Math 424                                        Advanced Calculus                                             Fall 2006

 

Professor:         Dr. Vesta Coufal

                               Office: EBH 264

                               Phone:  247-7268

                               E-mail: coufal_v@fortlewis.edu

                               Webpage:   http://faculty.fortlewis.edu/coufal_v//Math_424_F06/Math424.htm        

 

Time and Location:    MWF  9:35-10:45 a.m.  EBH 055

Textbook:  None

Office Hours:  Th 1:00-2:00, Fri 11:00-12:00, and by appointment

Precalculus/Calculus Center:  MW 12:00-1:00  EBH 271

 

Material:  Topics to be studied are sequences, continuous functions and differentiation.  Additional topics will be studied as time permits.

 

Objectives:  The objective of this course is for students to learn the material by discovering proofs of theorems, to apply the concepts and methods of analysis, to communicate their ideas both orally and in writing, and to increase their mathematical maturity. 

 

Grading:           Choose one of the following two options on which to base your course grade:

Option 1:            Journal                                               10%

Written Homework       25%

                                                               Presentations                    25%

                                                               Midterm Exam                20%

                                                               Final Exam                       20%

 

                               Option 2:            Journal                                               10%

Written Homework       25%

                                                               Presentations                    45%

                                                               Midterm Exam                10%

                                                               Final Exam                       10%

 

Exceptions:  If you miss 4 or more classes or if you fail to turn in 4 or more journal or homework assignments, then you will receive an F in the course.

 

Journals:  Journal writing will be assigned via email and collected approximately once a week.  It is your responsibility to check your email and keep up to date on your journal writing.  Journal assignments must be typed.  You may either use an equation editor, LaTeX, or write the formulas in by hand.  The purpose of the journal is to help you process and understand the concepts.  They are informal, though you still must write in complete sentences, use correct grammar and spelling, etc.

 

Written Homework:  Written homework will generally be assigned daily and collected weekly.  Your proofs should be correct, clear and concise.  As in nearly every other profession, one of the main ways mathematicians communicate is through writing.  Thus it is important to learn to write good proofs.  This takes practice; homework is your opportunity to practice.  Proofs will be graded on the same rubric as Presentations.

 

Presentations:  In mathematics, as in nearly every other realm one can think of, communication through speaking is terribly important – hence you will be presenting your work in class, every day.  You may use the board, overhead slides or handouts.  (I can supply slides and pens for the overheads, or copying for handouts.)  Your presentations will be graded on the following rubric:

               

Points

 

10

Perfect.

9

Correct proof with slight technical/language issues.

8

Correct proof with technical/language issues.

7

Incorrect proof with explanation of why or a discussion of obstacles preventing completion.

6

Incorrect proof without explanation.

5 or less

Incomprehensible or insufficient progress.

 

No Outside Resource Rule:  You are allowed NO outside resources in this course.  This means that the only written resources you are allowed to use are those that I give you and any notes you take in class.  You are not allowed to use any books, articles or the internet.  The only people you are allowed to talk to are the other students currently in Math 424 and myself.  In particular, you are not allowed to talk to other students who have taken the course, other professors (like Carl and Erich), or other mathematicians (like Carl and Erich.)  The reason for this rule is that the objective is for you to do your own thinking, problem solving and proof writing.  Looking up proofs and ideas in books, or asking someone else to explain them to you would defeat the purpose.  You are allowed to use a graphing calculator.

It is difficult to work without all of the resources you are accustomed to; it is harder on me, too. You can do this.  In fact, I suspect that in the end you will find working this way to be a great joy!  And donŐt worry - you can get the help you need by asking questions in class and in office hours, and by working with each other.

 

Attendance:  Because in-class presentations and discussions are such an integral part of the class, attendance is required.  You may miss up to three classes without penalty.  If you miss four or more classes, you will receive an F for the course.

 

No Late Work:  No late work will be accepted, except in extreme circumstances.  You may miss up to three assignments total (either journal or homework assignments) without penalty.  If you miss four or more assignments, you will receive an F for the course.

 

Classroom Behavior:  You should always be polite and respectful of each other.  You are expected and encouraged to ask questions during class, even when another student is presenting at the board, but do so politely.  Mistakes will occur during class; if you see something you think is incorrect, it is your responsibility to point it out.  But do so respectfully, perhaps by asking the presenter to explain that piece again.  It is also your responsibility to make sure you understand what has been presented, so if you donŐt, ask for it to be clarified.  A student who consistently behaves badly will be asked to leave.

 

Dates to remember:    September 12                  Census Day

                                               October 11                        Midterm

                                               October 16                        Midterm grades due

                                               October 23                        Deadline for dropping with a W grade

                                               November 20-24           Thanksgiving Break

                                               December 8                      Last day of classes

                                               December 12                   Final Exam  7:30-9:30 a.m.