Mathematics 165 - Calculus I

Section G2

News

Remember to press the Refresh/reload button on your browser for the most up-to-date version of every page! these pages will be updated frequently.

Check your homework marks - please email me ASAP if anything is wrong.

Instructor

Dr Christian Roettger

Lectures

Experience shows that attending lectures really works better than just reading books. If you do not attend a lecture for whatever reason, it is your responsibility to find out and learn whatever was covered in that lecture (do you know anybody who took notes?).

Suggested homework

Additional resources

WebCT is a tool for publishing your grades with statistics like average, max/min, plus model solutions. You are invited to look at your marked exam papers and check the grading (you cannot take them home).

Supplemental instruction is one of the programs run by the Academic Success Center. This program will begin on Sept 2, more details will follow.

The Math Help Room is staffed by students who can help with questions, too.

Consulting Hours are the times when you can come to my office to see me in person. If the door is shut, please knock!

A syllabus and objectives for this course may be found on the departmental calculus page. This lists the material and the skills you will learn in this course with an approximate timescale and is the basis for the departmental common exams.

Textbook

Varberg-Purcell-Rigdon

Calculus

Prentice/Hall, Ninth Edition.
Publisher's website for the book. Note - this has changed, math content is only accessible with a 'Student Access Kit', essentially a code which came with a new textbook. Pro - it is valid for Cal I, II, and III. Con - if you have a used book, it will cost $55 extra.

Requirements

Satisfactory Performance on placement exam, 2 years of High School algebra, 1 year of geometry. 1 Semester of trigonometry or enrollment in Math 141 or 142. This means in particular that you

know how to work with fractions - common, double and decimal,
know laws of exponents,
can solve quadratic equations,
know values of sine and cosine for angles of 0, 30, 45, 60, 90 degrees and so forth,
know the geometric interpretation of sine and cosine,
know Pythagoras' Theorem.

We will not revise these topics - for a good summary of all you need to know, read the relevant sections of the textbook (in chapters 1 and 2). This material should be absolutely familiar to you - no cheat sheets for that! It is not so essential, but also helpful if you know

negative and fractional exponents,
the addition formulae for sine and cosine

Required work

Course grades will be based on your exam scores as well as homework and participation in classes. There will be hour exams during class time, a departmental midterm and a final, both night exams.

Disabilities Statement

If a student has a disability that qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and requires accommodations, she/he should contact the Disability Resources (DR) office for information on appropriate policies and procedures. DR is located on the main floor of the Student Services Building, Room 1076; their phone is 515-294-6624. If you are considering this, I recommend talking to me early in the process, too.

This webpage is http://www.public.iastate.edu/~roettger/165/homepage.html

Comments to roettger AT iastate.edu

Please put the letters Math 165 G2 at the beginning of your subject line. Then add some meaningful subject like 'meeting' or 'grade' or 'homework'.