Grades

Delete these instructions after following them: Grading criteria must be clearly explained in the syllabus.  The criteria should specify the number of exams and other graded material (homework, assignments, projects, etc.).  Instructors should discuss the format and administration of exams. Guidelines for other graded materials, such as homework or projects, should also be included in the syllabus. An example is given below; you should modify it to fit your course.

Grade Components

Tests: 80%

Homework: 20%

Technology Project: 5%

Note: this adds to 105%. I do this instead of dropping your lowest homework grades or offering extra credit.

Grading Scale

A: Weighted Average ≥ 90 

B: 80 ≤ Weighted Average < 90

C: 70 ≤ Weighted Average < 80

D: 60 ≤ Weighted Average < 70

F: Weighted Average < 60

What will we do in this class?

Exams: Unless I announce otherwise in class, on Blackboard, or by email, all exams will be during class time. Tentative dates for each exam are on the calendar. Exact dates will be announced in class and/or by email. No exam grades will be dropped or replaced. Corrections can be made on one (only one) of Exams 1 – 3 to earn back up to half of the missed points. Handheld calculators will not be allowed on any exam. I will make scientific calculators available when necessary. These will be the Respondus LockDown Browser calculator and the calculator at www.desmos.com/scientific.

Each exam will be proctored. In most cases, we will use Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor or I will proctor you myself using Zoom, though other proctoring options may be required in some cases.

Online has unfortunately led to quite a bit of academic dishonesty. I will not tolerate any academic dishonesty. It is in your best interest to do all that you can to convince me that you are performing your own work on exams. When you begin an exam, you should show your phone to the camera and clearly show that you are putting it well out of reach. If I observe any of the following on exams,

• I see you using a device that is not allowed,
• I am unable to see you for extended periods during the exam,
• Your solutions inexplicably match those of another student,
• Your solutions inexplicably match the solutions found using a computer algebra system,
• Your solutions employ techniques far beyond the scope of this course, or
• Your work and/or proctoring makes it clear that you are not submitting your own work,

then your grade will be penalized, potentially up to the point of receiving a zero on the exam. Serious acts of academic dishonesty may carry more severe repercussions.

Online Homework: Online homework will be assigned using MyLab Math. The assignment for a section will be due on the Monday following the completion of the in-class discussion covering that section. You should redo the problems until you receive full credit to help ensure that you are learning the material. A 20% penalty will be deducted from any problems completed after the due date.

Written Homework: Textbook problems are assigned for each section we cover. You will submit written homework weekly. Problems for a section are due on the Tuesday following the completion of the in-class discussion covering that section. Written homework assignments will be graded for completion. To receive full credit, all problems must be done, in order, with all work neatly shown. Write clearly and organize your work so it is very clear that you have completed all assigned problems. A 20% penalty will be deducted from any problems completed after the due date. I will drop your lowest written homework grade.

When you struggle with homework problems, I urge you NOT to turn to solutions manuals or online solutions banks (like Chegg). Please talk through the problems with others. Come to my office hours or discuss problems with your classmates. You are always welcome to use the online classroom as a meeting place outside of class. It’s almost certain that all of you will learn best by doing math yourself, by talking to others about what you already understand, by pinpointing what you don’t understand, and by explaining complete solutions to others. Mathematics is collaborative in the real world. Most scholarly research papers have multiple coauthors, and the greatest mathematicians in history corresponded regularly with their peers.

Technology Project: Details of a project utilizing technology (such as Desmos.com, spreadsheets, etc.) will be announced during class and by email.

What happens if I miss something?

Dropped Grade Policy: No grades will be dropped. You may make corrections on one of Exams 1-3 to earn back up to half of the missed points.

Late Work Policy: Late homework will receive a 20% penalty. The reason for penalizing late work is to motivate you to do it on time and keep up with the material, which will help you learn the material more effectively. I hope that the penalty is small enough that you will still find it worthwhile to complete late assignments, though – better late than never.

Missed Exam Policy: If you know you will miss an exam for an acceptable reason, you must let me know in advance. If you miss an exam due to a documented emergency, I will do my best to work with you to make it up. Otherwise, you will receive a zero for any missed exam.

Attendance/Class Participation: 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.

In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.

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.

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.

Course Calendar

Note: Schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class, by email, and/or posted as a Blackboard Announcement. 

Important Dates

Last day to withdraw: November 21

Holidays: September 2, November 11, 28, 29, November 27 after 12:00 pm

(Please note these are the ONLY holidays this semester.)

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 SLOs # 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. 
4. Written, Oral and Visual Communication: communicating effectively adapting to purpose, structure, audience and medium is covered in every SLO.