Prof. Greg Langkamp - Seattle Central Community College
Math& 163 – Calc III: Multivariable (formerly Mat 126 and Math153)
Course Syllabus Fall 2014
(Item #1353, section 02, 8-8:50am daily, SAM102)
(Item #1352, section 01, 9-9:50am daily, SAM102)
Contact Information
Phone: 206 - 934 - 3810
Email: greg.langkamp@seattlecolleges.edu
Office: SAM 413 MWF: 11am-12pm, TuTh: 12-1pm, or by appointment.
Mathematica Proficiency Required: Students taking this course must be proficient with the
Mathematica software program. Students who have little or no experience with Mathematica
should register for CSC102Q. This 1-credit course begins the second week of the quarter and ends
the 4th week of the quarter. Many sections of CSC102Q are being offered – please consult the SCCC
website for section days, times, and openings.
Prerequisites: Calculus II (Math& 152 or Mat 125) with a 2.0 or better (at SCCC), or SCCC placement
exam. You must meet the prerequisite to stay in this class, or to overload this class.
Transferability: This course transfers to the University of Washington as Calculus III (Math 126)
only if you have taken Math 152 at Seattle Central!! See me if you have questions.
1st day Attendance: Students must attend the first day of class or they will be dropped from the
course. If you cannot attend the 1st day, you must contact me by the start of the first class.
Waitlist Policy: At the end of the 1st day I will know how many students can be added to the class.
Those students on the electronic waitlist who attend the first day will be added to the class in order
according to their waitlist rank, providing space allows. There is no guarantee that anyone will be
added into the course. Students on the waitlist should be prepared to show proof of their
prerequisites (copy of your placement test score, or unofficial copy of your 098 grade) before I sign
their add form.
Classroom: This course meets daily in a computer classroom. No food or drink is allowed in the
classroom, except for water bottles with tight lids. No coffee cups allowed!! Please keep the
classroom clean. Like in the wilderness, clean it up even if you did not make the mess.
Course Materials:
a) REQUIRED: Textbook: Stewart, Calculus: Concepts and Contexts, 4th Edition, Thomson
Brooks/Cole Publishers, 2010.
b) REQUIRED: Course packet ≈ $5. Available at the SCCC copy center (3rd floor main bldg.)
c) REQUIRED: Pencils and eraser, graph paper, small ruler, protractor, and colored pencils.
d) REQUIRED: USB Flash drive (a.k.a. thumb drive) to store computer files.
e) OPTIONAL: Calculator with numerical integration. Scientific or Graphing (TI-83/84). Some
calculators not allowed if too powerful, such as the TI-89/92. Check with me.
f) OPTIONAL: Student Solution Manual and Student Study Guide to accompany Stewart text. Be sure
to purchase the multivariable version.
g) OPTIONAL: Print card for printing on the SCCC student network. Go to the computing center on
the 3rd floor of the main building, or the library, to get a card.
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Internet Access: This course requires that you access the internet almost daily. Students who do
not have internet access at home will need to use computers in the SCCC computer labs, in a local
library, etc. If you wish to print at SCCC, you will need money in your sccc print account – see the
library staff for help.
Renting Calculators: TI-83+ graphing calculators are available to rent for $10/quarter. Pay $10 to
the school cashier, bring the receipt to me, and fill out a contract. I will only rent you a calculator if
you are enrolled.
Workload for this course: You should expect to spend on average 2-3 hours per day for this course
outside of class; this time will consist of reading your textbook, reading your class notes, doing
homework problems from the textbook, studying for quizzes and exams, and preparing for special
class days.
Course Description: This course extends the concepts and procedures of calculus to functions of
more than one variable. The principal topics covered include vectors and the geometry of 3 space,
vector functions in two and three dimensions, partial derivatives and multiple integrals. Conceptual
understanding and applications are stressed throughout the course. Technology, including
mathematical software capable of three dimensional graphing, is used where appropriate to
support student learning.
Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking this course, students will be able to:
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demonstrate an understanding of three dimensional coordinate systems
apply vector concepts of dot and cross product to solve geometric and applied problems
solve geometry problems which involve lines and planes in 3 space
demonstrate an understanding of the algebra and geometry relating to the quadric surfaces
derive and use vector functions to solve geometric and applied problems
calculate derivatives and integrals of vector functions
analyze the geometry of vector functions using the concepts of arc length and curvature
apply concepts and procedures relating to velocity and acceleration to solve motion in space
problems
derive and analyze functions of several variables and their graphs including the use of
contourplots
demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of limits and continuity as they apply to
functions of several variables
calculate partial derivatives and interpret geometrically; solve applied problems
find the equation of a tangent plane when presented with appropriate information
apply the chain rule in a multivariable context
calculate directional derivatives and the gradient, and interpret geometrically
apply appropriate tests to determine optimal values for multivariable functions.
calculate double integrals over rectangular and general regions
calculate iterated integrals and solve application problems involving double integrals
WAMAP: This course will make use of WAMAP, an online course-management program.
Go to www.wamap.org. You will be registered into WAMAP and added to my class automatically.
Username: 9 digit SID Password: Last 4 digits of SID
Note: If you are new to WAMAP, obtain the “getting started” handout from me (yellow paper).
Note: if you have signed into WAMAP previously using the same username (your SID), you will
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need to use the same password that you used previously. If you have forgotten that password,
send me an email message and I will reset your password.
Teaching/Learning format: I believe the best way for students to learn is to do the math, rather
than listen to a teacher tell them how to do the math. As a teacher, I pursue this by frequently
having students work in groups on relevant problems. The benefit of group work is that students
are actively engaged in the learning process, and feel more comfortable asking questions and
suggesting strategies in the company of peers. The only way that a group can work is for all
students to attend. Since we sometimes start group activities immediately, it is unacceptable to
arrive late to class. (I understand that there are occasional, unexpected crisis that prevent this.)
Finally, Your success in this class depends on your active participation in the group process.
Textbook homework: For each section covered in the textbook there is a set of homework
problems (see Wamap). Most of these problems are odd-numbered with answers in the back of the
text and worked-out solutions in the Student Solution Manual. Some of these problems may be
collected.
You should attempt to do all the textbook problems. For group and classroom discussions to be
effective, you must stay on top of the homework! Doing homework pays off -- I often base quizzes
and exams on textbook homework.
WAMAP homework and preview problems: You will have several online homework assignments
that are electronically graded. You will typically be given several days to complete the homework.
The wamap points will be scaled so that textbook homework and wamap homework total 100
points. See WAMAP calendar!!
In WAMAP you are allowed two (2) “Late Passes.” Each Late Pass will allow you to postpone the
due date for any wamap homework assignment by 24 hours.
Course assessments: Below is a tentative list of the assessments for this course.
Assessment Activity
approx. total points
WAMAP Homework (drop lowest)
100 points
In-class problems/worksheets (1-3 points
each)
Group Labs and Assignments
20-minute quizzes
(5@20 pts each, drop lowest)
50-minute exams (2@ 100 points each)
Cumulative final exam
Approximate total points
Late work? Make-ups?
no late work, no makeups,
2 Late Passes
10 points
no late papers / no make-ups
50 points
no late papers / no make-ups
80 points
no late papers / no make-ups
200 points
150 points
610 points
make-ups with prior contact
no make-ups
There is no individualized extra credit in this course. NO EXTRA CREDIT!
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Grades: Grades will be computed by using the formula:
G
P  48
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, where G is your grade and P is
your overall percentage correct. Example: if your percentage is P  83% , then your grade is
G
83  48
 2.9
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The table below shows the minimum percentage that you need to get a particular grade in the
course. You will be able to find your percentage in your WAMAP grade book under Total Past Due.
Grade
4.0
3.9
3.8
3.7
3.6
3.5
3.4
3.3
3.2
min %
95.4%
94.2%
93.0%
91.8%
90.6%
89.4%
88.2%
87.0%
85.8%
Grade
3.1
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.5
2.4
2.3
min %
84.6%
83.4%
82.2%
81.0%
79.8%
78.6%
77.4%
76.2%
75.0%
Grade
2.2
2.1
2.0
1.9
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
min %
73.8%
72.6%
71.4%
70.2%
69.0%
67.8%
66.6%
65.4%
64.2%
Grade
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
0.0
min %
63.0%
61.8%
60.6%
59.4%
< 59.4%
Cheating: Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying another's work on an in-class exam or
quiz, or turning in another person's work as one's own for a homework or other hand-in
assignment. Anyone caught cheating will get a 0 on that particular assignment. Depending on the
circumstances, that person may also receive a 0.0 for the class, and/or be reported to the SCCC
Dean of Students. Do not risk your academic career by cheating!
Policy on missing class, quizzes, tests, etc.: In general, by signing up for this course you are
expected to attend every day and be present for quizzes, tests, and class problems. If you plan to
be absent and notify me in advance, I will try to help you plan ahead so you may study on your own.
This is not a promise -- it depends on the reasonableness of your request and the timing involved in
consideration of the rest of the class.
Quizzes and tests are announced in advance. If you cannot attend class on the day of a quiz, don't
worry, you get to drop your lowest quiz score. BUT, if you cannot attend class on the day of a test
because of illness, YOU MUST CALL OR EMAIL ME BEFORE THE TEST. I will try to arrange a make-up
test, providing that you return to class in a reasonable amount of time after being absent. Failure to
call or email beforehand will result in a grade of 0 for the test (special circumstances may be
considered).
Special Accommodations: Students with documented disabilities who need course
accommodations, have emergency medical information or require special arrangements for
building evacuation should contact the instructor within the first two weeks of class.
Final Note: Information in this syllabus may be modified during the quarter.
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