Syllabus for Math 238 (Multivariable Calculus)

Fall 2009 Semester at Lycoming College

 

Course Content

Topics include algebra, geometry, and calculus in multidimensional Euclidean space; n-tuples, matrices; lines, planes, curves, surfaces, vector functions of a single variable, acceleration, curvature; functions for severable variables, gradient; line integrals, vector fields, multiple integrals, change of variables, areas, volumes; Green’s Theorem.

 

 

Who Should be Taking This Course

This course is a requirement for the mathematics major and the actuarial mathematics major.  It is also recommended for students in majors which involve a substantial amount of mathematics, such as physics and chemistry.  The prerequisite is a grade of C- or better in MATH 129 (Calculus II), and either MATH 130 (Matrix Algebra) or 231 (Differential Equations).

 

Lycoming College provides academic support for those students who have been diagnosed with learning, physical, and psychological disabilities.  If you have a diagnosed disability and seek academic accommodations, please consult with Mr. Dan Hartsock, Sophomore Dean and Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities.  Mr. Hartsock can help you arrange for academic accommodations in the classroom.  His office is in the ARC on the third floor of the Snowden Library.

 

 

Instructor(s)

Name

Office Location

Office Hours

Office Phone

Dr. Gene Sprechini

Academic Center D311

Mon  9:30-10:30am

Wed  9:30-10:30am

Fri     9:30-10:30am

(570) 321-4288

 

 

Tutoring

General Tutoring is available for students who want to check homework answers for errors, get help doing homework, and ask questions about class work.  While tutors may need to give some detailed explanations to help students with questions, it is not the tutors’ job to teach material from scratch.  (Students who miss class should get a copy of class notes from the instructor, from a tutor, or from a classmate.  It is then the student’s responsibility to review the material, update notes, and direct any questions to a tutor, the instructor, or a classmate.)

 

 

Grading

Item

Point Values and Policies

Homework

Points from homework assignments leading up to each exam are added, up to a maximum total of 50.  Completing all homework is strongly encouraged, even though no more than 50 points can be earned leading up to each exam.

No points are ever given for late homework for any reason.  Students who miss submitting an assignment on time can still earn the maximum 50 points leading up to the exam, if no more than a few homework exercises are missed; homework exercises not submitted should be completed for practice and answered checked with a tutor or the instructor.  Due dates are available from the course schedule.  A student who misses submitting more than 8 homework assignments automatically fails the course.

Semester Exams

Up to 150 points can be earned on each semester exam given in class.  For each missed exam, a grade of zero is recorded, unless (1) the instructor is presented with documented evidence of a medical reason for not completing the exam at the scheduled time, and (2) arrangements to make up the exam are made within 24 hours of the originally scheduled exam time.  Exam dates are available from the course schedule.

Final Exam

The final exam is worth 400 points, with 50 points coming from the homework leading up to the final exam and 350 points coming from the final exam administered during final exam week.

Attendance

The final course grade percentage is reduced by 4% for each unexcused absence after the third unexcused absence; an absence is considered to be excused when the instructor accepts an email from the student explaining the reason for the absence.  It is the student’s responsibility to find out what was missed in class and keep up with the coursework.  Students can get a copy of class notes from the instructor, from a tutor, or from a classmate.  A student with more than 10 unexcused absences automatically fails the course.

There is a total of 1200 points that can be earned.  The final course grade percentage is the percentage of points earned out of the total number of points that can be earned.  The final course letter grade is determined from the following:

 

                                                A = above 93.33%                    A– = 90% to 93.33%

 

B+ = 86.67% to 90%                B = 83.33% to 86.67%              B– = 80% to 83.33%

 

C+ = 76.67% to 80%                C = 73.33% to 76.67%             C– = 70% to 73.33%

 

D+ = 66.67% to 70%                D = 63.33% to 66.67%             D– = 60% to 63.33%

 

                                                F = below 60%

 

 

Required Materials

Each student must have

·        a copy of the textbook: Vector Calculus, 5th edition, by Marsden, Tromba, Weinstein (ISBN 0-7167-4992-0)

·        a three-ring binder containing copy of this syllabus, the course schedule, class notes, completed assignments, etc. (Note: Since students will need to use this binder every day in class and will be allowed to use this binder for exams, the binders should be kept up-to-date and complete.)

 

 

Course Links

Course Schedule

A Useful Trigonometry Review

General Tutoring

 

 

Tips for Success in This Course

(1) Keep up with the homework - understanding every homework assignment as completely as you can is the key to grasping the course material.  Even though there will be some homework assignments that you may not be required to submit, do them anyway, since they will help you master the material.  Check all your homework answers with a tutor before submitting an assignment.

(2) As part of your preparation for exams, do all suggested “Exercises for Practice” listed on the course schedule; these were not assigned for homework submission and have the answers in the back of the textbook - start working on these about a week before the exam date; don't wait for the night before the exam.

(3) Get your questions answered quickly by the tutor, the course instructor, or a classmate.

(4) Keep your binder up-to-date and well-organized, since you are allowed to use the binder for exams.

 

 

General Standards and Policies

          All work submitted must be of professional quality.  All paper must be neat, without ragged edges, rips, tears, smudges, stains, etc.  All answers must be clear, complete, and concise; handwriting must be legible.  If the instructor can't read it, it's wrong.  Assignments may be down-graded if these standards are not met.

          It can be very helpful for some students to work together on daily assignments and to study together; this is encouraged when it does not result in one student simply copying another's work with no understanding.  Acts of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of F for the course, and a letter to the Dean describing the circumstances.  If you are having problems in the course, talk to the instructor; don't involve yourself in academic dishonesty. With each assignment submitted, students are expected to write a short note at the end of the assignment indicating from whom help was received and to whom help was given (but this does not affect the grade for the assignment).  The following is from the FACULTY HANDBOOK in the section titled Student Course Load:

 

"It is expected that students will spend, in preparation for courses, two hours of study time outside the classroom for every hour of credit in the classroom."

 

This means that you should be prepared to spend, on average, eight hours per week outside of class working on a four-credit course; however, this will vary from student to student and from course to course.  Your time will be spent reading the text, reviewing class notes, and completing homework exercises.

 

If you encounter a problem while working on assignments, do not spend more than 20 or 30 minutes trying to solve the problem; if you cannot solve a problem in 20 or 30 minutes, even with the help of a tutor or classmate, work on something else and show the problem to the instructor of the course as soon as possible.