Math 121 – Spring 2016
Basic Techniques of Applied Calculus I
Instructor: Phyllis Meckstroth
CRN 41681 Classroom MS418
Days MW
Time 11:10 - 12:35
Office: MS215H
Phone: 619-388-2386
e-mail: pmeckstr@sdccd.edu Whenever you e-mail me, please put Math 121 as the subject
Address:
Mesa College H207
7250 Mesa College Dr.
San Diego, CA 92111
Office hours: M-Th 6:30 - 7:15 AM
MW 9:35 - 11:00 or by appointment
Course Materials: Applied Calculus ,Sixth Edition by Berresford. You may use an older
edition. A calculator is needed both in class and on exams. A graphing calculator is
recommended. An access code for WebAssign is needed if you want to do the extra credit.
This will also include an e-book so you do not need to purchase a copy of the book if you get
the WebAssign.
Prerequisite: Math 116 with a grade of C or better, or course equivalent.
Course Description: This is a course designed for students intending to major in business,
natural science or social science. It does not fulfill a mathematics requirement for students
majoring in mathematics, chemistry, physics or engineering. This course combines the study
of algebra, analytic geometry, and calculus using numerical, graphical, and analytical methods
to analyze calculus problems encountered in real world applications. Topics include limits,
derivatives, and integrals of algebraic, exponential and logarithmic functions. Also covered
are functions of several variables, partial derivatives, and optimization of multivariable
functions. Applications of calculus include curve sketching, optimization, and areas under
curves. Analytical reading and problem solving are required for success in this course.
TRANSFER APPLICABILITY: Associate Degree & transfer to CSU and private colleges and
universities. CSU General Education; IGETC, UC, Transfer Course List: Mathematics
(MATH) 121 and 150 combined: maximum credit, one course.
Math Department Statement: The goal of the Mathematics Department at Mesa College is
to provide all students the opportunity for a safe, fair and effective learning environment.
The instructors are dedicated professionals who facilitate your learning in a studentfocused classroom by setting high expectations while providing multiple avenues for
learning. Students are expected to respect teachers, other students and themselves in
order to enhance a positive and successful learning experience.
Student Learning Objective:
1. The student completes the graph given a description of the graph using points,
asymptotes and derivatives.
2. The student can solve an integration problem that uses substitution.
3. The student can use the chain rule to take the derivative in a problem involving
logarithms.
OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Interpret and evaluate limits of algebraic, exponential and logarithmic functions.
2. Determine the continuity of functions at specific points and in an entire set.
3. Calculate derivatives of algebraic, exponential and logarithmic functions, applying various
rules of derivatives.
4. Analyze graphs of functions using calculus techniques.
5. Apply derivatives to solving constraint and unconstraint optimization problems.
6. Apply logarithms and exponential to solve growth and decay models.
7. Apply derivatives to business, natural and social science related problems.
8. Calculate antiderivatives of functions involving algebraic, exponential, or logarithmic
terms.
9. Calculate antidrivatives using the technique of substitution.
10. Compute definite integrals by applying the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and apply
definite integrals in solving for the area in between curves.
11. Evaluate functions of several variables and calculate their partial derivatives.
12. Apply calculus techniques in optimizing functions of several variables.
ATTENDANCE: Regular attendance is expected. It is the student’s responsibility to drop
all classes in which he/she is no longer attending. It is the instructor’s discretion to
withdraw a student after the add/drop deadline February 5, 2016 due to excessive
absences. The last day of attendance will be the date of your last quiz or test.
Students who remain enrolled in a class beyond April 8, 2016 will receive an evaluative
letter grade in this class. If you miss class, make arrangements with a classmate to
keep you informed on lecture topics, handouts and assignments
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATION: Any student who may need an academic accommodation
should discuss the situation with me during the first week.
BEHAVIOR: Students are expected to respect and obey standards of student conduct
while in class and on the campus. The student Code of Conduct, disciplinary procedure, and
student due process (Policy 3100, 3100.1 and 3100.2 ) can be found in the college catalog,
and at the office of the Dean of Student Affairs. Charges of misconduct and disciplinary
sanctions may be imposed upon students who violate these standards of conduct or
provisions of college regulations. As your instructor, I have the following expectations:
1. Promote a courteous learning atmosphere by exhibiting mutual respect and consideration
of feelings, ideas, and contributions of others.
2. Demonstrate respect for your work, as well as the work of others, by recognizing and
acknowledging strengths and improvements.
3. Demonstrate respect for tools, equipment and supplies in the classroom.
4. All cell phones, pagers, etc. should be turned to vibrate or else turned off during class.
5. Cheating, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty are not acceptable and will
not be tolerated. Violations of standards of academic honesty will be reported to the
school dean for appropriate action. The assignment, test or quiz will receive a grade of zero
and cannot be dropped.
QUIZZES: There will be a short quiz most non-test day. The quiz problems will be similar
to the homework. There are no make-ups for the quizzes. If you miss a quiz, it will be one
of the ones you drop. You may drop 3 quizzes.
WORKSHEETS:
There may be worksheets for each chapter. They will cover additional practice on the
material covered. You should treat the worksheets as homework. They do not need to be
turned in; however, quiz problems can be taken from them.
HOMEWORK:
Your homework will be assigned online through WebAssign. Your course code is sdmesa
5391 4275. You should expect to spend at least 6 hours a week on homework for this
class. Homework will be assigned on a daily basis The assignments can be done more than
once to improve your score. The deadline for an assignment will be at the time of the
chapter test. Your homework score may be added to the appropriate chapter test. It will
be worth a maximum of 20 points of the test. On each test you will be given the option of
counting the homework or not. You can decide this for each test at the time of the test.
If you think your answer is correct but WebAssign marks it wrong, email me the chapter,
section and problem number and I will look at it. If you have difficulty with a problem,
print it out and bring it to class so that we can discuss it. Homework does not count on the
final.
GRADES:
Your grade will be determined using three tests, quizzes and the final. There are no makeup tests unless arrangements are made with the instructor before the test and the make-up
test must be taken before the next class. I will replace one missed test or low grade with
the final grade. The final will be comprehensive. Your final grade is based on the following:
Tests
Quizzes
Final
The grade distribution is as follows:
A
90% - 100%
B
80% - 89%
C
70% - 79%
D
60% – 69%
F
below 60%
60%
15%
25%
A tentative test schedule is:
Test 1 Chapter 2.1 – 2.7 February 24, 2016
Test 2 Chapter 3.1 – 3.6,
4.1 – 4.4
April 6, 2016
Test 3 Chapter 5.1- 5.4,
5.6, 7.1 - 7.3
May 9, 2016
Final May 16 and 18, 2016
Math 121
Tentative Schedule (Spring 2016)
Monday
1/25
Section 2.1
2/1
Section 2.2
2/8
Section 2.4
2/15
No classes
2/22
Review
2/29
Section 3.1
3/7
Section 3.3
3/14
Section 3.6
3/21
Sections 4.1,
4.2
3/28
No classes
4/4
Review
4/11
Section 5.1
4/18
Section 5.3
4/25
Section 5.6
Tuesday
1/26
5/2
Section 7.3
5/9
Test 3
5/16
Final
5/3
2/2
2/9
2/16
2/23
3/1
3/8
3/15
3/22
3/29
No classes
4/5
4/12
4/19
4/26
5/10
5/17
Wednesday
1/27
Section 2.1
2/3
Section 2.3
2/10
Section 2.5
2/17
Section 2.6
2/24
Test 2
3/2
Section 3.2
3/9
Section 3.4
3/16
Section 3.6
3/23
Section 4.3
Thursday
1/28
Friday
1/29
2/4
2/5
2/11
2/18
2/12
No classes
2/19
2/25
2/26
3/3
3/4
3/10
3/11
3/17
3/18
3/24
3/25
3/30
No classes
4/6
Test 2
4/13
Section 5.2
4/20
Section 5.4
4/27
Sections 7.1,
7.2
5/4
Review
5/11
Review
5/18
Final
3/31
No classes
4/7
4/1
No classes
4/8
4/14
4/15
4/21
4/22
4/28
4/29
5/5
5/6
5/12
5/13
5/19
5/20