Dr. Fenton Spring 2006
Web page at http://faculty.bellarmine.edu/fenton
The meeting times for this course will be decided once the semester begins.
A. INTRODUCTION
The pedagogy for this course is based on discovery learning and cooperative groups. It will rely heavily on your efforts, through work with other students and work on a computer. Much of your homework time will be spent working in the lab with your group. The most important component of this course is the work you do outside of class; the work done in class will contribute to your outside efforts.
Why am I teaching this course with cooperative learning? There are many benefits to working as a team. Working together on homework and during class keeps everyone actively involved, which improves learning. Having a group gives you a great resource when you have questions. And even if you feel you understand a topic, explaining it to others will improve your understanding.
Why use technology? The Maple 10 software we will use offers enormous power to visualize three dimensional objects, far superior to what I could draw. Maple is versatile as well, allowing you to experiment and explore. By doing the lab activities, you will have a foundation for understanding the concepts when they are discussed in class.
B. COURSE DESCRIPTION (from the University catalog)
As a special topics course, there is no description for this course. We will examine parametric representation of surfaces in three dimensions, flux integrals, divergence and curl of vector fields, and the important theorems of Stokes and Gauss.
C. OFFICE HOURS
My office is Pasteur Hall 006-F, phone 452-8430. My official office hours this semester are 12:00-1:30 TTh. However, I am typically in my office every day and you are welcome at any time. Messages may be left in my mailbox in Pasteur 006. You can contact me electronically either on the campus network or at wfenton@bellarmine.edu. Feel free to phone me at home at 454-7855 (but not after 9:00 p.m. please).
D. PREREQUISITE Math 216 Calculus III
E. MATERIALS NEEDED
Multivariable Calculus, 4th edition, by McCallum, Hughes-Hallett, Gleason, et al. Most of you have this book already.
F. COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course will examine how the concepts of vector field and integral are related in a variety of situations. This includes the study of surfaces and regions in three dimensional space, properties of vector fields, and the calculus of vector functions. Specifically, we will cover portions of Chapter 17 plus Chapters 19 and 20 of the text. At the conclusion of the course a successful student should:
MATH 441 addresses the following goals of General Education (pages 47-50 of the 2005-2007 University catalog):
Goal 6, Item a: Students will understand the impact and pervasiveness of numeric and symbolic concepts.
Goal 6, Item b: Students will employ quantitative analysis as a method of problem solving.
Goal 6, Item c: Students will apply graphical, mathematical, and symbolic models.
Goal 6, Item d: Students will appreciate mathematics both as a creative endeavor and as a practical tool.
Further, MATH 441 addresses the first, second, fourth, and fifth goals of the Mathematics Department. There is a strong emphasis on problem-solving. There is much practice at communicating mathematical ideas, both formally and informally, both orally and in writing. Applications of integration in multivariable situations are included. As an extension of Calculus III, this course presents depth in a mathematical subject.
G. ATTENDANCE
This will be a highly student-centered course, and student participation during class will be essential for learning. Also, you are responsible for all material discussed in class. Therefore, attendance is vital.
H. ACADEMIC HONESTY
“Bellarmine students are expected to demonstrate a high standard of academic honesty in all aspects of their academic work and university life. Without intellectual integrity there can be no genuine learning. Academic dishonesty represents a direct attack on this integrity. In taking tests and examinations, completing assignments and laboratory work, writing papers, and using information technology, students are expected to perform honestly.” (from the 2005-2007 University catalog. See pages 55-56 for the policies regarding academic honesty.)
I. DISABILITY SERVICES
"Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services for this course must contact the Disability Services Coordinator (Room 225 Horrigan Hall or 452-8150). Please do not request accommodations directly from the professor."
J. GROUP WORK
Much of the work you do in this course will be in cooperation with other people. The homework assignments and the laboratory explorations will be done in a group. Here are some things to think about as you select your group members:
1. Does the group include someone who is proficient with the Maple software?
2. Are there definite times outside of class when everyone can meet?
3. Is everyone comfortable with the other group members?
4. Each group must have two or three people in it.
We will make decisions about groups in the second week of the semester.
K. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
LAB WORK: 50 points
There will be five laboratory assignments, each worth 10 points. Each group is to turn in one report together. Since these are exploration problems, they will be graded primarily on completeness and effort.
Lab assignments are due at the beginning of class on the specified date, unless you are told otherwise. Late homework will not be accepted. If your group has some difficulty, please talk to me before the assignment is due.
HOMEWORK: 75 points
There will be five assignments, each covering two or three sections of the text. They will be posted on the course Web page. Each assignment will be worth 15 points. Each group will turn in one assignment. Since they are evaluating your understanding of the material, these assignments will be graded on correctness and clarity.
Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class on the specified date, unless you are told otherwise. Late homework will not be accepted. If your group has some difficulty, please talk to me before the assignment is due.
TEST: 75 points
This will be an individual take-home test covering all the material from the course. Make-up tests will be given only in extreme circumstances and only if I am contacted on or before the test date. You must take the test to pass the course.
Grades will be assigned as follows:
A 90 – 100%
A - 85 – 89%
B+ 82 – 84%
B 78 – 81%
B - 75 – 77%
C+ 70 – 74%
C 60 – 69%
D 50 – 59%
F 0 – 49%
Lab assignments 50 points
Homework assignments 75 points
Test 75 points
Your course grade will be your point total as a percentage of the 200 possible points.