MAT 125: Calculus A

• About this course: The goal of this course is to develop your understanding of the concepts of Calculus and your ability to apply them to problems both within and outside of Mathematics. Functions are presented and analyzed as tables, graphs, and formulas. You need to continue to develop your proficiency at manipulating formulas and equations, which are the language of science. Fluency in this language is essential for success in science or engineering.
• Text: Single Variable Calculus (Stony Brook Edition), by James Stewart. This is the same book as Stewart’s Concepts and Contexts, 4^th edition, but with a different cover and a lower price. This same book is used by MAT 125, MAT 126, MAT127, MAT131 and MAT132; Suffolk Community College also uses this book, but with the other cover.
• Calculators: You may find using a graphing calculator (TI 83, TI84 are the best choices) helpful. Some of the HW problems will require a calculator for their solution but no quiz or test questions will require the calculator. Also, in this course, no calculators will be allowed on exams.
• Homework: You cannot learn calculus without working problems. Expect to spend at least 8 hours a week solving problems; do all of the assigned problems, as well as additional ones to study. If you do not understand how to do something, get help from your TA, your lecturer, your classmates, or in the Math Learning Center (in the basement of the Mathematics Tower). Almost every lecture will include homework. We will be using WebAssign, a web-based system in which you see the problems, submit your answers and/or solutions and get immediate feedback on your work. You will be graded on how many questions you get correct and how many tries it takes you to get the correct answer. You will receive more information concerning its use in separate documents. These will be posted in Bb as they become available. Keep an eye on your email for announcements.
• Recitations: These are required sessions with your TA in which homework will be discussed and questions will be answered. Tests and quizzes will be returned during recitations.
• Quizzes: The grades you receive by submitting your HW through WebAssign will be half of the recitation grade. Quizzes given in class will be the other half.
• Reading: The textbook is intended to be read. Read the assigned sections corresponding to the assignments.This will greatly increase your comprehension, and enable you to ask intelligent questions in class. Furthermore, the lectures will not always be able to cover all of the material for which you will be responsible.
• Examinations and grading: There will be two evening exams, and the ever-popular final exam. The dates and times are listed below; the locations will be announced in lecture. Success on the exams will require correct and efficient solutions to the more difficult of the homework problems.
  
  
  Evening Exams: Tues. 10/11, and Thurs. 11/10 from 8:30 -10 p.m.
  Final Exam: Monday, Dec. 19, 8:15 AM-10:45 AM.
  

  Note: This is a MORNING EXAM
  
  
  
• Assignment Schedule
  
• Final Grade Calculation
  
  

  MT 1	MT 2	Final	Recitation
  25%	25%	30%	20%

  
  
  
• Math Learning Center: The Math Learning Center, in Math S-240A, is there for you to get help with Calculus. It is staffed most days and some evenings -- your lecturer or TA may hold some of his or her office hours there. A schedule should be posted outside the room and at the Math Undergraduate Office.
• Cell Phones: If you have a cell phone with you, please have it turned off or set to vibrate. Allowing your phone go off in class is inconsiderate. If you need to talk to someone on the phone please leave the room and move far enough away so that the class is not disturbed. Playing video games on the phone and text messaging are equally inappropriate.
• DSS advisory: If you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may affect your course work, please contact Disability Support Services (DSS) office: ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, room 128, telephone (631) 632-6748/TDD. DSS will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. Arrangements should be made early in the semester (before the first exam) so that your needs can be accommodated. All information and documentation of disability is confidential. Students requiring emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and DSS. For procedures and information, go to the following web site http://www.ehs.sunysb.edu and search Fire safety and Evacuation and Disabilities.
• Conduct: The following statement is University policy: "Stony Brook University expects students to maintain standards of personal integrity that are in harmony with the educational goals of the institution; to observe national, state, and local laws and University regulations; and to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people. Faculty are required to report to the Office of Judicial Affairs any disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment, and/or inhibits students’ ability to learn."
• Email: Please be sure to use Standard English in writing emails to me, your lecturer and TA, including correct spelling and punctuation. Also use complete sentences. Start the subject line with "MAT 125" then your subject.
• Blackboard: You are required to use this application throughout the course to access assignments and other material, to view grades, to contact me and to check for announcements. (See the box below.) It is also a good way to contact other students in class to complain about the professor. It would best if you check the site and your email daily since you are responsible for any updates or other material that are posted.