NHS Course Syllabus: 

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Calculus College Prep                                                            2007-2008

COURSE SYLLABUS

The mission of Norwell High School is to provide an engaging, supportive environment where students strive for excellence, practice respect and contribute to society.

Integrity ♦ Learning ♦Respect ♦ Responsibility

Students will focus on the Reflective Problem Solvers expectation for student learning.

Required Materials:

• Text: Lial et. al., Calculus with Applications
• Graphing calculator: TI-83, 83 Plus, or 84 are best, TI-85 is acceptable though not as compatible as the others
• Binder for handouts (all handouts will be binder-ready with holes pre-punched)
• Writing utensil: pencil, blue or black ink ONLY for graded assignments

Course Expectations:

• Students are expected to come to class prepared with a binder for handouts, looseleaf or spiral notebook for notes and work, graphing calculator, writing utensil and completed homework.
• Students are expected to stay on task.
• Students are expected to give their best effort, asking questions and never giving up if the work becomes challenging.
• Students are expected to complete all assignments.
• Students are expected to treat all members of the class, including themselves and the teacher, with respect, and should expect the same treatment in return.

Major Units:

• Review of pre-calculus concepts: polynomials, factoring, functions, graphing, trigonometry, exponents, logarithms
• Limits: conceptual; algebraic, numerical and graphical evaluation, rational functions
• Continuity: definition, types of discontinuity, the intermediate value theorem
• The derivative: definition, rules for evaluation, tangent and normal lines, derivatives of various function families, implicit differentiation
• Applications of derivatives: physics and business problems, related rates

Major Units Continued

• The integral: Riemann sums, definite and indefinite integrals, rules for integration (if time allows)
• Applications of integrals: integration by parts, solids of revolution, average value of a function, physics problems (if time allows)
• The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (if time allows)

Grading Policy

• A weighted points system is used for grading (similar or identical to what your other math teachers use).  Each assignment is worth a certain number of points, and your grade is calculated by dividing points earned by points possible, and multiplying by 100%.
• Homework is assigned almost every night but usually checked only sporadically (about 15 times per term).  Each checked homework is worth 5 points and cannot be turned in late.  The homework grade is based on completion, not correctness.  Incomplete homework may earn a half-credit grade of 2 points.
• Quizzes, tests, classwork assignments, graded problem sets and projects (generally one project per term) can be worth anywhere from 10 to 200 points.
• All quizzes are announced; there are no surprise assignments.
• Extra credit opportunities are fairly limited and will be announced by me.  Generally these include challenge problems on quizzes and tests, and a few points earned by the class record keeper (one per term).

Miscellaneous

• Students who are absent should attempt to keep up with the work announced on the weekly syllabus and make up missing work as quickly as possible when they return.
• Students are welcome to come any day after school regardless of whether or not it is the “official” late night.  Just let me know in advance so I know to stay!
• Email is by far the best way to get in touch with me!
• Students who score below 70% on any test or quiz (NOT projects or graded assignments) may retake that test or quiz for a maximum grade of 70%.  The retake must be completed within a week of receiving the grade (NO EXCEPTIONS for schedule conflicts or absences; this is a privilege!) and the higher grade will prevail up to 70%.

Honors Calculus                                                                     2007-2008

COURSE SYLLABUS

The mission of Norwell High School is to provide an engaging, supportive environment where students strive for excellence, practice respect and contribute to society.

Integrity ♦ Learning ♦Respect ♦ Responsibility

Students will focus on the Reflective Problem Solvers expectation for student learning.

Required Materials:

• Text: Larson et. al., Calculus with Precalculus
• Graphing calculator: TI-83, 83 Plus, or 84 are best, TI-85 is acceptable though not as compatible as the others
• Binder for handouts (all handouts will be binder-ready with holes pre-punched)
• Writing utensil: pencil, blue or black ink ONLY for graded assignments

Course Expectations:

• Students are expected to come to class prepared with a binder for handouts, looseleaf or spiral notebook for notes and work, graphing calculator, writing utensil and completed homework.
• Students are expected to stay on task.
• Students are expected to give their best effort, asking questions and never giving up if the work becomes challenging.
• Students are expected to complete all assignments.
• Students are expected to treat all members of the class, including themselves and the teacher, with respect, and should expect the same treatment in return.

Major Units:

The honors course covers generally the same topics as the AP Calculus course, at a more moderate pace.  Some topics which are not on the AP exam are also introduced.

• Review of pre-calculus concepts: polynomials, factoring, functions, graphing, trigonometry, exponents, logarithms
• Limits: conceptual; algebraic, numerical and graphical evaluation, rational functions, special limits, the Sandwich Theorem
• Continuity: definition, types of discontinuity, the intermediate value theorem

Major Units Continued

• The derivative: definition, power rule, product and quotient rules, chain rule, tangent and normal lines, derivatives of various function families, implicit differentiation
• Applications of derivatives: physics and business problems, related rates of change, slope fields, differential equations
• The integral: Riemann sums, other rectangular sums, trapezoidal sums, definite and indefinite integrals, rules for integration, special integrals
• Applications of integrals: integration by parts, solids of revolution, average value of a function, physics problems
• The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Grading Policy

• A weighted points system is used for grading (similar or identical to what your other math teachers use).  Each assignment is worth a certain number of points, and your grade is calculated by dividing points earned by points possible, and multiplying by 100%.
• Homework is assigned almost every night but usually checked only sporadically (about 15 times per term).  Each checked homework is worth 5 points and cannot be turned in late.  The homework grade is based on completion, not correctness.  Incomplete homework may earn a half-credit grade of 2 points.
• Quizzes, tests, classwork assignments, graded problem sets and projects (generally one project per term) can be worth anywhere from 10 to 200 points.
• All quizzes are announced; there are no surprise assignments.
• Extra credit opportunities are fairly limited and will be announced by me.  Generally these include challenge problems on quizzes and tests, and a few points earned by the class record keeper (one per term).

Miscellaneous

• Students who are absent should attempt to keep up with the work announced on the weekly syllabus and make up missing work as quickly as possible when they return.
• Students are welcome to come any day after school regardless of whether or not it is the “official” late night.  Just let me know in advance so I know to stay!
• Email is by far the best way to get in touch with me!
• Students who score below 70% on any test or quiz (NOT projects or graded assignments) may retake that test or quiz for a maximum grade of 70%.  The retake must be completed within a week of receiving the grade (NO EXCEPTIONS for schedule conflicts or absences; this is a privilege!) and the higher grade will prevail up to 70%.