Home, 1/18 (last message)
Well, that took longer than I thought, but here's the final update of these pages, which includes scores and solutions of the last few exams and joysheets. You can find everything on the "scores and docs" page. Keep in mind that final exam scores are always weaker than other exams, because the best students do not take it.
I enjoyed teaching this course. Although for many of you a weekly cold shower would have been preferable to this class, many students made good progress and I saw willingness on your part to put in an effort. I thank everyone for going to the board to work on problems, even if you weren't thrilled by it.
I'd wish you a good break now, but the next semester has already started. Have a good spring semester, then!
Home, 12/7
Exam 4 turned out poorly so far, which always seems to be the case with logarithms.
The final exam, which is comprehensive, will take place on Thursday at 10:30AM in our usual classroom.
The final will have six pages and consist of problems like the ones on the exams during the semester. Therefore, to start preparing yourself for it, make sure you can do all the problems on the four exams we have had. (Solutions to all of our exams will shortly be available.) Also, check out the sample final exam on the "scores and docs" page. No one should have any problem finishing the exam, since it is 50% longer than a usual exam, but you get twice the time.
Office hours schedule Monday-Thursday:
Monday 10:00-1:30, Tuesday 9:00-10:30 and 1:00-3:00
Wednesday 10:00-12:00 and 2:00-3:00, Thursday 9-10:30, 12:30-1:30
To attend office hour by Zoom, send me an email first, so I can start the meeting.
Home, 12/2
Updates on Exam 4: it has been moved to Monday at 1:30 in room 300 (our classroom is occupied with a final exam at that time; room 300 is on the same corridor as our classroom, just on the opposite end). Anyone who cannot come at that time should contact me for an alternate time — the most convenient one being Tuesday at 10:30, when I am giving a final exam to another class.
Because we were not able to cover everything I had planned, exam 4 will not cover section 5.5. Therefore, it covers 5.1-5.4 and 5.6. On the sample exam, problems like 12, 13 and 14 will be replaced by other material, as exemplified by joysheet 11, which will be distributed on Friday (tomorrow).
On Monday, I am planning office hours for 10-1:30, in case anyone needs to see me. You will get your overall grade by Monday night (late), so you can decide whether to take the final exam, which is on Thursday at 10:30.
Home, 11/27
Exam 3 turned out poorly, with many people stumbling over basics that I thought we had mastered. You can get a little push-up for your grade if you resubmit one or more of problems 11, 12 and bonus. Do it on a separate sheet of paper and turn it in with your exam for up to additional 10 points on the exam.
I have updated the grades on Canvas: remember that your overall score is found in the assignment "current" and that Canvas' own grade computation (the "headline grade") is inaccurate. Use the grade computer on these pages to see what you need to make on the next exam to get a desired grade.
Speaking of: Exam 4, covering sections 5.1-5.6 (or most of them) is scheduled for Friday. Check out sample exam 4. I will grade it shortly afterwards and inform you of your overall score by Saturday evening so you can make the decision on whether to take the final exam on the following Thursday (12/9).
Expect two more joysheets next week, but I am not sure I can get them back to you before the exam — I see a busy week coming!
On Monday, we will start the new section 5.2.
Home, 11/20
On Monday, we will discuss homework from sections JIT 25 and 27 (due Monday on MyLab) and section 5.1 (due Tuesday). I anticipate return of exam 3 as well.
Home, 11/13
Exam 3, covering sections 3.1-3.5, 4.1 and 4.2 is scheduled for Wednesday. Check out sample exam 3 on the "scores and docs" page.
On Monday, we will discuss homework from sections 4.1 and 4.2 — its MyLab is due on Tuesday. Joysheet 9 is due on Monday: if I get it by then, I will return it to you before the exam. If you need tips on how to do it, solutions to in-class joysheet 9 are on the "scores and docs" page. (I forgot to distribute it widely on Friday but most of you remembered to get a copy at the end of class. If you didn't, find it either in Canvas/assignments or the under "joysheets".)
Home, 11/6
Joysheet 7 is due tonight, as is section 3.3 on MyLab. (I just enabled a sample joysheet 7 on the "scores and docs" page, in case you need help with joysheet 7 — it is under "in-class joysheet 7.")
On Monday, we will discuss homework from section 3.4 — its MyLab is due on Tuesday.
Home, 10/30
Exam 2 results were so-so. Not many people worked on the last page — perhaps did not have enough time or just could not do the last problem — so I am offering a redo of the last page for up to 10 additional points on the exam.
On Monday, we will continue homework discussion of 3.2. This section is due on Tuesday on MyLab, while section 3.1 is due tonight.
Home, 10/23
After the exam, take a little break. Review sections JIT 21, 22 are due on MyLab on Monday, JIT 23 on Wednesday.
On Monday, we will cover section JIT 23 and start with chapter 3, if there is time.
Home, 10/16
On Monday we will work on homework in section 2.5, and I anticipate an in-class joysheet on Tuesday, where you will get another joysheet. Joysheet 5 was due yesterday, but you can turn it in for a few more days.
Exam 2 is scheduled for Friday, covering sections 2.1-2.5. Check out sample exam 2 for some representative problems.
Home, 10/2
Exam 1 turned out reasonably well, you can see the statistics on the "scores and docs" page. If you did not do as well as you were hoping to, improve your effort and see me for help. You can also take advantage of free tutoring, see "free tutoring." You can find over your overall grade in Canvas: see "current" under "grades." DO NOT RELY on the "headline" grade on Canvas — it is not accurate.
MyLab on sections 2.1, JIT 13 and JIT 15 is due on Sunday. We have not gotten to JIT 13 in class, but it is an easy section, and you should have no problem doing it. Try to remember the three formulas in that section and use them in the future instead of FOILing such expressions.
On Monday we will start with new section 2.2.
Home, 9/24
After exam 1, take a breather... but if you want to work on ahead, homework over section 2.1 and some JIT sections is now active on MyLab.
On Monday we will finish section 2.1, with homework discussion of 2.1 and JIT 13, 15 following on Tuesday
Home, 9/18
On Monday, we will continue with homework in section 1.6. This section, and the review section JIT 18 are due on MyLab on Tuesday.
Exam 1, covering sections 1.1-1.5, is scheduled for Friday. Check out sample exam 1 on the "scores and docs" page to get an idea of what the exam will be like. While the actual exam will not be the sample exam with numbers changed, the sample exam contains pretty much all the ideas that will appear on the actual exam.
On Tuesday, we will work on an in-class joysheet over sections 1.5 and 1.6. Take-home joysheet 4 will be given to you, and if you return it by Wednesday, you will get it back before the exam.
Home, 9/10
On Monday, we start with section 1.5.
Joysheet 3 was distributed today, it is due on Monday. Don't forget the MyLab for sections 1.4, due on Saturday.
I am planning for Exam 1, covering sections 1.1-1.5, to come week after next. If you want to jump-start exam preparations, check out sample exam 1 on the "scores and docs" page.
Home, 9/3
On Tuesday, we will cover new material, section 1.4.
Assignments due soon are: Joysheet 1 tonight and Joysheet 2 on Tuesday. Joysheets were handed out earlier this week: if you missed them, you can find them on these pages or on Canvas. Also, MyLab for section 1.3 was assigned and is due on Wednesday.
Submit Joysheets by taking their pictures, putting them in a PDF file and uploading them on Canvas/assignments. See bottom of this page for submission tips and apps that collate pictures into PDF files.
Remember to seek help when you are having trouble. Office hours are always available for questions, and you can get help elsewhere on campus: see the newly updated "free tutoring" page.
Have a good long weekend!
Home, 8/27
On Monday, we will discuss homework in sections JIT 9, 14 and section 1.1, due on MyLab on Tuesday and Wednesday. As mentioned in class, because section JIT 7 had erroneous problems in it, I created a new assignment with problems from JIT 7, which is due on Tuesday.
Free tutoring information has been updated: it is available now. You are always most welcome to stop by for office hours for questions, and this is another place where you can get some help.
Home, 8/20
On Monday, we will discuss homework in sections JIT.17 and 1.1. Work on these so you can ask and answer questions over them.
For the homework, you will need access to the book and the online homework. If you haven't done so already, get yourself set up with instructions below. First online homework is due on Friday of next week.
Home, 8/16
Welcome to the course! Look around to familiarize yourself with the layout of these webpages. To get to other pages, click on the links in the menu (or drop-down, if viewing on a smartphone). The most often-used pages are in the first line of the menu (or the first several choices of the drop-down). "Scores and docs," for example, has all the documents for the course.
Your first exercise is to find the syllabus on these pages and read it. The items there that are typically of greatest interest to students are from "Homework" to "Make-ups."
These pages will get more content as information becomes available. Check back often: useful information is provided in the "home" section (which you are reading), typically updated weekly.
Here are some specific items related to COVID-19.
Masks: To repeat the university's policy, they have to be worn while in class, my office, or in the building. They have to cover your nose and your mouth at all times.
Canvas: will mainly be the repository of class notes, your grades, and a place to upload worksheets. Information about the course and weekly messages will be posted to this website (also accessible from Canvas). (Why bother with the website outside of Canvas? Two reasons: it's easier to make updates to it, and it stays public, something I value, and you may grow to as well, as a service to future students of this same course.)
Textbook and online homework: In this course, you have signed up for "Inclusive Access," which automatically bills you for access to the online homework system and includes the e-book. You can access these materials by following the instructions here.
Office hours: At most one person will be allowed in my office at a time. Of course, you have to wear a mask. I may take your temperature with a touchless thermometer, and you will be able to check mine with the same. If you come and see someone in my office, let me know you are there, so I may be able to help you concurrently while you sit in the foreroom, or we can all go to a larger room, if several students have the same questions.
Assignments and exams: To minimize handoff of physical objects between people and thus reduce chance of transmission of the virus, all assignments will be submitted and returned on Canvas. Exams will be taken in person.
Assignment submission: is through Canvas as PDF files only, to facilitate easier grading and return.
Important: try to reduce the size of the files you are uploading: If you are scanning, resolution of 100dpi has been good enough for exam solutions, so it should be adequate for your assignments. (Resulting smaller files are quicker to upload and download).
If you don't have a scanner, take pictures with your phone. Make it nice: lay the assignment sheet on a flat surface with good lighting. Use a lower resolution setting for the camera, to reduce final file size. Then use an app to bundle the pictures into a PDF. Some phones have native support for this, for others you can download a free app. Here are some that have been recommended to me: default notes app on the iPhone, Adobe Scan, Tiny Scanner, CamScanner, Notebloc.