Vector Calculus  -   Math 241.003    -    Fall 2024

Textbook (required):  
  • Thomas' Calculus: Early Transcendentals (15th Edition) by Hass, Heil, Bogacki, Weir.   (An electronic version is fine.)
  • My Math Lab access to the textbook for the on-line homework.
    The MyMathLab Student Registration Instructions (including the course ID) is posted on (the secured) Blackboard.

Organization:    Blackboard will be used minimally and mostly for a secure location for posting items.
Prof. G's Weekly Schedule
with Office Hours		 Semester Calendar
e.g. exam/holiday info, class meeting time/room		 Syllabus

Useful Links:    ⊕indicates link should open in new tab
Desmos 3D⊕ Desmos Demonstrations⊕
prepared by Prof. G. 		Handouts⊕
course handouts (HO), links, and other resources
MML sign-in link⊕
for the online homework 		MML Help and Hints⊕
e.g. finding eText and Student Solution Manual
prepared by Prof. G. 		MML Quizzes Info and Hints⊕
general info and helps for studying
prepared by Prof. G.

Announcements    Also see MML for announcements (and hints on the MML HW).

 

Other Announcements are posted on MML Course Home page (in right column on a horizontal menu, change Current to Entire Course to Date).
There are also MML HW hints there.

 

(−) Previous Announcements

 

Sat. 9/14 [updated Sun 9/15]
There will be a 30 minutes 40 minutes MML quiz on Thursday 9/19 over sections 12.1-12.3.
See Hints/Info for MML Quizzes, esp. numbers 1 (bring a calculator) and 2 (hints).
If after reading this link you have questions, then ask Prof. G.
Let's make the quiz 40 minutes (instead of the originally announced 30 minutes). If this were an exam, 30 minutes would be good. But since you are still learning, let's allow 40 minutes.

Wed. 9/4  Sat. 9/7 [Updated]
See the updated Details for Quiz 1. If after reading these details you have questions, then ask Prof. G.
If you have temporary MML access about to expire, make sure to tend to this.

Wed. 9/4
See Details for Quiz 1. If after reading these details you have questions, then ask Prof. G.

Sun. 8/18
The syllabus is now posted (above). Please read the syllabus before the first class. Also note that the tentative date for Exam 1 has been moved (as so to not be on Yom Kippur).

Sun. 8/4
In order to classroom environment conducive to learning as well as to help you personally succeed in this class, we will follow the below policies regarding electronic devices.

  • If you use an electronic tablet to take class notes during class, then your tablet must remain flat on your desk (as one does when writing). Otherwise you will lose the privilege of using a tablet in class.
  • During class, cell phones and other electronic devices (except for tablets) are to be turned off and stored in a closed bag; they may not be stored in personal clothing. Improper storage of electronic devices could result in the device being confiscated (and returned after class).
Thank you for your cooperation in creating an environment in which everyone can succeed. <

Sat 8/3
Although our campus is large, there are 20 minutes between classes. Punctual arrival to your classes is expected. Understandably, an occasional late arrival (e.g. had an exam just before class) can occur. Here are some tips.

  • Avoid the red light at the corner of Pickens and Greene Sts by using the Pickens St pedestrian bridge.
  • Avoid crossing Assembly St by using the tunnel under Assembly street.
  • Avoid crossing Blossom St by using the pedestrian Blossom St bridge.
    Engineering Prof. Lyon made a map of how to get between the engineering and our classroom's parts of campus. Prof. Lyon's map for walking between Swearingen and Close-Hipp (will open in new tab). He also provided advise.
    • The biggest time-saver is to get across Blossom St by using the pedestrian Blossom St bridge (circled in yellow).
      South (down on map) of the bridge either:
      • cut a corner by crossing the Blatt PE Center field (red route)
      • go through the Blossom Street Garage (orange route).
    • From the 300 Main building, use the red route.
    • From SWGN, use the orange route unless a train is blocking Main Street, in which case use the red route.
    • Although the green route looks good on paper, time-wise it is longer because of the red light at Blossom St and the very steep Henderson St hill.
  • If you have a long walk to class, then find a quick route (and put your cell phone away).
Thank you for your cooperation.

Fri. 8/2
To help review needed concepts, several preparatory MML homeworks (00.1-00.6) are posted and due soon. These preparatory homeworks serve as a review of material from previous math classes; thus, can be done now. We will begin the semester with §12.1.

Please see, on the course Handout page posted above, the Review. Helpful Review/Preparation for MML HW section, which contains helpful items (such as: a Math 142 derivatives&integrals formula handout and my Math 142 lecture notes from §11.1-11.2.). Although you may not have seen determinates yet, for a 3x3 matrix the determinate is straight forward and the handout page has a fast color coded explanation/pattern for finding the determinate of a 3x3 matrix.

See Blackboard for instruction on enrolling in our MML course. Temporary access may be available for 14 days if you're not ready to buy. The work you submit using the temporary access will be saved until you get your permanent access.
Th. 8/1
Welcome to Math 241.
Please familiarize yourself with our course homepage (this website). Note: (see above boxes for needed links)

  • This homepage has most of the needed course information. Blackboard is used mainly for posting secured items.
  • Textbook information is above.
  • MyMathLab access is required for the on-line homework.
    When registering for our MML course, the third (and last) step reads: Redeem an access code or purchase with a credit card or PayPal. Tip: Temp access may be available for 14 days if you're not ready to buy..
  • The above "Semester Calendar" contains the (tentative) exams dates, an exam might fall just before/after a break, and there are no make-up exams without an approved excused absence from the Office of Student Advocacy.
  • The above "Prof. G's Weekly Schedule" contains her office hours (and let's you know when she is busy with seminars/meetings/etc.).

Added info on MML (see Blacboard message from 8/20)

Make sure you get MyLab Math access.

At the USC bookstore you should be able to purchase the textbook (either a hard copy or e-text) and MML access (for progress checks, such as homework).

Directly from the publisher (Pearson) you also can purchase MML access, which comes with an e-text. Getting access this way might save money. Temporary MML access may be available for 14 days if you're not ready to buy. When our MML course is active, the MML: Student Registration Instructions will be posted on Blackboard, at which point you can just follow the below steps.

  1. Go to our Blackboard's content page.
  2. Click on MML: Student Registration Instructions.
  3. There will be a pdf file, provided by the publisher, which gives step-by-step instructions.
    To view the pdf file, click on the down arrow to the right of the PDF file.
  4. Click on the link provided in the first step of the instructions.
    • You might still have access from a previous course that used a Peason's MyLab. In which case just sign-in using your UserName&Password (students often use their email as their UserName). Then click on the yellow Sign in box.
    • If you are new to Pearson then click on the box Create an account box.
  5. At this point, just follow the publisher's instructions.
A course ID, which is on the MML: Student Registration Instructions, will take the form: professor12345. Please email me if you have questions.

Findable from URL: http://people.math.sc.edu/girardi/