Business Calculus
MS 226-01
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

This document and its links are available on the course web site.

Course Overview   This course is for students working on a degree in business. It is not open to those who already have credit for MS 222 or 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 is a skills-oriented course: you are required 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 Waner and Costenoble, Applied Calculus, 4th ed., parts of chapters 1-7. 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 a gateway test on precalculus (10%), three tests on calculus (20% each), and a final exam (30%). 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 Fridays: 1/30, 2/20, 4/3, 4/24. The final exam is Tuesday 5/5, 1-3 pm.

Test 1 is a gateway exam, testing your knowledge of precalculus material necessary to the rest of the course. We will review this material during the first two and a half weeks. You must complete most of the problems correctly to pass. If you pass the first time, you earn 100 points. If not, you may try twice more, earning a top score of 85 points on the second try, and 70 points on the third. If you fail all three attempts, you will earn 0 points. Failure after three attempts is a strong indication that you need to take or audit precalculus (MS 101 or its equivalent) before attempting this course.

Homework should consume about 6 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.


spring 2009 syllabus
instructions for the TI-83/84
course review
study tips
prerequisites
back to business calculus
back to Margie's home page