Math 231 Policy Information Fall 2005Instructor: Dr. Laura Taalman E-mail: [email protected] .eduOffice: Burruss 127 Website: www.math.jmu.edu/~taalPhone: 568-3355 (W), 442-8800 (H) Instant Message: AskLauraMathClass TimesSection 02: MW 10:10–11:00 and TuTh 9:30–10:45, in Burruss 033.Section 04: MW 11:15–12:05 and TuTh 11:00–12:15, in Burruss 033.Office HoursMondays 2:00-4:00, Tuesdays 3:30-4:00, Thursdays 3:30-4:00, and by appointment.TextbookIntegrated Calculus, Taalman, first edition hardcover copyright 2005. (Please note that previous softcover“coursepa ck” editions are not sufficient.)Class Websitewww.math.jmu.edu/~taal/231 2005.html. Keys to quizzes and tests will be posted weekly. Feel free tolook at my 231 websites from previous years if you like; however, b e warned that I will not use the samequizzes and tests, and that we may cover slightly different material in a slightly different order in thisclass.What is Math 231 and Should I Be In This Class?The Math 231 –232 sequence covers all of the ma terial in Math 23 5 as well as precalculus and algebramaterial, and some mater ial from the beginning of Math 236. This course is for those p e ople that feelthey need more precalculus or algebra preparation while learning c alculus. You should not necess arilytake this course simply becaus e you have not had calculus before (many people in 235 have not ta kencalculus). You s hould not take this course because you think it will be “easier” or “less work” than Math235. In fact, most 231–232 students feel that this course is harder and more work than Math 235, butthat this course gives them a better understanding of the material and enables them to successfully learncalculus while improving their algebra and precalculus skills. You should probably not take this c ourseif you tes ted into Math 235 or above on the Placement Exam.GradesThere will be three tests (100 points each), ten quizzes (10 points each), and one final exam (200 points).According to the whims of random probability (and the roll of a die) there will be approximately sevencollected homeworks (10 points each), seven collected “Problem Z e ro” assignments (5 points each), andten attendance quizzes (2 points each). There will be a few very tiny opportunities for extra credit; forexample, each new typo that you find in the book will be worth 1 point. I will dr op your lowest quizscore, your lowest homework sco re, your lowest “Problem Zero” score, and your lowest three attendancequizzes. At the end of the semester I will use the following formula to determine your numerical score:numerical score =earned(T + Q + H + Z + F + A + E)possible(T + Q + H + Z + F )I will use statistics to give you a letter grade for the course based on this numerical score, the class average,and historical class averages. (Please note that I do not use a predetermined sc ale such as 90=A, 80=B,etc.) I reserve the right to decide borderline grades based on class participation, effort, and whether yourperformance improved or declined over the course of the semester.AttendanceIf you must miss class on a Monday or Tues day, you do not have to tell me about it. However, you shouldgive your homework to a classmate so they c an hand it in for you if it is collected that day. Yo u may notmake up missed homework or “Problem Zero” collections or attendance quizzes. Wednesdayclasses will be used as “study time” and attendance is optional but strongly encouraged. Three of theWednesday classes will be test review days. There will be a q uiz or test every Thursday, and therefore Imust know o f any Thursday abscences in advance. At my discretion, I may excuse you from a quiz or atest if you ask me in advance. If you miss a quiz or a test witho ut first being excused, you wi llnot be allowed to make it up. However, if you have a problem or emergency and could not s peak tome in advance, you should still come to me and expla in your situation. My sympathy with your plig htwill be determined by how quickly you speak with me.Problem Zero and Home workEach day a student in the class will roll a die to determine if Problem Zero or homework will be collected.Occasiona lly I may “forc e ” collec tio n (especially if the dice have not produced any collections recently).Problem Zer o will be graded for effort and completeness. A careful reading of the text is consideredpart of the homework, and should be reflected in your work for Problem Zero. Collected homeworkswill be graded for completeness and sometimes for accura c y on selected problems. I am well aware thatpartial answers are in the back of the book for many of the assigned problems; simply copying down thoseanswers will not be considered sufficient. The single most important predictor of your grade in this classwill be how much homework you do.Quizzes and TestsThursday quizzes will consist entirely of homework problems (possibly with minor changes). The syllabuslists which sections are fair game for each quiz. Tests w ill cover all material covered since the previoustest, and will consist mostly of homework problems. The final exam will be cumulative.CalculatorsA graphing calculator is required for this course (I r e c ommend the TI-83, simply because this is thecalculator that most of your classmates will have). However, there will be quizzes and exa ms on whichthe use of calcula tors is not permitted, so don’t use your calculator as a cr utch! If your only calculator isa TI-89 o r a T I-92 or any fancy calculator capable of symbolic manipulation, differentiation, etc, pleasesee me as soon as possible, since I will ban those types of calculators from every quiz and test.Getting HelpPlease feel free to ask me for help! It is best to contact me by ema il or with an instant message. For time-sensitive matters you can call me at my home number (see above) anytime before midnight, including onweekends. Feel free to stop by or call my office anytime, even outside of my office hours. I am not usuallythere outside of office hours, but if you can find me I will be happy to help you. You can also get helpat the Math and Science Learning Center (Wilson 104) most days of the week. The Math Departmentalso keeps a list of private tutors that you can hire for an hourly fee, but talking to me o r going to theLearning Center is absolutely free!FAQ and Random Smatterings of Advice• If you want to report a typo in the book you have to tell me in person (not via email or phone) sowe