Eli Goldwyn

Syllabus (131)

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Math 131 – Calculus I, Fall 2016          

SYLLABUS

Instructor:                  Eli Goldwyn
Office Location:         MECC 265
Office Hours:            click “HOME” link above
Email:                          eli.goldwyn(at)trincoll.edu (please include “MATH 131” in the subject line!!!)

taalman

Class Meeting Time:

  • MWF  12:00-12:50           Room: SH-N129
  • Thur   10:50-12:05           Room: MECC 172

Textbook (the same book is used for Calculus I, II, and III):

  • Calculus by Laura Taalman and Peter Kohn
  • Online HW through WebAssign
    • Use class key: trincoll 3939 9988
      • Purchasing the book at the bookstore comes with access to WebAssign
      • If you purchase the book elsewhere and it doesn’t come with WebAssign, you can purchase access to WebAssign.
      • If you dont want a physical copy of the book, you can purchase the Ebook and access to WebAssign together at WebAssign.net.

Course Outline (detailed google doc):

  • Pre-calculus review (1 week)
  • Limits
    • Intuitive Limits
    • Definition
    • Limit Rules
    • Indeterminate Limits
    • Continuity
  • Derivatives
    • Intuitive Derivatives
    • Definition of Derivative
    • Derivative Rules
    • Chain, Product, and Quotient Rules
    • Implicit Differentiation
    • Derivatives of Exponential, Logarithmic, and Trigonometric Functions
    • Mean Value Theorem
    • Using First and Second Derivatives for Curve Sketching
    • Related Rates
    • L’Hopital’s Rule
  • Differential Equations
    • Slope Fields
    • Euler’s Method

Applications:

  • Mechanics (position, velocity, acceleration)
  • Population Growth/Decay
  • Newton’s Law of Cooling
  • Mean Value Theorem
  • Optimization Problems
  • Related Rates
  • Root Finding (Newton’s Method)
  • Numerical Approximation of Differential Equations (Euler’s Method)

Grading:

  • Homework (written and online)                                        20%
  • Quizzes                                                                                    10%
  • Midterms  (Oct 6, Nov 3, Dec 1. 7:00-8:30 PM)           45%      (15% each)
  • Final Exam (cumulative) (schedule)                             25%

Homework

  • Written Homework is due BEFORE class starts every Thursday. It will be graded on both the mathematical content and on the exposition, where appropriate (the correct answer may not be enough). I encourage you to work together, but you must submit your own work. If your HW is multiple pages, staple pages together. If you use spiral notebook paper, remove fringes (you will lose points if you fail to do this — I know it’s annoying but otherwise grading the HW becomes impossible)! Your lowest  HW score will be dropped.
  • Online Homework will be due a few days after we finish each section – several times per week (due dates and time will be either Monday, Wednesday, or Friday at midnight).  It will be assigned and graded through the online WebAssign system. I will announce the HW in class or over email and you can double check at WebAssign. If you have a question about the grade on a particular assignment, send me an email including the number of the assignment and problem as well as a screenshot of the problem with your answer.
  • Note: While all HW can be done open book/notes/internet and with classmates, if you need any of those resources to complete a problem, then you don’t really understand it. Be sure to practice some problems without any assistance- as if they are exam problems.
  • Late HW will NOT be accepted.

Quizzes will be given once a week (on Thursdays), will be based on that week’s (written) HW and will be 10-15 minutes. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped.

Exams: There will be three regular exam and a cumulative final exam. Make up exams are given only in the case of a serious medical problem or emergency documented by the Dean of Students office. Written documentation any such situation will be required. Advanced notice must be given if possible.

  • Calculator Policy: Calculators will NOT be allowed on quizzes or exams.
  • Exam Regrade Policy: If you think your exam was misgraded (I mis-added your points, I marked you wrong when your answer was correct, or you think you deserve more partial credit), you can return your exam to me with a letter (less than 1 page – can be handwritten neatly or printed out and signed in pen) describing why you deserve more points. You have one week from after I return the exams to submit this letter to me. Be sure to make this letter convincing.  Note: you can only do this one time per exam, so make sure you go through your entire exam BEFORE completing the above process.

Specific Classroom Rules:

  • You are expected to arrive for class on time and prepared, having completed any required reading and/or homework.
  • Cell phone use is for emergencies only! You can wait until after class to play. Please make sure your phone is off or on airplane mode!

Study Hints:

  • Come to class (and ask questions if you don’t understand).
  • Read the book BEFORE class.
  • Help each other (explaining a concept is a great way to understand it).
  • Attend my office hours and/or TA sessions, and visit the Q-center for tutoring/group work.
  • Review your class notes (I recommend doing this the same day).
  • Practice some HW or examples w/o friends or the book
  • Be patient! It’s okay if you don’t understand a concept the first time you see it.
  • VOX.com tips for “studying smarter”
  • The rule of thumb is that for every hour of class, you should spend ~3 hours outside of class.

You are responsible for your own learning. As your instructor, I view my role as providing you with contexts and opportunities that facilitate the learning process. Please call on me to help you with this learning in whatever ways I can.

  • Click here for a cool TEDx video (“Being a fantastic educator: a lesson from my niece”) about teaching that generally sums up my teaching philosophy (by coincidence the speaker is my college roommate’s younger brother).

Students with Academic Accommodations: Trinity College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.  If you have a documented disability and require academic accommodations, please present your accommodations letter during my office hours within the first two weeks of the semester. If you do not have a letter, but have questions about applying for academic accommodations, please contact Lori Clapis, Coordinator of Accommodation Resources, at 860-297-4025 orLori.Clapis@trincoll.edu. You are responsible for reminding me about your accommodation 1 week before each exam.

Academic Honesty: Academic integrity is an important component of intellectual life and I treat cases of academic dishonesty very seriously. You are expected to uphold the principles in the Student Integrity Contract, to read and abide by the College policies on intellectual honesty in the Student Handbook, and to abide by any specific policies I establish. You will receive these policies in writing. If you have any questions you should bring them to me; when in doubt err on the side of caution and avoid even the appearance of academic dishonesty. The minimum penalty for academic dishonesty is a 0 on the given assignment. All cases of academic dishonesty will be referred to the Academic Honor Council.