MA462 - Advanced Calculus

Class Syllabus - Fall 2010

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Course Description:   Advanced Calculus consists of a theoretical approach to the study of limits, sequences, continuity, derivatives, and integrals. Topics may include a review of logic, proof, sets, and functions; the development of the real number system; sequences; limits and continuity; differentiation; integration; infinite series; and sequences and series of functions.  This course is typically considered the hardest course in the undergraduate mathematics curriculum regardless of instructor.  In order to increase the likelihood of success in this course it is recommended that the student attend class without fail, focus on understanding the concepts, read the textbook, religiously work the homework, and seek help from the professor when needed.  (3 Semester Hours) 

Prerequisites:  MATH 361 - Calculus III  and  MATH 300 - A Transition to Advanced Mathematics, both completed with a C or better.

Professor:  Dr. M. Leigh Lunsford.  For Dr. Lunsford's office location, phone number, email address, schedule (including office hours), and other general information, go to her homepage:  http://www.mathspace.com/Lunsford/

Meeting Times and Location:  TR 11:00 am - 12:15 pm, Ruffner 352

Course Textbook, Textbook CD-ROM, & Textbook Website:   Analysis: With an Introduction to Proof, 4th Edition, by Steven R. Lay, Prentice Hall, 2005, ISBN: 0-13-148101-0 

Required and Recommended Technology/Computer Configurations:   You should be able to type technical documents in LaTex or in Word using either the equation editor or MathType.  Other than that there are no technology requirements for this class!  You are welcome to use your calculator, Maple and/or Derive to play around with ideas, however, be forewarned:  You WILL NOT be allowed to use a calculator on any in-class quizzes, your midterm, or your final. 

Determination of Course Grade:

20% - Individual Hand-In Homework Assignments

18% - Quizzes and Board-Work

25% - Midterm Exam

  7% - Mathematics Cultural Points (cults)

30% - Comprehensive Final Exam

My grading in this class will be incredibly strict.  Thus we will not be on a 10 point scale.  I will keep you appraised of how the class is doing as a whole as we progress through the semester.  Grades can be interpreted via the scale below.  Please note that when I say "average" I am referring to an average mathematics major at a university or college in the United States

A:  Excellent, far above average

B:  Definitely above average

C:  Average

D:  Below Average

F:  Failing

Individual Hand-In Homework Assignments:  Please follow these guidelines when preparing your hand-in homework.  While I want you to discuss mathematics with each other, you should not copy mathematics from each other.  Thus it is OK to discuss your homework assignments with your classmates but it is not OK to completely give the solution to a problem to another classmate nor is it OK to copy part or all of another person's solution.  Your solution should be presented in your own words.  If I even suspect that you have copied part or all of your work from another individual in this class, both you and the person you copied from will receive a zero on that assignment and be brought before the LU judicial board.  The LU honor system will be strictly followed for these assignments.  It is strictly forbidden to discuss your homework with another faculty member.

In-Class Board-Work:  About every two or three weeks we will have a class period in which students present their solutions to select problems on the board.  Please see the Board-Work Presentation Guidelines for how you will be evaluated. 

Quizzes:  About every two or three weeks we will have a quiz.  The quizzes will be based on your practice homework and our in-class discussions.  The quizzes will be closed-book, closed-notes, and you will not be able to use a calculator.  The quizzes will be given outside of class.  I will give a time frame during which you may take the quiz.

Drill Problems:   I will also assign problems which will not be board-work nor hand-in homework.  Even though these are not problems that will be graded you should endeavor to work as many of them as possible.  The questions on your quizzes will come directly from these problems and our in-class discussions. 

Midterm Exam:  Around the 6th or 7th week of class we will have a midterm exam.  For the exact date of the exam see the Assignments page.  I will give at least a one-week notice for the exam.  This exam will be closed books, closed notes, and you will not be able to use a calculator.

Mathematics Cultural Points (cults):  In order to receive the full 7% credit for mathematics cultural points you must earn at least 10 cults.  To determine how to earn cults please click here.  All cult submissions must be received by Friday, December 5.  In addition, any cults that you submit as a write-up to a planned event (e.g., a colloquium), must be received no later than 2 class days after the event occurs.  Please note the deadline for obtaining approval for an article to present is Friday, November 21.

Final Exam:  The final exam for this course will be comprehensive.  You cannot miss the final - failure to take the final exam will automatically result in an F grade for the course.  The final exam will also be closed book, closed notes, and you will not be able to use a calculator.  Please see me as soon as possible if you may have a conflict with the final exam date.

Final Exam Date:  Thursday, 9 December, 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Extra Credit:  Extra Credit will not be given, period.

Honor System:  I expect you to conform to the Longwood University Honor System as contained in the Student Handbook.  All material handed in to me (homework, quizzes, tests) must be pledged.

Attendance & Excused Absences:   You are expected to attend every class.  If you miss classes it will most likely be reflected in your grades (i.e. you will perform poorly).  The following college attendance policy will be followed per the Class Attendance section of the Academic Regulations chapter of the Longwood University Undergraduate Catalog:  Missing 10% of class meetings may result in a lowering of one letter grade.   Missing 25% of class meetings for any reason will result in an automatic “F” for the course.  Absences are excused only for illness, college sponsored activities, and recognizable emergencies.  You must have the proper documentation for an excused absence.  Student Health Services can provide documentation only for students hospitalized locally or absent at the direction of Student Health Services personnel You must also assume full responsibility for all material covered during your absence, including scheduling any make-up quizzes or exams.  A grade of "0" will be assigned for all work missed due to unexcused absences.

Make-up Policy:    Make-up assignments will be given only when the reason for missing the assignment meets the criteria for an excused absence (see above).  Except in the case of emergencies, make-up assignments must be scheduled and/or turned-in before the due date of the assignment being made-up (i.e. you should plan ahead if you know you are going to miss class).  Late hand-in homework will not be accepted, period.  As a general rule, you can expect that make-up tests or quizzes will more difficult than regularly scheduled tests or quizzes.  If you have a recognizable emergency, please contact me as soon as you can to discuss your make-up options.

Office of Disability Services:  Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability should contact me privately. If you have not already done so, please contact the Office for Disability Services  (395-2391) to register for services.

General Class Pace:  Below is a tentative list of the material we will cover and when we will cover it.  For more details please see the Class Pace and Assignments page.

Material Covered

Week of Class
Chapter 2:  Sets and Functions Weeks 1 - 3
Chapter 3:  The Real Numbers Weeks 3 - 5
Chapter 4:  Sequences Weeks 5 - 7
Midterm Exam Around week 6 or 7
Chapter 5:  Limits and Continuity Weeks 8 - 10
Chapter 6:  Differentiation Weeks 11 - 13
Chapter 7:  Integration Week 14
Final Exam Week 15


Dr. L's Homepage     Longwood Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

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Dr. L's Homepage     Longwood Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

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