Math 340-0101
Fall 2009
Course Description
Course title:
Calculus, linear algebra, differential equations I
Class time TuTh 9:00 - 10:45
Class location: MTH 0103
Professor:
Michael Brin
Office: Room 4407, Math Building
Phone: 301-405-5107
Email: mib at math dot umd dot edu
Office hours: Tu,Th 11--12:15 and by appointment.
Prerequisites.
MATH 140 and MATH 141, and permission of department.
Required text:
Multivariable Mathematics, Richard Williamson, Hale Trotter, Fourth Edition
Syllabus.
Almost all of Chapters 1-9.
Grading.
- 25% Homework (worst 2 will be dropped)
- 25% Quizzes (every week, worst 2 will be dropped)
- 25% Tests (two). Test 1: Sept.9;
Test 2: Nov.12;
- 25% Final Exam, Tuesday, December 15, 8-10 am
(The possible points in each category will be normalized at
the end to give the corresponding percentages.)
Conflicts.
If you know before an exam that you have a schedule conflict,
contact me in advance.
On-line grades. We will use the online gradesheet
provided by the mathematics department.
After giving me an alias you will be able to see your grades from a
link on the course website.
Expectations/philosophy. You are expected to
come to class, do the homework, and most important of all be
actively engaged in trying to understand. Tips for success:
- Don't fall behind. (Make a regular schedule of work and don't
procrastinate.)
- Make friends. Help each other. (On homework, it's usually
best to try alone first.)
Religious observances.
If your religion dictates that you cannot take an exam or
hand in assigned work on a particular date, then contact
me at the beginning of the semester to discuss
alternatives. You are responsible for making these
arrangements at the beginning of the semester.
Disabilities.
If you have some disability related to testing under the usual timed,
in-class conditions, you may contact the office of Disabled Students
Services (DSS) in Shoemaker. If they assess you as meriting private
conditions and/or extra time, then you may arrange to take your tests
at DSS, with extra time as they indicate. You must arrange this well in
advance of a test (in particular: no retakes). Click to
Disability Support Services for further information.
The course MATH 340.
Introduction to linear algebra, multivariable calculus and differential
equations.
Success in MATH 340 requires a personal immersion in the
material and homework.
You have to be willing to struggle with reading and
problems until understanding comes.
By far the greater part
of this will happen outside of class.
I will not cover in class all the things you must read and understand:
-
There isn't time.
- Usually we don't understand complicated arguments
"in real time" (i.e. as fast as the argument is presented at a
blackboard).
- It's critical that you learn to read mathematics and make
it your own.
In class, we will do some complicated things. But I am thinking
of class more for giving context, interpretation,
extra material, things that
will help the reading and homework, and answering questions.