Math 1120
Dr. Sarah J. Greenwald

Course Communication

  • Office Hours 326 Walker Hall 262-2363
    I am always happy to help you in office hours.
  • Check the main calendar webpage often for homework and for access to the other class web pages. It is a part of my syllabus.
  • ASULearn forums are the easiest way to ask a math question outside of class and office hours. You are responsible for reading all posts from me. I prefer that you use office hours since it is easier to discuss material in person, but if you cannot make them, then ASULearn is a great alternative. Snapshots from your phone attached onto the private ASULearn forum are acceptable. Do NOT email me (which gets buried in hundreds of messages each day) - message me instead as I usually check it every day including the weekends.
  • Communicating about Work for Missed or Excused Absences: If there is some reason you must miss a class, then keep me informed, with any appropriate documentation, and obtain the assignment and class activities from the web pages to turn the work in early or on time (you can send it with another student to class, slide it under my office door sometime before I leave for class, or even turn it in on ASULearn if need be, but I prefer printed work). These include responses to i-clicker questions and other class activities.
  • Inclement weather: If the university cancels classes, check the class webpages for updated info, which may include plans for the missed class such as additional readings, problems, video meetings, Chat, and/or Forum sessions in ASULearn. Homework may still be due onto the private ASULearn forum.
  • Math Lab in Walker. Students answer questions.
  • You can request a tutor through University Tutoring Services in the Learning Assistance Program. More information is available at http://lap.appstate.edu/tutoring

    Prerequisites

  • I will assume you have facility with standard functions from algebra and trigonometry, including numerical, symbolic, and graphical representations and manipulations (equivalent to completion of MAT 1025 with a grade of at least B).
  • I will also assume you have facility with differentiation and anti-differentiation (Calc 1 - Chapters 3-6). If you did not complete MAT 1110 recently or do not feel comfortable with the material, you should work through those chapters again in the text.

    Required Resources

  • Hughes-Hallett, Gleason, McCallum, et al. (2013). Calculus: Single Variable (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons and access code for Wileyplus
  • If you already have an i-clicker, the official university clicker, then bring that to all classes. If not, you can pick one up at the start of each class, but must return it by the end of each class. The mathematics department is providing these for our use, but we must share them with other classes.
  • Technology: Access to the course webpages, including the calendar page, which is used to access the other pages and Wileyplus. A calculator is highly recommended for homework practice. A computer algebra system (Maple) is available in all the labs on campus. Students who wish to purchase Maple can ask me for an access code to receive a course discount on a download of the software from Maplesoft, but access during lab is sufficient.

    Course Goals
  • Catalog description: A study of the logarithmic and exponential functions, circular functions and their inverses, techniques of integration, improper integrals, infinite series, Taylor polynomial and power series. Prerequisite: MAT 1110 (with a grade of "C-" or higher). (NUMERICAL DATA) (CORE : MATHEMATICS) (ND Prerequisite: passing the math placement test or successful completion of MAT 0010.)
  • Continue the investigation of quantifiable change begun in Calculus, using a variety of representations (verbal, numerical, symbolic, and graphical) through pattern exploration assisted by appropriate technology (including computer algebra systems such as Maple).
  • Develop an understanding of sequences and series, a deeper understanding of integration, and skill in calculating by hand and using computer algebra systems. We'll focus on content from Chapters 7-11 in the book.
  • Apply integrals, sequences and series appropriately to various problem solving situations, within a variety of contexts.
  • Communicate the mathematics of the course with words, with numerical data, with symbolic notations, and with graphs.

    Learning Activities and Grades

  • Participation 5% You must be prepared for each class and check the main web page regularly for hw. Attendance is required. You are expected to contribute to discussions in a meaningful way and actively engage the material in class. This means that when we are doing a calculation, group work, or i-clicker question, you must also do this, and you are expected to take notes since the book does not contain everything you need to know. These kinds of baseline activities will result in a participation grade of 3.5/5. Other activities can increase or decrease this grade. Utilizing office hours and ASULearn, asking and answering thought provoking questions, coming up with creative or fun ways of thinking about the material, and explaining the material to others are some examples of positive participation that will increase your grade. On the other hand, performing activities that detract from the professional classroom environment or distract other students or me (I'm very easily distracted) will result in a lowered participation grade. Use of interactive technology is allowed only when it is related to our class. Otherwise put cell phones away or place them face down and set them to vibrate. No texting during class and phones and calculators are not allowed on tests or quizzes. Many activities and class discussions are designed to be completed during class. Thus, attendance is required at ALL classes, and will form a portion of your participation grade. Save your absences for emergencies. If the university is open and you miss a class, then that counts as an absence. If you must be late to a class, or must leave early, then do still attend.
  • Online Practice Problems 20% We will be using WileyPlus for homework - the link will be on the main calendar page. Each assignment will have 2 parts that make up the grade. Part 1 (Repeatable): Shows instant feedback with hints always available, solutions after the first try, and retries. You may work with others and use any resources you find helpful on this portion. Part 2 (Self-reliance): Designed to further develop your familiarity with the material and independence in critical thinking. You will have one try, which you are to complete on your own without any help. A given Wileyplus assignment will (eventually) be computed as: 90%Part 1 + 10%Part 2, where that score will be rounded up to the nearest multiple of 5 in order to try to minimize frustrations with typos or formatting, and instead have you focus on your understanding (for example a score that is greater than 80 up to 85 is rounded to 85). Late submissions will receive at most half credit. If you have problems with the online system, you can turn the problems in by-hand.
  • Quizzes 15% If there is some reason you must miss a class, then take the quiz early. No late quizzes allowed. * To accommodate issues that may arise, and help you view quizzes as a learning experience, the lowest 3 quizzes will be dropped - save this for emergencies.
  • Exams 60% There are 3 tests over the course of the semester. No late tests allowed. *
    * Accommodations in the determination of your final grade will be made for extenuating circumstances that are documented to prevent you from completing work early/on time. The grading scale is: A ≥93; 90≤ A- < 93; 87 ≤ B+ <90...

    Also see the University-wide syllabus and policy statements which we adhere to.

    Where to Get Help and Additional Policies

    As per the University-wide Statement on Student Engagement with Courses you can expect to spend (on average) 2-3 hours outside of class for each hour in class. In this course, this means spending between 1 hour and 40 minutes to 3 hours and 45 minutes in between each class, on average. You are responsible for all material covered and all announcements and assignments made at each class, whether you are present or not. You are also responsible for announcements made on the web pages, so check them often. Your other time outside of class should be spent reviewing course material, completing homework assignments, reading solutions on ASULearn, and in office hours or the math lab.

    I encourage you to talk to me often in class, office hours, and on the ASULearn forums. Asking questions, and explaining things to others, in or out of class, is one of the best ways to improve your understanding of the material. This course is to be an environment in which everyone feels comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, offering good guesses and ideas, and is respectful to one another. I also want you to be informed about your choices regarding what you tell me about certain types of sensitive information. In situations where students disclose experiencing an act of interpersonal violence to their instructor, faculty are required to report what students tell us to the campus Title IX Coordinator, who then reaches out to the student by email offering support services. I care about you and want you to get the resources you need. I’m happy to talk with you if you decide you want that, but please be aware that if instead you’d like to explore options with someone who can keep your information totally confidential, I highly recommend the Counseling Center at 828-262-3180. They offer walk-in hours as well as after-hours coverage: http://counseling.appstate.edu. Appalachian Cares is a place to find updates about matters of student health and safety. It also functions as the most up-to-date clearinghouse of information, resources and support available. http://appcares.appstate.edu/

    You should explore each problem and write out your thinking in a way that can be shared with others. Focus on your own ideas. Turn in projects or prepare to present problems even if it they are not complete, even if only to say, "I do not understand such and such" or "I am stuck here." Be as specific as possible. Conjecture. When writing up work, be sure to give acknowledgment where it is due. Submitting someone else's work as your own (PLAGIARISM) is a serious violation of the University's Academic Integrity Code, which defines:

    Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, borrowing, downloading, cutting and pasting, and paraphrasing without acknowledgement, including from online sources, or allowing an individual's academic work to be submitted as another's work.

    Use of interactive technology is allowed only when it is related to our class. Otherwise put cell phones away or place them face down and set them to vibrate. Photos or video or audio recordings may not be taken in class without prior permission. Food and beverages are allowed as long as they aren't distracting, but e-cigs, chewing tobacco/spit cups and other products are not allowed.

    The purpose of homework is to learn and practice computational strategies, concepts, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In this course, you will be challenged with problems that you have never seen before. I do not expect you to be able to solve all the issues immediately. Instead, I want to see what you can do on your own. Out in the real world, this is important, since no matter what job you have, you will be expected to seek out information and answers to new topics you have not seen before. This may feel uncomfortable and frustrating. I understand this and want to help you through the process. It helps to remember that there are no mathematical dead-ends! Each time we get stuck, it teaches us something about the problem we are working on, and leads us to a deeper understanding of the mathematics. In the real world though, you are not expected to face your work alone. You will be allowed to talk to other people and you may even be expected to work with other people. In this class, you are also not expected to face your work alone. I am always happy to help you and will try to give you hints and direction to help you understand the material. At times though, to encourage the exploration process, I may direct you to rethink a problem and to come back to discuss it with me again afterwards. This occurs when I believe that the struggle to understand is imperative for your deep understanding of the material.

    The Learning Assistance Program provides five core services. Two services, University Tutorial Services and Academic Strategy Instruction, are offered to all undergraduate students, and three services, ACCESS, Student Support Services, and Academic Services for Student Athletes, serve specific groups of students identified as needing comprehensive support. In Fall 2016, the ASU-R program joined the Learning Assistance Program. http://lap.appstate.edu.

    Advice from Students in the Last Run of the Class

    I asked them: What suggestions would you give to students taking this course in the future? They responded:
  • Come to class!
  • make sure to be prepared for the quizzes
  • practice, practice, practice
  • make sure you review calc 1 material if you aren't comfortable with it
  • Don't be afraid to go to office hours and ask questions. Don't settle for not understanding something-you're better than that.
  • Go through homework and class notes before quizzes. study.
  • attend office hours and work through problems there as it's a lot easier than trying to remember a question for class. If you have poor skills from past courses, get a tutor ASAP with University Tutoring Services.
  • make sure to take good notes, don't be afraid to ask questions, and definitely do all the online homework
  • Use quizzes to help you on tests. They are good study guides.
  • make sure you have time outside of class to put in effort to practice and understand the material.
  • Wileyplus doesn't always show all the algebraic steps in solutions so be sure to ask Dr. Sarah if you don't understand them.
  • Review algebra heavily, go to class, go to tutoring or office hours
  • Come to class every day, take good notes. Also I think participating in class discussion is very important.
  • If you didn't do well in Calc 1, study more than you do for other classes, and study what you learned there
  • Completing the assigned Wileyplus homework can be a very beneficial way to be successful in this course. Pay attention/go to class and you will also be very successful.

    Instructor Bio

    I am a full Professor of Mathematics and a Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies affiliate faculty member at Appalachian State University. I received my PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. My scholarship areas include Riemannian geometry of orbifolds (calc II is important here), popular culture as it pertains to mathematics, and women and minorities in mathematics. Recognition for my teaching includes a Mathematical Association of America Alder Award winner for distinguished teaching and the winner of a   Appalachian State University Wayne D. Duncan Award for Excellence in Teaching in General Education. In 2010 I was also inducted into the Appalachian State University College of Arts and Sciences Academy of Outstanding Teachers and in 2011 I was named the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teacher of the Year. I am the associate editor of the Association for Women in Mathematics Newsletter and a member of the editorial board of PRIMUS. Andrew Nestler and I co-created the educational website SimpsonsMath.com. My interactive mathematics lecture has been distributed on approximately one million DVDs worldwide as a 25-minute DVD extra for the 20th Century Fox Futurama movie Bender's Big Score and it is listed as "Mind-bending." Jill Thomley and I co-edited the 3-volume Encyclopedia of Mathematics & Society, which was named a "Best Reference 2011" by Library Journal. I've spoken about the impacts of scientific popular culture representations on NPR's Science Friday and all over the country.

    I am married to the bassist Joel Landsberg. We both happen to be on IMDb: Joel and me. My Erdos Bacon number is 6-7 or infinity, depending on what/how you count. In my spare time I like to travel, hike and conduct genealogy research (I also enjoy popular culture, as you can probably tell from some of my scholarly interests). In addition to my own personal genealogy, I like to give back to the broader community. In this context, I am affiliated with ASU's center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies. I am the project coordinator for sites like the Bialobrzegi ShtetLink and the Book of Remembrance of the Community of Bialobrzeg. These projects strive to research and preserve information about communities that were destroyed in World War II. My great-grandparents lived there (it was the Russian empire back then!) in the late 1800s. Some of what I really like about mathematics is also what I enjoy about genealogy - the sense of exploration, discovery and aha moments that come with lots of patience and effort.