Math 2057 - Sections 1 and 2Information for StudentsGeneral Information
Organization of these Two ClassesI teach both classes at the same time in two adjacent rooms! At the start of each hour (except on Exam days!) both classes will meet together in Room 221 Tureaud, which is big enough for both classes together. There I will give a lecture on the new material for approximately the first half of each daily hour. For the second half of each hour, the class will separate into two groups. On alternate days, students with last names A-H or J-Z will go to the adjacent room, and in these smaller sized groups we will go over homework problems assigned the previous day. My graduate assistant, Ms. Fang, will go over homework problems with the section in the adjacent room while I go over homework problems in the lecture room. Each section will get homework problem work with both Ms. Fang and me, alternating day by day. This way, each section will get the benefit of two different personalities and styles for going over problems, while both sections will see the same lectures which I will present. Please understand that it is from the effort of working your way through assigned problems on paper that you learn mathematics. It is by no means sufficient to read solutions in a solutions manual! And although we hope you benefit from seeing how both Ms. Fang and I present solutions to you, you must not expect to learn how to solve problems just from watching us. You must work out problems yourself, the hard way, in order to learn this work. Examination problems will be very similar to assigned homework problems. Thus your daily effort on homework problems will be strongly reflected in your test grades. TestsNo books or notes are permitted. The problems will be similar to those in the homework. If you miss a test, it is your responsibility to speak to me as soon as possible to determine whether or not your excuse is acceptable! You can see questions and solutions from last year's hour tests from this course. Look below in the table showing the assignments. Insurance CreditApproximately once a week there will be a surprise pop quiz consisting of a single homework problem selected from those due the preceding several days. If you have been conscientious about the homework - which means solving the problems on paper and asking questions in class when it is time to go over them - then the pop quizzes won't really have any surprises for you. These quizzes will be graded on a 10-point scale by Ms. Fang and the sum of these over the term, adjusted to a 100-point scale, will be your Insurance Credit at the end of the term. This credit can be substituted for your lowest hour test grade if that would be to your advantage. Missed quizzes count as zeros unless there is an acceptable excuse for the absence.GradesThere will be three hour tests, worth 100 points each, and a two hour final examination, worth 200 points. I will grade your hour tests and return them to you the very next class meeting each time. Your final test average will be sum of all your test grades divided by 5. So your final test average will be less than or equal to 100. We will substitute your quiz-based Insurance Credit calculated as explained above for your lowest hour test grade to determine your final average above, provided that would be to your advantage. Your final letter grade will be as follows: 90 -100 (A), 80-89 (B), 70-79 (C), 60-69 (D), Below 60 (F). You should save all your graded work for future study and in case you think your final grade is in error. Unhappy with your grades in Math?Click here for guidance!RemarksIt is especially important not to fall behind. This is particularly important in the summer term, because we will cover a week's work (in a regular semester format) every three days! It is very important to attend class and participate in homework discussions daily. Please do not assume you can take care of difficulties later - see me or Ms. Fang for help as soon as possible if there is something you do not understand! You are responsible for all assigned problems - not just those which we go over the next day! Computer SupportThe full power of Mathematica is available on many LSU computers, including those in the Math Department's computer labs and in the Library as well. But there is a simplified Web Mathematica which is free to use online if you click on the link in this sentence. If you have not already had the Math Department's course in Mathematica, you might find it simpler to figure out how to use the Web Mathematica. It is not as versatile, but the Plot3D function is there and works fast for surface graphs. There is also a function-integrator which can be fun to use without having to learn very much about Mathematica. But do remember, this is an auxiliary resource. The time you spend working on problems on paper is the most important part of homework when it comes to learning the subject. With that understanding, Mathematica can be fun and helpful too. Homework Assignments and DownloadsThe assignments in the table below may be revised for the current semester. When you see a due-date supplied in the left-hand column, then you will know the assignment is current for this semester.
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