Math 211, Calculus for Applications
Department of Mathematics
Towson University

Calculus for Applications

Fall 2012
GENERAL
Instructor: Alexei Kolesnikov
Office: YR 350
Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 4-5:30pm or by appointment
Email: akolesnikov@towson.edu
Schedule: Class will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2 to 3:15pm. The room is YR 128
COURSE GOALS

Before the discovery of Calculus, knowledge of the physical and social sciences was, for the most part, a mere collection of observations. Calculus provided concepts necessary to describe physical and social phenomena by mathematical formulas and offered important tools to study their properties.

This course will introduce concepts of Calculus from an intuitive standpoint. The main emphasis will be on the use of calculus in biology, business, economics, psychology, and the social sciences. Mathematical content includes elements of differential and integral calculus exponential and logarithmic functions, and partial derivatives.

TEXT Brief Calculus & Its Applications, 12th edition by Goldstein, Lay, Schneider, Asmar.
CALCULATOR A graphing calculator (TI-83 or TI-86) is required.
GRADING There will be written team homework, web homework, two mid-term exams, and a comprehensive final examination. The higher of the two mid-semester exam scores will contribute 25% and the lower exam score will count 15% in the final grade. Written homework will count 20%, web homework 10% and the final 30%.

Some opportunities for earning extra credit will be announced in class.

TEST DATES Test 1: October 3
Test 2: November 5 November 7
Final:  Wednesday, December 19, 12:30-2:30pm
TEAM HOMEWORK Written team homework will be assigned weekly. It is a very important part of the class, information about it and additional resources can be found here.
WEB HOMEWORK The goal of web homework is to let you practice the routine exercises and give you immediate feedback in case you are doing something wrong. A typical web homework assignment will have 7-8 problems. Typically, you will have up to 6 attempts to solve a problem correctly. If you managed to solve all but one problem correctly, this will count as full credit for that assignment at the end of the course. Still, it is a good idea to work through all the problems.

The link for web homework is posted on BlackBoard. You can access it either through this page or using the Web Homework button in the BlackBoard site.

Most of web homework assignments will be due on Fridays. Please try to resolve any questions you have with the assignment by Friday morning. Most likely, the last minute questions (after 4pm on Friday the assignment is due) will not be answered before the homework is graded.

COURSE POLICIES Class attendance is expected. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to get the material and the homework assignment from your fellow students.

You are welcome and encouraged to ask me for help with course material during the office hours or by making an appointment.

You should expect to spend a considerable amount of time working on this course outside of class. At the same time, try to be efficient. If you are spending a lot of time on homework without making much progress, talk to me.

Tests are to be written strictly individually. University's Academic Integrity Policy will be enforced; everyone caught cheating on any assignment will face a range of penalties, up to a failing grade in the course.

Normally, no make-up tests will be given; if for some reason you are not able to take a test, please, let me know as soon as possible.

If you have questions or concerns about the course, be sure to discuss them with me during my office hours or by appointment.

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES Drop without W deadline: Friday, September 7
Drop deadline: Wednesday, November 7
Thanksgiving break: November 21-25
Last day of classes: Wednesday, December 12

GOOD LUCK!