BC CALCULUS 1-2 – Spring 2012
Taught By: Dr. Steve Condie
Office: A157 (Math Area)
Phone: 907-5967
email: scondie@imsa.edu
Website: http://staff.imsa.edu/~scondie
Course Structure:
So you want to be a mathematician? This is the class for you.
The expectation is that
you will be engaged in learning mathematics, active in classroom activities, and willing to
work on intractable problems. Students will be expected to practice routine problems
outside of class, leaving class time for more open-ended questions. Bring an enthusiasm for
learning without worry about grades!
Topics Covered:
Most of Chapters 2-6, Parts of Chapters 7 and 11, and other interesting topics.
Office Hours:
My free periods are:
Mods 6-10 and 14-18 on AC days;
Mods 6-10, and 16-18 on BD days.
If you want to be certain that I am at my desk ready to help you, make an appointment.
Please feel free to stop by anytime without an appointment, but do not be surprised if I am
busy with another student or out of the office.
Materials Needed:
1. TI 89 or other graphing calculator and computer.
2. Three ring notebook.
3. Pencil (I find several different colors useful).
4. Other as announced or as you find useful.
Homework:
Homework will be assigned on a daily basis. It is imperative that you keep up with this
homework so as to get the most out of the classroom experience. If a student comes to class
unprepared, they jeopardize the integrity of the learning environment. That is, they do not
merely cheat themselves; they cheat the other students at their table, and in fact, the entire
class. I expect each student to have made an honest attempt at completing the homework
assigned the previous class period. Students will be asked to engage in the dialogue of
problem solving, and help their classmates understand the content of the course.
Notebooks:
You should keep a notebook as in MI. Keeping worksheets, notes, problem sets, homework,
quizzes, and other handouts in your notebook is a good idea. I will collect notebooks
periodically and assign grades based on completeness, organization, WOW factor – e.g. is
there unexpected content that makes me smile. Your notebook should serve you as an aide
in learning Calculus.
Quizzes/Exams:
Quizzes and exams will consist of two parts. The first part will be skills based – testing your
ability to deal with the mechanics of calculus (and algebra/trigonometry). This part will
constitute 80% of the score. The second part will be more theoretical/conceptual, including
very difficult problems and some proofs. The expectation is that no one will get all these
problems correct (or even started). I will be looking at your approach, what tools you bring
to a problem, etc. I will grade this portion on a curve.
Problem Presentations:
You are expected to do assigned problems and come to class each day ready to present
solutions to those problems. Each student will be asked to present solutions to the class. If
you haven’t looked at a particular problem, it is unlikely that you will be able t
Problem Sets:
Problem sets will be handed out periodically. Please feel free to work together on these
problems, but solutions should be your own. You want to get these in at the beginning of
class on the due date. Answers with no work receive no credit; in fact, you will be graded
in large part on how well the solution is communicated! Neat, easy to follow solutions are
expected. Late problem sets will be severely penalized:
Handed in by end of day ...... -20%
Handed in by 4:20 p.m. the next day ...... -50%
If you will be absent or tardy on a day that problem sets are due, give your set to another
student in the class to hand in.
Assessment/Evaluation:
Semester Grades:
Quizzes/Exams
Problem Sets
Problem Presentations
Notebooks
Semester Exam
-
50%
15%
10%
5%
20%