Contents:
Course Description:
This course will introduce to the
students the concepts, theories and computational techniques
involving vectors, algebraic representations of curves and surfaces in
Space, partial differentiations and multiple integrals, vector fields and
vector analysis, and, of course, their applications to daily life problems,
especially in geometry, physics and engineering. Some basic facts on Linear
Algebra will also be introduced, as preparation for the students to get
ready to move on to further scientific studies using Linear Algebra as a
tool.
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Textbooks:
(1) Calculus with Analytic Geometry,
Fifth Edition, Edwards and Penny
(2) Selected materials from Elementary
Linear Algebra (West Virginia
University), Edwards
and Penny
They are both available in the University
Book Store and they are also reserved in the Math Library.
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Preparation of the Course:
Officially, having a passing grade in
Math 156 would qualify a student to take Math 251. However, students who
plan to take Math 251 should know that to perform well in Math 251, one
must be familiar with the basic algebra and calculus techniques (such as
determining the domain and range of a function, factoring a quadratic
polynomial, using quadratic formula and the binomial formula, basic
techniques in finding limits, derivatives, and anti-derivatives, among
others). It is strongly recommended that students review these
techniques in order to get well prepared for Math 251. You can click Hong-Jian's Tips to get help for refreshing
some of your mathematical techniques. If you cannot find exactly what you
want in Hong-Jian's Tips, you
may send you suggestions and inquiries to the instructor .
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Instructor Information:
INSTRUCTOR:
Hong-Jian Lai
OFFICE: Room 308K, Armstrong Hall.
OFFICE PHONE: 293-2011 Ext 2348.
OFFICE HOURS: 12:30PM-2:00PM, Mondays and Fridays (or by
appointment ).
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Performance Evaluation:
Students will be given a list of suggested
homework problems (click Syllabus in the box
above to find the list) as a minimum homework requirement. Students'
performance will be evaluated by the weekly quizzes
and worksheets. Problems concerning the homework will be discussed in
class or after class. Students' performance will also be evaluated by the
midterm exams and the comprehensive final exam. (Exam
schedule listed on this web page is subject to change. Any such changes
will be announced in class at least one week in advance. Click Exam Schedule to find exam schedule updates).
Please note that a student should take
the responsibility if s/he misses an exam by missing the classes in which
changes of schedule are made.
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Make-up Exam Policy:
Makeup exams will only be given in the
case of sickness or other kinds of emergency. Missing a bus, oversleeping,
other tests the same day, etc., are not sufficient reasons for missing a
test. The student will be asked to document the circumstances which caused
missing the test, and the student must contact the instructor to arrange
the makeup as soon a possible.
WARNING: out of fairness to the students
who take the test the scheduled time, a makeup exam will be harder than the
regular test, to reflect the extra time you will have had to prepare.
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Grading (Expectation and policy):
Top performing students are expected to
demonstrate clear comprehension of the mathematical concepts/theories being
lectured in this course and a high level of computational skills involved.
To be more precise, students who can correctly apply the mathematical
concepts/theories to solve problems that require both basic and complex
techniques with accurate results deserve a grade A; students who
can correctly apply the mathematical concepts/theories to solve
problems that require basic techniques and some of the complex techniques
with accurate results deserve a grade B; and students who can correctly
apply the mathematical concepts/theories to solve problems that require
basic techniques with accurate results deserve a grade C. Please refer the
Score-Grade table for the grading standard.
Score
|
Grade
|
90% and up
|
A
|
80-89%
|
B
|
70-79%
|
C
|
60-69%
|
D
|
59% and down
|
F
|
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|