MATH 131 Spring 2017
Calculus I
Archived Class
Charles Cusack
Mathematics
Hope College
Main
Schedule
Grading
Gradebook
Homework

Policies
College
    Policies
Advice

Notes
Programs
Tutorials

CSCI 125
CSCI 255
MATH 131 (01 and 02)
Others

Admin

Grade Distribution

ActivityPercent
CColloquium0
EExams30
PExternal Participation3
FFinal15
HHomework10
QQuiz10
RReading Notes7
BWebWork15
WWorksheets10
Total100
  • Exams
    • There will be 3 exams during the semester.
    • The exams are equally weighted.
    • You are expected to take them when they are scheduled.
  • Final Exam
    • There will be a final exam during the scheduled final exam period.
    • You are expected to take the final exam when it is scheduled.
  • Quizzes
    • There will be 4-5 quizzes during the semester. Some may be unannounced.
    • You are expected to take the quizzes when they are scheduled and make-up quizzes will not be given unless there are extenuating circumstances.
  • WebWork
    • There will be a veritable plethora of WebWork assignments (typically one per section of the textbook).
    • These assignments are available online: WebWork.
    • These problems have fixed deadlines and are graded automatically.
    • It is your responsibility to log into WeBWorK on a regular basis and keep track of the due dates.
  • Written Homework
    • You will be required to submit written solutions to the WebWork problems on a regular basis.
    • They need to be handed in the class period after the WebWork due date.
    • One to three problems on each assignment will be chosen for grading. The majority of your grade will be based on your solution to those problems, including how your work is presented. Occasionally points may be given (or deducted) for your overall assignment. That is, the grader (or I) will look over your solutions and will assign points based on an initial estimation of how well written up your solutions are.
    • For these problems, you must show every step of your solution and include enough words to explain what you are doing. You should model your solutions after the examples in the textbook and/or examples given in class.
    • A significant number of points will be deducted for solutions that are sloppy, do not contain all necessary steps to obtain the solution, are not presented in a clear and orderly fashion, or that do not contain appropriate explanations and/or context.
    • For some guidelines and examples, see Writing Mathematics Examples and guidelines.
  • Worksheets
    • We will have 6-7 worksheets throughout the semester.
    • You will work in groups on them.
    • They will be submitted either individually or one per group, depending on the worksheet.
  • Reading Notes
    • For every day that there is a reading assignment on the schedule, you are expected to bring to class written notes based on the section(s) assigned.
    • At the beginning of class I will take a quick look at your notes and give you 0-4 points depending on what your notes look like.
    • The exact content of the notes is up to you. The idea is to write down the relevant material from the chapter in a way that is meaningful and helpful to you.
  • External Participation
    • You are required to earn 2 colloquium credits for this course
    • If you fail to meet this requirement, your course grade will be lowered by 1/3 of a letter grade.
    • You can earn one colloquium credits by doing one of the following:
      • Attend a math colloquium and printing and filling out the Math 131 Colloquium Report Form and turning it in to me no later than a week after the colloquium.
      • Submit a reasonable solution to a problem of the fortnight question found in the math department newsletter Off on a Tangent.
      • Attend a mathematics conference
      • Prepare for and compete in a math competition.
      • Give a talk at a colloquium or math conference.