Calculus for the Life Sciences
MS 222-01
Margie Hale, Spring 2009

Contact Information: 214-5 Elizabeth Hall ext. 7551 campus box 8340 http://www.stetson.edu/~mhale/

Office Hours: Mon 2:30 - 3:20 Tue 10:30 - 11:20 Wed 10:00 - 10:50 Fri 10:00 - 10:50 or by appointment

Course Overview   This course is for students working on a degree in biology, psychology, or integrative health sciences, and for others who are simply interested. It is not open to those who already have credit for MS 201. The prerequisite is Precalculus (MS 101 or passing the math placement test). This course does not prepare you for Calculus II; for that you should take Calculus I (MS 201). This course does satisfy the calculus requirement of the Business School as an alternative to Business Calculus (MS 226). This is a skills-oriented course; you need to remember the algebra you learned in previous courses. It is also an applications course; understanding concepts, terminology, and notation is important.

Text and Calculator   The text is Goldstein, Lay, and Schneider, Brief Calculus and its Applications, 11th ed., chapters 1-6. Along with the book, you should own a graphing calculator. The features of the TI-84(Plus) are best for this course, and instructions for the TI-83/84 are available.

Grading   Your grade will be based on four tests worth 18% each and a final exam worth 28%. The grading scale is A: 90% - 100%, B: 80% - 89%, etc.

Policies and Due Dates   You must take the major tests during the scheduled time unless you have a valid excuse cleared with me ahead of time. Tests are on Tuesdays: 2/3, 2/24, 3/31, 4/21. The final exam is Monday 5/4, 1-3 pm.

Homework should consume about 8 hours per week outside of class. Problems are grouped on the syllabus by type. Within each group, do odd problems, checking answers, until you have mastered the technique. Then do one even problem to bring to class. On occasion at the beginning of class I will ask you to copy from your notes the solution to an even-numbered problem from a group of my choosing. Grades on these provide further feedback for both of us.

Attendance is expected. Previous students have found that loyal attendance (3 or fewer absences) is required for success in my courses.

Assistance   All work on tests must be your own, with no help from books, notes, or other people. Homework may be done with others, or taken to the Math Clinic, but should be re-done in your own words. I support the Stetson University Honor System.

This is a college level course. You are responsible for learning the material, reading the text, identifying your questions and difficulties, talking with me inside and outside of class, keeping up with the syllabus, reading your email, and knowing class policies. Study Tips are provided. Use the Math Clinic: room 209E, Monday-Thursday 2:30-4:30 and 7-10 pm, and Sunday 8-10 pm. Visit my web site to find out more about me and about the course. If you have special needs, please don't hesitate to discuss them, either with me or with the Academic Resources Center.

Communication   I use Blackboard to communicate important information about the class. To reach me, see my contact information above. You are welcome in my office, my voicemail, and my Inbox.

syllabus
prerequisites
instructions for the TI-83/84
study tips
course review
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