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 homeworks. You can find everything on the "scores and docs" page.
I greatly enjoyed teaching this course. There were many enthusiastic students in the class and I don't often get a choice of volunteers to do problems on the board. Thanks to everyone for their participation, but especially the few eager students. You made my work easier and the class more fun!
I'd wish you a good break now, but the next semester has already started. Have a good spring semester, then!
Home, 12/3
Exam 5 turned out decently — see scores on the "scores and docs" page
The final exam, which is comprehensive, will take place on Tuesday at 10:30AM in our usual classroom. (If anyone needs more time to study, you can take it with my other classes on Thursday at 10:30 or 1:30.)
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 five exams we have had. (Solutions to all of our exams are now 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
Content update on exam 5: because we did not cover section 9.4, it will not be on the exam. Sample exam 5 is therefore representative for our exam.
Homework for 9.4 is not required, but I am offering it as a bonus. Thus, for the homework grade, the denominator will not include 9.4, but you can boost your numerator by doing the homework for 9.4.
Because material from these homeworks are covered by the exam tomorrow, I have nominally set up the Canvas deadline as for 9.1-9.3 as tonight, but you can turn it in any time by Thursday midnight. Like always, no penalty will be assessed for being behind the due date. Unfortunately, I will not be able to grade any of it before the exam, but hope to have at least some of it done before the final exam on Tuesday.
Like in the previous post, expect your final grades by noon on Saturday, so you can decide whether to take the final exam.
Home, 11/27
Exam 4 turned out well, almost as well as exam 2. Now that everyone's getting the hang of series, perhaps we should have another exam on them?:) 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 5, covering sections 9.1-9.4, is scheduled for Friday. Check out sample exam 5, but beware it does not have problems from section 9.4, which I expect we will get to. I will grade it shortly afterwards and inform you of your overall score by noon on Saturday so you can make the decision on whether to take the final exam on the following Tuesday (12/7).
I should be able to grade homework for sections 8.7 and 8.8 this week, but not sure whether homeworks for 9.1-9.4 will be returned before the exam — I see a busy week coming!
On Monday, we will finish section 9.2 and start looking at some homework in sections 9.1and 9.2.
Home, 11/20
On Monday, we will start chapter 9. I anticipate returning exam 4 on Tuesday.
Home, 11/13
Exam 4, covering sections 8.5-8.8 is scheduled for Friday. Check out sample exam 4 for some representative problems.
Homework for sections 8.7 and 8.8 is due on Wednesday: if I get it by then, I will return it to you before the exam. On Monday, we will finish homework discussion for section 8.7 and start section 8.8, with homework discussion on Tuesday. We will start on chapter 9 after that (none of chapter 9 will be on exam).
Exam 3 scores were poor, which is usual for the first exam on series. Let's redouble efforts for better scores on exam 4.
Home, 11/6
Homework for sections 8.5 and 8.6 is due on Tuesday. On Monday, we will start section 8.7.
Home, 10/30
Exam 3, covering sections 8.1-8.4 is scheduled for Tuesday. Sample exam 3 has some representative problems.
On Monday, we will finish up homework in section 8.5 and do some review ahead of the exam. Homework in sections 8.3 and 8.4 is due tonight, and I will have it returned to you before the exam, along with homework for 8.1 and 8.2.
Home, 10/23
Starting Monday, we will be going over homework in sections 8.3 and 8.4. Exam 3, covering sections 8.1-8.4 was intended for end of week, but will be moved back to Tuesday of week after next (11/2), due to students' other exams. We will, of course, start covering sections 8.5 and on before we the exam, but they will not be on the exam.
Home, 10/16
Exam 2 turned out well, see scores on the "scores and docs" page. Do not let up on your efforts, as the next two exams are typically the most difficult for students. I have updated everyone's overall grade on Canvas — sorry for the delay in doing this.
On Monday, we plan to go over homework in 8.2, which will be due later in the week, for example, on Wednesday. Once we cover sections 8.3 and 8.4, we will have exam 3, likely late during the week after next.
Home, 10/2
Exam 2, covering sections 7.1-7.6 is scheduled for Wednesday. Check out sample exam 2 for some representative problems. Note that many problems only ask for a set-up of an integral: do not use precious time to evaluate them.
Homework over sections 7.5 and 7.6 is due on Sunday. If you turn it in by Monday, you will get it back before the exam.
Home, 9/24
On Monday we will work on new sections 7.5 and 7.6. Homework over sections 7.3 and 7.4 are due on Tuesday.
Exam 1 turned out poorly, although the average improves significantly when scores under 30 (which I deem to not really be trying) are not taken into account. Try to do better next time: ask questions, come for office hours or find other help (see "free tutoring" on these pages).
The widely different outcomes of homework and exams for a number of people suggets that homework is copied, rather than understood. Even if you have solutions of problems, you should try to struggle through the problems yourself. While this comes at greater initial time cost, the payoff is better understanding of the material, and better exam scores. (See the "success tips" page, too.)
We only have two sections left in this chapter, so exam 2 is coming soon — week after next!
Home, 9/18
On Monday we will work on homework, finishing section 7.1 and continuing with 7.2. Likely due date for 7.1 and 7.2 is Wednesday.
Home, 9/10
On Monday we will start chapter 7, section 7.1.
Homework over section 6.6 is due on Tuesday, so I can return it to you before the exam.
Exam 1, covering sections 6.1-6.3, 6.5, 6.6. is scheduled for Thursday. (Recall that calculators will not be allowed on the exam.) Check out sample exam 1 on the "scores and docs" page to see some representative problems. I recommend you time yourself and try to do it in 50 minutes. If it takes you a lot longer, you will need to practice some more.
Home, 9/3
On Tuesday, we will cover new material, section 6.6.
Homework over sections 6.3 and 6.5 is due on Wednesday.
Let's start thinking about the first exam, week after next, covering sections 6.1-6.3, 6.5, 6.6. If you want to jump-start exam preparations, check out sample exam 1 on the "scores and docs" page.
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 finish section 6.3 and discuss some homework from it. Homework over 6.1 and 6.2 is due on Sunday.
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 continue working on homework in section 6.1. This section will be due together with section 6.2, so later.
Review exam 0, handed out in class, is due on Monday (electronic submission on Canvas/assignments). If you did not receive it, find it on the "scores and docs" page under complete exams.
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 our COVID-19-tainted-semester.
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.
Canvas: Canvas will mainly be the repository of class notes, your grades, and a place to upload homework. 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.)
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.
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, and try to 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.