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Syllabus
Calculus III
MATH 227 Section 100
Summer 2015, Lecture
Dr. Andrew Lewis
Prerequisites
Course Description
This course is the last third of the standard calculus sequence. Topics include analytic geometry in 3 dimensions, functions of multiple variables and their partial derivatives, multiple integration, line integrals, surface integrals, Green's Theorem, Stoke's Theorem, and the Divergence Theorem.
Outline of Topics
We will begin with Chapter 10 (Vectors) and proceed linearly through the end of the book (encompassing chapters on Partial Derivatives, Multiple Integrals, and Vector Calculus).
Required Texts
This list can be confusing to interpret (but has to be this way so that certain scholarship students can purchase their books). The minimum you will need is a WebAssign access code (which can be purchased from the SupeStore, or through WebAssign's website). The WebAssign code comes with an eBook--if that's all you want, that's all you need. If you would like some physical version of the textbook, choose one of the SupeStore's many options.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this course, students will
- Be able to perform routine operations on vectors and understand how these relate to curves and surfaces.
- Be able to perform routine calculations in the differential calculus of functions of several variables (e.g. limits, partial derivatives, etc.).
- Be able to compute integrals of functions of several variables.
- Understand the basics of vector calculus, including conservative vector fields, computing line and surface integrals, and Green's Theorem and its generalizations.
- Be able to apply their multivariable calculus skills to real world problems such as optimization and other science and engineering applications.
Standards Based Grading
This course is graded by a methodology called Standards Based Grading. There is a list of 20 learning standards for this course (available in Blackboard). On each assessment (i.e. exam/quiz), you will be scored a number from 1 to 5 for each standard covered on that assessment. These numbers have the following meanings:
- 5 -- Perfect mastery. A flawless solution.
- 4 -- Mastered with minor mistakes. Any errors are inconsequential and/or mechanical.
- 3 -- Nearly mastered. A good understanding is demonstrated, but there are some conceptual and/or nontrivial procedural errors.
- 2 -- Needs improvement. Understanding is only demonstrated for certain situations. Further study is needed to fully understand.
- 1 -- Poor. No understanding demonstrated.
Standards will be assessed multiple times throughout the semester. Unlike most classes, these numbers will not be averaged. Instead, your grade will be computed in a way that rewards growth and continued mastery of the material. At the end of the semester, for each standard your score will be either your most recent score, or your maximum score minus one (whichever is higher). This way, if you are improving, your score will go up and any previous low scores will not matter. If instead, you only score highly once, but lower on later assessments, your score will go down a level.
- Example 1: On Standard D2, Susan scores a 2 on Exam 1, a 3 on Exam 2, a 3 on Exam 3, and a 4 on the final. Susan's score for this standard is then the most recent score of 4.
- Example 2: On Standard I3, Wilbur scores a 2 on Quiz 7, a 4 on Exam 3, and a 2 on the final exam. Wilbur's score for this standard is the maximum minus one, so he receives a 3 (=4-1).
Reassessment
One key aspect of this system is constant reassessment. This can occur in a couple of different ways. A standard can be reassessed explicitly on another quiz or exam. Secondly, a standard may be assessed again as part of a problem designed to primarily assess a different standard (for a Calculus I example, a problem assessing optimization would also necessarily assess your differentiation skills). Additionally, you can reassess a standard during my office hours. This reassessment can take several forms, depending on the situation:
- If possible, I'll make up a problem or two on the spot and have you work it.
- I might ask you to come back the next day so I can think up a good problem for you to work.
- I might ask you to finish your homework on certain topics before you can reassess.
- I might simply ask you to explain the concept to me on the chalkboard.
The goal is to view assessments as opportunities for you to demonstrate mastery.
Feedback
Unfortunately, this grading system is far too sophisticated for Blackboard to handle. So you will periodically receive an automatic email from me detailing your current progress in the course. If you have any questions about how to interpret where you stand, come to my office hours to discuss.
Exams and Assignments
There will be three exams (during Friday class times) and a final exam. There will also be short quizzes several times a week. Each exam will cover several standards, while a quiz will typically cover one or two. Daily homework will be administered through WebAssign (see below).
Webassign
We will be using WebAssign (http://www.webassign.net) for homework assignments. If you did not purchase an access code bundled with your textbook, you will need to purchase one from the bookstore or directly from WebAssign. I have created a WebAssign account for each student; you should be able to log in simply by clicking the link from our course section in Blackboard.
Homework will be due at midnight before each class, except the evening before a test (i.e. Sunday through Wednesday evenings). You should plan on working on homework every day after class. This is extremely important to keep you from falling behind in the compressed summer schedule. Remember, each summer week corresponds to three weeks of a fall or spring semester!
Grading notes:
- You will have an unlimited number of attempts on each problem.
- There is a 5% bonus if you answer correctly on the first attempt.
- Extensions will be automatically granted, no questions asked, at a 10% penalty. Use the "request an extension" button in WebAssign.
- At the end of the semester, I will drop your four lowest homework scores in computing your homework grade.
It is your responsibility to ensure access to a working computer to complete these assignments. If your personal computer or network is having problems, it is expected that you will be able to use one of the numerous labs on campus to complete the assignment.
Grading Policy
At the end of the semester, your grade will be computed in the following manner: your final score for each standard will either be your most recent score, or one lower than your maximum score, whichever is higher. These will then be compiled into letter grades in the following manner:
| To earn a letter grade of ... | ... you should at least |
| A |
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| B |
|
| C |
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| D |
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| F |
|
Within each letter grade, plus and minus will be assigned. A minus will be given for barely crossing the threshold, while a plus will be given for falling just beneath the next higher threshold.
Policy on Missed Exams & Coursework
Exams and quizzes can only be made up in the event of illness (with a doctor's note), or other emergent situation (with appropriate documentation).
Attendance Policy
Attendance is required for this course. With the compressed summer schedule, it is even more crucial that you attend class each day. Lecture notes will be posted in Blackboard each day for you to review after class.
Calculator Policy
No calculators will be permitted on the exams (they will not be necessary). You are free to use whatever calculator you like for the homework, but I encourage you to work without one.
Severe Weather Guidelines
The guiding principle at The University of Alabama is to promote the personal safety of our students, faculty and staff during severe weather events. It is impossible to develop policies which anticipate every weather-related emergency. These guidelines are intended to provide additional assistance for responding to severe weather on campus.
UA is a residential campus with many students living on or near campus. In general classes will remain in session until the National Weather Service issues safety warnings for the city of Tuscaloosa. Clearly, some students and faculty commute from adjacent counties. These counties may experience weather related problems not encountered in Tuscaloosa. Individuals should follow the advice of the National Weather Service for that area taking the necessary precautions to ensure personal safety. Whenever the National Weather Service and the Emergency Management Agency issue a warning, people in the path of the storm (tornado or severe thunderstorm) should take immediate life saving actions.
When West Alabama is under a severe weather advisory, conditions can change rapidly. It is imperative to get to where you can receive information from the National Weather Service and to follow the instructions provided. Personal safety should dictate the actions that faculty, staff and students take.
The Office of University Relations will disseminate the latest information regarding conditions on campus in the following ways:
- Weather advisory posted on the UA homepage
- Weather advisory sent out through UA Alerts to faculty, staff and students
- Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA at 90.7 FM
- Weather advisory broadcast over Alabama Public Radio (WUAL) at 91.5 FM
- Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA-TV/WUOA-TV, and on the website at http://wvuatv.com/content/weather. WVUA-TV Home Team Weather provides a free service you can subscribe to which allows you to receive weather warnings for Tuscaloosa via e-mail or cell phone. Check http://wvuatv.com/content/free-email-weather-alerts for more details and to sign up for weather alerts.
In the case of a tornado warning (tornado has been sighted or detected by radar; sirens activated), all university activities are automatically suspended, including all classes and laboratories. If you are in a building, please move immediately to the lowest level and toward the center of the building away from windows (interior classrooms, offices, or corridors) and remain there until the tornado warning has expired. Classes in session when the tornado warning is issued can resume immediately after the warning has expired at the discretion of the instructor. Classes that have not yet begun will resume 30 minutes after the tornado warning has expired provided at least half of the class period remains.
Disability Statement
If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary.
If you have a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call (205) 348-4285 (Voice) or (205) 348-3081 (TTY) or visit 133-B Martha Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 133-B Martha Parham Hall East, before receiving academic adjustments.
Policy on Academic Misconduct
All students in attendance at The University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University of Alabama expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. At the beginning of each semester and on examinations and projects, the professor, department, or division may require that each student sign the following Academic Honor Pledge: “I promise or affirm that I will not at any time be involved with cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, or misrepresentation while enrolled as a student at The University of Alabama. I have read the Academic Honor Code, which explains disciplinary procedure resulting from the aforementioned. I understand that violation of this code will result in penalties as severe as indefinite suspension from the University.”
See the Code of Student Conduct for more information.
Emergency Contact Information
UA's primary communication tool for sending out information is through its web site at www.ua.edu. In the event of an emergency, students should consult this site for further directions. Additional course information will be posted using Blackboard Learn.
UAct: Ethical Community Statement
The University of Alabama is committed to an ethical, inclusive community defined by respect and civility. The UAct website (http://www.ua.edu/uact) provides extensive information on how to report or obtain assistance with a variety of issues, including issues related to dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, sexual violence or other Title IX violations, illegal discrimination, harassment, child abuse or neglect, hazing, threat assessment, retaliation, and ethical violations or fraud.