on assignments; keep your notes, handouts, homework papers, and computer files well-organized; and be prepared to invest a moderate amount of time outside of class. Keep up with the homework. Some outside help will be available, from me or at the Math Lab, or from special tutoring (see the Mathematics Department administrative assistant) or workgroups you may set up yourself; but the primary factor in doing well in Applied Calculus is that you be willing and able to invest sufficient time and effort.   [Top.]

 

Attendance.   You are expected to attend each class meeting. If you miss class for a good reason, you may turn in a note with any late work for which you hope to receive credit. If you miss an examination you are expected to call me (651-2772) within 24 hours. The university's answering service is available at all times. An unexcused absence from an examination or a quiz will result in a score of 0.   [Top]

 

Teamwork, Help and Plagiarism.   Some assignments may permit or encourage teamwork: two people may work together to complete the assignment, and for such assignments the team should turn in one paper, with two signatures.  However, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that each assignment is done individually, and the assignment should be signed by the individual doing the work. Whether working in a team or as an individual, you may get help from me, from a lab assistant, from a tutor, from another student, or from others. But any work with your signature must be your own. Of course, copied work or copied-and-edited work will receive a reduced score, and may receive a 0 -- both the copy and the original: You are responsible for the security of your homework, your computer printouts, your email, and your disks.

 

Technology.  We will be using calculators and computers in this class. The most commonly-used calculator is the TI-83; some students may have TI92's or palmtop computers or more..., but any graphing calculator will do -- and every student is expected to have access to the World-Wide-Web.   Access is available on campus at any of the open labs (Crisp, Dempster, Kent, McGill, Towers) or in the Technology Learning Center ("TLC")  in Johnson 112.    [Top.]

 

 

Go to Top or to T. Wallgren or to the Mathematics Dept or to Semo.

August 2000; January 13, 2008