Syllabus for Calculus III
MWF 8:30-9:35 – Fall 2007
Rohr Science 220 – (619) 849-2604 –
gcrow@pointloma.edu 
Course Description
Conceptual development of the calculus of functions of more
than one variable supported by the use of a symbolic computer
algebra system. Limits and continuity, partial derivatives,
chain rule, extreme values, Taylor’s theorem, multiple integrals,
line and surface integrals, Green’s Theorem and Stokes’ Theorem.
Required Materials
- Calculator: A scientific calculator is recommended
(including Ln and Cos in the $13 to $18 range).
- Supplies:
A USB Thumb drive or
about three 3.5" computer disks.
A box of 20 vectors (earth-tones if possible).
Comment
We will try and avoid the following pitfall:
At the beginning college level, visualization
is a big part of understanding. Consequently,
students who are operating with few mental
pictures are not really learning mathematics. Their
calculus consists of a vast series of algorithms
and a complicated cataloging system which tells them
which procedure is used when. The effort put into
this kind of teaching and learning is largely wasted:
memorized algorithms are soon forgotten and, worse
still, such courses perpetuate the idea that
math involves doing calculations rather than thinking [emphasis added].
(by Deborah Hughes Hallet in
Visualization and Calculus Reform, in the collection
Visualization in Teaching and Learning
Mathematics, edited by Zimmerman and Cunningham (MAA notes \#19))
Homework
The homework is designed to allow you to
grasp the concepts of Multivariable Calculus; it is not an end in itself.
Assignments will be announced on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The work will be due on the following Friday.
The problems from the text may be submitted entirely on paper in written
or in Maple format. Alternately, they may be submitted by e-mail in
Maple format. Each file submitted by e-mail must have an eight character name
(or shorter) with Your Three Initials and then numbers
indicating which assignment is being submitted. When submitting homework
from sections 3.4 and 3.5, the name should be "YTI3-45.mws"
Groups
There is almost a century of research showing that
academic achievement, productivity, and self-esteem
improve dramatically when students work together in
groups. This method emphasizes teamwork, cooperation
and support by others, rather than isolation and
competition in learning.
You will be randomly assigned to a group on a
four to eight week basis. Certain homework problems will be
assigned to each group. If selected, your group
will present their assigned problems to the class.
Absence or obvious lack of participation will lower
your semester homework grade by up to 10% per week.
Examinations
There will be three classroom exams and a comprehensive Final exam.
No examination shall be missed without an official excuse. A
score of zero will be assigned for a test that is missed without
an official excuse. The exam schedule is included
in the daily schedule.
I do not intend to accept excuses such as poor
communication with parents and/or travel agents.
Grading Policies
Grading Distribution
| Three Exams at 150 points each | 450 points |
| Final Exam | 300 points |
| Text Book Homework | 250 points |
| Total | 1000 points |
Grading scale. Grades are based on the weighted percentage of points accumulated throughout the course.
Approximate minimal percentages required to obtain a given grade are:
Grading Scale in percentages
| A | B | C | D |
| + | | (87.5, 90) | (77.5, 80) | (67.5, 70) |
| | [92.5, 100] | [82.5, 87.5] | [72.5, 77.5] | [62.5, 67.5] |
| - | [90, 92.5) | [80, 82.5) | [70, 72.5) | [60, 62.5) |
Other factors that affect grades are
- Late work.
A written assignment or computer assignment is late if
it is not received at the beginning of class on the due date.
Late work need not be accepted.
Work accepted late may be assessed a penalty.
Make-up tests (or the exam) will be given only by
arrangement with the instructor for reasons of documented emergency.
- Questions on written assignments and exams:
Written assignments and test/exam
questions and problems must be formulated carefully in terms of words and
symbols used in the course. Credit is determined by the degree to which
answers and solutions respond to the specific question or problem stated.
Maximize your credit by learning the language and symbols of the course.
- Format for Written Assignments.
Assignments collected must be prepared in a style suitable for grading.
Please use the format
demonstrated at the Harvey Mudd website (LaTeX typesetting is not required).
The following guidelines are used to determine credit:
- the organization must be easy to follow
- the work must be legible
- complete solutions must be written for problems (not just answers); solutions must be clearly marked
- use complete sentences to answer questions
- Exams and Final Examination.
Exams and the final exam will include problems and questions
over material assigned in the text, readings and handouts,
as well as material presented in class.
Attendance Policy.
After you miss the equivalent of 4 class periods, you will be
warned of impending de-enrollment. If you miss the equivalent of
9 class periods, you will be de-enrolled.
Classroom Attire
.
All students are expected to dress in ways that allow the classroom
to be a place where all students are comfortable and can work efficiently.
Certain distracting attire is not permitted in the classroom.
For example, attire associated with the "rush" activities of
fraternities and sororities simply causes too many distractions
in the classroom.
If you choose to "rush" one of the fraternities or sororities,
please make sure the "rush" officials know that "rush" attire will not
be allowed in this classroom.
Academic Accommodations.
While all students are expected to meet the minimum standards for completion of this course
as established by the instructor, students with disabilities may require academic accommodations.
At Point Loma Nazarene University, these students are requested to file documentation during the
first two weeks of the semester with the Academic Support Center (ASC), located in the
Bond Academic Center. This policy assists the University in its commitment to full compliance
with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Section 504 (a)
prohibits discrimination against students with
special needs and guarantees all qualified students equal access to and benefits of PLNU
programs and activities. Once the student files documentation, the ASC will contact
the student’s instructors and provide written recommendations for reasonable and
appropriate accommodations to meet the individual learning needs of the student.
Cheating
Policy
A student who is caught cheating on an exam will
receive a zero on that exam and may receive an "F" for
the semester.
The Final Exam
is a
Comprehensive
Examination.
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Last modified on 17-Aug-2007
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