Lab Syllabus for Calculus I (Math 141)

Department of Mathematics

University of South Carolina

Spring 2006

 

Lab Overview

The weekly lab meetings are an integral part of Calculus I (Math 141).  These labs are designed with (at least) two purposes:

·         to provide an introduction to and instruction in the use of modern computer software (Maple)

·         to provide in-depth hands-on activities that will further your understanding of the fundamental concepts of calculus.

The computer labs in the Department of Mathematics are part of the MATHSTAT network maintained by the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).  The majority of the funding for these labs, and other academic computing equipment (projectors, printers, …) is from the Student Technology Fee.  All of the computers in LC 102, 303A, and 401 are part of the MATHSTAT network. 

Lab Materials

All lab materials can be downloaded from the WWW.  The lab homepage is

http://www.math.sc.edu/calclab/141L-S06/.

To see the actual lab assignments, click on the Lab Assignments link.  The Maplets for Calculus link points to a comprehensive list of maplets for use in calculus courses.  (You are encouraged to add one or more of these URLs to your list of Favorites.)

Access to Maple 9.5

Maple 9.5 is available on all computers in the academic computing labs maintained by the College of Arts and Sciences and in the open labs in the residence halls.  If you would like to have Maple installed on other University owned or leased computers, please discuss this with your TA.

Students in this course may download a full copy of Maple 10 for $40 or receive the software on a CD for $50.  This is not the same version as you will be using in lab.   All purchases under this plan must be made online at http://webstore.maplesoft.com/.  To purchase a student copy the promotion code is AP8813U.

Grading

Lab grades will be based on three (2) lab projects, three (2) hour quizzes, weekly mastery quizzes, and your attendance.

Hour Quizzes                        30 points

Mastery Quizzes                  30 points

Projects                                 30 points

Attendance                           10 points

Total                                    100 points

Additional information about quizzes and projects will be distributed in advance of these assignments.  Each lab missed will lower your attendance grade by one (1) point; see also the Attendance Policy on this document.

Attendance Policy

Attendance at every class meeting is important – and expected. Students missing more than 10% of the class meetings (2 labs) can have their overall lab grade lowered.  Do not forget to sign the attendance form each week!

Academic Honesty

Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in the labs.  You may discuss lab assignments with others, but do not copy work from another student, from a book, or from the Internet.  Violations of this policy will be dealt with according to University guidelines.