SEMESTER: Fall 2014 PROFESSOR: Ron Page
COURSE: MATH 121 – CRN 85789 E-MAIL ADDRESS:
TITLE: Basic Techniques of Applied Calculus I
COURSE ID page28422
ONLINE COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Don’t enroll in the course unless you have access, on a regular basis, to a fast, reliable computer. Please review hardware and software requirements below. Also, be aware that former students have mentioned that this course will require more independent effort, than some other online courses. A successful student spends 6 or more hours a week on the computer and is extremely disciplined.
Hardware and Software:
To successfully complete this online course, you will be required to meet the minimum hardware and software requirements. View Hardware and Software Requirements.
Internet Browser:
You must use a supported Internet browser in order to successfully work in Blackboard, the online course management system for this course. To see a list of supported Internet browsers, click here.
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.
COURSE MATERIALS
The following course materials may be purchased at the campus San Diego Miramar College Bookstore or online.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK (Purchase your book as soon as possible to be ready for the first day of class)
Calculus for Business, Economics, Life Sciences, and Social Sciences, 13th edition; by Barnett, Ziegler, Byleen; Pearson Hall 2014. ISBN: 9780321925718 (3-hole punch) or 9780321925138 (printed text)
REQUIRED MEDIA
MyMathLab access code (included with new book). Can be purchased with credit card on MyMathLab.com
REQUIRED
Graphing calculator. Suggestion: Texas Instruments (TI-84) or better
TEXTBOOK COVERAGE
A 5% bonus will be applied to your test score if you take the chapter test any day within a 4-day period. The test becomes available on a Friday morning and then closes 4 days later, on a Monday evening.
DATE Available DATE Closes TEST for CHAPTER
9/12 9/15 Ch. 3 (Ch. 1 and Ch. 2 for your review)
10/10 10/13 Ch. 4
11/07 11/10 Ch. 5
12/05 12/08 Ch. 6
12/10 (Wednesday evening) FINAL (Final has to be taken ON CAMPUS or with an approved proctor)
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. MyMathLab, most often written MML, will serve as your tutorial, quiz and test source. You can access MML by going to Blackboard Learn>Course HomepageMyMathLab or by the URL of MyMathLab.com (going directly is advised). First time users of MML will have to follow the steps listed on the homepage (I recommend "take a tour"). You will need to enter the "Course ID Number", listed above in red, the first time you access this course. This ID Number is unique to your Math 121 course at Miramar College. If you experience any problems in the process or have difficulty with MML please call Pearson Support at 1-800-677-6337. Keep this phone number handy for any difficulties during the semester.
2. Read each chapter completely before starting the assignments in either your textbook or MML. For your information, Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 are review chapters and worth no points. If you have been away from math for several years, I recommend using these chapters as a review. Work through Examples that are given in the textbook and any Exercise problems at the end of each section that you find helpful. Selected answers are printed in the back of the textbook.
3. After reading the textbook, I strongly recommend that you work in MML. Go to MML, login and explore the navigation tabs on the left of the screen. Make sure that you are able to navigate MML without any problems. The most used navigation tabs used are: Homework, Tests and Quizzes and videos of lectures (closed captioned) in the Multimedia Library. I highly recommend the videos. Use the material in MML’s Homework tab along with your textbook to prepare yourself for the quizzes and tests.
4. I would like for you to use the email system in MML for all class correspondence NOT or Blackboard Learn. FYI, the Discussion tab in MML is primarily for student use. I will read the threads and only comment when needed.
5. Coursework, whether it is doing MML’s problems and/or using the textbook, is a very important part of your success in this class. Failing to keep up with your coursework can be an undisciplined student's downfall. Most students having difficulties are not doing their coursework, so I strongly recommended that you set a regularly scheduled time to work on this class.
6. Your grade in the course will consist of four (4) chapter tests, eight (8) quizzes, homework and a final all found in MML. Typically there are two (2) quizzes for each chapter and one (1) test. You can take the quizzes any time you wish during the semester and up to 8 times, but you will need to achieve at least 70% on one of the quizzes to proceed to the next level. The chapter test (or following quiz) will be flagged until you successfully complete the preceding quiz. I suggest that you re-take each quiz until you score 100%, possibly during the last weeks of the semester, as a review. Each retake will generate different, but similar problems. For your information, the Sample Tests (pre/post versions) in MML are for your review and worth no points. I strongly recommend taking the Sample Post Test as practice before you attempt the chapter test. Remember you can take the chapter test only once. The Study Plan problems are for your use only and worth no points.
7. The final exam will have 30 questions taken from all four (4) chapters, which are chapters 3-6. It is scheduled for Wednesday evening of the last full week of the semester. The final exam must be taken on campus, unless you are out of town and have located an approved proctor!
8. An Incomplete grade may be granted in this class when a student’s work is nearly complete (all but final exam taken) and some unforeseen circumstance arises that prevents the student from finishing his/her work for the course. The final decision on whether to grant an incomplete grade will be based on several factors. If you are requesting an Incomplete to be given to you for this course, you must contact your instructor.
9. As a check to see if you have read this syllabus, please post in the Student Introduction of Blackboard Learn a short introduction 'bio' and include a tasteful digital picture of yourself. Your Student Introduction grade is worth 20 pts. Intro + 20 pts. Picture. I will assign points for the Student Introductions at the end of the first week.
GRADING POLICY
All grading in the course will use this scale: 92-100%=A, 82-91%=B, 70-81%=C, 60-69%=D, and 0-59%=F. You can always check your grade on MML using the ‘Gradebook’ Navigation Bar. A reminder to review each quiz or test immediately after taking it for possible computer grading errors and notify me as soon as possible, if any are found!
CHAPTER TESTS
Four (4) chapter tests will be administered through MML. Each Chapter Test will have 25 problems and a time limit of 100 minutes. Tests can be taken only once. They are available between specific dates and are open for four (4) days. If you miss a test, you will have to contact me before it can be reopened. You risk losing 5% of your score if the test is reopened. In addition, you will also need to inform me of your plan for catching-up. Schedule your time so that you are not taking more than one test a week!
As a bonus for staying on schedule, I will add 5% to your score if you take the test within the four-day period (stated another way, you have to take the test before it closes). The 5% bonus will be added to your total score the day after the test closes.
CHAPTER QUIZZES
Eight (8) chapter quizzes will be administered through MML. Each Chapter quiz will have 10 problems and no time limit. You can take the quiz up to 8 times to improve your score, but you must achieve a score of 70 % or better to progress. The quizzes are designed to prepare you for the chapter tests. For your information, the “a” Quiz (Quiz 1a, Quiz 2a, etc.) is the only Quiz with no prerequisite (70% or better).
FINAL EXAMINATION
One (1) Final Examination will be administered through MML. The Final Examination will have 30 problems, a time limit of 200 minutes and is comprehensive covering Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6.
HOMEWORK
Twenty-five (25) Suggested Homework sets for each section covered in the textbook are in MML. Like the Quizzes you can do the Homework sets anytime throughout the semester. Each set has around 20 problems and is designed to help you prepare for the quizzes and chapter tests. To receive the full Homework points you will have to achieve a perfect score on each set, but you can redo them as many times as you wish. Partial credit will be assigned if you don’t achieve a perfect score on a set.
For your information, there are 1000 points possible in the class, the breakdown: Introduction-40 pts., Quizzes-160 pts., Tests-256 pts., Homework-125 pts. and Final-420 pts.
When you are ready to take a test or quiz go to MML and click on TAKE A TEST. If the test or quiz is flagged then make sure you have successfully passed (70% or better) the preceding quiz.
THE PLACe/INVEST LAB
Individual tutoring is available free of charge at The PLACe, room L-101 in the LLRC. The tutoring service is available Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. If you would like further information or have questions contact The PLACe/Invest Lab by telephone (619) 388 - 7852.
DISABLED STUDENTS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should contact me by email or telephone as soon as possible. Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) department can assist you in identifying appropriate accommodation to meet your needs. If you would like further information or have questions contact a DSPS counselor by telephone (619) 388 - 7312.
DROP POLICY
A student will be dropped for the reasons listed below.
MyMathLab Registration
Students will be dropped without warning if they fail to register with MML under the Course ID of
Page28422 by the end of the first week of the semester.
Test and Quizzes
Students will be dropped without warning if they fall behind (not meeting the availability dates) on two or more chapter tests. Students will not be allowed to take more than one test a week! Make every effort to stay on schedule! It is the student’s responsibility to drop a class in which they are no longer participating. Students who remain enrolled in a class beyond the published withdrawal deadline, as stated in the class schedule, will receive an evaluative letter grade in this class.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
Students are expected to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct at all times. Students who violate the Student Code of Conduct may have access to class removed for one week (5 instructional days).
Make-up work during the removal will not be accepted. Incidents involving removal of a student from class will be reported to the college disciplinary officer for follow up. The Student Code of Conduct can be found in Board of Trustees Policy, BP 3100, Student Rights, Responsibilities and Administrative Due Process posted on the District website at: http://www.sdccd.edu/public/district/policies/index.shtml
CHEATING/PLAGIARISM
Students are expected to be honest and ethical at all times in the pursuit of academic goals. Students who are
found to be in violation of Administrative Procedure 3100.3 Honest Academic Conduct, will receive a grade of
zero on the assignment, quiz, or exam in question and may be referred for disciplinary action in accordance with
Administrative Procedure 3100.2, Student Disciplinary Procedures.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
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 and sketch polynomial and rational functions using the first and second derivative
5. Apply derivatives to solve optimization problems with or without constraints
6. Apply derivatives of exponential and logarithmic functions to solve business and life science applications
7. Apply derivatives and integrals to problems relating to business, economics, natural science, and social science
8. Calculate antiderivatives of functions involving algebraic, exponential, or logarithmic functions
9. Calculate antiderivatives using the substitution technique
10. Compute definite integrals by applying the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and apply definite integrals to find the area under a curve and between two curves