Instructor: Tim Chumley
Office: Clapp 423
Phone: 538-2299
e-mail: tchumley

Course: Math 102, Calculus II

Prerequisites: Math 101 (Calculus I) or equivalent

Textbook: APEX Calculus 2 by Gregory Hartman, ISBN: 1719263388;
available as a free pdf or interactive html site.

About the course: Second semester calculus tells an interesting, far reaching story that interconnects a few important areas of math: sequences, series, and integration. In your first calculus class, you probably talked a lot about derivatives, and likely spent at least a little time thinking about the idea that a linear function (eg. a tangent line) can approximate the value of a differentiable function. One could argue that the key goal of our class this semester is to understand how higher order polynomials (quadratics, cubics, etc.) can approximate functions that have second, third, etc. derivatives, and how to make sense of polynomials with infinitely many terms (called power series). Along the way, we’ll learn more about sequences and series of numbers—concepts you might have never studied in depth—and learn some useful ideas and techniques about the Riemann integral.

Learning goals: During the semester the plan is to learn to

  • evaluate integrals using techniques likes substitution, integration by parts, and partial fraction decomposition.
  • use integrals in the context of applications.
  • understand the notions of limits, sequences, and series
  • understand tests that determine whether a given infinite series converges.
  • understand convergence of power series.
  • use Taylor series to approximate important functions including the sine, cosine, exponential function, and logarithm.

Attendance: When healthy, I expect everyone to come to each class ready to do math. This means that you should bring paper, pens, pencils, and other equipment that you may need. Before each class please prepare by doing any assigned reading and suggested problems. Please expect to talk in small groups as well as in class discussions. Activities may involve worksheets and informal presentations that will be designed to contribute significantly to our learning.

Participation: Besides attending class and doing homework, I encourage everyone to participate actively and frequently since it makes such a difference in your learning. I suggest asking and answering questions during lecture, working in groups in and out of class, coming to office hours, responding to feedback surveys, and simply keeping in touch with me and your classmates.

Homework: There will be weekly homework assignments due on a fixed day of the week. You’re encouraged to start early on the assignments; they’re not meant to be done in one sitting.

Quizzes: There will be short weekly quizzes on material from past homework.

Exams: There will be two midterm exams and a self-scheduled final. Exams will have a mix of computational and conceptual questions, but overall they’ll be similar to homework and quizzes.

Technology: Here are some general remarks on the use of calculators, software, and phones:

  • For all homework, quizzes, and exams, you may use a scientific calculator, but it is not necessary or required (I generally write questions that can be done by hand or left unsimplified).
  • Software like Wolfram Alpha or Desmos can be used on homework or other outside the class work, but its use should be cited. You’re expected to show your work on problems.
  • It’s ok to take photos of the board for note taking, but please don’t post these online.
  • Please keep your phones on Do Not Disturb mode in class, especially during quizzes and exams so as not to disturb others.
  • If you’re unsure whether something is ok to use, please feel free to ask.

Late work, makeups: In general, I ask you to turn homework in by the deadlines and take exams on time because it helps you keep up with the class and it helps me to stay organized. However, I nearly universally say yes to short extensions if you ask. Please just get in touch as soon as possible and suggest how long you think you’ll need. The only caveat is that you’ll get less time to submit redos on late work since redo deadlines are firm. We’ll need to have a longer conversation and make detailed plans if you go through an extended absence or missed deadlines start to pile up, but my goal is to help anyone who falls behind.

Getting help: Here are some of the resources that will be available:

  • TA help: There will be evening two hour sessions for you to work in groups with your classmates with TAs who can give your group hints if needed. Times and location will be announced.
  • Office hours: These times (which will be posted near the top of the class web page) are open drop in sessions where there may be multiple students getting help. I generally expect that you’ll come with specific questions about notes, homework problems, or the text that you have thought about already. I’m also happy to schedule a time to meet one-on-one, either to discuss something private or because you can’t make my office hours. Please send me an email if this is the case.
  • Study groups: Other students in the class are a wonderful resource. I want our class to feel like a community of people working together, so I encourage forming study groups and collaboration, but work to be turned in should be written up individually and on your own.

Grading: Grades will be assigned based on homework, quizzes, and exams according to the following weighting:

  • Participation: 5%
  • Homework: 20%
  • Quizzes: 15%
  • Exam 1: 20%
  • Exam 2: 20%
  • Exam 3: 20%

Overall letter grades will be based on a scale no stricter than the usual:

  • 93-100: A
  • 90-93: A-
  • 88-90 B+
  • 83-88: B
  • 80-83: B-
  • 78-80: C+
  • 73-78: C
  • 70-73: C-
  • 68-70: D+
  • 63-67: D
  • 60-63: D-
  • 0-60: F

Academic integrity: It is very important for you to follow the Honor Code in all of your work for this course. Collaboration on homework assignments is encouraged. However, it is important that you only write what you understand, and that it is in your own words. My first instinct is always to trust you, but I cannot give credit for plagiarized work and might have to refer such issues to the deans. If you have any questions about whether something is an Honor Code violation, please ask me.

Students with disabilities: If you have a disability and would like to request accommodations, please get in touch with me. We’ll work together, along with Disability Services, to make sure the class is accessible and equitable.