... calculus is the greatest aid we have to the application of physical
        truth in the broadest sense of the word.        - W.F. Osgood

Web Page: www.gac.edu/~mcs121/

Prerequisites:  Two years of high school mathematics beyond plane geometry, including trigonometry or MC20.

Text:  Calculus by Hughes-Hallett, Gleason, et. al. (John Wiley & Sons, New York, Second Edition, 1998).

Calculators:  You should have a graphing calculator to use in class and on exams.  If you do not own a calculator, please talk to your instructor.  If you are buying a new one, the department recommends the TI-83 or TI-86.  You may use other calculators (especially other TI's, Casios, HP or Sharp) as long as you are able to enter a simple program into your calculator and you are comfortable with basic graphing features.

Class Format:  We learn best by thinking and doing, not only by watching and listening.  Learning is an active process;  it is something we must do, not have done to us.  Class time will be a mixture of lectures, discussions, problem solving, and presentation of solutions.  At various times you will be asked to present problems, reflect on the reading, and generate questions for your classmates.  It is essential that you come to class prepared to do the day's work.  In particular, you should read the text and attempt homework before coming to class.  Class meetings are not intended to be a complete encapsulation of the course material.  You will be responsible for learning some of the material on your own.

        A good lecture is usually systematic, complete, precise -- and dull; it is a bad
        teaching instrument.        - Paul Halmos

        The best way to learn anything is to discover it by yourself... .  What you have
        been obliged to discover by yourself leaves a path in your mind which you can
        use again when the need arises.        - George Polya

Homework: There are three types of homework in this course:  preparation problems, weekly homework, and team problems.  Preparation problems are meant to help you prepare for class.  Note that preparation problems for a section are assigned at the same time as the reading for that section.  This means that you are being asked to read and digest a section and attempt problems before we discuss the material in class.  This is intentional.  These problems will often serve as the starting point for class discussions, and we will periodically collect a day's problems at the beginning of class.  The problems we do collect will be graded primarily on effort.  "Weekly" homework is assigned for each section and should be worked on a daily basis. It will be collected approximately once a week at the beginning of class on the day specified on the assignment page.  Only selected problems will be graded.  You are allowed (even encouraged) to discuss both preparation problems and weekly homework problems with others.  However, ultimately you must work the problems and write up the assignment entirely by yourself.  Finally, you will have two team projects which you will do with a partner.

        I hear, and I forget;
        I see, and I remember;
        I do, and I understand.
                                    - Proverb

Exams:  We will have three exams during the semester and a cumulative final exam.  The exams during the semester will be given in the evening.  They are scheduled for:

You can take the exams at starting at either 5:30PM or 7:30PM.  You will have two hours to complete the exam.

The final exam will be given Monday, December 13, 3:30-5:30PM.

Academic Integrity:  The academic honesty policy can be found on page 31 of the 1998-1999 college catalogue.  We call your attention to the following excerpt:  "In all academic exercises, examinations, papers, and reports, students shall submit their own work.  footnotes or some other acceptable form of citation must accompany any use of another's words or ideas."

Accessibility:  Please contact me during the first week of class if you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations.  I will do my best to facilitate the  necessary arrangements.  All discussions will remain confidential.

Advice from Your Peers:  When asked what advice they would give a student about to take Calculus I, previous students most often responded with the following suggestions:

• Study frequently, in small doses.
• Work on calculus every night.  Stay caught up with the homework.
• Read the text sections to be covered before and after class.
• Ask questions early and often.  Don't just assume you'll figure it out later.

Course Objectives:

• To reinforce prior understanding of functions.
• To understand what a derivative is, how to find derivatives (limits, formulas), and how derivatives can be used.
• To understand what definite integrals are (areas, accumulation of change, Riemann sums) and how to find them.
• To develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• To have fun doing mathematics.

Area D:  Calculus I (MC21) satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning criteria of Area D.

• Knowledge of the language of mathematics and logic.  (understanding of the notion of function, limit, derivative, and integral)
• Familiarity with logical or algorithmic methods of symbolic reasoning.  (finding limits, derivatives, antiderivatives and definite integrals)
• Knowledge of the practical applications of mathematical modeling and axiomatic systems.  (applications of derivatives in physical, biological and social sciences)
• Appreciation of the role of the formal sciences in the history of ideas, and their impact on science, technology, and society.  (historical development of calculus)

Course Outline:  We will proceed through most of chapters 1 through 5 in Hughes-Hallett.

Tentative Schedule: