Calculus 590

                                                                                     

 

Teacher: Mrs. Kathryn Gniadek                                                                                          Mathematics Department

Course: Honors Calculus 590 Semesters I and II                                                                             2008-2009

 

Course: UCONN ECE Course Math 1120Q-1121Q   8 college credits

 

Note well: Each student must record that they are enrolled in an ECE college course from UCONN on the Common Application form for college admission.

 

Textbook: Stewart, James. Single Variable Calculus 6th edition;Thomson-Brooks/Cole, 2008.

 

Purpose:  This course is designed for students who have completed Precalculus and wish to have some preparation for and experience with Calculus especially those planning on entering fields of medicine, nursing, business, economics, management, and the social sciences. The course focuses on the development of conceptual understanding of real-life situations involving change so the material is data driven and technology based. Topics include functions and linear models, rates of change, limits and integration. The major difference between this course and AP Calculus is that this course does not stress test-taking strategies and details about the AP Calculus exam. Extensive use of graphing technology is incorporated hence a TI 83 + or TI 84 + graphing calculator is required. Overhead graphing calculator projectors, the Smart Board and digital lessons via the projector and Smart Board are used in most classes.

 

Objectives: The objective of the Calculus course is to learn the mechanics and applications of the first and second derivative and the definite and indefinite integral. At all times, the objective will be a focus on conceptual understanding of the concepts presented. A further objective is to develop logic and analytical ability using calculus as an analysis tool. Most importantly, the class will be engineered in an “inquiry-based” format which includes active learning initiated by asking “Good Questions” in the classroom. According to recent research conducted at Cornell University, and inspired by research done by the Mazur group at Harvard University, “Inquiry-based” teaching and active learning in the Calculus classroom are very conducive to academic success especially for women.

 

Requirements:  The single most important requirement for class is a positive attitude, a hunger for learning, and a willingness to be persistent and relentless when presented with new theories and subject material. Most importantly, a student needs to realize that in higher math courses, one cannot fear mistakes. Any errors need to be viewed as opportunities for learning and trying a different approach.

 

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR CLASS:

    

v             Textbook

v             at least two expo markers for board work

v             pencils, red pens

v             a graphing calculator TI-83 , TI-83 PLUS or TI-84 or TI-84+

v            A 3 ring-2inch binder filled with wide rule loose leaf paper.

v            A 6- pocket folder will be needed for handouts, rubrics, this syllabus, quizzes, tests and project information and extra loose-leaf paper.

                    Be sure to bring loose-leaf paper to every class for quizzes.

 

.

 

Personal and School Policies: 

 

Ø   Every student will begin with an A+ class participation grade.  If a student is late for class, she must sign a tardy slip Record Book before sitting at her desk. Each tardy will result in a 5 point deduction from the class participation grade.

Ø      Class co-operation, attentiveness, and willingness to answer questions and demonstrate problem-solving methods all contribute positively to the maintenance of the A+ class participation grade.

Ø    Any student who is absent on the day an assignment or project is due must accept a full letter grade deduction for each subsequent day (including weekends) the assignment is late beginning the day after the student returns to school.

Ø   Any student who misses class for any reason is fully responsible for completing all class work and homework that was assigned during her absence. Most importantly, she must obtain a copy of the class notes from one of her classmates and obtain from me any handouts given on the day of her absence. Any quizzes given in class on the day of her return must still be taken. (See page 12-13 in the Handbook)

Ø   Missed tests must be completed as soon as possible. Make-up tests will adhere to the policies of the math department formulated at the beginning of the school year. (Page 13 Handbook) If a student delays scheduling for more than one cycle after her return to school, she will incur a full letter grade penalty for each day after one cycle until the test is taken. All students are personally responsible for arranging the time and dates of any make-up tests or work. If they fail to do so, the recorded grade of 0 will remain.

Ø   Extra help is always after school at least till 2:40 unless faculty meetings are scheduled. Students will be asked to sign an Extra-Help Record Book.

Ø   Extra Credit is never assigned individually. Occasionally, class Extra Credit assignments may be offered.

Ø   If a student is in class and a project or homework assignment is not passed in on the assigned collection day, do not bother offering any excuses. The grade is zero. Only a physicians’ note will alter this policy.

Ø   If a notebook quiz is given in class, and you do not have your notebook or your calculator, you will still be required to take the quiz. If your calculator is not with you on the day of the test, you must still take the test. Always be prepared for each class.

Ø   All or some of the above is subject to change in cases of surgery or extreme illness supported by a physicians’ note.

 

Evaluation:   Comprehensive examinations, chapter tests, Open Notebook Quizzes (based on the student’s outlines for the chapters including the examples), Stretch Tests, projects, quizzes, individual and group “lab investigations”, homework assignments and positive class participation will be used to assess the student’s knowledge of the subject matter.

At all times, the test format will be pre- determined by the teacher only.

There are NO make-ups for poor test or quiz grades. Long term homework assignments and extensive take-home problem sets will be counted as a test grade.

Grading policy:

Combined classwork: 75% Tests 25%

Combined classwork equals: class participation 15%

                                             Quizzes on RO:15%

                                             Quizzes on DP: 15%

                                             Quizzes on CN:15%

                                             Worksheets:15% Occasionally, worksheets will be allowed as notes for quizzes

Final grade for UCONN: SHA semester one grade:30%

                                       SHA semester two grade: 30%

                                       SHA Midterm: 60%(Note that the midterm is the final exam for Math 1120Q and all seniors must take a UCONN final exam in May after the AP exams to accrue credit for 1121Q )

Also note that each exam in January and May will have problems mandated from the UCONN math department to ensure uniformity of grades and fairness regarding credit throughout the state.

 

 

 NOTE WELL: All assigned projects must be done in duplicate. Every student must retain one copy of any major assignment passed in.

 

Testing Policy: Students will be tested in class at least twice each quarter. All projects will count at least one test grade and maybe two depending on the length and depth of the assignment. Quizzes are not usually announced. Most quizzes will be on the class lecture and class activities, the book outlines and the homework assignments. Problem sets will most likely be assigned weekly so plan accordingly. There are NO make-ups for poor test or quiz grades. Long term homework assignments and take-home tests will count as test grades.

 

Class rules:

In this classroom, strict standards of behavior based on academic integrity, a personal sense of responsibility and responsiveness to the needs and rights of others will be enforced. At any time the teacher is speaking, no one else is. At any time a student asks a question, everyone listens. If anyone violates these basic tenets of behavior, they will be asked to report to the administration in the office and/or receive a detention for inhibiting learning.

There will be instant detentions for:

1)      Gum chewing

2)      Improper uniform

3)      Talking while I am teaching and/or a fellow student is asking a question.

4)      Any and all violations of SHA regulations as presented in the Handbook.

 

******Homework: This is a college class. In college, homework is not collected and graded. However, all tests and quizzes and class participation grades are based on the homework assignments. If you do not do your homework assignments for every class, you will fail. NOTE WELL: for every class, any and all CN ,DP and RO are due and subject to immediate grading. Be prepared.

v          It is a simple given that under no circumstances should any homework assignment ever be offered for copying. Also, no one should ever ask another student for his or her math homework and/or assignments for the purpose of COPYING. It is evident that students who make a regular practice of this are making grave errors in judgment.

v          Homework will be assigned nightly and routinely displayed on the web site. It is you responsibility to check the web site every day. Only variations of the web site assignments will be recorded on the board in the top right hand corner of the front blackboard. It is your responsibility to record it and complete it on the day it is assigned (and before it gets erased!!!) Book notes (also referred to as outlines or RO) must be taken from the assigned reading BEFORE any math problems(DP) are attempted.

v     All assigned work  will be based on the Rule of Three  system :

Every component must be labeled in the  right hand corner and correspond to the date of the class the material was first presented. All the components (RO-CN-DP) should have the same date.

      All class notes (CN), most homework problem sets (DP), and all homework assignments (RO) must be done in the 3-ring binder and properly labeled

      Your homework quizzes and notebook quizzes will come from the Rule of Three materials: RO-CN-DP components that are part of every class

      Grades  will be based on class notes(CN), quizzes announced and unannounced, homework outlines(RO), problems(DP) and critical thinking      challenge problems.

********** NOTE WELL: for every class, CN ,DP and   RO are due and subject to immediate grading. Be prepared.

 

Additional information:

 Since students’ actions impact others in the SHA community, all students are expected to abide by the rules and regulations of SHA in this class at all times.

Ø           If you have any concerns about this class please come after school or make an appointment to discuss your concerns after school. Class time is for learning, teaching and discovering and not for airing personal grievances. At all times, whining is prohibited. Logical, sensible reasoning is always welcome.

 

 If you have any problems at any other time please contact me at kgniadek@sha-excelsior.org or leave a message at 288-2309 Ext 435.