Greg Langkamp -
Mat 125 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
Course Syllabus Fall 2007 (Item #1324)
Phone:
587-3810
Email: glangkamp@sccd.ctc.edu
Website: http://www.seattlecentral.edu/faculty/glangkamp/
Office: SAM 413
Office Hours: Mon/Thu 9-9:50
Tues/Fri 10-10:50 If these hours do not work for you, please
make an appointment.
Maple Proficiency Required: Students taking this course must be proficient with Maple software. Students who have little or no experience with Maple should set aside some additional time during the first 2 weeks of the quarter to work through a self-paced tutorial. Do not register for CSC102Q to learn Maple – that course is now about the Mathematica program. Note: The Maple program is being gradually phased out at SCCC as the Mathematica program is phased in.
Prerequisites: Calculus I (Mat 124) with a 2.0 or better (at SCCC), or SCCC placement exam. You must meet the prerequisite to stay in this class, or to overload this class.
Note about placement: If you met the prerequisite for this course by passing a placement test, be aware that the accuracy of such tests is fairly low. It may be the case that you were placed correctly, but perhaps you were placed either too high or too low. If you suspect that you are in the wrong course, please come and see me ASAP, and I'll try to help you get into the correct course.
Overload Policy: After I take attendance for 2 days, I will know how many seats are available for overloads. Those students on the electronic overload list who attend the first 2 days will have highest priority for overloading the course. There is no guarantee that anyone will be overloaded into the course.
Classroom: This course meets in the science and math (SAM) building. No food is allowed in the classroom. Bottles with tight lids can be kept in your book bag under the desks. Please keep the classroom clean--if you make a mess, clean it up using the cleaning supplies located in the cabinets near the printer.
Course Materials:
a) REQUIRED: Textbook: Stewart, Calculus: Concepts and Contexts, 3rd Edition, Thomson Brooks/Cole Publishers, 2005.
b) REQUIRED: Course packet on Taylor Series (available midway through the quarter for about $4).
c) REQUIRED: Pencils and eraser, graph paper, small ruler, protractor, and colored pencils.
d) REQUIRED: USB Flash drive (a.k.a. thumb drive) to store computer files.
e) REQUIRED: TI-83/84/85/86 graphing calculator. Students using other models will have to read their manual to figure out their calculator. Some calculator models may not be allowed in this class because they are too powerful. These include, but are not limited to, the TI-89 and TI-92. Check with me ASAP!
f) OPTIONAL: Student Solution Manual for Stewart text.
Calculators: It is also assumed that you have some experience using a graphing calculator. If not, then you should start learning and get help immediately in the math tutoring lab (room SAM 100). There is also graphing calculator help at my website.
Renting Calculators: TI-83+ calculators are available to rent for $20/quarter. You will need to pay $20 to the school cashier (on the first floor), bring the receipt to me, and then fill out a contract. I will only give you a calculator if you are enrolled in the class and meet the prerequisites for the course.
Course Contents: This is the first course in
integral calculus. Topics include the
definition of the definite integral, the fundamental theorem of calculus,
methods of integration, applications of integration,
Teaching/Learning format: I believe the best way for students to learn is to do the math, rather than listen to a teacher tell them how to do the math. As a teacher, I pursue this by keeping lecturing to a minimum, and preparing problems to work on in class. Along with this, a recent strategy adopted by many math teachers is to have students work in groups. The thought here is that students feels more comfortable asking questions and suggesting strategies in the company of peers, rather than all alone in front of class or directly with the teacher. (I know that I didn’t like to shout out an answer for fear of it being “another stupid question.”) I strongly support this classroom structure.
So what should you expect in class? Each day will vary somewhat; most days I'll start by taking a few questions regarding the past night’s homework. I then may lecture a little (but sometimes I don’t) and then you'll be turned loose to work in groups on several problems. The only way that a group can work is for all students to attend. Since we sometimes start group activities immediately, it is unacceptable to arrive late to class. (I understand that there are occasional, unexpected crisis that prevent this.) Remember what a wise student once said: “Coming to class every day makes studying at home much easier.”
Your success in this class depends on your active participation in the group process. Many of you have experience with this mode of learning from previous math courses at SCCC. If not, try it don’t fight it. Most students enjoy the chance to work with others, learn more, and make a few friends.
WAMAP: This course will make use
of WAMAP, an online course-management program and assessment tool. Details on
how to log in to WAMAP and this course will be presented on the second day of
class.
One great
feature in WAMAP is that it allows me to post documents for your perusal. I plan to post the syllabus and other
up-to-date course information, all of your grades for the quarter, handouts,
and solutions to quizzes and tests. If
you even miss class, check the WAMAP site for the latest happenings!
A second
major feature of WAMAP is its internal email system. This system will allow me to email members of
the class. You will be able to email me
and/or other students in the class. One
nice feature of the email system is that it allows you to easily include
mathematics in an email. WAMAP email is for class use only –
not for other personal correspondence!
A third
feature of WAMAP is that it houses an enormous number of online math problems
to use for practice or graded homework. We’ll
use this feature as well (see below).
What to expect each week: You should expect to spend on average 2-3 hours per day for this course outside of class. This time will consist of reading your textbook (sometimes in advance of class discussions), reading your class notes, doing problems from the textbook and WAMAP, studying for quizzes and tests, working on group projects, and prepping for special class days.
Each week I will you give you a list of topics for the week, as well as daily homework problems from the text. I will announce quizzes a few days in advance and tests about one week in advance. Some days you will work on problems that will be handed in by the end of class for a grade-- these in-class problems cannot be made up.
Textbook homework: Most of the homework problems come from the textbook. You should attempt to do all the problems that I assign, but if you can't, at least try a fair number. It helps to keep all problems and assignments in order. Doing homework pays off - keep up on it! I often base quiz and test problems on homework. For group and classroom discussions to be effective, you must stay on top of the homework! I will not collect textbook homework problems.
WAMAP previews: As we approach a new
section in the text, a single preview problem will come online. Each problem is worth 1 point and you will
have two chances to get the problem correct.
Preview problems are meant to encourage you to start reading new
material in advance of my lecture. Often
I will provide a hint as to which specific topic(s) to focus on while you read. Late
submissions not accepted.
WAMAP practice: After the deadline for
each preview problem, a set of practice problems will come online. These problems are completely optional,
although doing a few many help you with the WAMAP homework.
WAMAP homework: Approximately once every week you will have an online homework assignment that will be count for a grade. Each WAMAP homework assignment will consists of 5 problems worth 2 points each (10 points total). These problems will align with 2-3 sections of course material. You will be given 3-4 days to complete each assignment. Note: Although you will submit your answers online, I may also have you submit written work that justifies your solutions. Late submissions not accepted.
Grading Details:
WAMAP previews (will drop lowest) ……..approximately 22 @ 1 point each
WAMAP homework (will drop lowest) ……..approximately 10 @ 10 points each
In-class problems (no make-ups)..................several @ 3-5 points each
Miscellaneous problems ……………… several @ 3-5 points each
Quizzes (will drop lowest).............approximately 4 @ 20 points each (sometimes w/ group)
Group Projects.............................. 1 or 2 @ 20-30 points each
Tests (1 hour)................................2 @ 100 points each
Final exam (2 hours).....................1 @ 150 points Monday December 10 8am – 10am
All grades will be displayed in WAMAP, including the percentage correct in total. Take that percentage and compute your current quarter grade using the formula: Grade = 0.073(percentage correct) - 2.96. Note: This makes 95% correct = 4.0, 89% = 3.5, 75% = 2.5, 61% = 1.5.
Policies:
Electronic devices: All cellular telephones, pagers, and other
such electronic equipment are to be turned off during the class period.
Special Accommodations: Students with documented disabilities who need course accommodations, have emergency medical information or require special arrangements for building evacuation should contact the instructor within the first week of class.
Final Note: Information in this syllabus may be modified
during the quarter.