I'm Sebastian M. Marotta, the TF for MA 225 Multivariate Calculus. I enjoy doing math and I hope that you do too. Multivariate calculus involves a range of topics from geometry and calculus. An important part of the course is the study of 3 dimensional Euclidean space. However, the techniques you will learn in this course can be generalized to any number of dimensions in a straightforward manner.

In this course, you will need to get used to interpreting equations as surfaces and curves as intersections of surfaces in 3 dimensional space. You will learn to compute the length of curves, the area of surfaces and the volume of objects in space using integration in many different flavors. But to be able to do this you will first have to master differential calculus in more than one variable. This requires a lot of work and practice, and to make your learning go as smoothly as possible we have organized the course in a detailed manner.

I would like to remind you of some important things regarding the discussion sections and homework. Homeworks are due in section, but if you miss your section, you can come to another one. If it turns out that you can't make another section, then you can bring it to my office during my office hours. All homeworks must be turned in to me at some section, at my tutoring room hours, or at my office hours (not during class). Homework cannot be turned in to my mailbox or Prof. Blanchard's mailbox, nor can homework be slipped under my door or Prof. Blanchard's door. Please make sure you hand your homework directly to me at one of my times above. Each week the absolute last time to hand in your homework is at 4:20 pm on Tuesdays in the last discussion section in PRB 150. We'll use a 0-10 score for grading your homework. You can earn partial credit if you work hard on a problem but don't get the right answer.

It is very important that you follow the instructions written in the cover sheet (see *.pdf file in the web page) about paper size, stapling, information to be filled in and due times. Problem sets that do not adhere to those requirements will not be graded. I suggest printing out a copy of the cover sheet and making about 9 or 10 copies. Homework will not be accepted without a cover sheet stapled to the front.

All students are required to hand in all homework assignments. Your homework grade makes up 10% of your final grade. One thing that may help you is to do the problems prior to discussion, and then bring any questions you might have to the discussion. Please take the time to learn how to solve the homework problems so that your performance on exams is strong. If you need my help you are welcome to come to me during the hours I am available, or make an appointment by e-mail. See my contact information in the syllabus or at the end.

Good luck!

Seb

Contact information:
email: smarotta@math.bu.edu
Office: MCS B44
Phone: 617-353-9547
Office hours: Mondays 3-4 and Tuesdays 11-12.
Tutoring room (MCS 144) hours: Fridays 11-12.