Calculus for Biological Scientists I
Math 155      Spring 2017

Colorado State University

 

 
Here is the course information sheet.

 Prerequisites
 
Basic courses in algebra (such as Math 117/118), logarithmic and exponential functions (such as Math 124), and trigonometry (such as Math 125) are prerequisites. A comfortable working knowledge of this material is essential; you should be prepared to spend extra time in review if you are rusty on the prerequisites.

 Course Materials

 
Textbook (required): Modeling the Dynamics of Life, 2nd edition by Frederick R. Adler, ISBN 0-534-40486-3, Thompson, Brooks/Cole, 2005.

or

Modeling the Dynamics of Life, 3rd edition by Frederick R. Adler, ISBN 0-8400-6418-7, Thompson, Brooks/Cole, 2013.

Calculator (optional): A graphing calculator such as the TI-82 -83, -85, or -86 (available in the bookstore) is highly recommended and may be used on quizzes and exams. Any calculator that does symbolic manipulation (such as the TI-89) as well as cell phones and palm pilots may not be used on quizzes or exams (although such devices may be used otherwise). Please verify with your instructor the admissibility of any calculator other than the ones mentioned above for use on quizzes and exams.
You might be interested in an online graphing calculator for homework use.

Review Text (optional): The optional text Just in Time Algebra and Trigonometry for Calculus is available in the bookstore as one option to aid algebra and trigonometry review.


 Attendance Policy


Attendance is required. You should come to class to participate, to work, to think. Please turn off your cell phones.

 

 Assessments


Written Homework: 50 points
WebWorK Online Homework: 50 points
Quizzes: 100 points
Exam 1 (Thursday, February 23; 5:00-6:50 pm): 100 points
Exam 2 (Thursday, April 6; 5:00-6:50 pm): 100 points
Comprehensive Final Exam (Wednesday, May 10; 7:30 am -9:30 am): 100 points



Written Homework: (50 points) Homework (HW) problems to be handed in will be posted here. For some of the homeworks, you may need to download and print a .pdf file. Some problems will be designated as practice problems, and some problems will be assignments to be handed in. Assigned homework will be collected, and selected problems will be graded. See the course calendar for the HW Schedule. One HW assignment will be dropped. If you fail to hand in a HW assignment, you will receive a zero. No late HW will be accepted. Please visit office hours for HW questions that are not answered during in-class problem sessions.

Each of the 11 written homework assignments will be worth the same number of points. A complete solution to a written homework problem must include not only the final answer but also the (legible!) work needed to obtain the solution. Do not leave it until the evening before the due date to work on the homework problems, as you would likely run into time problems. Homework that is turned in should NOT look like scrapwork. It must show all of your relevant work clearly and legibly.

WebWorK Online Homework: (50 points) We will be using the system WebWorK (there is no relation to the University's RamCT, and you cannot access it through RamCT) for part of the homework assignments. To do these problems, you have to log in to WebWorK and then select the log in link. Your user name is set to your university eName. This is typically your university email name, e.g. the address myname@rams.colostate.edu has eName myname. Your initial password is set to your CSU ID number (this is the 9-digit number on your university ID card, starting with 8). Please as a first step change your password. As the login is not encrypted, do not choose the same password as used for any important login (such as banking or email). Webwork homework is due at 8pm on the days indicated on the course calendar or indicated by your instructor (usually, these days are Wednesdays and Fridays). However, there is a grace period until midnight (on the server!) that is to make up for clock drift or network issues. We initialize the data base for WebWorK with the students registered the weekend before classes start. If you registered for the course late, you might not yet have been added to WebWorK. In this case, talk ASAP to your section instructor to be added. You must provide your CSU eName and your CSU-ID, otherwise we will not be able to transfer grades correctly. Also talk to your section instructor in case you cannot log into WebWorK or have forgotten your password. Your WebWorK score out of 50 points will be determined by the your percentage correct on the WebWorK assignments (that is, (the number of points you get on WebWorK assignments divided by the total number of points possible) multiplied by 50).

Quizzes: A quiz will be given most weeks on days indicated on the calendar (or by your instructor). If you miss a quiz, you will receive a zero (no make-ups). However, your lowest three quiz grades will be dropped, including any zeros. This includes missed quizzes due to illness or emergencies. Missing a quiz is strongly discouraged. Readings on topics of mathematics and biology are linked on the calendar. You may earn one extra credit point (up to a maximum of 10 extra credit points) by correctly answering a question on the quiz pertaining to the reading or an extra credit problem, as determined by your instructor.

Exams: There will be two common exams and a final. Note that the midterm exams are held on Thursday evenings on the days noted above, and you are REQUIRED to be there.
Cellphones must be turned off during the exam and must remain in a bag during the entire exam. A ringing cellphone or use of an unauthorized electronic device (in any form: clock, calculator, camera, notepad, toy, ...) during the exam may lead to disqualification (0 points) from the exam. Exam scores cannot be contested after the following exam.
Exam conflicts/Alternate arrangements: The only excused absences from exams are official university-approved absences. If a CSU event conflicts with an exam or the final, or if you are ill, you must submit the alternate exam time request form, together with supporting documentation (e.g. a letter from the athletics department) to your section teacher. This request, including documentation, must be submitted at least 8 days before the exam (or, in the case of sudden illness, as soon as reasonably possible). If you need alternate exam arrangements through Resources for Disabled Students, submit the RDS qualification letter at least 8 days before the first exam to your section teacher. Alternate exam requests are processed once per exam; failure to submit requests, including documentation, in time can mean that no alternative arrangements will be possible! If you have questions concerning alternate exams, please contact the course coordinator, Dr. Shipman.

 

 

Grading Policy
 
The following percentages of the 500 total possible points will guarantee minimally the following grades:
91-100%, A; 90, A-
81-89%, B; 80, B-
70-79%, C
60-69%, D
below 60%, F


Academic Integrity
 
The University Policy on Academic Integrity (see CSU General Catalog) is enforced in this course. Misrepresenting someone else's work as your own (plagiarism) and possessing unauthorized reference information in any form that could be helpful while taking an exam are examples of cheating. Submitting work from a Solutions Manual or an on-line homework web site as your own are examples of plagiarism. Students judged to have engaged in cheating may be assigned a reduced or failing grade for the assignment or the course and may be referred to the Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct Services for additional disciplinary action.

 Helpful Hints

Just like playing a musical instrument or a sport, mathematics is learning by doing it, not by watching someone do it. Expect to spend about 3 hours of quality study time outside of class doing and discussing problems for each hour in class.

Look at the study resources page for study tools.

Talk to your instructor and go to the Great Hall for tutoring help with any of the concepts or the homework problems. Ideas build on each other throughout the semester, so you should seek help with things that trouble you as soon as possible.

Best wishes for a productive semester!

 

 FAQ

Question: "Which calculators are allowed for the exams?"
Answer: The TI-82, 83, 85, 86 and very basic calculators are allowed. If you are not sure if your calculator will be accepted, please show it to your instructor. It is prohibited to use your cell phone as your calculator. The TI-89 or other calculators that do symbolic manipulation will not be allowed on exams.

Question: "What time are the evening exams?"
Answer: 5:00 to 6:50 pm.

Question: "I have a conflict with another exam. When can I take the M155 exam?"
Answer: Please use the Alternate Exam Time Request Form to request an alternate time. This form is due at least one week before the exam. Please turn in your request as early as possible!