Contact Information: 214-5 Elizabeth Hall ext. 7551 campus box 8340 http://www.stetson.edu/~mhale/

Office Hours: Mon 11:00 - 11:50, 2:30 - 3:20 Wed 11:00 - 11:50 Fri 11:00 - 11:50 or by appointment

Course Overview   This course is for students working on a degree in business. It is not open to those who already have credit for MS 222 or MS 201. The prerequisite is Precalculus (MS 101 or passing the math placement test). This course does not prepare you for Calculus II; for that you should take Calculus I (MS 201). This is a skills-oriented course: you are required to remember the algebra you learned in previous courses. It is also an applications course: understanding concepts, terminology, and notation are important.

Text and Calculator   The text is Waner and Costenoble, Applied Calculus, 4th ed., parts of chapters 1-7. Along with the book, you should own a graphing calculator. The features of the TI-84(Plus) are best for this course, and instructions for the TI-83/84 are available.

Grading   Your grade will be based on a gateway test on precalculus (10%), three tests on calculus (20% each), and a final exam (30%). The grading scale is A: 90% - 100%, B: 80% - 89%, etc.

Policies and Due Dates   You must take the major tests during the scheduled time unless you have a valid excuse cleared with me ahead of time. Test dates are: Monday 9/8, Friday 9/26, Monday 11/3, and Monday 11/24. The final exam is Wednesday 12/10, 1-3 pm.

Test 1 is a gateway exam, testing your knowledge of precalculus material necessary to the rest of the course. We will review this material during the first two weeks. You must complete most of the problems correctly to pass. If you pass the first time, you earn 100 points. If not, you may try twice more, earning a top score of 85 points on the second try, and 70 points on the third. If you fail all three attempts, you will earn 0 points. Failure after three attempts is a strong indication that you need to take or audit precalculus (MS 101 or its equivalent) before attempting this course.

Note the date for Test 4, just before Thanksgiving. A stiff penalty applies for a late test, regardless of excuse.

Homework should consume about 6 hours per week outside of class. Problems are grouped on the syllabus by type. It is recommended that you do several odd problems of each type plus one even problem. Odd answers are in the back of the book. On occasion at the beginning of class I will ask you to copy from your notes the solution to an even-numbered problem of my choosing; please bring one of each type already prepared. Grades on these provide further feedback for both of us.

Attendance is expected. Previous students have found that loyal attendance (3 or fewer absences) is required for success in my courses.

Assistance   All work on tests must be your own, with no help from books, notes, or other people. Homework may be done with others, or taken to the Math Clinic, but should be re-done in your own words. I support the Stetson University Honor System.

Communication   I use Blackboard to communicate important information about the class. Also see my contact information above. You are welcome in my office, my voicemail, and my Inbox.

fall 2008 syllabus
instructions for the TI-83/84
course review
study tips
prerequisites
back to business calculus
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