Math 155 ¨C Calculus I

                                                                Non-Engineering Sections

                                                                           Fall 2007

 

Welcome to Math 155! The Math 155 sections have been divided into two groups ¨C the engineering sections and the non-engineering sections. You are in a non-engineering section.

 

Prerequisites: Each student in Math 155 should have the equivalent of two high school units of algebra, one unit of geometry, and  unit of trigonometry. In addition, you must meet one of the following prerequisites:

(1)     a math ACT score of 26 or higher

(2)     a math SAT score of 600 or higher

(3)     placement in Math 155 by WVU¡¯s Math Placement Exam

(4)     a passing grade in Math 129 or its equivalent

(5)     passing grades in Math 126 and Math 128 or their equivalents

During the first week of classes we will check to see whether you meet one of the prerequisites for Math 155. Students for whom we are unable to verify that a prerequisite has been satisfied will need to see Mrs. Chris Wilson in the Math Learning Center, 301 Armstrong. Students not meeting the prerequisites will be administratively deleted from the course.

 

Textbook: Essential Calculus: Early Transcendentals, by James Stewart

 

Testing Procedures: All of the non-engineering sections will take the same tests and the same final exam. Dates and times are listed below. The tests and final exam will be written by the course coordinator. The grading of each test is uniform in the sense that one instructor will grade a problem for the students in all of the sections. Most of the test questions will be traditional, free-response questions. There will be some multiple-choice or other short-answer questions. Calculators are not allowed on these tests/final exam.

Test Schedule:                     First Test:              Tuesday, September 11, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

                                                Second Test:         Tuesday, October 2, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

                                                Third Test:            Tuesday, October 23, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

                                                Fourth Test:          Tuesday, November 27, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

                                                Final Exam:            Tuesday, December 11, 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Students who have a class conflict with the 5:30-7:00 time period will take an alternate test the same evening during the time period 7:00-8:30 in rooms to be announced.

Attendance: Attendance will be taken daily. Students may earn up to 10 bonus points by attending class regularly. Since the course grade is based on a total of 760 points, this amounts to a possible curve of (about 1.3%) in the course grade (you may think of this as being allowed to add 10 points to your lowest test or exam score). Here is how the attendance policy works. 

Students who miss <=

Bonus Points

  1 class

10

2 classes

9

3 classes

8

4 classes

7

5 classes

6

6 classes

5

7 classes

3

8 classes

1

 Students will be given credit for attendance when they have excused absences. Be sure to ask for an excused absence in writing (email is OK) from your instructor.

Homework and Assignment Sheet: Doing exercises is an important component to learning. For practice, students should do all of the assigned homework problems from each section. These problems are listed on the Course Calendar web page. Answers to most of these problems are given in the back of the textbook. These problems will not be collected or graded by the instructor. The computerized homework will count towards your grade. There will be at least 12 computer assignments, with the best 12 used to determine a maximum of 60 points.

Worksheets: Each worksheet will consist of a list of problems that will be collected and graded by your instructor. Some of the problems will be even-numbered problems from the textbook. Some class time may be allotted for working on the worksheets. Students will be encouraged to work together and to ask questions of the instructor. Although students are allowed to work together, each student is required to write up the solutions individually when submitting the problems for grading. There will be at least 12 worksheets during the semester, and each will be graded on a scale of 0 to 5. The best 12 grades will be used to determine a maximum possible total of 60 points for the worksheets.

Quizzes: There will be quizzes during the semester. Each quiz (lasting about 10 minutes) will be written by the instructor of your section and will consist of problems that are from the Assigned Problems listed in the Course Calendar.  Each quiz will be graded by your instructor on a scale of 0 to 4. There will be a maximum possible total of 40 points for the quizzes.

Course Grades: The course grade is based on a total of 760 points plus 10 bonus points, as listed below:

Four Tests (100 points each)

400 points

Comprehensive Final Exam

200 points

Twelve Worksheets (5 points each)  

60 points

Twelve Computer Assignments (5 points each) 

60 points

Ten Quizzes (4 points each)  

40 points

Bonus Points for Attendance

10 points

Total

770 points

Grading Scale:

684-770

A

(90% of 760 is 684)

608-683

B

(80% of 760 is 608)

532-607

C

(70% of 760 is 532)

456-531

D

(60% of 760 is 456)

0-455

F

 

 

Preparing for Tests: The key to success in this course is to learn how to do the problems on the homework assignments and the worksheets. Most of the problems on the tests and the final exam will reflect the problems in the assignments, and will test your computational skills and understanding of the concepts and theories. It is not enough to watch your instructor do problems in class and think you understand the process. You need the hands-on experience of doing the problems yourself.

 

Help Outside the Classroom: There are several ways to seek help with your homework when you are not in class. You may visit your instructor during the office hours he/she announces in class. You may stop by the Math Learning Center, 301 Armstrong, where you may receive tutoring from undergraduate math majors. Hours of operation will be announced in class. Tutoring is available in the University Learning Centers in the residence halls.

Calculator Policy: Students will not be allowed to use a calculator of any type when taking quizzes or tests. Students may find a calculator helpful when working some of the homework problems. Some students may feel that a graphing calculator is helpful in developing their intuition about topics like limits, for example. An online graphing calculator is available at the textbook¡¯s website.

 

Math Department Website: Information about this course, including this syllabus and room assignments for tests, will be posted on the Math Department website  www.math.wvu.edu .

 

Calculus Readiness Assessment: During the first or the second week of classes you will be given a calculus readiness assessment test (refereed as the MapleTA test). The purpose of the test is to identify students who need help with their basic algebra skills.

Make-up Tests: Students who have a valid reason for missing any of the midterm exams and the makeup after the second test will be given a make-up test on Saturday, October 20th, at 9:00 a.m., in 315 Armstrong. Permission in advance from the course coordinator is required. Students who have a valid reason for missing the third test or the fourth test will be given a make-up test on Saturday, December 1st, at 9:00 a.m., in a room to be announced (most likely 315 Armstrong). There will be no makeup for the final exam.

WVU Social Justice Statement: West Virginia University is committed to social justice. We concur with that commitment and expect to foster a nurturing learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in your class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.

 

Disability: If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in your class, please advise your instructor and make appropriate arrangements with Disability Services (293-6700).

 

Course Coordinator:                          Hong-Jian Lai

                                                                Professor of Mathematics

                                                                308K Armstrong Hall

                                                                293-2011 ext. 2348

                                                                hjlai@math.wvu.edu

                                                                Office Hours: 11:30am-2:00pm, Mondays and Fridays, or by appointments.