MAT128 - Calculus A - Spring, 2024

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

INSTRUCTOR: Andy Long. Office: MEP 443; phone: 572-5794; email: longa@nku.edu

MEETING TIME/PLACE: MWF, 1:00-1:50, MEP323

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: MAT 128 Calculus A Limits and differentiation with applications. Recommended for all students interested in mathematics or science. Credit is not given for both MAT 128 and MAT 129. A general studies course (mathematics). PREREQ: B- or better in MAT 119 or placement.

TEXT: We'll be using the free, on-line text Active calculus, by Matthew Boelkin. We will cover most of the material in chapters 1-3 (and maybe the first section of chapter 4).

GRADING: There will be weekly quizzes, three midterm exams, and a comprehensive final. Homework will be assigned regularly, activities will be undertaken in class, and the quizzes will cover that (as well as the assigned reading). Your course grade will be determined as follows:

Your course grade will be determined as follows:

Quizzes: 30%

Midterm Exams 50%

Comprehensive Final (12:20 pm on 5/1) 20%

Exams will be given in-class, closed notes.
Make-up exams will not be given except in extreme circumstances.

I use the standard grading scale, with a small buffer zone for the assignment of plus/minus grades:

<60	60-70	70-71	71-79	79-80	80-81	81-89	89-90	90-91	>91
F	D	C-	C	C+	B-	B	B+	A-	A

ATTENDANCE: The student is responsible for all material assigned or discussed in class. Attendance will be taken, and may be used along with class effort (as measured by participation - asking questions, answering other students' questions, group work, etc.) to resolve borderline grades.

WITHDRAWAL: The last day to withdraw from any class is March 18, 2024. After that day it is not usually permitted.

OFFICE HOURS:

M 2-3
W 2-3, 4:50-5:30
TR 12:15-3

I am also available by appointment, and at random when approached with a smile.

FINAL EXAM: Your comprehensive final exam is Wednesday, May 1st, 12:20-2:20.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS:

For use in class and on homework, you will want access to a laptop, tablet, graphing calculator, or an online app like Desmos available at https://www.desmos.com.
For exams, you will be allowed a graphing calculator (and nothing more -- and, in particular, phones can't be used).

HOMEWORK: WebWork and other homework will generally be assigned weekly. You should expect to do a lot of homework in order to do well on the quizzes, and in the course.

Notes:

Course homepage: http://www.nku.edu/~longa/classes/mat128/
Learning Objectives: http://www.nku.edu/~longa/classes/mat128/LearningObjectives.html
Email: When writing an email, please include "mat128" in the message subject line -- it helps me to prioritize your email!
If you miss a class, you should get the notes from another student in the class. Of course, if you are missing class for an extended time (such as illness or other serious problem), you should contact me as soon as possible.
I reserve the right to alter this syllabus if necessary. Any changes will be discussed in class, and all students will be notified.
If you need accommodations for a physical, psychological, or medical disability please talk with me so that I may do my best to meet your needs.
The Departmental Syllabus for all Mathematics courses is a part of the syllabus for this course.

Website maintained by Andy Long. Comments appreciated.