Mathematics and Computer Science
MAT 4810 -- Topics in Elementary and Middle Level Mathematics: Calculus -- Fall 2015
This syllabus is tentative and should not be considered definitive. The instructor reserves the right to modify it to meet the needs of the class. It is the student responsibility to attend class regularly and to make note of any changes. Be sure you check the class website for sections covered on the exams, homework problems and announcements.
Catalog DescriptionCredit Hours: 3; Topics from mathematics useful in elementary, middle level, and/or junior high school.
Course ContentCalculus is the study of limiting values and the calculations that can be accomplished by studying the trends in successively better approximations. The methods of calculus have wide ranging applications in mathematics and science. Calculus can be used to find the rate at which a quantity is changing at any instant, or conversely it can be used to calculate the total quantity at any time if these rates of change are known. Calculus can translate our conceptual understanding of dynamic physical, biological, or social systems into useful mathematical models. Calculus can be used to find optimal solutions to problems, and it can be used to calculate areas and volumes. It is truly one of the monumental achievements of mathematical history! We will explore calculus and its applications from a variety of perspectives, with an emphasis on conceptual understanding, hands-on modeling, and visualization.
PrerequisitesMAT 1271 with a minimum grade of C.
TextbookWe will be covering chapters 1 to 6 out of the free online textbook, Active Calculus: Single Variable, 2015 Version by Matt Boelkins. You can also find the textbook as well as other class resources on D2L.
Course Objectives- work with functions and function processes across multiple representations
- experience optimization contexts
- understand and work with situations involving infinite processes, with an emphasis on summations and limits
- develop ideas concerning computation of area and perimeter for curves, fractals, and other objects
- learn about the concept of rate of change
- map explicit calculus connections in elementary and middle level curricula
There will be a two exams and a comprehensive final exam. The dates and sections covered will be posted here. Your instructor will grant make-up exams to students for properly verified absences due to illness, emergency, participation in an official University activity, or participation in volunteer emergency work.
Click here for the tentative schedule.
Homework and QuizzesHomework will be assigned weekly, to be posted on this page. Regularly, there will be (pop) quizzes and in-class work which will count towards homework points. Since these are part of your homework score, they cannot be made up. No late homework will be accepted. Instead, the lowest homework score will be dropped. Before attempting the homework problems, you are expected to read the sections carefully. You are strongly encouraged to discuss homework problems with your instructor, use the math tutoring service, and to work with your fellow classmates. However, you are expected to write up your own solutions.
| Section | Problems | Due Dates |
| Quiz 4 | 4.3, 4.4 | Tue 8 Dec |
| HW 16 | WebWork; Find limit as n approaches infinity of right Riemann sum for f(x) in WW #'s 8 and 9, then use FTC to verify your answer. |
Thur 3 Dec |
| HW 15 | 4.2 Exercises 1,2 | Thur 19 Nov |
| Exam 2 | 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2 | Thur 12 Nov |
| HW | WebWork (not collected) | |
| HW 14 | 4.1 exercises 1, 2 | Thur 5 Nov |
| Quiz 3 | Optimization | Thur 29 Oct |
| HW 13 | UMich Solving Equations | Tue 20 Oct |
| HW 12 | Webwork (ch 3) | Thur 22 Oct |
| HW 11 | 2.2 Exercises 1, 3 | Thur 15 Oct |
| HW 10 | 2.1 Exercises 1(skip d), 2, 4 | Tue 13 Oct |
| HW 9 | UMIch Fractions Section T. | Tues 6 Oct |
| Exam 1 | Thur 1 Oct | |
| HW | WebWork (not collected) | |
| HW 8 | UMich Factors Section T. | Tues 29 Sept |
| Quiz 2 | graph of a function | Thur 24 Sept |
| HW 7 | Webwork ; Section 1.7 exercise 1. | Thur 24 Sept |
| HW 6 | UMich Exponents Section T. | Tues 22 Sept |
| HW 5 | Finish Activity 1.10 and 1.11; Section 1.4 exercises 1 and 2. |
Thur 17 Sept |
| HW 4 | UMich Multiplying Section T. | Tues 15 Sept |
| Quiz 1 | definition of f'(x) | Thur 10 Sept |
| HW 3 | Section 1.3 exercises 1 and 4; WebWork | Thur 10 Sept |
| HW 2 | Section 1.2 exercise 3 and here. | Thur 3 Sept |
| HW 1 | Section 1.1 exercises 1 and 3 | Tues 1 Sept |
- Click here for procedures on how to write up your textbook hand graded homework problems.
- Click here to test your algebra skills via UMich Math Prep.
- Click here for the Khan Academy.
Your course grade will be determined using the following distributions:
| Exam 1 | 20% |
| Exam 2 | 20% | HW/Quizzes | 30% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
You are guaranteed a grade of:
| A | if you earn at least 90%. |
| B | if you earn at least 80%. |
| C | if you earn at least 70%. |
| D | if you earn at least 60%. |
| F | otherwise |
Students are expected to attend class meetings as scheduled. When an absence does occur, the student is responsible for the material covered during the absence. When possible, the student should notify the instructor in advance of an anticipated absence.
Student Success CenterStudents who are having difficulty achieving their academic goals are encouraged to contact the Student Success Center. The center provides individualized consultations for assistance with time management, test taking, note taking, avoiding procrastination, setting goals, and other skills to support academic achievement.
Course and Instructor EvaluationsDuring the last few weeks of the semester, you will be provided an opportunity to evaluate this course and your instructor. Your feedback is vital to improving education at Eastern Illinois University. I strongly urge you to participate in the evaluation system.
Accommodations for Students with DisabilitiesClick here to view information regarding accommodations.
Academic DishonestyEastern Illinois University faculty and students commit themselves towards maintaining a culture of academic integrity and honesty. Click here to view the Student Code of Conduct. Violations will be reported to the Office of Student Standards, which can result in a failing grade for the course.