Calculus 035-09 Fall 2006

Class meets at 1:15 in REISS 112 on MTWF. Last updated 11/16/06. This is still slightly provisional.

You can reach me by voice-mail at 7-2703 or by e-mail kainen at georgetown.edu

Students in elementary classes (up to Math 036) can find free tutoring services at the Math Assistance Center which has opened. It is located in Reiss in the lounge (usually) (rm 256) Sunday through Thurs. evenings from 6 to 10 pm.

Other general information, including for other courses, on the index (classroom) page . Back to the calculus page.

The text is Single-Variable Calculus: Concepts and Contexts by Stewart, 3rd edition. In this semester (Fall 2006) we will cover most of Chapters 2, 3, 4, and Chap. 5 up to 5.5. I usually find time to sketch the main ideas in 5.6 and 5.10 as well. The topics in Chap. 1 and Appendices A - F will supplement the other material as needed.

The syllabus is provisionally as follows:

There will be three midterms: Wed. 9/27 (up to 3.2), Wed. 11/8 (up to 4.6), and Mon. 12/4 (up to 5.6). The midterms are given in the evening at 9pm, and you will be allowed 90 minutes. Location ICC 104. The final is scheduled for Dec. 12 at 9am in our regular classroom.

Topics to be covered in the course include:

  1. The arithmetic of numbers, sets, and functions
  2. Examples of different types of functions
  3. Limits and derivatives - the theory
  4. Graphs of functions - how geometry corresponds to analysis
  5. How to differentiate - the techniques
  6. When to differentiate - applications
  7. Definite integrals and the area under a curve
  8. Indefinite integrals and their relation to derivatives
  9. Techniques for integration

I recommend that you use the text sparingly - unless you have insomnia ;-) It is better to plunge in. Try to work problems on your own, looking back to see what is there if you get stuck. Basic concepts will be explained in class but not necessarily all of them. Read the book with a critical attitude, skipping the voluminous "explanations" but looking for those points that are confusing. One way to identify such confusions is to see whether you can work the examples given in the text. Also try the odd-numbered homework problems, where the answers are given in the back of the book and for which detailed write-ups are available in the student solutions manual.

Calculators are not allowed for use on quizzes and tests They won't be needed for the problems I give on quizzes, tests, or homework. Use of calculators on the final hasn't yet been decided.

I suggest that you collaborate with some of your classmates. Studying in a group helps prevent you from dozing off and someone else can better quiz you on a concept than you can do it yourself. However, you should do homework on your own. It is your best chance to learn the material.

As I mention in class, the sina qua non for the class is _effort_ which you can demonstrate through homework, quizzes and class participation. In general, I have found that students who do make a real effort will not be disappointed in their grade - more specifically, you have a good chance of earning at least a "B" and possibly better, though of course this is not guaranteed.

Grades are based on the following:

Quizzes will be frequent and unannounced. You are expected to attend most classes, but occasional absences are acceptable. In general, quizzes are brief and are designed to show that you have been paying attention.

I expect you to do the homework assignments. If you can't be there the day it is due, give it to someone else to hand in for you. Neither quizzes nor homework can be made up later. Also, please save your old homework, quizzes, and tests so that you can use them for review and so that I can go over them with you in the event you have difficulties later.

BTW, sometimes your solutions are different than the ones given in class. In fact, sometimes they are better! That is worth an extra plus in my grade book ;-)

Homework or quizzes which are not picked up in class will be in a box in the new math lounge in St. Mary's. Be sure to pick them up asap since you'll need to have them later, and also since there may be valuable information in the corrections.

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