This webpage contains information specific to section 2. Those in other sections are free to view this, but should keep in mind that their class pace, homework assignments, etc. will most likely be different. This page is updated frequently; you're welcome to come back. (Section 2 students are required to come back!)
The documents contained herein are all pdf files and require appropriate software (such as Adobe Acrobat) to view them. Go back to the math department's course information page here for more information on how to obtain (for free!) Adobe Acrobat.
Barring some sort of catastrophy, I read my email several times a day. Thus, this is an excellent way to communicate with me outside of the classroom. Please note, however, that I use text-only mail readers, so sending me email encoded in HTML is inconvenient and/or impossible for me to read and sending me stuff like Word documents as attachments is futile. Most email programs will prompt you whether to send mail in HTML or not. If you don't know anything about this stuff, don't worry about it.
Grades for section 2 will be determined by a strict percentage of the 650 points described in the course syllabus as follows:
Some of you took calculus in high school and are here via "advanced placement." Many took math 229 here at NIU. Others are repeating the course. Whatever your background, you'll likely find this to be a difficult course. In order to be successful, it is absolutely crucial that students budget their time wisely and keep up with the coursework daily. Simply put, to fall behind (even just a few days) is a sure way to fail. In order to reinforce the importance of attending class and keeping up, the following policy will be used:
Attendance will be taken (via homework - see below) every day. Any students with more than three unexcused absences will have their grade lowered one letter grade.
Homework will be assigned each day (see below) and will be due the next class period. The particulars for each day's assignment may be found below. Experience has shown that, while diligently doing your homework day in and day out doesn't guarantee success, not doing it ensures failure. On the other hand, you are supposedly learning the material when you do the homework, so it seems (to me at least) inappropriate to grade your homework on anything other than your effort. What works best is for you to do the homework, turn it in on time, have it checked for errors, and have it returned back to you promptly so that you get timely feedback on your progress. In view of this, we will adopt the following policy on homework:
Any students missing more than three assignments at the end of the semester will have their grade lowered one letter grade.
Your homework will also serve as your record of attendance. Please hand in assignments which are neatly written up, with exercise numbers clearly labeled and separate sheets held together either with a staple or a paper clip. You will most likely need to first do the exercises on scratch paper and then rewrite your solutions on a final draft. It is expected that you will have difficulty with some exercises. You will not be penalized for this, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions the following day concerning exercises you were unable to complete.
The "grade" (i.e., the 150 points allocated) for your homework will be determined via a short (10-15 minute) quiz to be given each week on Friday. These quizzes will be on material covered that week in class, and will consist of a few selectively chosen homework problems already assigned. No makeups will be given.
There will be three hourly exams given in class throughout the semester, roughly at the times indicated on the suggested lecture pace. Though there will be no midterm, there will, of course, be a final exam. The final exam is uniform, meaning the same final is given to all students taking Math 230. All sections take the final exam at the same time: 8:00-9:50 a.m. on Friday, December 14. Section 2 will take the final exam in DuSable 424.
The final exam will be comprehensive. There will be NO makeup exams. Do not miss them for any reason!
Here are some practice problems for the first exam. Once you've tried them, you can check your answers by looking at some solutions I've written up.
Here are some practice problems for the second exam. Check your answers by looking at some solutions I've written up.
Here are some practice problems for the third exam. Check your answers by looking at some solutions I've written up.
Last update: Dec. 7, 2012