Math 20A
MATH 20A
Fall 1998
Instructors:
- 9:05--9:55 Lecture: Professor P. Fitzsimmons, AP&M' 5715;
phone: 534-2898; email: pfitz@math.ucsd.edu
- 10:10--11 and 3:35--4:25 Lectures: Professor D. Letscher, AP&M 5240;
phone: 534-5859;
email: letscher@math.ucsd.edu
- 11:15--12:05 Lecture: Professor J. Rabin, AP&M 6220; phone: 534-2904;
email: jrabin@math.ucsd.edu
Subject material: We shall cover parts of chapters 1, 2,
3, 4 and most of chapter 5 of Calculus (Second Edition) by
Hughes-Hallett et al. The
course may be described briefly as differential calculus plus a smidgeon
of integral calculus, with emphasis on the understanding of graphical,
algebraic and numerical methods in roughly equal proportions. Examples and
exercises from real world applications will be used to illustrate the
concepts. If you find the going too tough, you may, after consulting with
an advisor, transfer to Math 10A, where they cover essentially the same
material at a slower rate, and generally with less difficult homework. You
should make such a switch as soon as possible to avoid grade penalties.
Reading:
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ THE ASSIGNED MATERIAL IN ADVANCE OF
THE LECTURE. This will be expected and it will enable you to maximize
what you get out of the lectures.
Grading: There will be two midterm exams, given during
the Fourth Hour (4:40--5:30), on Thursday October 22 and on
Thursday November 19. The first midterm will account for 20% of your
course grade and the second will account for 25% of your course grade. The
final exam will be held Saturday December 12, 3--6
PM, and will be worth 40% of the course
grade. There will be no makeup exams.
The remaining 15% of your course grade will be accounted for by
homework assignments to be handed in weekly.
Students should buy blue books (available at the bookstore) in which to
write their exam solutions.
Calculus lab: A lab for Math 20A students will be open
Monday through Thursday, 12:20--8 PM, in AP&M 2402. There will usually be
at least 2 tutors/TAs available to help with homework, calculators, and
coursework. We strongly recommend that you make use of the Calculus lab.
Calculators: It is important that you bring your
graphing calculator (preferably a TI-85) and the textbook to each lecture
and recitation. The calculator will be used as an aid in learning
concepts, not just as a means of computation. Calculator programs for
the calculation of Riemann sums will be provided during the term. Help with
using TI graphing calculators will be available in the Calculus lab.
Homework: There will be 2 categories of
homework--- "individual recommended" homework and "group" homework.
Group homework is to be turned in each week at your Section Meeting,
on Tuesday. Group homework must be handed in by the group member who has
the earliest Section on Tuesday. Late homework will not be
accepted. Individual recommended homework is not to be turned in, but
you are responsible for the subject matter covered in the assignments.
The first homework will be assigned at the first lecture. After that,
homework will be assigned in the Wednesday lecture, being due the following
Tuesday. IT IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE THAT YOU MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO
COMPLETE THE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTs, AND THAT YOU SEEK HELP
WITH PROBLEMS YOU HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HANDLE. You can get help with
homework assignments in the calculus lab, or with the TA or the instructor
during office hours. A student solutions manual (available in the
bookstore) has answers to roughly half of the odd-numbered problems.
Groups: Ideally, groups should consist of 3 individuals,
but they may have 4 members. The TAs will help you form your groups during
the first Section Meeting (September 29). Members of a group must
have the same instructor; they should be registered for the same
Discussion Section, if possible. Group homework should be handed in with
the names AND SECTION NUMBERS of the group members listed on it. Only those
who contributed to the group effort should be listed. You will be permitted
one opportunity to "regroup," after the first Midterm Exam.
Back to Math 20A Homepage.
September 23, 1998