Basic Course Information
Success in MA125
Day-by-Day Schedule
Course Objectives:  With this course, we begin the study of calculus, the most effective method yet discovered for handling non-linear functions.  Calculus is concerned with change, and with measuring change.  As most of the world is always changing, it is applicable to almost any science, physical, biological, or social.  MA 125 introduces three of the four basic concepts of calculus, those of limit, derivative, and integral.  You will be introduced to the these principal concepts of calculus symbolically, graphically, numerically, intuitively, and formally.  The other major concept, infinite series, is introduced in MA 126.  You will work on problems involving these concepts both individually and in groups, using both pencil-and-paper and Maple, our computer algebra system.  You will gain experience reading about, writing about, and discussing mathematics.  You will also be introduced to a range of applications of these concepts.
Class Schedule:  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 11:30 – 12:40 p.m., Howard Hall 309.
Instructor:  B. Gold; Office Location:  HH 247;  Office Telephone:  571-4451; E-mail Address: mailto:bgold@monmouth.edu
Office Hours:  Monday 2:30 – 3:30, Tuesday 4:30 – 5:30, Wednesday 1-2, Thursday 3:30 – 4:30, or by appointment or chance.
Required Text:  Hughes-Hallett et al, Calculus, Single Variable, 5th edition.
Course Requirements:  Daily computational problems, daily MapleTA problems, weekly group problems, 4 in-class exams, final exam.  Each day before class, you must have read the section(s) of the text assigned for that day, and then attempted and submitted, by 11 a.m., the MapleTA (http://maple.monmouth.edu) preliminary assignment with that section number (in italics, and ending in P on the schedule below and online).  Any reasonable attempt (i.e. at least 1/4 right) will receive full credit.  After class, you return to that section assignment without the P and rework the problems (and some additional ones).  This version will be graded based on percent correct, but you may resubmit the problems up to one week after that class.  At that point, your grade for that problem set will be the highest grade you received on that assignment.  Problems from the text are due the following day in class.  I will collect them approximately once a week, but will call on class members to show how to do any that there are questions on.  Group problems are due on Wednesdays for the previous week’s problems.  Group members must all work on the problems together – they’re too hard for you to do correctly on your own.  Members take turns being the “convener” who leads the discussion, the “scribe” who writes the problems up by Monday, and the “improver” who fixes the write-up prior to handing it in Wednesday.  Group problems must be written with clear, full-sentence English explanations of everything except algebraic manipulations, and are graded on clarity of writing, not simply mathematical correctness.  Mondays will begin with a weekly “quick quiz” over prerequisite material.

Methods of Evaluation and Grading Policy:  Pre-class MapleTA problems 8%, group problems 5%, MapleTA homework 8%, written homework 8%, quick quizzes 1%, in-class activities 2%, four in–class exams 12% each, final exam 20%.
On a scale of 0 to 100, grades of:
     A and A- will be assigned to scores of 90 and above
     B+, B and B- will be assigned to scores between 80 and 90
     C+, C and C- will be assigned to scores between 65 and 80
     D+, D and D- will be assigned to scores between 50 and 65
     F will be assigned to scores below 50.
If you are have to miss an examination, you must let me know prior to the exam or you receive an automatic 0.  You must make arrangements with me some time the day of the exam about when you will take a make-up exam.

Attendance Requirement:  Because roughly 1/3 of each class will be devoted to group work on problems, attendance is required.  Any unexcused absences may result in grade reduction, and excused absences must be made up with replacement work.  
Last date to Withdraw with automatic assignment of “W” grade:  Tuesday, November 8, 2011.
Statement on Academic Honesty:  You are welcome to consult others, whether students in the class or tutors in the Mathematics Learning Center.  However, whenever you have had assistance with a problem (other than by members of your group for group problems), you are to state that at the beginning of the solution to the problem.  Unless it becomes excessive, there will be no reduction in credit for getting such assistance.  Simply copying another student's homework will result in both of you getting a 0 on that assignment, however.
Examination Rules:  No student is permitted to have at his or her desk any books or papers that are not given out by the instructor.  Possession of such material will be regarded as evidence of intent to use the information dishonestly.  No communication between students during the examination is permitted.  If there are questions, or if there is a need for additional material, the instructor should be asked. Details of calculations should be written on the pages of the exam.  In accordance with the academic honesty policy of Monmouth University each exam will contain the following pledge:
I, ____________________________, certify that I have read the rules for examinations, and that I have abided by them. By signing, I affirm that I have neither given nor received aid during this examination, and I understand that violation of this affirmation may result in suspension or expulsion from Monmouth University.”

Statement on Special Accommodations:  Students with disabilities who need special accommodations for this class are encouraged to meet with me or the appropriate disability service provider on campus as soon as possible.  In order to receive accommodations, students must be registered with the appropriate disability service provider on campus as set forth in the student handbook and must follow the University procedure for self-disclosure, which is stated in the University Guide to Services and Accommodations for Students with Disabilities.  Students will not be afforded any special accommodations for academic work completed prior to the disclosure of the disability, nor will they be afforded any special accommodations prior to the completion of the documentation process with the appropriate disability office.

Success in Mathematics:  Class will begin promptly, so plan to arrive at least 5 minutes early and be prepared to start work as soon as the period starts.  Arriving late or leaving early is disruptive to the class and is not appreciated.  Cell phones, of course, should be turned off, or, if an urgent call is expected, set on "vibrate" (and then sit by the door, so you can leave to take the call).

I expect students to come to each class prepared to participate in the class work. This includes having read the sections for the day and attempted the MapleTA problems over the sections and bringing clean paper, a writing implement (or two), and your textbook, as well as any assignments which are due.

You folks are now adults and I intend to treat you with respect and expect the same from you, towards both your instructor and your classmates.  I have no tolerance for students who laugh at or put down another student’s response.

A midterm grade will be generated based on the first two exams and other material turned in by October 20, and submitted to the Registrar’s Office on October 25, 2011.  Please note that the last date to withdraw from a course is November 8; so if your midterm grade is not satisfactory, please speak with me promptly about whether you should withdraw from the course.

If you are having difficulty in the course, your first step should be to come see me during office hours.  In addition, free tutoring is available in the Math Learning Center located in Room 203 on the middle floor of Howard Hall.  The tutors are Monmouth students, mostly mathematics majors, who can explain the math concepts clearly from a student’s point of view.  The tutors request that students bring their textbooks with them and that they come prepared with specific questions.

The mathematics department has many goals for you in your first course in college mathematics.  One is, of course, to learn the principal ideas and techniques of the subject, in this case, calculus:  limits, derivatives.  A second is to learn how to think about mathematical problems, and not simply those which are identical to ones you have already seen worked.  A third is how to read a mathematics book.  Fourthly, you need to learn how to communicate mathematics, both verbally and in writing.  Fifthly, we want you to start getting comfortable with Maple, a "computer algebra system" (CAS) that can solve virtually any computational problem you will ever encounter both numerically and symbolically.  You will use Maple throughout your mathematics studies at Monmouth, and most professional mathematicians have Maple, or some other CAS on their computers at home and at work.

Because of this, I am using a variety of methods to evaluate your learning.  MapleTA assignments include both routine and conceptual problems.  You are to read the text prior to class, and attempt the MapleTA problems in italics for that day.  You get full credit for any reasonable attempt prior to class.  You should attempt these problems again as soon after class as possible.  You may submit solutions as many times as you'd like to for improved grade, with a time limit of one week from the day the topic is discussed in class.  Additional routine problems included in the daily homework supplement the MapleTA problems.  Group problems help you work on your mathematical communication skills as well as giving you more experience with less routine questions.

As few of you have had any experience really reading a mathematics book, there are several things I plan to do help you learn how to do so.  First, we will talk, several times over the first few weeks, about reading mathematics.  Second, I will always go over any questions you have on the reading in the next class.  Third, the MapleTA problems should help you focus your reading.

Much of our time in class will be spent working on the problems, most of which you will find require much more thought than those found in high school textbooks.  You will work on these problems in groups (usually of three), and we will discuss them as a class after all the groups have had a chance to make at least some progress on the problems.

Just as becoming good in a sport involves both effort and sometimes some pain as muscles get stretched which haven’t been used before, becoming good in mathematics involves work and occasionally pain.  However, the results, both in sports and in knowledge, more than reward the effort, and I will do my best to help you avoid unnecessary difficulties, the “twisted ankles” of learning mathematics.  I look forward to a good semester working with you.