Math 122: Calculus II Fall Semester 2009 Bradley University

General information

Instructor: Dr. Alberto L. Delgado
Office: BR 466
Office Hours: MWF 1:15-2:00, 3:00 -- 4:00, and by appointment
Office Phone: 677-2504
Email: delgado@bradley.edu
Webpage: hilltop.bradley.edu/~delgado/index.html

The course

This second course in calculus is a continuation of Math 121. While the first semester dealt mostly with the derivative, the integral now plays the starring role.  The course has three acts.

Act I:  We study various techniques for evaluating integrals and look at applications of integration.
Act II: You are introduced to the theory of differential equations, which are equations involving functions and their derivatives. Most equations governing the basic forces in nature ─ from the spring of a spring to the boom of a bomb ─ turn out to be differential equations.
Act III:  We study how to represent ─ or at least how to approximate ─ a function as a series. We'll see how such representation can be created and analyzed, how to perform algebra on them, and, most important, how to do calculus with them.

In order to succeed in this class, you must show mastery of each of these three components of the course.

Course Materials

A prerequisite for this course is a grade of  at least a "C" in Math 121, or a comparable transfer course or advanced placement exam.  If you don't meet this prerequisite, you will not be permitted to continue in this course.

The text for this course is Essential Calculus, Early Transcendentals, by James Stewart. The text is required for the course and is available at the bookstore. We will cover most of chapters 5 - 8.  Also required for this course is a TI-89, TI-92, or Voyage 200 graphing calculator. There is no substitute for this particular make and model of calculator. It performs numerical, graphical, and symbolic calculations with power and ease.  The calculator is available at the bookstore and at numerous local and on-line retailers. 

Updated information on the class is available on my homepage. This syllabus is available there, as well as information on homework, readings, assignments, exam dates, and miscellaneous thoughts.

Grading

Your grade in the class will be based on your performance on three in-class examinations, a final examination, and homework. The in-class examinations are worth 100 points each, the final and the homework each account for 200 points. Your final grade in the class will be based on these 700 points. The exams will be about one month apart.  I'll announce the dates of the hour-exams about ten days before the exams are given.  The final exam is scheduled for  

Thursday, 10 December 2009, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

It is important that you be present for all examinations. There are no make-up examinations! If you expect to miss an hour-exam and have a reasonable excuse (for example, a documented illness or scheduled University business) notify me as soon as possible and in advance. If you are excused from an examination, your grade will be based on your other work in the class.  If you miss an examination as a result of an unexcused absence, you will receive zero points for that examination, which will likely result in your failing the class.  In the extremely unlikely case that you should be excused from more than one hour-exam or from the final exam, you will receive a grade of "Incomplete" for the course; we will then make arrangements for you to complete the course on an individual basis.

I will assign homework each week in class; it is always due at the start of the first class meeting of the week after it is assigned, normally the following Monday. It will be graded and returned to you, typically during the first class meeting after the due date. Homework is very important, if you have any trouble with it, ask questions in class or come to my office. No late homework will be accepted for any reason. At the end of the semester, I will arrange for there to be a few more than 200 points available from homework, so missing one assignment, while never a good idea, will not necessarily hurt your grade.  In addition, there will be several ways to earn bonus points throughout the semester.  

The class meets MWThF at 10:00.  Your attendance at all class sessions is expected.  There will be small-group class work almost every week.  Failure to attend class regularly will almost certainly result in your failing the class.

Any student who, as a result of a specific disability, requires reasonable accommodation to complete course requirements should contact me as soon as possible to request such accommodations.  

Resources

Here are some Tips on Learning Calculus, based on some notes written by Susan Herrmiller.  

 Over the last few years, a number of calculus resources have become available over the internet. Below is a list of websites that you might find useful, with a brief description of each.

A good index of Calculus sites
      Math Forum Internet Collection -- Calculus
      (http://mathforum.org/library/topics/svcalc)

Self-described "Friend to the first year Calculus student"
     Karl's Calculus Tutor
     ( http://www.karlscalculus.org/ )

An online Calculus textbook (requires the FREE Adobe Acrobat reader)
     University of Toronto -- Calculus Lecture Notes, Redbook
     ( http://www.math.utsc.utoronto.ca/calculus/Redbook)

A Final Word

On the course evaluation form at the end of the semester we always ask, What one piece of advice would you give to someone taking this course next semester?  Every semester the answer is overwhelmingly the same:  Do your homework, do it early, and ask questions about it when you don't understand.  If you're not going to listen to me (and I'm used to that by now!) take the advice of your fellow students:  Attend all your classes, read your book, take notes in class, ask questions when you don't understand.  And, one last thing: Do the homework.