Multivariate Calculus - MA225 - Fall 2017

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Course: MA225 A, Multivariate Calculus
Professor: Jared Weinstein
TA: Alex Best
Lecture A1: MWF 10:10-11:00, CAS 224
Section A2: M 12:20-1:10, CAS 204B
Section A3: M 1:25-2:15, CAS 201
Section A4: M 2:30-3:20, PSY B53
Section A5: T 2:00-2:50, MCS B19
Section A6: T 3:35-4:25, CAS 233
Office hours: F 1:00-2:30, MCS 227
TA Office hours: F 2:30-3:30, MCS B46B

This course is mostly about calculus in three dimensions, so we'll start with vectors, lines, and planes in 3D. Then we cover partial derivatives, directional derivatives, multiple integration, cylindrical and spherical coordinates. The last and most interesting chapter covers the big theorems of integration of vector fields (Green's theorem and Stokes' theorem).

Calculus, Early Transcendentals, by George B. Thomas Jr. The physical textbook is all you need -- I won't be requiring any additional software. To receive a discounted paperback version of the part of this book used in this class, go to www.mypearsonstore.com, search for ISBN 1323006982, and enter the discount code "terriers".

You must be enrolled in one of the discussion sections for the course (A2, A3, A4, A5, A6). The sections will be used for going over lecture material and assignments in a way that is less structured than the lectures. You will be able to raise questions and see examples worked out in detail. All homework will be collected during discussion sections.

In this course, there will be new concepts rolled out with every lecture that build directly on the previous ones. Falling behind and then cramming for the exam is seriously discouraged. The homework assignments are in place to make sure you are keeping pace with the lectures.

Homework assignments are due in discussion section every week, with the exception of the first week. The assignments are posted in the table below. You are allowed and encouraged to work together on homework assignments, but you must hand in solutions which are written in your own words. Select problems from each assignment will be graded and returned to you the following week.

Your lowest two homework scores will be dropped, but in return, I am not going to accept any late homeworks, no exceptions. This policy is intended to accommodate emergencies, so you shouldn't use this policy to skip two assignments of your choice.

The dates for the exams are as follows.

You must take the final exam to pass the class.

If you feel one of your exams was incorrectly graded, then you must bring it to my attention within one week of receiving it. While grading mistakes do happen, I generally do not accede to requests for more partial credit.

The course grade will be based on the following formula: Homework 20%, Midterm I 20%, Midterm II 20%, Final exam 40%. I will compute this weighted average of your raw homework and exam scores to come up with a number, your final score in the class. Once everyone's final scores are computed, I will decide the cutoffs that determine letter grades (that is, the curve). I won't know exactly what the curve is until after the final exam.

• Come to class, pay attention, and ask loads of questions during lecture. I love getting questions. I really love it when students correct the stupid mistakes I make while lecturing (there will be plenty of these).
• Do all the homework problems.
• Come to my office hours. Alas, I find that the most frequent visitors to my office hours are the students who need help the least. The TA will also hold office hours.
• Go to the tutoring room in MCS B24 between 10 and 4 for help from our graduate students. More info here.

Sections take place on Mondays and Tuesdays, so I've listed both as the due dates for the assignments.