MAT204 – Calculus I

Section B – MWF 8:00 – 8:50 SC104

Lab – T 8:00 – 8:50 SC208

University of Sioux Falls

Fall 2006

 

Instructor:                Shawn Chiappetta

Office:                       Science Center 115           Office Hours:    MWF  10:00-12:00pm

Phone:                         (605) 575-2081 (office)                              T        9:00-11:00am

                                    (605) 332-7507 (home)                                and by Appointment.

E-mail:                         shawn chiappetta (campus)

                                    shawn.chiappetta@usiouxfalls.edu (off campus)

Web Page:                  http://www.usiouxfalls.edu/~sjc

Text:                          Thomas’ Calculus, 11th ed., Weir, Hass and Giordano

 

Course Description:  An introduction to the theory, principles, techniques and applications associated with analytic geometry, differentiation and integration.

 

Prerequisites:  MAT112 (College Algebra with Trigonometry) or equivalent is absolutely essential for success in this course.  A high school “pre-calc” course is considered equivalent to MAT112.

 

Course Objectives:  Throughout the course, the successful student will develop:

1.    an awareness and value for calculus;

2.   a solid understanding of the fundamental principles and theories of differential and integral calculus;

3.   the ability to perform accurate calculations and evaluations;

4.   intuition and knowledge with respect to how mathematical “truths” are derived and proved;

5.   facility with the technical tools used (i.e. Mathematica and graphing calculators), and

6.   improved skill in clearly communicating mathematical ideas.

 

Course Grades:  Grades will be based on exams, homework, reviews, and labs.  They will be broken down into the following values:

           Exams                                      3                      @10% ea                                 30%

           Homework                                                                                                       20%

            Algebra Reviews                                                    5%

           Mathematica Labs                5                      @4% ea                                  20%

           Final Exam                              Wednesday 12/20  @8:00 am          25%

 

Exams will be given on the following days:  September XXrd (F), November XXth (F) and December XXnd (F).

 

Grades will be determined according to the standard grading scale:  100 – 90 = A, 89 – 80 = B, 79 – 70 = C, 69 - 60 = D and 59 – 0 = F.  Distribution of pluses and minuses will be made at the end of the semester.

Individual exceptions to this grading policy are left solely to the discretion of the instructor and as a general rule, will not be made. 

 

Late Work:  I typically do NOT take late homework because students tend to abuse the privilege.  Understand though, I know “Life Happens” and will try to be understanding in those situations that merit.  Tests are another matter.  I do NOT give make up exams.  If a situation arises that precludes you from taking the exam on the stated day, a time PRIOR to the exam may be set up to take the exam.  These again are not given on an everyday pass, but rather for those instances that have put us in a bind.

 

Homework:  The following rules will be adhered to in regards to turning in homework.

  1. No assignment will be accepted on fringed paper.
  2. No assignment done in red ink will be accepted.

 

Many people have come to the conclusion that the “right” answer is what mathematics is about.  This is only PARTIALLY correct.  As a student it is very important to know how that answer was obtained.  To that end, each homework problem must have the actually problem, clear steps and explanation of steps and the answer must have the appropriate units and labeled clearly.  It gives me the opportunity to spot errors in thinking easily and it gives you a wonderful set of study guides for the exams.

 

Each homework problem will be graded using the following rubric.

4 pts – Perfect solution.  Steps clear and logical.  No errors.

3 pts – Problem has minor flaws.  Usually minor errors in arithmetic.

2 pts – Correct ideas, but poor execution.  Little or no explanation.

1 pts – Only answer and no steps.  Tried something, but wrong.

0 pts – Did not attempt problem.

 

Attendance Policy:  Regular attendance and participation is expected.  You may read USF’s policy at www.usiouxfalls.edu/stuserv/attendancepolicy.htm.

  

Academic Honesty Statement:  We encourage you to collaborate and assist each other.  However, that assistance should be a knowledge exchange, not the replication of the work of another.  Plagiarism (with or without the permission of the originator) defeats the learning process and jeopardizes your success in the course.  Copying homework and/or exams of another is dishonest and a violation of the ethical standards of USF (www.usiouxfalls.edu/stuserv/misconduct.htm).  Allowing your work to be copied by another is equally a violation.  All students who observe an incident of cheating have an obligation to confidentially report such to the instructor.

 

Disability Services Statement:  (Text supplied by USF)  The University of Sioux Falls is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for students with physical, learning, and/or other types of disabilities.  Accommodations for students with disabilities are made only in consultation with the Director of Disability Services. If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation in this or any course, please contact Mr.. Mark Patterson, Director of Career and Disability Services.  Mr. Patterson will work with you to secure proper documentation and to help you arrange appropriate accommodations with your instructors.  Mr. Patterson’s office is located on the 2nd floor of Glidden Hall. His phone number is 331-6740.

 

Status of Syllabus:  This syllabus results from the instructor’s effort to represent fairly the plan for this course.  Circumstances may cause the instructor to make changes in the plan, but such changes will not be without reason and will be made in a timely fashion.  Please speak with your instructor if there is anything in the syllabus about which you are unclear.