Instructor: John Perry
Office: Southern Hall, 317C
Office in Long Beach: Hardy Hall, 339 (the name tag says “George Lange, JD” but that’s only in the evenings)
Office Hours: MW 9-10a in Hattiesburg; TTh 9-10a in Long Beach — others by appointment (and I am very flexible)
Office Phone: 601·266·5505 in Hattiesburg
Email: john.perry@usm.edu
Instructor’s web page: http://www.math.usm.edu/perry/
Class web page: http://www.math.usm.edu/perry/mat102sm15/
Class meeting time and location: 10·20a-12·30p TTh, FEC 301
Text: Applied Calculus with WebAssign, by Geoffrey C. Berresford and Andrew M. Rockett, Brooks/Cole (sixth edition).
Course
Description:
An introduction to differential and integral calculus with applications primarily related to business and finance.
(We aim to cover chapters 2-5.)
Prerequisite: Math ACT ≥ 24 or a grade of C or better in MAT 101.
Grading: The semester grade will be determined by a weighted average, according to the weights listed below. At any point during the semester, you may determine your standing by computing your grade. This can be done by multiplying the average for each category by the category’s weight, then adding the product in each category. See me if you would like this shown to you.
| Tests | 40% of total |
| Homework (Webassign and HW quizzes) |
10% of total |
| Attendance | 10% of total |
| Final Exam | 40% of total |
Grades are awarded according to the following scheme:
| 100-90 A | 89.99-80 B | 79.99-70 C | 69.99-60 D | 59.99-0 F |
There is no curve.
Makeup work: I do not give makeup tests/quizzes/etc. without an excused absence. If you must miss class, then you must also produce documentation of the reason for your absence. If you were sick, you can show me the receipt from the hospital or doctor; if you had a sports event, you can show me the schedule; if someone died, you can show me an obituary notice; if the tire on your car blew out, you can show me the receipt from the mechanic.
Homework: I expect you to do the homework. If you do not do the homework, you will probably fail this course. The homework is online, hosted by WebAssign; you will need to purchase an access card if you do not have one.
A word about tests: Tests are not multiple-choice. A good study guide for your tests consist of (1) reviewing the homework I assigned, and making sure you understand it, and (2) working problems in the chapter review that you haven’t seen before. Be advised that many students claim that my class is the first time any instructor of mathematics has asked for definitions, proofs, and intuitive explanations of why Calculus techniques are correct. I think these are the easiest questions on the tests, so that won’t change.
Tutoring and study groups: I encourage you to work together on homework assignments, to look at each other’s solutions, and to explain answers to each other. This is not the same thing as copying each other’s homework. You take the tests alone and without help, so if you cannot explain to your tutor, classmate, or teacher how to solve the problem, then you have not learned how to solve it, and you need to study it more (perhaps by visiting me, the professor).
My philosophy of
the instruction: I want you to pass this course.
You can learn this material,
and I am happy to assist any
student who genuinely needs help.
That said, you are the primary agent of your learning.
I cannot learn the material for you; I
already learned it many, many years ago. It required a lot of work, and
sometimes it was difficult enough that I needed help from other people.
From time to time, students write on evaluations that I am somewhat intimidating
and hard to approach.
It is true that I am not socially adept, but I am also aware of this weakness.
If you find yourself feeling this way, rest assured that no matter what
superficial impression I may give at any time during the semester,
I genuinely desire your success, and will bend over backwards to help someone
who struggle.
Mobile phones: You are expected to turn your phone off once class begins, and to leave it off. If you absolutely must use the phone, please step out of class, take care of business, then return. If you use the phone in the class, I will ask you to leave. If you do not comply with this request, you will forfeit the next test. If you use the phone during a test, even as a calculator, you will forfeit the test.
Additional class materials:
Final Exam:
Tuesday 28 July 2015, 8-10·30a
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ADA Syllabus Statement If a student has a disability that qualifies under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations, he/she should contact the Office for Disability Accommodations (ODA) for information on appropriate policies and procedures. Disabilities covered by ADA may include learning, psychiatric, physical disabilities, or chronic health disorders. Students can contact ODA if they are not certain whether a medical condition/disability qualifies.
The University of Southern Mississippi |