Biocalculus II
MATH 221A- Spring 2008
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Instructor: Dr. Timothy D. Comar |
Location: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: TBA |
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Office: Birck 128 |
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Phone: 829 - 6555 |
Time: MWF: 9:00 a.m.- 9:50 a.m.
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E-mail: tcomar@ben.edu |
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Web Site: http://www.ben.edu/faculty/tcomar/index.htm Blackboard (WebCT) login: http://www.ben.edu/blackboard |
Office Hours:
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Textbooks: C. Neuhauser, Calculus for Biology and Medicine, 2e, Prentice Hall, 2004 G. de Vries, et al. A Course in Mathematical Biology, SIAM, 2006 |
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Calculator: TI-83 or TI-84 series recommended |
This is the second course in a two-semester sequence in calculus with biological applications. There is a strong emphasis on biological models and examples using real biological data. Topics include applications of the definite integral, methods of integration, differential equations, systems of linear equations, matrices, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, analytic geometry, functions of several variables, partial derivatives, differentiability, tangent planes and linearization, systems of difference equations, systems of linear and nonlinear differential equations, equilibria and stability, and an introduction to probability. Applications may include allometric growth, age-structured population matrix models, epidemic models, competition models, host-parasitoid models, and models for neuron activity. The course uses the computer algebra system MATLAB and the modeling program Berkeley Madonna to explore calculus concepts and biological models
We will approach material using the Rule of Four: Symbolically, Graphically, Numerically, and Verbally. We will emphasize the technical aspects of the course material as well as effective communication of the mathematics. We will use technology including graphing calculators, the computer algebra system, MATLAB and the modeling program Berkeley Madonna to solve problems when appropriate.
We would like to develop proficient understanding of the course material and the ability to use the course material in further course work as well as outside the classroom. To serve these ends, we will emphasize critical thinking and effective communication skills, both verbal and written. Success in this course will be dependent upon your ability to communicate your technical understanding of course material to your peers as well as to the instructor. You will also be expected to successfully work collaboratively with others.
Basic skills/topics include: (ISBE Math Content Area Standards in bold)
1. Techniques of Integration (Substitution, Integration by Parts, Partial Fractions) and Improper Integrals (8C5, 8C6)
2. Applications of Integration to Biological Problems (4A, 4B, 4D, 4E, 6C6, 8C5, 8C6, 8G2, 8G3, 9E3)
3. Introduction to Differential Equations (solutions, geometric and numerical solutions, equilibria and stability) (8C5, 8C6)
Learner Outcomes: (ISBE Math Content Area Standards in bold)
To successfully complete this course, the student will:
IDEA Objectives:
Expectations:
This course is fast-paced and demanding. It is expected that you will study at least two hours for each class hour. You should devote at least eight hours of study to this class per week (including the lab Math 208). You are expected to read the required section in the text and attempt the assigned problems from the section before the material is either summarized or expanded upon in class. Your notes from studying should include the following: the title of the section, a list of key concepts from the section, a brief summary of the ideas and techniques presented, solutions to the problems you have solved and a list of questions and problems you have not solved. Ask questions! If there is material with which you are not fully comfortable, you are expected to ask questions either during class, online, or during office hours.
We are a community of learners working together to achieve our course goals. As such, it is incumbent upon all class members to show appropriate respect for each other. Each class member has something important to contribute to the class and should feel comfortable sharing with the class. Cell phones and pagers must be turned off. Inappropriate and disrespectful behavior including cell phone usage will result in dismissal from the class for the remainder of the class period.
Students are expected to use WebCT for all course communications, accessing notes and course information, and the completion of certain assignments as indicated in this syllabus. Students are expected to be familar with graphing calculuator and are expected to know how to use the computer algebra system Derive from the MATH 207 course. Derive will not be taught in this class. In this course, Berkeley Madonna, Excel, and MATLAB will be the primary software tools.
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Daily Questions |
5% |
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Group Homework |
15% |
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Big Project |
10% |
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Exam 1 |
10% |
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Exam 2 |
15% |
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Exam 3 |
20% |
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Final Exam |
25% |
The grading scale is 90% for A, 80% for B, 70% for C, and 60% for a D. It is the student’s responsibility to seek clarification of the course requirements and evaluation policy.
The homework assignment sheet lists the sections that will be covered in each class and suggested homework problems for you to use to reinforce the text's concepts. It is recommended that you attempt at least seventy percent of the suggested problems listed. These problems may be the content of quizzes. It is your responsibility either to know how to solve all assigned problems or to ask for assistance. Your homework assignments also require daily questions. (Read on.)
There will be 6-7 Group Homework Problem sets assigned throughout the term. You will collaboratively with 2-3 other class members and submit one solution set for a grade. The instructor will indicated which problems will be collected approximately one week in advance. Any of the group homework problems may appear on pop quizzes or on exams. Questions for a particular assignment will not be addressed on the due date of the assignment. No late papers will be accepted.
Studying mathematics is a social process. Much benefit can be gained by sharing insights and by struggling through problems with your peers. You are strongly encouraged to study and work with other class members. You are also strongly encouraged to consult Dr. Comar outside of the class periods either during office hours or via e-mail at tcomar@ben.edu.
You will be required to analyze a single model a greater detail than in homework problems and lab projects. This may require some outside reading and computer programming. You will be required to implement the model electronically and explain the behavior of the model from mathematical and biological perspectives. You will be required to present your work EXTERNALLY at the ISMAA Annual Meeting on April 4-5 at Eastern Illinois University or at the ACCA Student Symposium on April 12 at Lewis University. The final written portion of the the project will be due on Tuesday, 5/6 at the begining of the Lab Final.
Cooperative-learning exercises will take place on a regular basis. Learn to work with each other and learn from each other. Some activities may require follow-up work and re-writing outside of class. Some exercises will be graded for accuracy, and others will be granted credit for participation.
Reading a mathematics textbook is very different from reading a novel and is often difficult. To help you gain practice reading mathematics, you will be required to read the assigned sections, answer a question based on the reading, and submit at least two important questions of your own related to each assigned section. The questions you pose may be significant questions that the text answers for you. (In this case, provide a brief answer.) Other important questions may arise from concepts that are unclear to you or from issues or extensions of concepts that the text does not discuss.
Questions should be significant and should indicate that you have thought carefully about what you have read. Questions should not be of the form "What was Section 7.3 about?", "Does anybody really care about Section 7.3", "Can you do problem 46?", or "What does "homeomorphism" mean?" You still encouraged to ask about specific homework problems or examples in the text as long as you clearly indicate your issue with such problems or examples. You may find that by identifying your difficultly and looking back in the text may enable you to answer your own question--a job well done! All questions will be answered either in class, outside of class, or in written form. Moral: ask questions!
Many of the basic concepts in the text will not be addressed explicitly in class. Your questions will help direct discussion to important, yet difficult, issues and leave time for applied or exploratory activities.
Your questions and responses are required prior to each non-lab session and should be submitted to Dr. Comar via WebCT in the following manner.
Responses to Instructor’s Study Questions: Mail tool
Your Questions: Discussion tool
These are due by to 7:00 a.m. prior to the next class meeting. Questions not submitted in by this time will not receive credit and may not be addressed in the next day’s class. Your postings will be graded as a participation grade. Credit is earned by submitting your questions and by seriously attempting to answer to the study questions--right or wrong. Extra credit of one half a participation score may be earned (once each submission day) by correctly responding to a fellow’s student question before class discussion of the question. The instructor reserves the right to post questions with responses to the class discussion board on WebCT.
There will three in-class exams and a two-hour comprehensive final exam. The in-class exam dates are 2/6/08, 3/9/08, and 4/9/08. The comprehensive final exam will take place on 5/9/08, 3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Exams and quizzes cannot be made up or retaken. If you miss an exam, your total exam score will be based on your performance on the other exams including the final. Use of graphing calculators is strongly recommended on tests and quizzes. Calculators with computer algebra systems including the TI-89, TI-92, and the TI-92+ are not permitted on exams. The instructor reserves the right to delete all calculator memory prior to an exam.
Absence due to documented illness,
participation in
The search for truth and the dissemination
of knowledge are the central missions of a university.
Your name should appear on all of your submissions of your work. If collaboration is allowed, you must state with whom you have collaborated. You are responsible for understanding any authorized collaboriation policies on specific assignments. You must also properly reference any other print, electronic, or human resource that you consult.
Academic Accommodations For Religious Obligations (AAFRO)
A student whose religious obligation conflicts
with a course requirement may request an academic accommodation from the
instructor. Students must make such requests in writing by the end of the first
week of the class.
If you have a documented learning,
psychological, or physical disability, you may be eligible for reasonable
academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or
services, contact Tina Sonderby in the the
Final Drop Date: April 13, 2008
This syllabus is subject to change. Any changes will be communicated to all class members electronically.
Contact Dr. Comar: tcomar@ben.edu
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