MATH 221: Calculus I

Thomas' Calculus (Single Variable), 12th edition, by George Thomas, Maurice Weir and Joel Hass.

We will cover roughly chapters 1-6. Topics are subject to change depending on the progress of the class, and various topics may be skipped due to time constraints.

Please note that we will work on developing your independent reading skills in Mathematics. I certainly won't be able to cover in class all the material you will be required to learn. As a result, you will be expected to do a lot of reading. You should read the sections of the textbook which correspond to the material covered during the lectures. The reading will enable you to answer my questions and ask your own focused questions during the lecture and help you to better understand the material.

We may want to make use of the TI-89 calculators. Therefore, it is probably in your best interest to have one available. A version of the TI-89 for your computer is available here: Download the TI-89. (Save the file to your computer, unzip it, and run vti.exe to run the TI-89 program on your computer.)

It may be helpful to make use of mathematical programs such as MATLAB, Maple, or Mathematica periodically. These are available in most student computer labs throughout campus.

Topics covered: Topics include limits, continuous functions, derivatives, velocity, integrals, area, and various other applications.

Math 221, Calculus I, is the first semester course of the calculus series and is intended as a development of single-variable calculus. We will cover mostly differential calculus and give an introduction to integral calculus. Differential calculus is a mathematical method for analyzing how things change. Change is measured by slopes, velocities, acceleration, and, in general, derivatives. The precise definition of an instantaneous rate of change requires an understanding of limits, a notion which also leads to the understanding of what is meant by a continuously changing quantity. Techniques like the product, quotient, and chain rules enable efficient computation of derivatives which can then be applied to, among other things, the analysis of motion, rates of change, optimization problems, and understanding the shape of a graph.

We will also cover the beginnings of integral calculus, which is an important tool for applications to all parts of the natural sciences, engineering and economics. The basic concept of an integral will be introduced and used to find areas. We will cover the definition of integration and the substitution method of integration. Throughout the course, we will discuss applications of these techniques to problems coming from other disciplines.

Your overall grade will be determined as follows:

• 20% - WeBWorK, Quizzes, and Class Participation
• 20% - Exam 1
• 20% - Exam 2
• 20% - Exam 3
• 20% - Final Exam

Your overall grade for the course will reflect how well your are doing and will be high if you are working hard on the homework and doing well on the exams. Almost all the questions on the exams will be in the same spirit with the homework questions. Therefore understanding how to do all the homework questions will enable you to do well on the exams.

Homework: Most homework will be done through the internet-based homework system called WeBWorK. However, there may occasionally be problems you must write out and hand in to me. All assignments must be completed by the given due date.

Moreover, while it is not required that you complete a handwritten version of WeBWorK assignments, it is strongly encouraged. Writing a problem out by hand, showing all calculation steps, and keeping them collected in a notebook will greatly assist you as you prepare for exams.

Exams: There will be three Midterm Exams and one Final Exam. Exams are closed book, closed notes, closed friends, and open brain. Calculators, cell phones, iPods, and other electronic devices will NOT be permitted in exams.

Quizzes and Class Participation: There will be occasional, unannounced quizzes in class to make sure students are understanding and keeping up with the course material. Quizzes will be based on material from homework and previous lectures. It is also imperative that you keep up with reading the textbook. NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES WILL BE GIVEN. Class participation will be based on your willingness to ASK and ANSWER questions in class.

It is essential not to fall behind because each lecture is based on previous work. If you have trouble with some material, SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY in the following ways: