Grades

Grade Components

Tests: 80%

Online Homework: 10%

Written Homework: 10%

Grading Scale

A: 90 - 100

B: 80 – 89

C: 70 – 79

D: 60 – 69

F: < 60

What will we do in this class?

Tests

Tests will be given in class on the specified dates. Tests may be moved online if circumstances require it, administered through Blackboard and/or MyLab, at the discretion of the instructor. Online testing requires the use of a PC or Mac with a webcam and microphone.

Make-up tests

A situation may arise that presents a conflict with a test date. This can happen despite the best efforts to avoid it. There are a few principles to keep in mind for make-up requests.

1. Missing the scheduled test is a big deal
2. The sooner you notify the instructor, the more likely it is that we can work something out
3. Extension requests that come in after the start time of the test will not be granted

A request made on the basis of a documented illness or emergency that can be made up during testing center hours of operation before our next class meeting will be granted, provided that the request comes in before the start time of the test.

Test rescheduling for convenience or travel is often possible if you can test early. To make an early testing arrangement possible, be sure to contact the instructor a week before the test date.

All other requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Any extension beyond the next class meeting would require either the creation of a new test or a delay in returning graded tests to students. For this to be considered, documented extenuating circumstances for the duration of the extension request must be present, and the student’s prior course work must demonstrate an ability to successfully complete the course. If the extension request is for the first test, the decision may be delayed until after the next test to establish a demonstrated ability to succeed.

If your make-up request is not granted, please see the missed test policy for how you can fully recover from one missed test.

Test retakes

There are many opportunities to give yourself practice tests so that you can honestly assess how well prepared you are for a test in advance of the test date. The test itself counts. Tests may not be retaken under any circumstances, so please take advantage of these opportunities to avoid surprises. See the missed test policy for how you can fully recover from one low test score.

Missed test policy

There will be 4 tests during the term (3 unit tests and a final exam), each of which will count equally towards your grade. If you miss one of the first three tests, or if the Final Exam score is higher than your lowest test score, the missing or lowest test score will be replaced by your Final Exam score.

The Final Exam counts as a test score even if it is not used to replace a lower test score. If it replaces a test score, it carries the weight of two tests in your grade calculation.

Online Homework

Complete MyLab problems by the homework due date. Grading is automatic in MyLab. It is recommended that you do these problems before the written homework, in order to get immediate feedback. You have unlimited attempts on most online homework questions, and your work is not penalized for using multiple attempts. Students are held accountable for the content on tests and written assignments, even though it may be possible to get through an online assignment without true understanding by using multiple attempts.

Online Homework Notebook

It is important to keep a written record of your steps in solving online homework problems so that you can refer to it when preparing for tests. Students are requested to keep a well-organized homework notebook for all of the homework assigned online. These notebooks are collected in class on test days. A score is calculated out of four points for the whole major test unit, and is added to the test score as bonus points. Homework notebooks are not accepted after the start time of the test. Grading is based on the following:

• Organization: clearly label all section numbers and problem numbers and keep them in order
• Completeness: include all problems that were assigned in MyLab
• Thoroughness: show all steps on each problem and write enough on paper to make sense of it

Late Online Homework Policy

Online homework may be submitted late without penalty, up to the start time of the test covering the assignments. After the start time of the test no late online homework will be accepted for a grade. Any online assignments that have not been submitted at that time will receive a score of 0.

Online homework notebooks must be turned in at the start of the test. No notebooks will be accepted later than the start of the test.

Written Homework

Instructions are posted in Blackboard for completing and submitting written homework, and must be followed exactly.

Turning in written homework

In-class submission

Homework may be turned in on paper during the first five minutes of class only. Place your assignment on my desk at the start of class. Write your name on at least the top page and staple them in the correct order. You may not turn in your assignment on paper later than the first five minutes of class.

Electronic submission

You may submit written homework electronically through Blackboard instead of in class, up to midnight on the due date. Assignments submitted later than midnight on the due date will be subject to the late homework policy (see next section).

Please note that electronic submission through Blackboard is the ONLY method for submitting homework outside of our class meeting. Assignments may not be submitted in my office or in the campus mail room. To submit electronically, please follow the instructions in Blackboard, under Written Homework.

Graded Problems

Graded problems are assigned for every section, always in written format. These assignments are short and the expectations are high. They are graded for correctness and full demonstration of steps. Refer to the homework list in Blackboard for assigned problems.

You will find specific instructions for scanning and submitting written work in Blackboard. Be sure to follow all instructions. If a student chooses to redo an assignment that has already been graded, it counts as a late submission and is subject to the late written homework policy. Do not resubmit unless you would prefer a late submission to your original score. See Late Written Homework Policy.

Late Written Homework Policy

You may turn in up to three written homework assignments late, for an exemption in the grade book. Exempt assignments are not calculated into grade averages. The three late assignments are intended to cover all cases of illness and emergency. No additional exceptions are allowed for special circumstances.

A written homework assignment is considered late if any part of it is submitted after midnight on the due date. For example, if you forget to turn in part of an assignment and get a score of 10/15, and then you turn in the missing problems as a new submission after it is graded, it will be given an Exempt score and counted as one of your three late submissions. Always look over all of the pages in your homework submissions to ensure everything is present.

All late written homework must be submitted no later than the start time of the test over that content to receive a grade book exemption. After the start time of the test, all related work that has not already been submitted will receive a score of 0.

What happens if I miss something?

Attendance/Class Participation Expectations and Policy

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Each component of your course grade has its own policy for late work. If you miss a unit deadline, just submit your work late, and expect it to be handled according to the appropriate policy. You are welcome to reach out to the instructor by email if you have questions about the policies.

Please do not ask for an extension due to a short-term interference that you are sure will only affect one unit deadline. The policies already allow for some work to be submitted late, and they are intended to cover the usual short-term situations. Even if your reasons for submitting work late are valid and documented, we will still defer to the late work policies in most cases. If a situation arises that you expect to affect your progress for more than one unit deadline or for a test, then it is best to reach out as soon as you are aware.

After each test, in most cases there is no way to receive credit for the work that has not been submitted yet for the corresponding units. You are best off completing it for your own learning benefit and focusing on meeting the upcoming deadlines instead. If you are in danger of missing a test, please notify the instructor right away and read the policies under Tests for details.

Extra Credit

Students who are struggling sometimes ask about extra credit in this course. While a student’s objectives may be to earn points, the instructor’s objective is to define a grading policy that incorporates incentives to learn, and that ultimately assigns grades based on demonstrated mastery of the content. Extra credit assignments that make up for test performance work against that objective. The bonus points on tests and 20% of the grade based on ongoing work together provide quite a bit of grade padding to bring a grade average up from sub-optimal test scores. I do not offer any additional ways to earn points in the course regardless of your reasons for thinking you need a particular grade in the course.

A note from your instructor: If you are struggling in the course, please do reach out to the instructor for help in how to be more successful in the course. I will be happy to have that conversation with you. I usually start by asking how many hours you spend each week, on average. If that is below the recommended range, the first step is to free up more time. Once you are putting in adequate time, if you are still unsuccessful, we can look in greater depth at your process and see how the hours you invest can be made more effective.

Required Materials 

This is a First Day™ class. The cost of required course materials, including an online version of the textbook and software access, has been added to your tuition and fees bill.

Textbook: Calculus: Early Transcendentals, 3rd Edition by Briggs, Cochran, Gillette, & Schulz. Pearson Publishing (MyLab software) ISBN: 9780134763644

Online Component: MyLab may be required for one or all of the Calculus courses. Access to the software is included with the First Day version of the text.

Calculator: You must have access to technology that enables you to (1) Graph a function, (2) Find the zeroes of a function. (3) Do numerical integration. Most ACC faculty are familiar with the TI family of graphing calculators. Hence, TI calculators are highly recommended for student use. Other calculator brands can also be used. Your instructor will determine the extent of calculator use in your class section.

Calculator types: https://sites.google.com/a/austincc.edu/math-students/materials/calculators

Other Technology: Access to a webcam and microphone are required for this course. Eligible students can check out required technology at https://www.austincc.edu/students/student-technology-services.

6.1 Velocity and Net Change (Review from Calculus 1)
6.2 Regions Between Curves
6.3 Volume by Slicing
6.4 Volume by Shells
6.5 Length of Curves
6.7 Physical Applications
8.1 Basic Approaches (on Test 2)
8.2 Integration by Parts
8.3 Trigonometric Integrals
8.4 Trigonometric Substitutions
8.5 Partial Fractions
8.6 Integration Strategies
8.7 Other Methods of Integration
8.8 Numerical Integration
8.9 Improper Integrals
10.1 An Overview of Sequences and Series
10.2 Sequences
10.3 Infinite Series (On Test 3)
10.4 The Divergence and Integral Tests
10.5 Comparison Tests
10.6 Alternating Series
10.7 The Ratio and Root Tests
10.8 Choosing a Convergence Test
11.2 Properties of Power Series
11.1 & 11.3A Taylor Series
11.4 Working with Taylor Series (On Test 3)
11.3B Binomial Series
12.1 Parametric Equations
12.2 Polar Coordinates
12.3 Calculus in Polar Coordinates
9.1 Basic Ideas about Differential Equations
9.2 Direction Fields and Euler’s Method
9.3 Separable Differential Equations
 

Course Description

Credit Hours: 4, Contact Hours: 4

MATH 2414 – Calculus II (4-4-0). A standard second course in calculus. Topics include integration of elementary functions; techniques of integration; integrals with infinite limits of integration; integrals of discontinuous integrands; applications of the definite integral; an introduction to differential equations; infinite series; analytical geometry; and other applications.

Course Rationale

This course is the second course in the traditional calculus sequence for mathematics, science and engineering students. It is part of what could be a four-semester sequence in calculus courses. The approach allows the use of technology and the rule of four (topics are presented geometrically, numerically, algebraically, and verbally) to focus on conceptual understanding.  At the same time, it retains the strength of the traditional calculus by exposing the students to the rigor of proofs and the full variety of traditional topics: integration, techniques of integration, applications of integration, infinite series and analytical geometry.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:

1. Use the concepts of definite integrals to solve problems involving area, volume, work, and other physical applications.
2. Use substitution, integration by parts, trigonometric substitution, partial fractions, and tables of anti-derivatives to evaluate definite and indefinite integrals.
3. Define an improper integral.
4. Apply the concepts of limits, convergence, and divergence to evaluate some classes of improper integrals.
5. Determine convergence or divergence of sequences and series.
6. Use Taylor and MacLaurin series to represent functions.
7. Use Taylor or MacLaurin series to integrate functions not integrable by conventional methods.
8. Use the concept of polar coordinates to find areas, lengths of curves, and representations of conic sections.
9. Use parametric equations to graph curves and find areas and lengths.

General Education Competencies

1. Critical Thinking: gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information is covered in every SLO.
2. Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning: applying mathematical, logical, and scientific principles and methods is covered in every SLO.
3. Technology Skills: using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze, and present information is covered in every SLO.
4. Written, Oral and Visual Communication: communicating effectively adapting to purpose, structure, audience and medium is covered in every SLO.