Calculus of functions of a single variable; differential calculus, including limits, derivatives, techniques of differentiation, the mean value theorem and applications of differentiation to graphing, optimization and rates. Integral calculus, including indefinite integrals, the definite integral, the fundamental theorem of integral calculus, and applications of integration to area and volume.
Class meetings will be mostly interactive lectures, with some time to work on problems in class, and some time to go over problems from the homework. Some class sessions will meet in a computer lab or use a cartful of laptops. Exams will also be held during class meetings.
I expect that you will work on Math 120 for 8 to 12 hours per week outside of class.Mon/Wed: 9:00- 9:30 Office Hours 9:30-10:45 Math 319 in PH 520 11:00-11:50 Math 120 in PH 323 11:50-12:30 Office Hours (Mon not Wed), and lunch 12:30- 1:45 Math 110-14 in Sill 204c (subject to room change) crn 12945 1:45- 2:30 Office hours 3:30- 4:30 Mondays: IFC meetings Tue/Thu: 10:30-11:00 Office Hours 11:00-11:50 Math 120 in PH 323 11:50-12:30 Office Hours and lunch 12:30- 1:45 Math 110-18 in PH 305 (subject to room change) crn 13325 1:45- 2:30 Office hours ?? MCM meetings? Fri: No official office hours, but I'm often on campus. E-mail me to make an appointment, or drop by.
I am also happy to make appointments if you cannot come to the general office hours. Please send me e-mail to arrange an appointment.
The Mathematics Student Services Center (or "Math Lab") is also here to help you, in Pray-Harrold 411. Their hours are posted here. Please give them a call at 734-487-0983 or just drop by.
A good place to study, if the Math Lab doesn't suit you, is the Math Den, Pray-Harrold room 501.
Another resource on campus is the Holman Success Center, formerly the Holman Learning Center.I am a very applied mathematician. Applied, applied, applied. Not pure. Impure. I try to focus on real-world problems, rather than artificial drill problems (though I do recognize the need for some drill). My classes spend much more time on formulating problems (going from the real world to math notation and back) than on proving theorems. If you want the theoretical basis for anything we are discussing, please ask!
My general math interests are in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR). In particular, I do research in applied probability and queueing theory, the mathematics of predicting how long it takes to wait in line for service. You can learn more about this in Math 319 and 419 when I teach them. I also enjoy teaching about cost-minimizing/profit-maximizing methods called Non-Linear Programming (NLP) in Math 319 and Math 560.
I am a licensed amateur radio operator, and enjoy bringing aspects of electronics and the physics of sound/music into the classroom. You will see lots of sines and cosines in my classes, and exponentials/logarithms, but not much in the way of tangent, secant, etc.
Our required text is chapters 1 through 5 of "Calculus, Early Transcendentals", 7th edition. by James Stewart published by Brooks/Cole, Cengage. There are three ways to get it:
The textbook should be available at all the usual bookstores on and around campus. The library has a page about class textbooks that includes bookstore addresses.
Reading a math textbook takes certain skills! Here are some guides:
Many students find it useful to have a graphing calculator, though it might possible to get through the class without one. A TI-Nspire is not required, but is allowed.
I will post data files, homework assignment files, etc. on my home page.
We will use the EMU-Online system to record scores. You are expected to keep an eye on your scores using the system, and get extra help if your scores indicate the need.
We might also use an on-line homework system.
Chapters and Topics:
Chapter 1. Functions and Models (all sections) ≈ 1 week
Review of precalculus, while introducing the graphical and numerical as well as the analytic approach to studying functions.
Chapter 2. Limits and Derivatives (2.1- 2.3 and 2.5 - 2.7) ≈ 2 weeks
Introduces differential calculus, the tangent and velocity problems, limits, and continuity
SOHCAHTOA
Chapter 3. Differentiation Rules (3.1 - 3.10) ≈ 3 weeks
Standard differentiation rules: power rule, product, quotient, and chain rules. Derivatives of exponential, logarithmic and trig functions as well as implicit differentiation and derivatives of inverse trig functions
Chapter 4. Applications of Differentiation (4.1 – 4.7 and 4.9) (4.8 optional) ≈ 3 weeks
Optimization problems, mean values theorem, L’Hospital’s rule, curve sketching, anti-derivatives
Chapter 5. Integrals (all sections) ≈ 2 weeks
Integrals both geometrically and as limits of Riemann sums, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, indefinite integrals, substitution.
Regular attendance is strongly recommended. There will be material presented in class that is not in the textbook, yet will be very useful. Similarly, there are things in the textbook that are might not be covered in class, but are still very useful. If you must miss a class, arrange to get a copy of the notes from someone, and arrange for someone to ask your questions for you.
My lectures and discussions mostly use the chalkboard, along with demonstrations in Excel and other mathematical software. I do not usually have PowerPoint-like presentations, and thus cannot hand out copies of slides.
Homework will be assigned just about every day. We may be using an on-line homework system like MapleTA or WeBWoRK.
We might have short quizzes. Some of these might be announced; others might be unannounced.
No scores will be dropped by default, unless a valid excuse (possibly with evidence) is given. In the unfortunate event of a need, the appropriate grade or grades may be dropped entirely (at the professor's discretion), rather than giving a make-up. You are highly encouraged to still complete the relevant assignments and consult with me during office hours to ensure you know the material.
Your overall score will be computed as follows:Some homeworks and worksheets might be graded as credit/no credit instead of graded in detail. These homeworks might then be counted as only half of a graded-in-detail homework.
Notice that there are about 40 homeworks, so each is worth about 1.25 percentage points on your grade. This means that missing one homework can easily move you from an A to an A-, or a B to a B-, etc, and missing two will DEFINITELY knock you down!
Or, put it this way: if you paid about $1000 to take this course, each homework is worth about $25. So not turning in a homework is like taking a $5 and a $20 out of your wallet and burning them--and that's just the immediate effect, not including doing worse on the tests, and increasing the chances you might have to take the whole course again. Similarly, we have about 56 class meetings this semester. So, you are paying about $18 per class meeting--miss one, and you might as well burn a $20 bill.From the book "Learning and Motivation in the Postsecondary Classroom" by Marilla D. Svinicki: "researchers have demonstrated that students who are initially allowed to generate their own ideas about a problem before they receive a lecture on it better understand the concepts behind the problem than students who are simply told what those concepts are." What does this mean for you in this class? Most of the time, after the first class meeting about a new section of the book, I will want you to try the homework that night and ask questions during the next class meeting, then you have the night after that to finish up the homework and turn it in at the start of the next class meeting. There is a temptation to not try it the first night, and just sit and try to absorb information about the problems from the discussion the next day. The research cited above says this is not good for your learning.
Also, "students who learn to monitor their own understanding and take steps to modify their thinking in light of that monitoring become much better problem solvers in the long run." I almost always want you to check your work by comparing to sensible upper and lower bounds, guesses, etc., or by taking a derivative to check an integral formula you just found. This way, you are monitoring how well you can do the problems in real-time, without having to wait for feedback from me grading your paper. The research I just mentioned shows that this makes you a better problem solver. AND, you get more credit because you can fix the problems you find you got wrong, even before turning it in!
Current University policy recognizes the rights of students to observe religious holidays without penalty to the student. Students will provide advance notice to the instructor in order to make up work, including examinations, they miss as a result of their absence from class due to observance of religious holidays. If satisfactory arrangements cannot be made with the instructor, the student may appeal to the school director or head(s) of department(s) in which the course(s) is / are offered.
Academic dishonesty, including all forms of cheating, falsification, and/or plagiarism, will not be tolerated in this course. Penalties for an act of academic dishonesty may range from receiving a failing grade for a particular assignment to receiving a failing grade for the entire course. In addition, you may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for discipline that can result in either a suspension or permanent dismissal. The Student Conduct Code contains detailed definitions of what constitutes academic dishonesty but if you are not sure about whether something you are doing would be considered academic dishonesty, consult with the course instructor. You may access the Code online at: www.emich.edu/studentconduct/
Students are expected to abide by the Student Conduct Code and assist in creating an environment that is conducive to learning and protects the rights of all members of the University Community. Incivility and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in a request to leave class and referral to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (SJS) for discipline. Examples of inappropriate classroom conduct include repeatedly arriving late to class, using a mobile/cellular phone while in the class session, or talking while others are speaking. You may access the Code online at www.emich.edu/studentconduct/
Those who use laptops during class should sit in the back row if possible, to avoid distracting others with what is on their screens.
If you wish to be accommodated for your disability, EMU Board of Regents Policy 8.3 requires that you first register with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) in 240K EMU Student Center. You may contact DRC by telephone (734.487.2470). Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with the DRC promptly as you will only be accommodated from the date you register with them forward. No retroactive accommodations are possible.