This is a course meant to continue your study of calculus. The name "calculus" is really short for "the calculus of functions" which is a collection of very clever techniques for studying the same functions you saw in your previous math classes. It took humankind thousands of years to get to the place you will be at the end of this semester. You have every right to feel smart once you've finished this class. Given that this is an online class you will also need access to a computer that in turn can access the internet. All communications related to this course will take place through the service Canvas. For information on how to get onto Canvas please go to my homepage by clicking above.
If you enroll in the class and don't log into Canvas within the first two weeks I will drop you unless you've made arrangements with me beforehand. I may add students during the first week but I will won't add any new students during or after the second week.
You will need paper and writing implements. You will also need a copy (physical or digital) of the textbook: Calculus Early Transcendentals 8th edition by James Stewart. ISBN: 978-1285741550 . Make sure you get the one titled "Calculus Early Transcendentals" and NOT the one simply titled "Calculus". You will also need access to the internet.
Access to the course by Canvas will begin on Monday, June 14th at 12:00 AM.
Most of your grade will be determined by two take-home exams. The first exam will take place on Sunday July 11th from 9AM to 2PM. The second (final) exam will take place on Sunday July 25th from 9AM to 2PM. Both exams will be administered through Canvas.
Jamey Bass
(415) 452-5269
758 Batmale Hall
Wednesdays from 10AM-12PM
Calculus Early Transcendentals 8th edition by James Stewart. ISBN: 978-1285741550 .
Unfortunately I have to grade you. I’ll determine your grade by giving you one midterm exam and one final exam. The midterm exam will be worth 30% of your grade. The final exam will be cumulative and will be worth 50% of your grade. The remaining 20% will be determined by weekly submissions of homework and your participation in the online discussion forums. This is a weekly required activity that may seem like a hassle but you will all benefit from the forced accountability as well as from a lively forum. If you'd like to get an A in the class you should try to get 90% of the total possible points. I reserve the right to lower the bar for any letter grade but I'll never raise it. This means that a 90% or higher will guarantee you get an A, an 80% or above will guarantee you get a B, a 70% or above will guarantee you get a C, et cetera.
If you miss an exam you will not be allowed to make it up unless you: 1) Have a VERY good excuse or 2) Have my permission before the exam date to make up the exam at a different time.
Do some work on this class every day if possible . Begin working on each assignment as soon as you can after it is posted on Canvas. If you can't find time to do every problem do as many as you can before the next assignment is posted. Even if you only have 10 minutes you can still get through 2 or 3 problems which will help you MUCH more than doing no homework at all. Ask lots of questions. Just keep them coming. The more questions you ask the better you'll understand the material.
There is free tutoring at the Learning Assistance Center in Library R207. The DSPS has an Alternative Learning Lab also on the Ocean campus at Batmale 231. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of these resources.
If you have a disability that you feel I should know about I encourage you to talk to me about it. You should also contact the following:
Disabled Students Programs and Services
Ocean Campus, R323
415-452-5481 or TTD 415-452-5451
I guess that’s about it…. Good luck and welcome to the class.