MTH 223 -- Calculus III

Bradley 126

Description

Topics in vectors, calculus of functions of several variables, multiple integrals, vector calculus.

Prerequisite

Grade of C or better in MTH 122.

Objectives

In addition to the relatively straightforward skills of differentiating, integrating and so on, you should develop the more complicated ability to solve problems.
This means that you should learn to analyze questions you haven't been asked before and put standard techniques together in new ways to answer those questions.
You also need to communicate mathematics clearly and effectively, in both oral and written forms.

Text

Essential Calculus: Early Transcendentals (second edition) by Stewart.

We will discuss most if not all of chapters 10-13.
This course covers a lot of ground, and each idea builds on earlier ones.
It is very important that you keep up with the reading and homework.
The textbook is your primary resource; use it.

Homework and Quizzes

I will assign reading and exercises on a regular basis.
Unless I specify otherwise, the standing reading assignment is the next section of the text.
Homework will be on WebAssign.
At any time, I may give you a short quiz on the reading or quiz you more substantially on the material.
Topics are eligible for the reading quizzes the day I plan to cover them and for the more substantial quizzes two classes after I cover them.

Exams

We will have three hour-long in-class exams and a two-hour final.
The in-class exams are on 9 February, 9 March and 13 April.
The final will be on Thursday, 3 May at 9 a.m. in a room to be announced.
All exams are cumulative.

Grades

Each in-class exam counts for one sixth of your grade.
So does the combination of your homework and quizzes.
The final counts for the remaining one third.
Totals correspond to letter grades as follows: 100-85%=A, 84-70%=B, 69-55%=C, 54-40%=D, 39-0%=F.

Note that a C or better is required to move on to a class for which this is a prerequisite.

Studying

You should expect to study the material for this course a minimum of eight hours per week outside of class.
If you don't work on calculus at least two hours per night, at least four or five nights per week, your chances of earning a decent grade are not good.
You don't learn math by watching, you learn it by thinking and doing.

The following is how I suggest you study for this course.
(For more extensive study tips, check this page.)

If you haven't already, read the section that is going to be covered the next class.
Yes, read ahead. Trust me, it helps.
(Also, reading quizzes are a lot harder if you don't read.)
Look for relationships (similarities and differences) between the new section and the sections that came before. (There are usually many.)
Try some of the exercises.
Come to class prepared to ask questions about any concepts or exercises you don't understand.
After class, attempt to complete all of the assigned exercises.
Again, ask questions about things that still don't make sense.
Remember that there is quite a bit of help available.
If you don't understand the material, get help soon.

Getting Help

It is your responsibility to learn the material for this course.
I am interested in your success, though, and have suggestions for the times when you don't understand everything:

Talk to me.
Really.
I expect you to talk (about math) during class.
If there are still things you don't get, come to my office hours, which are Monday at 10 and 2, Wednesday at 11 and 3, Thursday at 12.
(These are subject to change. The schedule on my web site should be current.)
If you need different office hours, make an appointment.
Talk to your classmates.
I encourage you to work together on homework and other problems outside class.
You need to spend plenty of time alone with the material, but lone wolves tend not to do as well as people with support systems.
Note that when someone explains a concept or problem to someone else, the explainer often benefits as much as the explainee.

Rules

If you miss a class, it's your responsibility to get notes from a classmate.
Keep phones and other electronic communications devices silent and out of sight.
No matter how good you think you are at multitasking, you can't understand math well while wondering if the picture your friend just posted is of a real puppy.
During quizzes and exams, you can look at your paper, the front of the room or the ceiling, but please don't look anywhere near your classmates' papers.
Even if you're really just staring off into space, your eyes facing such a direction gives a very uncomfortable impression.
There are no make-up quizzes or exams.
Your Bradley email is considered an official communication medium.
Be sure to check it regularly.
I believe that cheaters should be expelled from the university.

Advice

In the end-of-semester evaluations, I solicit advice for future students. The predominant suggestions always include the following:

Make sure your algebra skills are good.
Do the homework.
Ask questions.
Don't skip class or fall behind.

A Final Note

Keep in mind that time spent on classwork is generally more productive when it's balanced with good nutrition, sufficient sleep, and a bit of exercise.