Math 171Q - Honors Calculus, Fall, 2004.

Textbook:

Course Description:

Calculus

We will cover at least the first twelve chapters of the text. Topics covered include: axiomatizing the number system, functions, limits, continuity, least upper bounds, and derivatives.

The Honors Calculus sequence at the University of Rochester, Math 171Q-174Q, was introduced in 1961 to serve our most talented and motivated undergraduates. It is one of our most successful courses and a great source of pride to the Mathematics Department. Generations of undergraduates have benefitted from this rigorous and uncompromising course, which exposes them to Mathematics as it is practiced by mathematicians.

The rationale for this course has not changed during the forty two years of its existence; it introduces our brightest students to Mathematics as a discipline in its own right, rather than as a tool for science or engineering. It is quite impossible to meet this goal in the standard caculus sequence, Math 161-164, both because of the vast differences in preparation and interests of the students, and because with the demanding syllabus in the 161-164 sequence, there is simply no time to discuss the theory behind the techniques. We strongly encourage aspiring mathematics majors to take the Math 171Q-174Q sequence if they are ready for it, and we find that this sequence attracts excellent students from other disciplines as well.

Students are told on the first day that Math 171Q will be the start of an unusually demanding and theoretical program. The exceptional nature of the course is partly reflected in the fact that each semester carries 5 credits. In terms of the material covered, the sequence is roughly equivalent to Math 161-164 and Math 235 (Linear Algebra).

There is no better indication of the success of our honors calculus sequence than the distinctions achieved by those who have taken it. Our best mathematics majors tend to come from this group and often go on to pursue graduate studies at some of the most prstigious institutions in the country. In addition, some of our university's most distinguished science alumni come from among those students who have taken this sequence, and we welcome interested humanities students as well.

See also the Catalog Description.

Exams and grading:

Your grade for the course will be based on equal parts on homework, midterms, and the final. There will be two midterm exams, at the common exam times of 8:00 -- 9:15 a.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 20 and Thursday, Nov. 19, and a three-hour final exam beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15. The final counts as 2 midterms and so does your total homework grade. The final exam will consist of two parts: Part I will be cumulative and Part II will cover only the new material since the last midterm exam. If your score on Part I of the final is higher than one of your midterm scores, then your Part I score will replace your lowest score (one replacement only). If you miss a midterm examination, Part I of the final will replace it. No makeup exams will be given.

Extra Help:

It is essential not to fall behind, because each lecture is based on previous work. If you have trouble with some material, seek help in the following ways:

Ask one of the professors, either in class or privately.
Ask a TA, either in workshop or privately.
Ask one of the graduate student TAs in the Math Study Hall, in Hylan 1103. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays.
One of the very best resources will be your fellow students!
Everybody's office hours are open to each student in the course, so don't feel restricted to going only to the office hours of your individual professor or teaching assistant.

If you are having any difficulties, seek help immediately - don't wait until it is too late to recover from falling behind, or failing to understand a concept!

Calendar:

Classes begin -- Tuesday, Sept. 1
Labor day -- Monday, Sept. 7
Fall Break -- Monday, Oct. 5
First midterm -- Tuesday, Oct. 20 (8 am -- 9:15 am)
Spring registration begins -- Monday, Nov. 9
Second midterm -- Thursday, Nov. 19 (8 am -- 9:15 am)
Thanksgiving break -- noon on Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 29
Last day of classes -- Friday, Dec. 11
Final exam -- Tuesday, Dec. 15 (4 pm -- 7 pm)
Winter recess -- Monday, Dec. 22
Classes resume -- Wednesday, Jan 13

Note:

This course is covered by the Colleges Academic Honesty Policy, which you are expected to have read. In particular, submission of written work, including homework, quizzes and exams, which has been copied from the work of other students, with or without their knowledge or consent, or from a book, is plagiarism.