Also, if you have a university-approved VISA that entitles you to extra test time or other assistance, please tell me now.


How will I be graded?
The final grade will be determined by two in class midterm exams (100 points each), the final exam (200 points) and your grade in your discussion section (100 points). Thus the maximum number of points you can earn is 500. Grades for the course will be assigned according to the following standard:
A - 450+
AB - 435+
B - 400+
BC - 385+
C - 350+
D - 280+
F - 0+
There will be no curve in this class.

Your discussion grade is the last fifth of your total grade. This discussion portion of your grade will be based on quizzes, which will be held every Wednesday during section (except the first class and on weeks when there is an exam). They will be based on the homework assigned the previous week (the homework is not collected). Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

How can I do well in this class?
As is clear by the above, there is no way around the fact that to do well in this class you will need to do well on the exams. To do well on the exams, you will need to do more than just attend. There will be homework assigned. Though it will not be collected, it is essential for your grade that you do these problems, and practice with even more exercises than just those assigned. Math is not a spectator sport; you'll only learn by participating.

I highly recommend working on homework and studying together. I have taken years and years of college math classes, so believe me-- talking over problems with others is the best way to understand them. Plus, really, what better way to make friends than bonding over math? For other suggestions on how to take notes, do homework, study for exams, etc., you can find a great guide here.

What will the exams be like? Is ___ on the exam?
I don't write your exams, so I really can't tell you! However, I can say for sure that the more problems you work through, the more likely it will be that you will see things on the exam that look familiar. Think about it: on an exam you cannot use a graphing calculator (or any other calculator that can be programmed), and will be given no chances to peek at the answers in the back and work backwards, or look up the definition of a word or concept; therefore, the best way to study is to first understand the material, getting help if necessary, and then making yourself sit down and do problems just like you will during an exam. A great practice tool-- there are past Calc I exams in the Kleene Math Library in B224 Van Vleck.