Math 233H is the honors section of third semester calculus. The topics covered include vectors, calculus of vector functions, partial differentiation and applications, and multiple integration and applications.
As this is the honors section, the pace and style of lectures, the choice of material presented, and demands placed on students will be more challenging than in the regular sections. In particular,
Prof. Paul Gunnells, LGRT 1115L, 413.545.6009, gunnells at math dot umass dot edu. The best way to contact me is by email, but please read this before trying to send me email.
Calculus, Early Transcendentals, Hybrid, 7th edition by James Stewart. Published by Cengage.
The grading for the course will be as follows. There will be a final exam worth 40%, and two exams during the semester, each worth 20%. The final 20% will be based on homework exercises conducted through Webassign.
Final grades will be assigned as follows:
| A | 90%-100% |
| A- | 87%-90% |
| B+ | 83%-87% |
| B | 80%-83% |
| B- | 77%-80% |
| C+ | 73%-77% |
| C | 70%-73% |
| C- | 67%-70% |
| D+ | 63%-67% |
| D | 60%-63% |
| F | 0%-60% |
The final will be cumulative, with some emphasis placed on topics covered after the second exam. The last day of lecture will be devoted to review for the final exam.
The date and time of the final exam will be scheduled by the university. The final will only be given at that time, and not at any other time for any reason. In particular, adjust your travel plans accordingly; planning to leave for vacation before the final exam is a bad idea.
The University has a byzantine final exam conflict policy. You can learn all about it by reading the Academic Regulations, especially the discussion starting on p.29 (in particular Section X.C). Please read it carefully and make sure that you have no final exam conflicts when the schedule becomes available. It is your responsibility to understand and follow this policy, and to advise me well in advance of any conflict you have.
The dates of the exams during the semester are the following:
As indicated, these exams will be given during our regular class meeting time, in our usual classroom. The classes immediately before the exams will be used for review.
These exam dates do not conflict with any religious observances, as determined by the 2014 NYC Alternate Side Parking Rules Suspension Calendar, which is the most complete list of holidays I know.
Please be aware of these exam dates and write them down in your datebook. Exams will not be given at any other time. Sections covered on an exam will be announced before the exam date.
Make-up exams will only be given in the case of family or medical emergency. Both situations will require official documentation. No make-up exams will be given for any other reason.
Problem sets will be given and graded through Webassign. You will need to purchase access to this website for our course.
To enroll yourself in the Webassign system, you need the Class Key for our class. It is
umass 5141 2654
I encourage you to form study groups and to work on the problem sets together. However, remember that ultimately you'll be taking a test by yourself, so if you choose to work with others, make sure that you're understanding what's going on. If you do work with other students, you are responsible for submitting your own problems on Webassign.
I will assign problems for a section soon after the material is covered. There will be ample time to complete the problems. Successful and timely completion of the problem sets is essential to help you monitor your progress in the course. Please don't postpone working on the problems; try to deal with them as soon as you can after the material is covered in class.
There is a feature on Webassign that allows you to send a message to me. Please do not use this to try to get in touch with me (I don't read messages that way). Instead please send me email to my departmental email address.
I try to answer as many questions as possible during lecture. If you have a question, don't be afraid to ask. Chances are other students also have the same question. I also usually stick around a few minutes after class to answer quick questions (such as questions about parts of the lecture, a homework problem you've tried, etc.). Many students find this to be a good way to clear up confusion.
Outside of class, the best way to get help is through my office hours. This term my office hours will be conducted in the departments's Calculus Tutoring Center. If you are unable to attend when I'm in there, you can always get help at the CTC with another instructor (one reason I'm having my office hours in the CTC is so that you have the right to use it). Any of the TAs covering Math 131, 132, and 233 should be able to help you with your questions.
Although I like to get a lot of questions from students, it is not possible to answer mathematical questions by email. Please don't be offended if you ask me a mathematical question by email and I don't respond. I've found in the past that trying to discuss calculus by email rarely helps anyone, and usually only causes more confusion. It's much more effective to ask me such questions during class or office hours.