Overview of Math 135, Fall 2005

Math 135 has many components. These include the text, lectures, recitations, homework assignments, WeBWorK, exams, office hours, and peer tutoring. A few sections are taught in a 5-credit format that includes a workshop. Attendance at lectures, recitations, and workshops, unless excused by the instructor, and use of the WeBWorK system are required for all students.

The text is the third edition of Calculus and Its Applications by Strauss, Bradley, and Smith, published by Pearson. Students who may take Math 136 or 138 should get the custom version of the book prepared especially for Rutgers students. This version is available only at Rutgers bookstores.

A graphing calculator is not required, but most student will find such a calculator useful. The suggested calculator is the TI-83 Plus. Lecturers and recitation instructors will be able to provide limited assistance in the use of the TI-83 Plus. Students who purchase other calculators are on their own.

Here is a generic syllabus, including a tentative lecture-by-lecture description of the course. Each lecturer will prepare a detailed syllabus for their lecture section. The lecturer's syllabus is the official one for that class. Term grades are assigned by the lecturer.

Here are the suggested homework problems for each section of the text covered in the course. Individual lecturers may modify this list. Students are expected to work on homework problems before coming to recitations.

Recitations give students an opportunity to ask questions and to see sample problems worked in detail. Students will not benefit fully from recitation classes unless they attempt the assigned problems in advance. Normally, at the end of each recitation class there will be a short quiz consisting of one problem similar to those discussed that day.

WeBWorK is an interactive, online system that permits students to practice working calculus problems. Students get their own version of each problem and they may submit answers until they get the problem right. The WeBWorK assignments must be done on line. At the end of the semester, the system provides the instructor with a score for each student. This score is based on the number of problems the student eventually got right, not on the number of attempts made. Each student will receive a logon id and a password for WeBWorK. Here is an introduction to the system and here is the link to the system itself.

There will be two hour exams and a cumulative final exam. Hour exams will be written by the lecturer and given in lecture. The final exam will be the same for all Math 135 students. It will be written by the course coordinator. For fall 2005 the final exam will be given from 4:00 to 7:00PM on Friday, December 16, 2005. The location of the final exam will be announced later in the term. The policies for calculators on the hour exams are set by the lecturers. A basic graphing calculator will be permitted on the final. No calculator or computer with a QWERTY keyboard and no calculator capable of performing symbolic differentiation will be permitted on the final. In particular, no version of the TI-89, the TI-92, or the Voyage 200 will be allowed.

Lecturers and recitation instructors will hold regular office hours each week. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions and to get to know their teachers.

The Rutgers Learning Centers offer tutoring in many mathematics classes, including Math 135. The tutoring is provided by undergraduate peer tutors.