Syllabus

Information on this site applies only to sections 4 and 5.  If you are in sections 1, 2 or 3 of Math 312, consult your instructor for syllabus and course details.  Both sections are scheduled in 106 Sackett Building, three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday).  Section 4 is at 10:10-11:00 a.m. and section 5 at 1:25-2:15 p.m.

Instructor  is Professor John Roe, whose office is 204 McAllister Building.  He may be reached via email at john.roe@psu.edu.   Other contact information may be found here.

Collaboration and Discussion  Within the limits of the academic integrity policy, I strongly encourage discussion and collaboration among students.  We will be using the online system Piazza for class discussion. The system is geared to getting you help fast and efficiently from your classmates and from me.  Rather than emailing questions to me, I encourage you to post your questions on Piazza. (One big advantage over regular email is that Piazza incorporates the industry-standard system for typesetting mathematics.) There are Piazza apps for iPhone and Android; if you have a smartphone I suggest downloading the app, as we may use Piazza in class as well as outside.  Our Piazza class page is: https://piazza.com/psu/spring2014/math312/home, and it is also accessible from the tab bar at the top of this webpage.

Office Hours will be in 204 McAllister, on Mondays and Fridays 11:15-12:00 (that is, immediately after section 4), and on Tuesdays 3:45-4:30.  You are strongly encouraged to make use of office hours for any questions that you have about the course material or about mathematics more generally.  If possible, please post your question on Piazza before you come to office hours.

In order to succeed in this course, it is vital to give it consistent attention by coming to class regularly, keeping up with reading and homework assignments, and taking advantage of office hours. The course is cumulative: if you do not understand one concept, you most likely will not understand subsequent material. If you find yourself falling behind, do not wait to get extra help. Come to office hours immediately.

Prerequisite You must have completed Math 141 to register for this course.

Textbook Elementary Analysis: The Theory of Calculus by Kenneth A. Ross.  Either the first or the second edition of this book will be suitable.  See the course outline for specific sections to be covered. The book How to Prove It by Dan Vellemann is recommended for supplemental reading.

Course Outline A detailed course outline may be found here.  For most course sessions, one or two sections of the textbook are assigned.  You are expected to read these sections and make an effort to understand them before attending that day’s class session.  Additional lecture notes and other material may be posted via Piazza. The course outline may be revised as the semester progresses,

Exams There will be two midterm exams and a final exam.  Midterm I will be held during the class period on Friday, February 28th; midterm 2 during the class period on Friday, March 28th.  (Each section will receive its own version of these midterms.)   A common final exam will be scheduled during finals week, May 5th-9th.  The schedule of this exam will be announced later.  Do not plan to leave State College before May 9th.

Homework There will be twelve homework assignments, due in class on Wednesdays. Graded homework will be returned the following Monday.  Each homework assignment will be graded out of 15 points, and your two lowest homework scores will be dropped.  Late homework may be accepted up to the Friday class period following the Wednesday due date.  A 20% grade penalty will apply to late homework.

To facilitate the return of graded homework, you must staple your work together with a front sheet (cover sheet) showing only your name, your section number, and the assignment number. A template for the cover sheet may be downloaded for printing. Submitted homework that does not conform to these requirements may not be graded or returned.

Other Assignments There will be a few unannounced in-class quizzes during the semester.  There may also be online activities (via ANGEL) and/or blogging requirements.

Grades Your final grade will be assigned based on a 500-point total, as follows:

  • Midterms: 75 points each
  • Final: 150 points
  • Homework Assignments: 150 points
  • Quizzes, Blog Assignments, Other items: 50 points

The expected grading scale  (UPDATED APRIL 1, 2014) is

  • A: 440 points
  • B: 380 points
  • C: 310 points
  • D: 275 points

and, if this scale needs to be modified, I will let you know in writing.  I will personally grade your assignments.

Other Policies Policies on academic integrity, attendance, and accessibility for students with disabilities are detailed on separate pages,

 

 

 

 

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