Syllabus for MAT 224

Vector Calculus with Mr. Johns

Class Time: 9:00-9:50 AM DailyOffice Hours: Daily 10-10:50 AM or

Quarter: Spring 2006by appointment

Classroom Number: Room 5124Office Number: Room 5108

Phone: (206) 587-6991Email:

Class Website:

Course Description

I welcome you to MAT 224 and an exciting quarter of mathematics and learning! This class is the continuation of Multivariable Calculus (MAT 126), introducing new features such as:

  • Alternate Coordinates Systems in Two and Three Dimensions
  • Parameterized Surfaces
  • Vector Fields
  • Line Integrals
  • Surface (Flux) Integrals
  • Volume (or Triple) Integrals
  • Divergence, Curl, and Laplacian

The ultimate goal of this class is to introduce 3 new Fundamental Theorems of Calculus. You recall that in second-quarter calculus (MAT 125), you came across the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus for functions of one independent variable: .

With the advent of more independent variables and vector fields, we will add 3 more:

  • (Line Integral FTC)
  • (Surface Integral FTC or Stokes’ Theorem)
  • (Volume Integral FTC or Divergence (Gauss’) Theorem)

I don’t expect you to understand these theorems yet but as we proceed through the quarter, they will be become obvious extensions of the first FTC you learned.

If time permits we will also look at applications of vector calculus, mainly in the areas of Electricity and Magnetism and Fluid Dynamics.

If you plan on transferring to the University of Washington, this class will transfer as MAT 324, the first of two Advanced Multivariate Calculus courses. This course is required by physics and several engineering majors but will also be of interest to those interested in atmospheric, oceanic, and biological sciences.

Prerequisites

To guarantee your success in this class, you are required to have BOTH of the following:

  • Received a grade of 2.0 or better in the course MAT 126 AND
  • Received a grade of 2.0 or better or concurrent enrollment in the MAPLE class CSC 102Q.

If you feel you are already MAPLE proficient without CSC 102Q, come talk to me outside of class.

If you have neither of these prerequisites or you are not sure if you should be in this class, please see me immediately outside of class.

Classroom Format

Due to the junior-standing of the course and the small class-size, I expect a less formal environment where I will guide you rather than teach you. I will be experimenting with different learning modes, so be prepared to have:

  • Lecture
  • Group Discussions and Activities
  • Group and Individual Presentations
  • Group and Individual Projects involving MAPLE
  • Possibly an Oral Final Exam

Unlike previous classes, a lot of material you are responsible for will not be discussed in class. You will need to work on some subjects as independent learners, just as you will have to in many upper-level courses in college. The keys to success in this class are:

  • Coming to class everyday
  • Doing the homework and projects immediately after they are assigned
  • Networking early in the quarter with reliable and motivated students to form study groups

Course Materials Required

You will need the following to insure your productivity and success:

  • “Calculus: Multivariable” 4th edition by McCallum, Hughes-Hallett, Gleason, et.al (Wiley Publishing). You will need to bring the book everyday. We will be covering Chapters 12, 13, 14 and parts of 16 as review and focus on the rest of 16 through 20 for the bulk of the quarter.
  • A Big 3-Ring Binder for your stuff and lots of handouts!
  • College-Ruled Paper
  • Some Graph Paper (I will give you “3D” graph paper in class and on tests)
  • Small Ruler (preferably 6 inches, plastic, and see-through with inch and cm scales)

For those of you who want multiple reference texts for this class, I have listed some below. You are NOT required to buy these but they do provide a good reference and I sometimes pull out projects and test questions from these.

  • “Calculus: Concepts and Contexts” 2nd edition by Stewart (Brooks-Cole Pub.)
  • “Vector Analysis” by Spiegel (Shaum’s Outline)
  • “div, grad, curl and all that” 4th edition by Shey (Norton Pub.)

Grade Computation

Your grade in this class is based solely on points you earn on the assessment listed below:

  • Homework (80 Points)
  • Quizzes (10 Points – only the best 2 out of 3 are used in your final GPA)
  • Projects, Writing Assignments, and Student Presentations (80 Points)
  • Tests (80 Points Each – 2 tests, the lowest of which can be replaced by a higher final exam score)
  • Comprehensive, Required Final Exam (80 Points – no makeups for this exam! Please consult the class schedule for the date and time of the final exam.)
  • There will be deductions of points for being late for class and lack of attendance.

Your grade is computed from a final percentage of points earned out a total of 420 points. Your GPA is then found by looking up your final percentage on the table below.

95% to 100%receives 4.070% to 73% receives 2.0

90% to 94% 3.766% to 69% 1.7

86% to 89% 3.362% to 65% 1.0

82% to 85% 3.059% to 61% 0.7

78% to 81% 2.758% or below 0.0

74% to 77% 2.3

I do not believe in trying to distinguish between, for example, a GPA of 3.4 and 3.5. Instead, I believe any percentage between and inclusive of 90% and 94% should get a 3.7. If your percent is, say, 94.5% or higher, I will round up and give the 4.0.

Please note the following concerning grades:

  • I will not give an incomplete “I” grade
  • The No Credit “NC” grade is given only if you are passing the class.
  • If you decide to drop this class, be sure to get my signature after the second week. If you fail to do this, you leave me no choice but to give you a GPA of 0.0.
  • Be sure to consult the school’s class schedule for the last date for dropping the course.

Makeup Policies

Should an emergency arise, you are permitted to makeup a test or quiz if you phone or send an e-mail to me BEFORE the time the test or quiz is given. You must then makeup the test or quiz BEFORE the class next meets at a time and place of my convenience (usually the afternoon of the day the test or quiz is given, NOT the next morning!). If there is an emergency that does not permit you to contact me before the assessment, contact me as soon as possible on the same day so that we can work out arrangements.

This makeup policy is created for last minute emergencies (snow day, missed bus, etc) or short-term problems known in advance (day care problems, court date, etc.). If you are sick or out and cannot make up before the next class period, you will be given zero points for the assessment. However, I will drop the lowest quiz score and the final exam score can replace your lowest test score at the end of the quarter.

You are NOT permitted to make up homework, projects, or the final exam.

Disputes about Grading

In this high stress job, sometimes I miscalculate (I never could do arithmetic very well) or misassign points on an assessment. There may be a time when you think I was too harsh on my grading or I didn’t see your correct reasoning. The most objective way for me to review your disputes is for you to adhere to the following procedure:

  • Staple a separate sheet of paper to the assessment and on it describe in a brief paragraph where I had made a mistake and why I should reconsider the score.
  • Give this to me within one week of getting the assessment back from me – I will not consider regrading stuff assigned at the beginning of the quarter for extra points at the end of the quarter!

ADA Statement

Students with documented disabilities who need course accommodations, have emergency medical information, or require special arrangements for building evacuation should contact the instructor outside of class as soon as possible.

The “Understood” Rules

1. NO food or drink at the desks in the computer classroom EVER. It is best to put your food and drink on the table or countertop close to the entrance of the class. If you need a drink or eat a morsel, you are free to quietly and unobtrusively leave your seat, get what you need, and return during class.

2. No surfing the web or operating other programs besides MAPLE during the passing periods and while class is in session. More importantly, DO NOT TINKER WITH THE DESKTOP AND ITS FEATURES. That includes creating “shortcuts” and changing the fontsize and color background – DON’T DO IT! Lastly, always exit the programs that you open before you leave class unless otherwise directed.

3. Turn off all pagers and cellphones before class starts. If a phone or pager goes off, I will stop the class and take the phone or pager away. I will then keep it until the owner comes to my next office hour for a little lecture. If a pager or phone goes off during a test, quiz or the final exam, the owner will receive zero points on that assessment. Fellow students’ concentration is disturbed when these device go off and can cause these people to miss material and points. This is not fair and it will not be tolerated.

4. No cheating, period. However, I need to make it clear that my definition of cheating extends to where one person or persons provide help to another person or persons during a quiz, test, or final exam. I will give all of these persons zero points on the assessment. I do encourage people to work together on daily assignments and homework but each student should do their own work and no blatant copying should occur. Believe me, I’ve taught long enough that I can tell when students copy homework!

5. Homework has the work “home” in it for a reason: all homework and projects should be done OUTSIDE of class. We only have 50 precious minutes to plough through vital material and I don’t wanted wasted on things that should be done on your time, not my time.

6. This is more of a favor than a rule. I am allergic to various scents including perfumes, aftershave, and tobacco smoke. Walking down Broadway (which I enjoy doing) has, in the past, triggered asthma attacks in me. If you could wear less scented materials or at least wait 20 minutes after a cigarette when you come to class or to my office, I and fellow students would greatly appreciate it.

7. The contents of this syllabus are tentative and are subject to change. You are solely responsible of keeping abreast of these changes.

Your Support Systems

When studying any topic, it is important to know what support systems are available and how to take advantage of them. Keep this sheet and refer to it when you start having problems and need help.

1. Your Book

It is amazing how many students pay close to $100 a book and read only the homework problems in it! When you are stuck on a topic, read the appropriate section of the book. Cover up the answers of the examples and do them yourself, checking the answers and the steps taken after you have made an effort. Work on extra problems that you can check in the back of the book. Before a quiz or test, read the section over again and do problems in the chapter review and test at the end of each chapter. Bring your book to class every day, to your tutor, and to the Math Lab. You paid for it – use it!

2. Fellow Students

These are the people who will provide you with the most help in this course. Befriend someone so that you have someone who can give you missed notes or assignments. Get phone numbers of people who can help you with a certain homework problem or who are willing to meet as a study group. Arrive early to class and ask your table mates about homework and compare answers. Encourage yourselves to put problems on the board before class. Then provide answers and explanations in a supportive manner when you know the answers to these questions.

3. The Teacher

If I could, I would spend a bulk of my time with students outside of class. But the current system of education does not lend itself to this kind of learning. My time with you is limited but that does not mean I don’t want you to see me with questions. You should never fear me or think any question is too dumb. Feel free to stop by my office to express frustration, joy, anxiety, or just to say hi! The only thing you need to fear is ignorance – that is what we are trying to wipe off the planet here!

4. College Wide Tutoring

Did you know that the government pays for two half-hour tutoring sessions for you per week in each subject at this school? Did you know that most students don’t take advantage of this free service? This one-on-one tutoring can be used to help with homework (after you have attempted it), get another perspective on a topic in class, or to review for a quiz or test. In order to sign up, you need to stop by the StudentAcademicAssistanceCenter in Room 1106 to fill out the appropriate forms. You only need to sign up once for the whole academic year. Even if you don’t need a tutor at the beginning of the quarter, sign up so that tutoring will be there when the going gets tough. If the days and times they have available don’t work for you, talk to Brenda Kyler in the same office. You never know unless you ask!

5. Math Lab

Suppose you have just one homework problem that you just can’t get. Or you need a place to study with a friend where you can get help when you get a little stuck. Then stop by the Math Lab in Room 5119 for drop-in help in math as well as other natural sciences. The tutors are former math SCCC students who have time to quickly answer questions and get you pointed in the right direction. NOTE: the Lab gets busy so limit the tutors time with particular questions. If you are really lost, sign up for the tutoring discussed above.

6. Study Seminars

The StudentAcademicAssistanceCenter also offers free hour-long seminars aimed at student self improvement. These talks range from test and note-taking skills to solving story problems to dealing with math anxiety. Again, why not take advantage of these opportunities and meet other people who can help you at this school? I will try to announce these seminars in class during the quarter.