Math 148 Survey of Calculus Fall 2023

Syllabus

Textbook

The Six Pillars of Calculus: Biology Edition by Sadun.

Description:

A one semester introduction to differential and integral calculus designed to convey the significance, use and application of calculus for liberal arts students, particularly those in the behavioral, biological, and social sciences. Prerequisite: MATH 100 or an ALEKS score of 71 or better.

Outcomes:

Students will develop facility with the language and techniques of calculus. Students will use limit laws, theorems about continuity, and differentiation rules to take limits, determine when/where a function is continuous, and evaluate derivatives. Students will learn to evaluate integrals using the fundamental theorem of calculus (and appropriate integration techniques). Students will use these techniques to solve problems coming from other disciplines. Students will also develop their skills at mathematical writing as they communicate increasingly complex solutions.

Outcomes for a Core Mathematics Course:

These learning outcomes support the University Core curriculum learning outcomes:
A) Students will be able to use the basic modes of inquiry and expression of the disciplines that represent liberal education.
C) Students will be able to communicate clearly and persuasively, using ideas and arguments based on evidence, logic, and critical thinking.

Grades:

Grades will be based on scores on exams, homework, and worksheets/projects. There will be three exams during the semester, each worth 13% of the final grade. In addition, a cumulative final exam will count for 25% of the grade. The remaining 36% of the grade will come from scores on WeBWorK assignments (18%) and worksheets/projects (18%). An approximate schedule for the semester is on the course website. No extra credit will be given. Final grades will be assigned using the following scale (with + or - for the top and bottom scores within appropriate ranges):
Score Grade
90-100 A
80-90 B
70-80 C
60-70 D
0-60 F

Homework:

Graded homework sets will be assigned using a free online system called WeBWorK. You will have about one WeBWorK assignment each week. Solutions are automatically and instantaneously checked and you are allowed to retry each problem as often as you want. You should take advantage of this to get a perfect score on every WeBWorK assignment.

A list of additional suggested exercises in the textbook is posted on the course schedule. These problems will not be collected or graded, however, math is a skill (like playing a musical instrument) and practice is the only way to build that skill. In general, I try to make the WeBWorK assignments relatively short (in terms of number of problems). Some of you will sometimes need extra practice: book problems are a way to get that practice. You should do enough of those problems to feel comfortable solving the problems on the WeBWorK, exams, or quizzes. It is up to you to determine how much practice is enough (I think more is always better, but you're the expert on how you learn, so I'm leaving it up to you to decide). There are no solutions in the back of the book--I will post solutions to selected problems.

Worksheets:

I will try to provide a worksheet/project for each section of the book. These worksheets generally have two goals:

Completing the worksheets/projects will usually involve starting some work in class and finishing at home. You're encouraged to collaborate on the worksheets, but anything you turn in should reflect your own understanding of the solution (otherwise my feedback isn't helpful to you). Worksheets will generally be graded solely for completion. All worksheets and deadlines will be posted on the schedule.

Exams:

Exams encourage you to review, practice, and refine your skills. My goal is to make exams long enough to cover the relevant material, but short enough that time is not a major constraint for you when solving the problems (or for me when grading). Examples of past exams can be found on the old editions of the course web page (see the links at right). Calculators will not be allowed on some exams. The final exam will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, December 12.

Math Learning Center and Learning Studio:

Free, drop-in help on the homework or other class material is available in the Math Learning Center from 10:00 to 7:00 Monday to Thursday and 10:00 to 5:00 Friday. A schedule of open times can be found at: Math Learning Center Schedule (MyGU).

The Learning Studio also offers free tutoring in many subjects (including calculus). You must schedule appointments in advance through their scheduling portal (link).

Gonzaga policies

This course also follows Gonzaga'a policies on academic integrity, religious accommodations, title IX, harassment and discrimination, and access/accommodation for those with disabilities. Those policies can be found here (myGU link, login required).

Links and class resources

Office hours

Logan Axon
Department of Mathematics
MSC 2615
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA 99258
Office: Herak 227A
Phone: 509.313.3897
Email: axon@gonzaga.edu

4. Diatomea

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Last updated 10/3/2023