Engineering Mathematics I (Calculus I)

Information

Course Description

Rectangular coordinates, vectors, analytic geometry, functions, limits, derivatives of functions, applications, integration, computer algebra (Mathlab).

This is a 4 credit course with three meetings per week in lecture with the professor and twice per week in recitation with your teaching assistant (TA). 

Prerequisite: MATH 150 or equivalent

The students will be expected to
  1. Correctly solve problems
  2. Write complete solutions in a coherent fashion
  3. Have a conceptual understanding of the material
A student that demonstrates competence only in the first item above can only expect a C in the course. A student that demonstrates competence in the first two items can expect a B, and all three an A. This is a rather rough description of the grading approach and expectations, and as such it is difficult to implement and interpret. A quantitative description can be found below in the discussion of the grading scheme. 

Textbook

James Stewart
  Calculus Early Vectors (Aggie edition)
Gilat Amos MatLab: An Introduction with Applications (3rd edition)

Homework

The purpose of the homework is to help you learn and understand the subject. No matter how well you think you understand the material presented in class, you won't really learn it until you do the problems.

Your actual assignment can be found at the TAMU electronic Homework page.

Furter, there is a weekly Matlab assignment.

In addition to the web assigned homework and the lab homework, there is a list of suggested homework problems (useful for exam preparation)

Exams

It is your responsibility to organize your activities in such a way as to avoid missing any of the exams. Make up exams will be offered only in case of serious and well documented medical or family problems, religious holidays, or participation in university authorized activities. Please refer to the

Texas A&M University Student Rules on attendance

for more precise information. In particular, note the Rule 7.5 which states that if the student is seeking an excused absence, the student must notify the instructor as soon as possible after the absence, but no later than the end of the second working day after the last date of absence. If the absence occurs the same day as a scheduled exam or other graded procedure, the student must notify his/her instructor or department by the end of the next working day after the absence in order to ensure full rights. The student is responsible for providing satisfactory evidence to the instructor within one week of his or her absence return to substantiate the reason for absence.

Students have one week to contest the grading of their graded work (such as exams or homework), counting from the date the instructor brings the graded work to the class for the first time and returns it to the students in attendance. This rule does not apply to course grade appeals (see below).

The use of the textbook or any other written reference is not allowed during the exams. Calculators or any other computing equipment are also not allowed. More information on the content will be given in class, as well as on this page, as the time for the exams approaches. In addition, please check the

 Math 151 Common Exam Guidelines.

For practice, check some

Old Exams.

Exam 1

Exam 2

Exam 3

Final exam

Grades

Your grade will be determined based on the following percentages:

Exam 1, Exam 2, Exam 3
 50%
Homework & Lab
 25%
Final Exam 25%
There will be no extra credit under any circumstances.

The letter grades that can be guaranteed at this point are given bellow:
  •  A for 90%
  •  B for 80%
  •  C for 70%
  • D for 60%
    • It is not impossible that your final grades will be determined on a scale that is more favorable to the students than the one suggested above.

    A grade of S corresponds to C or better. Incompletes are rarely given, and then only to people who have a passing grade on a substantial part of the course but have a good reason (usually medical) for being unable to complete the requirements.

    If a student thinks that the grading was, arbitrary, unfair or capricious, there are official ways to deal with grade disputes. If the matter cannot be resolved between the student and instructor, the student must send a written statement (e-mail will do) detailing his or her side of the dispute to the office of the associate head in Blocker 623. If the case outlined by the student merits further investigation, then the associate head will contact the instructor to obtain his or her side of the story and then, if necessary, hold a meeting with both parties. If the student is not satisfied with the resolution made by the associate head, then the student can further appeal to the dean's office of the college of science. The final level of appeal is to the University appeals panel. Please refer to the

    Texas A&M Student Rules on Grade Disputes

    for more precise information

    Academic honesty

    Cheating during an exam will be sanctioned by assigning 0 points on the exam. Further action will be taken in agreement with

     Texas A&M University Student Rules on Academic Misconduct and the Aggie Honor System Office.

    Academic (dis)honesty is not only about cheating on exams. If you find yourself in a situation in which you are not sure that what you do is academically acceptable, first answer the following questions:

    - Will I be proud of this tomorrow and ten years from now? Does it make me feel good?
    - Would I do the same if I knew that my teacher will find out? My classmates? My parents?
    - Do I think, on a deep personal level, answering honestly to myself and my own beliefs, that what I am doing is right?

    I would encourage you to read the work of other people and even implement parts of their work in yours. But you have to give proper credit and reference. It is not too hard and it makes the whole difference.

    "An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do."

    Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Statement

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities, in Room 126 of the Koldus Building or call 845-1637.


    Miscellaneous information and advice

  • Come to classes.

    • I am not the best teacher in the world, but I can still help you to understand the subject.
     
  • Ask questions.

    • There is no such a thing as a stupid question. If you do not understand something chances are somebody else doesn't understand it either. Be the brave one and ask.
  • Be active.

    • If you come to the class it is best if you use the time. If you just come and look through the window, it will not help a lot. You do not have to talk all the time to be recognized as active. Answering or asking only one question during the entire course can sometimes tell me that you were very active. It has happened before.
     
     
  • Write carefully.

    • The grades I assign are based not only on your answer but on your work. You may get full credit with a wrong answer and no credit with a correct answer. You need to give enough supporting work that justifies your answer. Everything has to be presented in a clear, reasonably complete and coherent way.
  • Be prepared when you come to the office hours.

    • By this I mean that you should know in advance what is it that you want to ask me. I will try to answer any specific question you might have and clarify any specific trouble spot that you struggle with. But you will have to know what and where it is. In fact, I will be very happy when you eventually learn how to communicate effectively your troubles with the subject. That would mean that you learned a lot and that you probably do not need me anymore.
     
  • Study every day.

    • The ability to think and study with focus is very important and exclusively human characteristic. But it has to be nurtured, just like any other ability. The best thing I can recommend is to come to class, try to understand as much as possible during the class, spend a lot of time on reading the textbook and doing the homework problems, and visit my office hours when needed. The Webster's dictionary does not mention the words "overnight" or "a day before" in the entries for the words "student" and "study".
     
  • Smile a lot.

    • Life is beautiful.

    Back to the course web page.