Calculus I - Mathematics 141, Sections 9-10-11-12


Frank Thorne - Fall 2023
University of South Carolina

Welcome to Math 141! Calculus is a beautiful, important, challenging, and fascinating subject.

Instructional Staff :

Meeting schedule :

Learning outcomes:

Successful students will:

This could describe any math class. Typically, all of this is best learned in some specific context. Therefore, successful students will also: Text : Thomas, Calculus, Early Transcendentals, 15th edition. The book is available for $173.32 from the campus bookstore, and moreover that doesn't buy you a physical book, only an e-book. Blergh.

I hope to move the department towards adopting OER as soon as a group effort can be organized, but for now we're still using Thomas. The book is bundled with access to MyMathLab, which we will use for the homework assignments. The book comes in two versions, one for $173.32 and $199.99 -- the cheaper version comes with 18 weeks of MyMathLab access, and the more expensive version covers (I think) two years. Please get the more expensive version if you intend to take Math 142.

I also highly recommend Calculus Made Easy by Silvanus Thompson. If nothing else, read the epilogue.

Exams, Homework, and Gateways:

Exam schedule (all in LC 444):

All questions on all exams will be taken verbatim from the "practice problems" listed below.

In addition, four practice final exams will be posted near the end of the semester, and you can do them for extra credit. I will write five versions of the exam, and choose the actual exam randomly from these -- the other four are your practice.

Homework : Homework will be assigned via MyMathLab. The course ID is thorne70879. To sign up:

Advice and Guidelines:

Practice Problems : In addition to the homeworks, practice problems will be posted to the course website regularly. These aren't required, but all quiz and exam problems will be taken verbatim from the Practice Problems. So make sure you know how to solve them! This includes the "theory/explain" problems -- if a question asks you to explain why the definition of a derivative is the way it is, be prepared to see that question on an exam.

Gateway Exams : You will also take two gateway exams with your TA. These are designed to test your readiness and ensure that everyone in the course is on track. By department policy, for each gateway exam not passed your grade will be lowered by one letter grade. For the first gateway, this penalty will be waived if you complete Math 151, a corequisite course designed to give extra help to students with gaps in their background. If you enroll after August 30, you can still enroll through September 8 by filling out a Registration Exception Form and filing it with the University Registrar.

The gateways are closely integrated into Blackboard, so please see Blackboard for detailed instructions. (On the left, click on "Course Content/Modules".)

Grading :

You will be graded both on correctness and on quality of exposition. The standard is that someone who doesn't know the answer should be able to easily follow your work. Any work that is confusing, ambiguous, or poorly explained will not receive full credit.

The grade cutoffs are: A for 88%, B+ for 84%, B for 76%, C+ for 72%, C for 64%, and D for 50%. Note: these are more generous than the usual 10-point cutoffs!! This is intended to compensate for somewhat stricter grading.

      % of grade  
  Three in-class exams:     20% x 2  
  Final exam:     25%  
  Lab assignments:     10%  
  Quizzes:     5%  
  Homework:     15%  
  CircleIn and End of Class Survey:     5%  

Only your highest two midterm exam grades will be counted.

Class Policies:

Make-up policy : If you have a legitimate conflict with any of the exams it is your responsibility to inform me at least a week before the exam. Otherwise, makeups will only be given in case of emergency. Late homework will generally not be accepted, but please ask your TA if you have special circumstances.

Disability accommodations : If you have a disability which requires any sort of accommodation please contact Student Disability Services. I am very happy to follow their recommendations, and to schedule alternate exams if need be, provided that you provide notice at least one week in advance.

Calculators will not be allowed for the quizzes or exams. You may use them on the homework if you want, but this is discouraged, as the purpose of the homework is to prepare you for the exams.

Attendance is expected of all students, but no penalty will be enforced for absences.

Academic integrity is required of all students.

If you have difficulty seeing the board or hearing the lectures, or a related problem, let me know ASAP, and I will do something about it. It is very important to me that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Most importantly, it is my goal to create a welcoming classroom environment, free of racism, sexism, homo- or transphobia, discrimination, bullying, insults, or harassment. Please bring any concerns to me; major or repeated violations will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct. Supplemental instruction :

Lauren Sweeney runs the supplemental instruction sessions. This is a valuable resource and you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of it. Please go to ask questions and meet other students. It is a particularly good place to work on your homework.

There is also free drop-in tutoring, free one-one-one peer tutoring, and more available through the Student Success Center. Please see here for more information.

CircleIn:

This course will participate in a trial of software called CircleIn. CircleIn is a social networking app designed for university courses, on which you can ask and answer questions, develop study tools, and more.

Here is their syllabus statement:

Students in this class will use the CircleIn app and web-platform to study and to help one another succeed in this course. Studying and learning alone is one of the hardest parts of a course. With CircleIn, you can build better study habits, improve your learning, expand your network of other students you know and earn mirco-rewards by engaging in discussions with classmates.

You can also ask "anonymous questions" to your classmates, so you don't have to worry about being embarrassed of asking any question. For those of you needing help, use it to ask questions, and for those of you willing to help others, please check it often to look for questions that haven't been responded to yet.

This is your community, so please login regularly to support each other and solve problems as they arise. Think of CircleIn as a study community where each of you are stronger together and if you like the convenience of connecting with classmates outside of class, please use it.

CircleIn is paid for by the University of South Carolina for your benefit, so please take advantage of it today. CircleIn has no ads and you never have to share your personal information.

To get started use the log-in instructions below:

Alternatively, scan the following QR code:

Here is a shortcut to the CircleIn login. You can also see their introductory video and read the flyer.

If you have any technical support issues, please read their support page or email CircleIn tech support at support@circleinapp.com.

CircleIn Class Requirements:

Beyond that, it's up to you! Try it out, and if you like it please use it regularly.

Schedule of lectures, homeworks, and exams

Subject to minor changes.

Practice problems to be posted.