Math 171: Analytic Geometry and Calculus

Instructor: Sarah Witherspoon
Phone: 845-6178
Email: sjw AT math.tamu.edu
Office and hours: MWF 2:00-2:50 in Milner 323, and by appointment

Course web address: http://www.math.tamu.edu/~sjw/math171.html

Class meetings: MWF 11:30-12:20 in CE 136, T 12:45-1:35 in ENPH 216 (Fridays sometimes in BLOC 130 for a computer lab)
Text: Stewart, Calculus: Early Vectors



Course requirements and grades
Course prerequisites: Math 150 or satisfactory performance on a qualifying exam.
There will be three in-class exams, each worth 100 points. The homework and lab/quiz assignments combined are worth 200 points, and the final exam is worth 200 points. Grades are assigned as follows based on your average: A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), F (0-59%).

Course description
4.0 credits. Vectors and parametric curves, limits, derivatives and applications, integrals.
We will cover approximately the first 6 chapters in the text Calculus: Early Vectors.



Weekly Schedule (tentative)
Week 1 (1/16-1/19): 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
Week 2 (1/22-1/26): 2.1, 2.2, 2.4
Week 3 (1/29-2/2): 2.3, 2.6, 2.5
Week 4 (2/5-2/9): 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, Exam I (Wednesday, 2/7)
Week 5 (2/12-2/16): 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Week 6 (2/19-2/23): 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8
Week 7 (2/26-3/2): 3.9, 3.10
Week 8 (3/5-3/9): 3.10, 3.11, Exam II (Wednesday, 3/7)
Week 9 (3/19-3/23): 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
Week 10 (3/26-3/30): 4.6, 4.8, 5.2
Week 11 (4/2-4/5): 5.3, 5.5 (Friday 4/6 is a reading day)
Week 12 (4/9-4/13): 5.5, 5.7, Exam III (Wednesday, 4/11)
Week 13 (4/16-4/20): 6.1, 6.2, 6.3
Week 14 (4/23-4/27):6.3, 6.4, 6.5
Week 15 (4/30-5/1): 6.5 (Tuesday is a Friday, and is the last day of classes)
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday 5/9, 10:30-12:30, in our regular classroom

Homework Homework assignments will be assigned approximately once each week, and usually will be due the following week. They must be turned in on time. The assignments will be posted on the web on or before the day they are announced in class. For full credit on the homework, you must show all work and justify your answers. Working together on homework is fine, but each of you should write up your own solutions.

Computer labs On some Fridays, we will meet in BLOC 130 for a computer lab and/or demonstration. In case of a computer lab, there will be an accompanying assignment due the following week. The previous class day (Wednesday) I will announce in class whether we will meet in BLOC 130 the next class day. You may utilize the Calclab open hours in Blocker 127 to complete assignments outside of class. If you wish to purchase a copy of Maple for use on your own computer, please go to http://calclab.math.tamu.edu/maple/adoption for information on how to obtain a reduced price.

Calculators Calculators are allowed on all exams and assignments unless otherwise specified. On exams please use basic functions only (e.g. do not use your calculator to find limits, differentiate, or integrate).

Attendance Regular attendance is expected but is not officially recorded. Please let me know by e-mail, phone, or in person if you must miss two or more class days in a row. Likewise if you must arrive late or leave early; this is disruptive and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Make-up policy Make-ups for missed homework and exams will only be allowed for a university approved excuse in writing. Wherever possible, you should inform me prior to missing an exam. Consistent with University Student Rules, students are required to notify an instructor by the end of the second working day after an absence. Otherwise, they forfeit their rights to a make-up.


An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do. The Aggie Code of Honor is an effort to unify the aims of all Texas A&M men and women toward a high code of ethics and personal dignity. For most, living under this code will be no problem, as it asks nothing of a person that is beyond reason. It only calls for honesty and integrity, characteristics that Aggies have always exemplified. The Aggie Code of Honor functions as a symbol to all Aggies, promoting understanding and loyalty to truth and confidence in each other. Violations of the Aggie Honor Code and the handling of such violations are discussed at the web site http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor.

ADA Statement The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with diabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accomodations of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accomodation, please contact the Department of Student Life Services for Students with Disabilities in room 118 of Cain Hall or call 845-1637.

Copyright Statement Please note that all written and web materials for this course are protected by copyright laws. You may xerox (or download) one copy for your own use, but multiple copies or the sale of any of these materials is strictly prohibited.


Homework Assignment 1: due Friday, 1/26
1.1: 5, 9, 15, 17, 25
1.2: 3, 5, 7, 12, 13, 23, 25, 43
1.3: 5, 7, 11, 15, 25, 31