MAC2311: CALCULUS I
Reference # 459726, RM 9107
M-W-F: 10:25 -12:10 pm
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Professor : Dr. Alicia Serfaty de Markus
Office: 3238-1 (Next to Math Dep.)
E-mail: aserfaty@mdc.edu
Course Web page: http://faculty.mdc.edu/aserfaty
Phone: 305-2372475
Office Hours:
Monday
9:40-10:15 AM
Wednesday
9:40-10:15 AM
12:20-1:10 PM
Friday
9:40-10:15 AM
Course
12:20-1:10 PM
Prerequisites: MAC 1140 (Pre-calculus Algebra) and MAC 1114 (Trigonometry), or MAC
1147 (Integrated Pre-calculus Algebra & Trigonometry), with grades of “C” or better, or
adequate score on a placement exam.
Text: Calculus (Early Transcendental Functions), R. Smith and R. Minton, Third Edition,
McGraw-Hill, 2006
Objective: To learn and explore the ideas of calculus, one of the greatest human intellectual
achievements. Calculus not only provides specific tools that solve practical problems, but it
also entails an intellectual perspective on how we analyze the world.
The Course Description: A 5 credit course on differential and integral calculus with
applications. This course introduces the following topics found at the indicated chapters:
Chapter 1: Limits and Continuity.
Chapter 2: Differentiation
Chapter 3: Application of Differentiation
Chapter 4: Integration.
Chapter 5: Applications of the Definite Integral
Additional topics may be included at the instructor‘s discretion.
Course
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Competencies
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A Scientific Calculator: Use of scientific calculators will be permitted, but not required,
during tests. Graphing calculators are permitted, but exam problems will be posed in a way
which gives them no real advantage over a scientific calculator. Calculators with a built-in
Computer Algebra System (CAS) such as TI-89, TI-92, and hp49g; and Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs) and other portable computers, such as PalmOS and Windows CE devices
are not permitted in exams, unless explicitly stated by the professor.
Attendance: Class lectures, discussions and exercises sessions are considered to be crucial
to succeed in this course. Attendance is mandatory, and will be recorded for administrative
purposes every class session. If you miss more than 3 classes, you may be purged from the
course. It is your responsibility to attend each lecture and keep records of assignments and
other information delivered during class. If you cannot attend class, it is a common courtesy
to email me or leave me a phone message. Because of the number of students in all of the
Professor’s classes, it is not possible to personally inform each absent student of the material
that is missed due to an absence, or the corresponding assignment. For this reason, please
have the name and phone number of at least one other student in the class that you can call
and ask for missed lecture notes and assignments
Classroom decorum: In order to optimize your learning experience, classroom interruption
must be kept to a minimum. Please make every effort to arrive on time and avoid causing an
interruption if you need to leave early. Please turn your cell phone to a silent mode and avoid
using it during class. In an emergency, you may excuse yourself and leave the classroom.
Academic dishonesty: Any instance of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of F for
the course and can carry an even more severe penalty such as suspension or expulsion. Take
pride in your own achievements, an unearned passing grade is not worth the paper it is
written on.
The..Tests:
The most likely dates of our four tests and final will be after completion of groups of selected
topics from chapters 7-11 as outline below:
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Test 1: on topics from chapter 1: Sect. 1.1 to 1.6
Test 2: on topics from chapter 2: Sect. 2.1 to 2.9
Test 3: on topics from chapter 3: Sect. 3.1 to 3.9
Test 4: on topics from chapter 4: Sect. 4-1 to 4.7 and chapter 5: Sect. 5-1 to 5-4
Final Exam: mandatory and accumulative, including questions on Topics from Ch. 5.
Please note: Specific dates and topics will be announced in class and posted in the
instructor’s web site, and altered at the discretion of the instructor. It is your
responsibility to verify dates and topics.
Grading Policies: Your final grade will be based on:
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four tests (15 % each)
The Final Exam (comprehensive and mandatory) (20%)
2 projects (20%).
There are no make up tests: If you miss a test, the Final Exam will replace one score. The Final
Exam is the only make-up exam. If you have not missed any test, the Final Exam might replace
your lowest test score. A student’s final grade may be raised above her or his earned percentage if
in the Professor’s opinion the student shows significantly sustained effort and improved scores
in the course or on the comprehensive final exam or through other activities. The Professor will
specially consider:
 Homework: Practice exercises will be assigned frequently and posted in the Professor’s
web site and by means of handouts. Although optional, homework will help the Professor
decide a final grade in a borderline situation, therefore homework should be submitted
towards the end of the course in a separate notebook. All written work should be neat,
organized, and should show sufficiently many steps to demonstrate a clear understanding
of the techniques used.
 Projects/Activities: The purpose is to give the student some room to work with the
newly learned calculus tools and ideas. These projects will be evaluated based on its
quality, completeness, presentation and originality. No “cut” and “paste” from inter net
(if needed, is mandatory to cite the source). No plagiarism (see note on academic
dishonesty). As indicated by the professor, the projects will be done individually or in
small groups (2-3 persons)
 Attendance
The System of Evaluation:
Every test will consist of short answer questions, and open ended and/or applications
problems, where all work must show sufficiently many steps to describe the procedure used to
solve the problem(s), so partial credit can be earned.
A, A+ grade – 90% and above
B, B+ grade – between 80% and 89%
C+,C, C- grade – between 65% and 79%
D+,D grade – between 40% and 64%
F grade – below 40%
In very extreme circumstances, you may request a grade of I (incomplete) only if you are
passing the class and have completed the course past the last date to drop the course with a W.
Important Dates:
 Last day to withdraw with a grade of “W” – Tuesday July 1st
 Last day of classes – Friday August 1st
 Holidays – Friday July 4
Last but not least:
Do lots of problems- not just the suggested homework. Learning to differentiate and
integrate is a skill, and like playing piano or training for a marathon, practice makes
perfect. Our goal is to make calculations with accuracy, intelligence and flexibility.