Mathematics 151: Business Calculus

Lecture B

Fall 2007

Professor:

Scott Hansen
office: Carver 494
telephone: 294-8171
email: shansen@iastate.edu

Comments, Announcements for Weeks 1,2,3

Comments, Announcements for Weeks 4,5,6

Comments, Announcements for Weeks 7,8,9

Comments, Announcements for Weeks 10,11,12

Comments, Announcements for Weeks 13,14,15

Suggested Exercises

Textbook:

Brief Calculus by Sullivan 8th ed. (Iowa State edition)

Prerequisites:

2 years HS algebra, 1 year HS geometry, or placement exam; see catalog

Credits:

3 credits

Class meetings:

Lectures are MF 3:10 - 4:00 in Carver 101. There are no classes on Labor Day (September 3), and the week of Thanksgiving Break. Also, there will be no class friday after the third exam (Fri. Nov. 16). In addition to lectures there is one recitation section per week that meets tuesday, wednesday or thursday

Office hours and email contact:

My Office hours are on my homepage. I can also schedule a special appointment if none of these work for you.
Please check with your TA for their office hours.

Teaching Assistants:

The TA's are: Laura DeLoss (D1, F1), Sylvia Fanous (E2, F2) and Jun Koo Park (D2, E1)

Please learn who your TA is, when and where your recitations are held and what section it is.

Supplemental Instruction:

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a nationally recognized academic support program offering free, regularly scheduled study sessions for selected difficult 100-200 level courses. Our Math 166 lecture will have regularly scheduled SI sessions each week. The SI schedule is

  • Mon. 7:10 pm Pearson 3137
  • Wed. 6:10 pm Pearson 3137
  • Thurs 7:10 pm Pearson 3137

    Help room:

    The Mathematics Department runs a help room that is free to all students. The Help Room is in 385 Carver. It begins operation in September. Someone is usually there during the day. Its hours will be posted on the door.

    Course Topics:

  • Chapters 0, 1 of the text should be reviewed as needed through the course. We will start on chapter 2 and work through chapter 6. Specific topics covered are:
  • classes of functions, logarithmic, exponential functions
  • limits, continuity, asymptotes
  • derivatives, tangents, marginal analysis
  • applications of the derivative; optimization
  • integral calculus
  • Approximate schedule of topics

    Course Grading

    Course grades will be based on the number of course points accumulated. Course points will be awarded for three in-class exams, the departmental midterm exam, homework and quiz scores, and one final exam. Each exam will be curved and grade cutoffs (A,B,C,D) will be announced for each exam. The homework and quiz score consists of homework and quizzes given in the recitation. If you take all the exams, the lowest percent score among the three exams (excluding the final) and homework and quiz score will be dropped from yhou average. The final semester grade cutoffs will be determined from the average of the cutoffs for each exam. Borderline grades, within approximately two-percentage points of each cutoff level will result in "plus" or "minus" grades, such as a B+.

    Here is an approximate distribution of course points:

    Tentative schedule for exams

    Homework:

    Students are expected to work the Suggested Exercises listed as the corresponding sections are covered. These will not be handed in or graded, but are necessary to do in order to keep up with the class. These will often be the basis for quizzes and homework that will be assigned in recitation. I will revise the problem list as we go along, so check back for special instructions, or problem list changes.

    Current course grades

    I plan to use Web CT so it should be easy to check on your grades. (I'll explain this better as I get it set up.) Otherwise check with your TA (teaching assistant).

    Calculators

    Students are required to have a calculator for this class. Calculators should be capable of graphing functions and zooming in on the graphs. It is up to you to learn how to use it. Bring the calculators to class. Calculators will be allowed on all exams unless otherwise announced.

    Make-up exams:

    There will be NO MAKE-UP exams without OFFICIAL documentation, e.g., as from a physician. Flat tires, weddings, having a cold, having to work, etc., are not enough to warrant make-up exam. If you miss an exam and do not have some official documentation, your grade will be calculated from the average of the other exam scores and homework and quiz grade. If you know in advance that you cannot take the exam at the scheduled time, let me know in advance and I'll try to accomodate you- but you should have a good reason. Each situation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A second missed exam will result in a zero, except under very special circumstances.

    Students With Disabilities

    If you have a disability and require accommodations, you should obtain a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) from the Disability Resources office (Student Services Building, Room 1076, 294-6624 or TDD 294-6335, awoniyib@iastate.edu). Please contact your instructor early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met.

    Last updated August 18, 2007.