Brandeis University
Syllabus Math 20A Multivariate Calculus Fall 2015
Contact Details and Office Hours: Instructor Dr. Aida Kadic-Galeb, agaleb@brandeis.edu
Office Hours: MW 2:30-3:30 pm.
Course Assistant(s): To be determined.
Course Description and Objectives:
Welcome to Math20a! You have studied single-variable calculus in Math 10a/b (or equivalent), and you
have seen that this powerful set of tools can provide insight in diverse fields of study from economics to
the physical and biological sciences. In this semester, you will extend these tools, generalizing and
broadening their applicability. In particular we’ll extend the notions of differential and integral calculus
to functions that depend not just on a single variable, x, but rather on x and y, or x and y and z, or even
more variables. Sometimes these extensions will be straightforward, and other times we will have to
work harder to visualize and work in three or more dimensions. You’ll continue to hone your skills of
abstract thinking, problem-solving, visualization and computation. The pay off of your hard work will be
an understanding of material fundamental to advanced study in analytical fields such as economics,
epidemiology, computer science, bioinformatics, physics, statistics, and many more; moreover, you’ll
hone your quantitative reasoning and analytical problem-solving skills.
Since the class is large most of the teaching will be in a form of a lecture. Questions are encouraged.
Time permitting the students will be given opportunity to work in small groups.
It is expected that the students will expend three hours of out of class effort (e.g. reading, completing
problem sets, studying for exams, etc.) for each hour of classroom instruction.
Prerequisites: C or better in Calculus II or equivalent. Math 20A is a fast paced course and a solid
working knowledge of differentiation and integration is expected.
Textbook: Calculus: Concepts and Contexts, Multivariable, 8th ed., (ISBN is 9781305718869) James
Stewart with the access code for WebAssign. You can purchase the bundle in the bookstore. You will
have to register for WebAssign and follow the instructions
http://www.webassign.net/manual/student_guide/t_s_enrolling_class_class_key.htm
You can find helpful guide https://www.webassign.net/manual/WA_Student_Quick_Start.pdf
For additional technical support see/call https://webassign.com/support/student-support/
1-800-955-8275, option 1
Use your school's username when creating a new WebAssign account, include your id in the selfenrollment form.
Visit http://www.cengagebrain.com/course/site.html?id=1029954
WebAssign key : brandeis 3327 1923
Homework: Homework is assigned on a regular basis. There is a list of homework problems from the
textbook on LATTE. Each assignment is equally weighted in the final homework grade. As you complete
the assignments, you are also strongly encouraged to consult classmates, the instructor and course
assistants in office hours, the textbook, and Mathematica, which you can download and use for free.
Homework is due every week, before Monday class. No late homework will be accepted, but your three
lowest homework scores will not count toward your final grade.
There are many homework problems in WebAssign. Student can earn 10 bonus points to be added to
the exams 1and 2 by completing 80% of the assigned online problems.
Collaboration and Source Policy: You are encouraged to work on the homework with other students in
the class, provided that you list who you worked with on your problem set. However, any work you turn
in must be your own, understood by you, written up in your own words and citing any outside source to
which you refer. For example, if you use Mathematica, include a printout of your Mathematica output.
Under no circumstances should you be turning in solutions that you have looked up in a solution
manual, on the internet or elsewhere.
Exams: There will be two midterms, October 7 and November 11, and a final exam. No notes (except
those provided by the instructor) may be brought into the exams. Any conflicts with a midterm exam
must be made known to the instructors at least one week before the exam. No make-up midterm exams
will be given. For information on academic accommodations in exams, please see below. Final exam is
comprehensive and is scheduled by the University. Do not make travel plans that conflict with the exam.
Grades: Homework 20%, 2 Midterms 50%, Final exam 30%. Final exam grade can replace the lowest
midterm grade if it is in your favor.
90-100 A; 87-89 A-; 84-86 B+; 79-83 B; 76-78 B-; 74-75 C+; 69-73 C; 66-68 C-; 63-65 D+; 57-62
D; 50-56 D-; 0-49 F
Disabilities: If you are a student with a documented disability on record at Brandeis University and wish
to have a reasonable accommodation made for you in this class, please see me immediately.
Academic Integrity: You are expected to be honest in all of your academic work. Please consult Brandeis
University Rights and Responsibilities for all policies and procedures related to academic integrity.
Students may be required to submit work to TurnItIn.com software to verify originality. Allegations of
alleged academic dishonesty will be forwarded to the Director of Academic Integrity. Sanctions for
academic dishonesty can include failing grades and/or suspension from the university. Citation and
research assistance can be found at LTS - Library guides.
Communications: The best way to communicate is by university email. All assignments, grades,
announcements will be posted on LATTE.
Scheduling conflicts: It your responsibility to read this syllabus and take stock of the scheduled conflicts,
for example, those resulting from the athletic participation or religious observance. These should be
discussed with me in the first two weeks of the semester, and will be handled according to the university
guidelines (which are available on the website for the Committee for the Support of Teaching).
Critical Dates: Exam 1: October 7
Exam 2: November 11
Final: Scheduled by the University, check Sage