Class time and location: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12-1 in MCS 148

Discussion section: Monday 9-10 in MCS B33 or MCS 255

Text: Marsden and Tromba: Vector Calculus (fourth edition, picture of comet on cover), W.H. Freeman and Co, 1996, ISBN number 0-7167-2432-4.

In this course, we will study the calculus of functions of several variables and vector analysis. We begin with a vector-oriented approach to the geometry of Euclidean spaces. Then we study multivariable calculus using partial derivatives and multiple integrals. Our final topic is one of the most elegant and useful in the study of physical systems---vector analysis and the many forms of Stokes' theorem.

The course will cover almost the entire text. We will omit only the optional sections.

This is an honors-level course in mathematics, and as such it differs from our standard introduction to multivariate calculus in two ways. First, the discussion of the mathematics will be more rigorous. Some class time will be devoted to proofs of fundamental theorems, and students will be expected to prove some of their assertions in their written work. Second, we will study certain topics that do not fit in the standard curriculum. Third, you will be expected to do much more than the usual amount of work outside of class (see immediately below).

Registration: Is this the right course for you?
Since we will cover quite a bit more material than the standard course in multivariate calculus (MA 225), you will need a strong background and ability in mathematics to succeed in this course. You should also be prepared to read 10 pages of difficult mathematics and work on 10 difficult problems before each class. (These are averages. The longest section is 21 pages, and six sections are at least 14 pages long.) I will not be able to discuss all of this material in class, so the text will be your main source for much of the material.

Course web page: http://math.bu.edu/people/paul/MA230.html

Exams and grading: We will have two in-class exams and two take-home exams during the semester. The in-class exams will be held on March 5 and April 30. The first take-home exam will be distributed on February 12 and due on February 14, and the second will be distributed on April 9 and due on April 11. The final exam will be held 2-4 on Monday, May 12. Please note the late date of the final and make your travel plans now! University policy states that you must take the final at the scheduled time.

In addition to the exams, you must submit a substantial amount of written work during the semester. This work will consist mainly of solutions to the homework.

Grades for the course will be determined by applying the most favorable of the following two weighting schemes:

Make-up exams: I have an absolutely firm policy of not giving make-up exams. If you miss an exam, then you must provide an acceptable, written excuse (not an email message) for your absence or you will receive a grade of zero. A valid reason for missing an exam would be something serious like illness (not a slight cold) or a family emergency. Neither poor preparation nor sleeping through an exam are acceptable. If possible (particularly if you want to be sure that your excuse is an acceptable one), contact me before missing an exam.

Homework: Reading and exercises will be assigned before each class, and you will be expected to do the reading and work on the exercises before class.

Before each class, you will send me an email message that answers a few standard questions about the daily assignment, and each class will begin with a "problem of the day" that is related to the assignment.

Finally, you will be expected to submit your homework solutions for review once a week. No late homework will be accepted for any reason.

Office: MCS Room 255.

Phone number: 617-353-9555.

Email address: paul@bu.edu. I find that email is a good way to leave messages, but it is not a good way to get help on your homework. For help with the mathematics in this course, I encourage you to visit me in my office.

Office hours: Monday 2:30-3:30, Wednesday 2-3, and Friday 1:30-2:30. I will be available in my office during these hours for consultation on a first-come-first-served basis. You do not need an appointment in advance. In addition, many brief matters can be handled directly after class, and in special cases, we can schedule appointments at other times.

Academic conduct: Your work and conduct in this course are governed by the CAS Academic Conduct Code. This code is designed to promote high standards of academic honesty and integrity as well as fairness. A copy of the code is available in CAS Room 105 if you cannot access it on the web, and it is your responsibility to know and follow the provisions of the code. In particular, all work that you submit in this course must be your original work. For example, while you are working on your take-home exams, you cannot discuss any of the problems with anyone other than Professor Blanchard. Any cases of suspected academic misconduct will be referred to the CAS Student Academic Conduct Committee.

New BU Policy: Students can no longer withdraw from a course after the eighth week of the semester. In other words, if you are in this course at the start of spring break, you will receive an academic grade (A-F) for your work at the end of the semester. I will not let students who are doing poorly avoid a failing grade by granting an incomplete.