Vector Calculus

Instructor: Dr. Karen Ricciardi

Office: 317 Albee

Phone: 758-7104

e-mail:ricciard@bard.edu

Office Hours: Monday 4:30-6:00; Wednesday 10:30-12:00; Thursday 2:00-5:00 and by appointment

Course Web Page: http://math.bard.edu/ricciardi/CalcIII.htm

Meeting Time/Place: Monday, Wednesday 8:30-10:20 PM/ Hegeman 106

Textbook: Colley, Jane, Vector Calculus, 2^nd ed., Prentice Hall
 
 

Prerequisites: This course investigates differentiation and integration of multivariable function. Topics covered in this course include vectors, coordinate systems, vector valued functions, partial derivatives, gradients, Lagrange multipliers, multiple integrals, change of variables, line integrals, Green’s theorem and Stoke’s theorem. Knowledge of single variable calculus is necessary for this course. Please talk to the instructor if you are unsure whether this is the appropriate course for you.

Grade: Your grade will be determined in the following manner.

Exams (3) = 25% each for a total of 75% of your final grade.

Homework = 15% of your final grade.

Projects = 10% of your final grade.

Exams: There will be three in class exams throughout the semester. Each exam will be comprehensive, with a focus on the most recently learned material. You will have the class period to complete the exam. All exams will be collected at the end of class. If you should miss an exam, you will receive a grade of zero unless you have spoken to me (see Make-ups). Each midterm exam will be worth 25% of your final grade. Tentative dates of exams: 3/3, 4/7, 5/10.

Homework: Homework will be assigned each class on the material covered in class. Complete homework assignments are due the Monday of the following week. Late homework assignments will be accepted, however, 10 points will be taken off for each day that the homework is late. Only selected problems in each homework assignment will be graded, but to receive full credit for each homework assignment all problems assigned must be completed. Assignments that are not complete will not be graded and are considered late until all problems are complete.

        Key HW Points:     Due Mondays.

                                        Must be complete to receive full credit.

Projects: Vector Calculus is applied to many different types of problems in fields of physics, chemistry, biology and economics. This is a group project. Working in groups of 2 or 3 students, you must present an applied vector calculus problem of your choice to the class. The problem you present must be approved by the professor. For your presentation you must supply the students in the class with a one page handout that contains pertinent information necessary to understand the problem. Each group will have 20 minutes to present their problem. Projects will be graded on the students' ability to meet all required due dates, their knowledge of the topic, the creativity and clarity of their presentation and their handout, their use of the alloted time for the presentation and their ability to field questions from the other students.

        Key Project Points:    2/23: Hand in a list of your 2 or 3 person group.

                                            3/8: Hand in two possible problems.

                                            3/10: Approved topics will be handed back.

                                            3/10-4/7: Groups must meet with professor to report progress.

                                            4/26: Hand in a rough draft of your handout.

                                            5/17, 19: Presentations.

Make-ups: Make-up exams will be granted only under compelling circumstances (e.g. death in the family, medical emergency, religious holiday). Arrangements for make-ups must be made before the date of the exam (or as soon as possible thereafter when prearrangement is not feasible). Unexcused missed exams will receive a score of zero.

Other places for help: Free tutoring services are offered by Academic Services. While this service pertains primarily to lower level math courses, many of the peer tutors have the ability to tutor Vector Calculus. To gain more information about arranging for a peer tutor, contact Dr. Jeff Suzuki at 758-7001 (suzuki@bard.edu).

Academic Honesty: The Bard College academic honesty policy is in effect. In particular, always be sure to give proper attribution for work or ideas that are not your own.

Special Accomodations: Students with documented special needs should inform the instructor during the first week of classes. Any special needs will be kept completely confidential.