Instructor: Christopher Dwyer -- email dwyer@math.binghamton.edu.
TAs:
Textbook: Single Variable Calculus by Stewart, 5th ed.
This class covers: Chapters 1 through 6 (most sections) from the textbook.
Screening Test: EVERYONE who takes Math 221 must pass the screening test.
Suggested Homework Problems: The list of suggested homework problems may be found here.
Homework Policy: Homework will not be collected. However, you still need to do it. It is impossible to get a good understanding of the material and concepts without doing the assignments. Also, since you won't be allowed to use calculators on any quiz or test, I suggest you do the homework without a calculator. If you want to use one to check your answers, that's fine, but you should be able to do the problems without one.
You need to do the problems for every section we've covered before your discussion section so that your TA can answer any questions you have about them. This will also help prepare you for the quiz or any in class work you have in the discussion.
It is important to learn how to express yourself in the
language of mathematics. In the homework, you should show your work and explain how you
did the problem. This is the difference between an Answer and a Solution. It should
be obvious to the person reading the homework how you went about doing the problem. This will
often involve writing out explanations for your work in words. Imagine that you need an example
to help refresh your memory for another class in six months!
Study groups are a great way to do the homework. In the first few weeks of class you should meet other students and find people you can work well eith. As class goes on you will find that working with other people helps yyou understand the material better and might help the work go faster. You need to realize that copyuing solutions from another person is not acceptable. If you do this, you will do badly on exams and quizzes because you don't understand the material. Having other people help you with a probelm is fine, but when you write up a solution, write it in your own words.
The course Discussion Board is a useful place to advertise and find a study group. Even if no one
has posted, that doesn't mean no one is looking. If you can not find a study group, e-mail me or
the course e-mail list.
iLrn: The only grade you will receive for homework is from the five weekly problems that will be input into the iLrn software. Information about logging on to the system is availible here:
The iLrn assignments are availible here:Discussion Sections:
There are two TAs for the course, Xiao Xiao and John Saia. They will be running the discussion sections. Generally, there will be a quiz every week covering the material we've covered up to that point. The quizes should be about 15-20 minutes long, and they will help to assess your understanding of the material. There will be group activities and in class projects in the discussion sections. The exact nature of these will be determined by your TA. Your discussion section will acount for a portion of your grade, so it's important to participate.
Quiz Solutions: Here is the solution set to the latest quiz in Xiao Xiao's section (given October 11th)
Tests: There will be three midterms on Wednesday nights 9:00-10:30pm throughout the semester, and the Final Exam on December 15th that is two hours long. Again, no calculators or study aides will be allowed.
Grading Scheme: (subject to minor tinkering)
Help and Office Hours: The math help room is a great place
to get help, even when the TA and I are not around. It is open most of the day and is located in
LN 2216.
Please take advantage of the office hours held by your TA
Back to the Math 221 Home Page.
Chris's Math Home Page.
Binghamton University
Mathematical Sciences Department