This is the home page for Discussion Sections 063 and 066 of Math 1271 - Calculus 1 for Fall of 2007. Please check here for course information.
Math 1271: Calculus I
Lecturer: Professor Walter Littman
TA: Brendon Rhoades (call me 'Brendon')
TA's email: rhoad030@math.umn.edu
TA's Office: Vincent Hall 456
TA's Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:20-2:20.
Text: Calculus: Early Transcendentals, 6th Edition by James Stewart
Grading: 1/18 - Homework
1/9 - Quizzes
1/6 x 3 - 3 Midterm Exams
1/3 - Final Exam
General information: This course is the first course in a calculus sequence. Topics covered include limits, derivatives, integrals, and application of differentiation and integration. These correspond to Chapters 2-6 of Stewart.
Prerequisites: We expect that you already know the material in Chapter 1 of Stewart. In terms of mathematical content, this roughly consists of knowing what a function is, being able to interpret functions via tables of values, verbal descriptions, algebraic equations, and graphs, having familiarity with several ubiquitous families of functions functions and their graphs (polynomial, rational, exponential, logrithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric), and being able to compute the compositions and inverses of functions. If you are unsure about whether you've mastered this material, the review on p. 73 at the end of Chapter 1 is a good place to start. In addition to this material, we expect a familiarity with high school algebra. For example, can you simplify 8^(2/3)? How about ln(e^5)? Can you evaluate cos(3*pi/4)? Can you factor x^2 - 2x - 15? Many difficulties with calculus arise from difficulties with these algebraic concepts.
Homework: Homework will be collected every Thursday except during weeks in which there is a midterm exam. You will be accountable for the material up through the Wednesday before the homework was due (i.e., the previous day). You may use any sort of calculator you like for the homework, work in groups to get it done, and ask me questions in class about problems which are causing difficulty. Homework will be graded for effort, not necessarily correctness, subject to the following iron-clad rule: NO STAPLE, NO GRADE. :-) All homeworks will count equally. If you have a good reason for not turning in a homework, please send me an email before it is due and I'll decide whether to excuse it.
Quizzes: 15 minute quizzes will be given at the end of class every Thursday except the weeks during which there is a midterm exam. The quizzes will cover the material up to the Wednesday before they are given (i.e., the previous day). The quizzes are no calculator and will all count equally. Given my struggles with arithmetic, I will ensure that all problems are doable without a calculator :-). All quizzes count equally. If you have a good reason for missing a quiz, please send me an email before it is due and I'll decide whether to excuse it.
Midterms: There are 3 hour-long midterm exams which will all be given in discussion section. They are on October 9, November 1, and November 27. No calculators, computers, cell phones, etc., are allowed on midterms. If you need to miss a midterm, contact me beforehand with a very good reason. Missing midterms will not be taken lightly.
Final: The final exam will be on Friday, December 14 from 1:30-4:30 pm. No calculators, computers, cell phones, etc. Missing this will result in a rending of bones and a gnashing of teeth :-).
Quiz and Midterm Information:
Assistance: There are several forms of assistance available if you are having difficulty with the material. Most obviously, you can ask questions in class or go to my office hours or the professor's office hours. Starting the 2nd week of class, there is free walk-in tutoring available Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm in Lind Hall Room 150. Also starting during the 2nd week of class you can make an appointment by calling (612) 624-2890 to meet with an undergraduate tutor for 25 minutes in Lind Hall Room 128. Moreover, the University of Minnesota math department maintains a list of tutors. If you are having troubles, don't delay in getting help! And ask many questions during class - there are probably tons of people with the same question as you!