MATH 211 Syllabus

Wells College, Fall 2006
TR Period 2 (9:40-10:55)
Prof. Xiaoliang (Leon) Zhu

Introduction

A continuation of MATH 112, this course examines infinite sequences and series as well as the geometry and calculus of functions in more than one dimension. We will cover material from chapters 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the text. Among other things this will include

Infinite Series—generalizations of decimal expressions for real numbers, power series, and formula for transcendental functions
Vector functions—calculus in three-dimensional space
Partial derivatives—differential calculus with functions of several variables
Multiple integrals—integral calculus with functions of several variables

o Fundamental theorems—classical relationships between calculus and geometry

The formal course requirements listed below--homework and exams--are designed to assist you in mastering the course material. However, you must work every day in order for these activities to make a difference. Be sure to ask questions in class or during office hours immediately if you have difficulties.

In addition to class time, you may see me in my office or consult the teaching assistants in the math clinic. Please do not hesitate to seek help; that's why we're here.

Basic Information

Instructor:	Prof. Xiaoliang Leon Zhu	Email:	`xzhu@wells.edu`
Office:	202A Zabriskie	Phone:	x3287
Class:	TR Period 2 (9:40-10:55 am), Mac 121
Final Exam:	Monday, Dec 11, 2-5pm, Mac 121
Office hours:	TWR, 2:00-4:45pm, or by appointment

Textbook

Stewart. Calculus: Concepts and Contexts, 3rd Ed., Brooks/Cole.

Grading Policy

At the end of the semester, your overall grade will be determined from your performance on exams, homework, and labs, weighted as follows:

30% Comprehensive final exam grade

45% Three in-class exams

15% Homework

10% Class Quizzes

Letter grades will be assigned according to the standard scale of 90% for A, 80% for B, 70% for C, and 60% for D. Overall numerical grades will not be rounded (i.e., 89.9 is still a B).

Any requests for a re-grade of an assignment or an exam must be made no later than one week after the item is returned. Keep in mind that for a re-grade I will look at the entire assignment/exam, not just one problem, and may raise or lower your score. Re-grade requests (including those for online homework) should be accompanied by all your work.

Exams

There will be three in-class midterm exams, as well as a cumulative final exam. They will all be closed-book and closed-notes. However, you can make your own formula sheet for each exam, so that you can focus your studying on understanding rather than rote memorization. You may use a scientific calculator for arithmetic only; all memory registers and programs must be cleared.

Exams will consist of both conceptual and problem-solving questions, similar to homework and in-class examples. Unless told otherwise, you must show your work on each exam problem in order to receive full credit.

The purpose of exams is to test your understanding thoroughly and to distinguish among levels of performance. In order for exams to be effective assessments, raw scores will usually be lower than the expectations created by the "standard" grade cutoffs. The numerical grade rescaling is designed to map your performance onto the standard grade cutoffs.

In general, there will be no make-up midterm exams. If you need to miss a midterm exam for a serious, documentable reason, your final exam grade will be substituted for your "missed" midterm exam. This policy is designed in part to handle unavoidable situations like medical or family emergencies, or previously scheduled academic or athletic events. You must contact me as soon as you know of the conflict (before the exam if at all possible), and you must provide sufficient documentation in a timely fashion. (An example of unacceptable documentation is a slip of paper stating only that you visited the health center, with no indication of the severity of your illness.) Do not make the mistake of simply presuming that your situation or documentation merits an excused absence; that determination is not your prerogative. If your absence is unexcused, you will receive a grade of zero for the exam.

A make-up final exam will be given only for students with legitimate, documentable reasons as explained above.

Homework

By far the most important activity in the course is the doing of problems. There is an enormous difference between watching an instructor do a problem and doing one yourself. Even the best teacher can not merely place knowledge in your mind. You must slowly discover it on your own as you struggle with problems. I encourage you to work with other students when doing homework, but do not fool yourself by copying another's work. You must be an active participant. Homework will be graded and counted towards your final grade.

Quizzes

We will have short quizzes in class once a while. Problems will be based on the previous week's work. Quizzes provide you with a brief (NOT thorough) check of how well you've learned the most recent material.

Final Grade Adjustment

Throughout the semester, you will be asked in class to answer conceptual and quantitative questions on the materials. Your responses will be graded primarily on participation, although correct responses will receive a small bonus. These activities allow you to demonstrate your sincere effort and active engagement.

At the end of the semester, the results of these exercises will be used to adjust your overall grade. Students who have participated significantly more than the class average will earn an adjustment of up to three percentage points. Students who participate at an average level will earn up to two percentage point. Students who participate significantly below the class average will not earn a grade adjustment. This adjustment cannot lower your grade, but may help if you are at a borderline. Because this is an adjustment rather than a formal component of your overall grade, absences will not be excused.

Student Responsibilities

Above all, you have the right to expect courtesy from your fellow students, and the same will be asked of you. Courtesy includes the expectation that everyone will come to class ready to learn, willing to interact, and able to ask or answer questions freely. Courtesy also implies that you arrive on time and stay until the end of class. Disruptions or distracting behavior will not be tolerated.
You are responsible for all topics discussed in class, as well as class announcements. Although attendance is not mandatory, you will be at a serious disadvantage if you do not attend class. Class absence does not excuse you from your responsibility.
You are responsible for the material covered by the reading assignments. The content and pace of the class will assume that you have read the textbook before the class in which those topics will be discussed.
You are responsible for the material covered in the homework. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of doing the homework assignments! Just as with other areas of learning, your problem-solving skills will improve only by practicing conscientiously and consistently. You will diminish the learning value of homework if you leave it for the last minute, or cope by relying on others' efforts.
Ask for clarification on anything you find unclear, ambiguous, or unspecified. This includes both course policies and math topics. Ignorance is never a valid excuse.
Know the rules concerning withdrawals and incompletes: I may withdraw a student from a course due to excessive absences. Withdrawals after the drop/add period will result in course entries on the academic record with grades of W or WF as assigned by the instructor(s). A student who withdraws or is withdrawn for excessive absences after the midpoint withdrawal deadline of the semester (date to be specified in the Schedule of Classes) is assigned a grade of WF, except in those cases in which the student is doing satisfactory work and the withdrawal is recommended by the Office of Student Affairs because of emergency or health reasons.

For withdrawals before the midpoint, I will generally enter a grade of W even for technically failing grades, if I judge that you have made a sincere effort in the class. It is possible to earn a grade of WF before the midpoint; don't assume otherwise! You are expected to officially withdraw in a timely fashion once you have made that decision.

Academic Honesty and Honor Code

I take issues of academic honesty very seriously, and it is your and my responsibility to uphold the College's Honor Code. This means, among other things, that I will not hesitate to report my suspicions of dishonesty to the College.

MATH 211 Class Schedule
Fall 2006 (Will be updated constantly)

The schedule below is approximate and subject to modification, possibly including exam dates. Significant schedule changes will be announced in class. You are expected to read the relevant textbook sections before the material is discussed in class. Note that the midpoint withdrawal deadline is 10/22.

Class	Date	Reading	Topic
1	R, 8/24	8.1	sequence
2	T, 8/29	8.2	series
3	R, 8/31	8.3	series