Abbreviated syllabus

MAT 272 Calculus and Analytic Geometry III
Line number 11171. Honors section.

Spring 2010

The complete syllabus is available on-line at the class www-site:

Time: / T Th 3:00 - 4:40
Location: / ECA 319
Textbook: / Calculus, Early Transcendental Functions, 3rd ed.
by Robert Smith and Roland Minton, 3rd ed., 2007.
Instructor: / Matthias Kawski
Contact info: / e-mail: / (preferred)
office locations: / PSA 211 and Goldwater Center 354
office hours: / to be announced, always available after class. by appointment
office phones: / PSA: (480) 965 7195 and GWC: (480) 965 3376
home phone: / (480) 893 0107 (for emergencies)
Content, goals, objectives, and outcomes
MAT 272 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III.(4)
Vector-valued functions of several variables, multiple integration, and introduction to vector analysis.
Pre-requisites: Must have completed either MAT 266 or MAT 271 with a grade of C or greater
The class has multiple objectives and outcomes: Students shall develop a deep understanding of both the differential and integral calculus of scalar- and vector-valued functions of one or more variables.
Students will learn to (partial listing only)
  • translate problems into suitable symbolic language, and use correct notation,
  • perform symbolic and numeric calculations involving various forms of derivatives and integrals (including gradients, directional derivatives, divergence, curl, and multiple, line, and surface integrals)
  • apply the integral theorems of multi variable and vector calculus,
  • interpret and create suitable graphical representations of functions of several variables and vector fields,
  • employ suitable computing technology for experimentation, computation, and visualization,
  • communicate their findings in both written and oral form.
Technology The class will utilize a diverse set of technology. Beyond meeting in class and face-to-face, e-mail, facebook and black-board forums are common uses of technology for communication. You are welcome to introduce superior alternatives to the class!
For experimentation, visualization, computation, the class will rely on EXCEL, MAPLE and various on-line resources such as the JAVA vector field analyzer II or the Famous curves applet.
No prior technical knowledge of MAPLE is assumed, nor are students expected to purchase the software. When needed outside class, students may use it in any computer lab on campus.
Daily routine
  • Students are expected to prepare for each class by reading the upcoming section in the textbook, starting to work exercises, and prepare in writing questions regarding the new material.
  • Do NOT expect that everything from the textbook will be copied to the black-board.
  • Collaboration for homework and class preparation is highly encouraged and expected for typical in-class assignments!
  • All students are expected to present their work on the board in class. Volunteer early and regularly! Don't wait until the end of the course when the material gets even more demanding.
General expectations and policies
  • Homework: Assignments will be announced in class and posted on this WWW-site. Unless announced otherwise, the default rule is that homework be handed in by teams of three or four students. The signatures of each student is understood as certifying that this student has contributed to all results and completely understands the submitted work in its entirety. Each student should be prepared to present the work submitted by the team in class (else, the entire team may lose credit for the work).
Students are NOT expected to type-set their work, but it must be professional in appearance. Submitted work should contain detailed explanations and justification -- generally it is expected that every page has more words than symbols and formulas. Proper grammar and punctuation are expected. ( compare the expectations in the next classes.)
  • Role of team projects, if at all, is to be determined.
  • Attendance: A substantial part of the course grade will be based on contributions made in class. Moreover, the classes may involve material that is not found in the textbook in a similar form. Thus make every effort to attend and participate in every class.
  • Highest standards of academic integrity are expected from all participants in the class. For many parts of the course, teamwork and use of modern technology are strongly encouraged - always indicate clearly the intellectual ownership, what exactly your personal contribution is. Technology is evolving -- and so are standards of its use. Never hesitate to ask if in doubt about what are proper procedures.
  • Special needs: If you have any special needs that may require accommodation, please notify me no later than the end of the second week of classes. Qualified students with disabilities who will require disability accommodations in this class shill inform me as soon as possible. Prior to receiving disability accommodations, verification of eligibility from the Disability Resource Center (DRC) is required. Disability information is confidential.
Grading policies
The default scheme for the semester grades will use a standard scale of A for 90% and above (excellent), B between 80% and 90% (very good), C between 65% and 80% (good), D between 55% and 65% (marginal), and E below 55% (insufficient). In each grade range, the top and bottom 3 points of the range are used for +/- grades. Unless otherwise agreed upon, the semester grade will be composed of homework, presentations and other in-class work (approx. 30%), four tests (approx. 40%), and the final exam (approx. 30%).
Make-up tests will only be given for qualified reasons with proper documentation (e.g. medical). An already purchased air line ticket to Los Cabos for spring break etc. does not qualify!