MATH 148 – Business Calculus
Pierce College, Fall, 2008
Course Information
3206: 12-1:05 PM MTWTh Room P2
Instructor - Alex Gorstko
Office: Room 219
Phone: 964-6667
E-mail: agorstko@pierce.ctc.edu
Office hours: 2:00-3:30 PM TTh
and by appointment.
ELEMENTS OF CALCULUS - SOME WORDS ABOUT THE COURSE.
The mathematics is a language in which many, many problems of the real world can be
described. And not only described - they can be solved! Earlier we have learnt basics of this language, its
main rules. Now we will learn more complicated concepts of this language – derivatives, integrals,
differential equations. As usually we will solve different real life problems to make sure that we understand
these new concepts and can apply them. By the end of this quarter you will know how to solve different
optimization problems, find area under a curve, and how to make a much more precise graph of the given
function than you could do it before. Economic applications of calculus will be in the field of our interests.
WHAT ARE THE NECESSARY CONDITIONS OF YOUR SUCCESS?
You can find them below:
* Textbook ( Brief Applied Calculus. Fourth edition by G. Berresford and A. Rockett.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.)
* Calculator
* Notebook
* Diligent work
* The main condition - the wish to learn.
Some essential comments.
Homework: Homework will be assigned regularly for each section. Write out these
problems neatly and keep them organized. I will check them periodically.
Tests: We will have tests regularly.
Teamwork: Modern life needs teamwork. That is why the teamwork, small group activity, will be
appreciated.
Active position: Be active during the class. It will help your classmates, me, and most of all - you.
Grading
Your grade in this class will be based on the following:
1. Projects
2. Tests
3. Home assignments
4. Quiz
5. Quality of Notes
6. Active position
7. Final
Item
Projects
Tests
Quiz
Home Assignments
Quality of Notes
Active Position
Final
Point Value
50
50
25
15
25
50
50
Quantity
1
2
1
5
1
1
1
Total
50
100
25
75
25
50
50
-------375
Your grade will be based on a percentage of the highest point total earned by a student in the class or 90%
of the total possible points, whichever is higher.
95%-100%
90%-94%
85%-89%
80%-84%
3.7-4.0
3.5-3.6
3.1-3.4
2.5-3.0
75%-79%
70%-74%
65%-69%
60%-64%
2.1-2.4
1.5-2.0
1.1-1.4
0.7-1.0
<60%
0.0
Students with disabilities, who believe they may need academic adjustments, auxiliary aids or services to
fully participate in course activities or meet course requirements are encouraged to register with the Access
and Disability Services (ADS) Office, Room 300K in the Cascade Building. You may also call the ADS
Office to make an appointment to meet with the ADS Coordinator at (253) 964-6526 or 964-6527.
Students requesting accommodations must obtain the “Approved Quarterly Academic Adjustments,
Auxiliary Aids or Services” (green) form provided by ADS.
Emergency Procedures.
For life-threatening emergencies call 911 and then Campus Safety. In the event of an emergency
evacuation, gather all personal belongings and leave the building using the nearest safe exit. Be prepared to
be outside for a minimum of an hour and stand a minimum of 200 feet from any building or structure. Do
not attempt to re-enter the building until instructed. Should a class be cancelled, it is your responsibility to
keep up on reading, homework, and deliverable assignments.