Required
Calculus II: This only official prerequisite for this
course. Like Calculus II, this class is computationally intensive,
and nearly every calculation we perform will rely in some way on the
techniques learned in Calculus II.
Understand that this is an official prerequisite for a reason
--- I cannot stress enough how important it is that you be able to apply
the various standard techniques of integration.
You cannot get through this class without the application of
concepts from calculus, trigonometry, and basic algebra; and if
your knowledge of these subjects is not adequate, this will be
reflected in your grade. If you feel you need to review these
subjects, please come talk to me or email me immediately --- don't
wait.
Others
None of the following are required, but you will find it helpful to
have had some experience in these areas. I will provide
during lecture a primer on whatever concepts and tools are
necessary.
Linear Algebra: Some of the basics of linear algebra, including
concept of linearity, basic matrix theory, determinants, and eigenvalues
and eigenspaces, will be used in some the techniques we will
learn.
Multivariable Calculus: Concepts such as partial
derivatives and partial integration will be used, as well as
derivative matrices.
Complex Variables: At times we will have to use complex
numbers.
The MATH 371 course pack can be found in the University bookstore and is required. This is the 2nd edition text, with many improvements over the first. In particular, there are changes to some of the problem sets and a number of corrections. We will be covering every chapter.
A note on reading: You should be reading carefully the sections in the book on or before the day they are discussed. The reading is just as important as attending lectures in developing an understanding of the material and completing the homeworks. Moreover, there are likely to be occasions when I do not have time to cover all of the information in the book; this doesn't mean you don't have to know it. If you don't like reading math, that's all the more reason you should be doing it. It's like eating vegetables; once you acquire a taste, it's pretty good, and good for you.Exams: There will 5 exams in total: 4 one hour weekly exams and one two hour final. There will be an exam every Tuesday, and a final on the last day of class. The exams may be cumulative.
Quizzes: You should expect to have a quiz almost every day. Each quiz will have a time limit of between 5 and 15 minutes. On some days, I may give two. The purpose is to ensure attendence and provide you with regular feedback. The material covered may be anything previously discussed or on review material such as differential and integral calculus, trigonometry, and basic algebra. Furthermore, in view of the "attendence enforcement" goal, I may give "attendence quizzes" which may be on any material whatsoever. I may also give "homework quizzes''; see more about homework quizzes under "A Note on homeworks & quizzes," below.
Homeworks: I will not be collecting homework, but I expect you to put in the required effort. You should feel free to ask me to take a look at your homework if you want feedback.
A Note on Homeworks & Quizzes: While I am not collecting homeworks, you should keep careful track of the homeworks you've completed and bring them with you to each class. I may at times give an open book quiz which consists of one or more previously assigned homework problems. Since this is a summer course and time is limited, these quizzes may be alotted less time than I would typically expect the problems to require. That is, a certain equation may take 15 minutes for a prepared student to solve, but I may only provide you 10 minutes on the quiz, expecting you to simply copy the solution from your homework.
Grading*:
Quizzes: 10%
Weekly Exams (1 hour each): 15% each, total 60%
Final Exam (2 hours): 30%
*See note on attendance below
Two quiz scores will be dropped. The lowest score of the four weekly exams will be replaced by the average score of the other four exams.
1. Make-ups: There will be no make-ups for quizzes or exams.
2. Calculators: Calculators are not allowed during quizzes or exams. Using one will be considered cheating.
3. Homework: You may work with others if you like, in fact, I encourage it; but make sure that you are benefitting from the homework. You should know by now that the amount of effort you put into the homework will greatly influence your overall grade.
3. Attendance: You should be aware of the following policy, appearing in the faculty-staff handbook:
| "Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and laboratories. An instructor may deny a student the privilege of taking the final examination or of receiving credit for the course, or may prescribe other academic penalties, if the student misses more than 25 percent of the total class sessions. Excessive tardiness may count as absence. In cases of excessive absence, the instructor may request the appropriate dean's office or the Academic Advising Office to investigate." (Binghamton University Bulletin ) |