Math 115

Instructor: Clay Shonkwiler
Time: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 2:00–3:00
Location: KINSC H108
Office: KINSC H209B
Office Hours: Tentatively Monday 1:00–2:00, Wednesday 3:00–5:00 and Thursday 1:00–2:00. Also, the Math Question Center is open Sunday--Thursday from 7:00–9:00 in KINSC H011; this is a good place to discuss questions with other students, supervised by faculty. My MQC night is Wednesday.
Book: Chapter 12 of Calculus (6th edition), by James Stewart (available as a downloadable electronic file here)
E-Mail Address: cshonkwi@haverford.edu
Syllabus

Homework
Practice problems for Exam #1 (solutions)
Exam #1 Solutions
Practice problems for Exam #2 (solutions)
Exam #2 Solutions
Practice problems for Exam #3 (solutions)
Exam #3 Solutions
Practice problems for Exam #4 (solutions)

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to two key concepts in the development of calculus and in the application of mathematics to the real world: infinite series and differential equations. Among other things, infinite series underlie the definition of the definite integral and are important tools for computation and approximation. Differential equations provide an essential framework for understanding the natural world and are key to our knowledge of phenomena as diverse as the growth of populations and the curvature of the universe.

You should understand these concepts theoretically, geometrically, and heuristically and be able to compute effectively enough to apply them appropriately. In order to do so you will need to develop your abilities to think mathematically and communicate effectively.


Homework

There will be weekly homework assignments, typically due in class on Friday. Homework is an important part of any math class, as it is impossible to learn mathematics without actually doing mathematics. The goal of the assignments is to deepen your understanding of the concepts, tools and techniques discussed in class, as well as to give you the opportunity to practice explaining your mathematical thinking. The importance of effective communication is vital: knowledge without the ability to communicate that knowledge is of limited value. As such, to get full credit on a problem your solution must be clear and well-written.

Homework must be stapled with your name clearly written at the top. What you turn in should be a final copy: it should be neat, legible, and well-organized. If I can’t read or understand your work you won’t receive any credit.

Late homework will not be accepted, so you should turn in whatever you have completed on the due date in order to get credit for it. Your lowest homework grade will be dropped from the calculation of your final grade.

Collaboration on homework is not only allowed, it is highly encouraged. The process of doing mathematics is a strange mixture of the social and the antisocial: it is often the case that you will understand a problem and its solution better when you discuss it with someone else, but it is also essential that you work through the details on your own so that you don’t use another’s understanding as a crutch. As such, you should follow these guidelines when collaborating:

  • You must work on each problem on your own before discussing it with your collaborators.
  • When discussing a problem with your collaborators, you should work on a white board, a blackboard, or a different sheet of paper.
  • You should write up your solution separately from your collaborators and without reference to the white board, blackboard, or sheet of paper containing your joint work so as to communicate your own understanding of the problem.
  • You must indicate with whom you collaborated on your homework. Who you work with may change from problem to problem, so please note your collaborators separately for each problem.

Online or other outside resources are not allowed unless you have received my permission ahead of time.

Please contact me if you have any questions; you may also want to refer to the math department’s guidelines on collaboration.


Exams

There will be three midterm exams and a (non-cumulative) final. The midterms are tentatively scheduled for October 2, October 31 and November 20; the final will take place during the finals period. Collaboration is not allowed on any of the exams.


Grading

Your final grade in the course will be determined by:

  • Homework: 20% (lowest dropped)
  • Midterms: 20% each
  • Final: 20%

Additional help

If I were a perfect teacher, you could learn everything you need to know just by going to class. Unfortunately, I am not a perfect teacher, so there’s a good chance that, at some point, you’ll find yourself confused, stuck or otherwise frustrated by the material or the course. If you do, ask for help! Office hours are, of course, an excellent venue for this, but if you feel uncomfortable asking my help or if you find that my teaching style and your learning style simply don’t mesh, there are many other resources available to you.

First and foremost, your fellow classmates are a great resource. Odds are that, for any question you have, there’s someone in the class who can answer it, so don’t be afraid to ask. Even the simple process of explaining why you’re stuck to someone who is just as confused as you is often enough to make things clearer. Just be sure to return the favor when you get the chance to help someone else.

Second, the Math Question Center is open Sunday--Thursday from 7:00–9:00 in KINSC H011 and is a great place to ask questions of your fellow students, of math majors or of professors.

Third, Haverford’s Office of Academic Resources coordinates peer tutoring, which is available to you in unlimited quantities free of charge. To connect with a tutor, visit the Peer Tutoring website

If none of the above is suitable or practical, please let me know and I’ll be happy to help you find additional resources.


Accomodations

If you think you may need accommodations in this course due to the impact of a disability please meet with me privately as soon as possible. You should also contact Rick Webb, Coordinator, Office of Disabilities Services (rwebb@haverford.edu, 610-896-1290) to confirm your eligibility for appropriate accommodations. Doing so early in the semester will help prevent unnecessary inconvenience.