SIERRA COLLEGE – Fall 2019

MATH 30 – Calculus I
Course #81688
Room: N7-206
Instructor: Charles "Chuck" Buchwald
Office: N7-210
E-mail: cbuchwald@sierracollege.edu
Textbook: Calculus Early Transcendentals, 8th edition, by Stewart
Other Materials: Notebook, paper (lined and graphed), pencil (NOT PEN), calculator (TI-83, TI-89, or other graphing
calculator is recommended for homework only – calculators will not be allowed on quizzes or exams)
Prerequisite: 1 - Completion of Math 29 (pre-calculus) or
2 - Completion of both Math 27 (trigonometry) and Math 12 (college algebra) or
3 - Equivalent high school classes with grades of ‘C’ or better or
4 - Placement by the matriculation assessment process.
You may NOT take this course without meeting these prerequisites. I will be checking these prerequisites the
first day of class both with your documented signature and with a pre-test for the class.
Brief Description of Course Topics:
Limits, Rates of Change and the derivative (Chapter2):
Average and instantaneous rates of change, limits, continuity, secants and tangents, the derivative at a point and as a function
Derivatives (Chapter 3):
Formulas / rules, implicit and higher derivatives, related rates, linear approximations
Application of Differentiation (Chapters 4):
Mean value theorem, curve sketching, optimization, indeterminate forms and L’Hosptial’s Rule, Newton’s method
Integrals (Chapter 5):
Fundamental theorem of calculus, areas, substitution rule

Course Outcomes (some of the major items you will be expected to master):
1. Evaluate limits of functions using limit laws, the definition of a limit, or L'Hospital's Rule; and utilize limits to determine
continuity.
2. Calculate derivatives and integrals of algebraic and transcendental functions.
3. Translate, model, and solve applied problems utilizing derivatives and integrals.
4. Construct graphs of algebraic and transcendental functions using their derivatives.
5. Logically present clear, complete, accurate, and sufficiently detailed solutions to communicate reasoning and demonstrate the
method of solving problems.

More Detailed Course Goals / Outcomes (more of the major items you will be expected to master):
1. Develop and practice improved algebra, trigonometric and geometric skill by applying these skills to solve calculus problems.
2. Evaluate the limit of a function
a. Visually
b. Using the formal definition (  −  proof)
c. Using limit laws, L’Hospital’s Rule and properties of continuity
3. Demonstrate knowledge of continuity by
a. Determining whether or not a function is continuous at a point and on an interval.
b. Solving applications and other word problems related to continuity.
4. Calculate the derivative of algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, transcendental functions (including implicit)
a. Using the formal definition (limit of the difference quotient)
b. Using power, product, quotient, chain, and other derivative rules.
5. Use derivatives in various application, including but not limited to
a. Calculating velocity and acceleration
b. Slope of the tangent line
c. Optimization
d. Related Rates
e. Curve Sketching
6. Evaluate anti-derivatives, indefinite and definite integrals
a. Using the formal definition (limit of a Riemann Sum)
b. Using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
c. Interpretation as area
d. Substitution
Course Format: This course will cover the material in Chapters 1 through 5 of the required text. The pace for the course will be
rather rapid since is it essential that all topics be covered by the end of the semester. For each hour you spend in class, expect to spend at
least 3 – 4 hours outside of class working on problems and studying. In class we will mostly have traditional lectures, followed by
example problems. However, I will occasionally use PowerPoint to present some of the material and we will occasionally work in groups
on worksheets or other handouts. These handouts, PowerPoint slides and notes, announcements, links to tutorials and extra practice
problems, solutions to graded material, as well as all course information (including this syllabus) can be found on the website (listed
above) for the class. All of the work you do in and out of class mastering the course outcomes and topics will be assessed (graded) as
follows:
Letter Grade Scale:
Grading: POINTS PERCENT LETTER
450 – 500 (90%-100%) A
4 Exams @ 75 points each (15% each) = 300 points (60%) 400 – 449 (80%-89%) B
5 Homework Quizzes @ 20 points each (4% each) = 100 points (20%) 350 – 399 (70%-79%) C
Final Exam 100 points (20%) = 100 points (20%) 300 – 349 (60%-69%) D
Total 500 points (100%) 299 ↓ (59% ↓) F
There will be no formal extra credit assignments; however, I may include some extra questions within quizzes and exams…

Exams: Four exams will be given during the semester (see schedule). Each exam will have a combination of 5 five-point
questions and 5 ten-point questions that need to be completed showing and explaining all work in a neat, clear, and organized manner (see
more on grading section below). In special cases, I may have one or two questions that are “take-home”, but the rest of the questions will
be answered in class on the day of the Exam.

Homework Quizzes: Each of the sections covered has a related homework assignment. We will have frequent homework quizzes
with some questions taken directly from these assignments. The lowest few quiz scores will be dropped. Each homework quiz will have
approximately 1-4 questions that need to be completed showing and explaining all work in a neat, clear, and organized manner (see more
on grading section below). As a special incentive to encourage group study, teamwork, and homework completion, I may occasionally
give group quizzes OR allow you to use your homework exercises on these homework quizzes. In certain cases, I may have questions
that are “take-home”, but the rest of the questions will be answered in class on the day of the quiz.

Final: The Final Exam will be approximately 10-15 questions and graded using the same guidelines as regular exams. The difference is
of course that the Final Exam will be cumulative and will be given on the last day of class.

More on Grading: Most questions you answer will be graded on a 5 point grading scale (no partial points will be awarded – in
other words only non-negative integer scores are possible). In addition to correctness, problems will be graded on proper presentation of
your solutions including proper notation, neatness, organization, and explanations where appropriate. Anything I cannot read will get
zero points so avoid using pens as if you make any mistakes you cannot erase them, and your neatness will suffer.

Keys to Success: Attend ALL class meetings. Keep up with the course, getting behind in a math class is disastrous. If needed
seek help early and often. If I am not available, Sierra College has a FREE math lab and they are highly recommended. Become very
familiar with mathematical notation and the proper way to present solutions (remember - grading is based on MORE than just getting the
right answer). Some other good ideas: keep neat, accurate notes (rewrite them if necessary); memorize definitions and formulas (if
necessary) as you encounter them; begin to review for exams early; get plenty of rest on a daily basis (especially before exam day).
Another good study tip is to create 1 or 2 questions for each of the topics given on the Exam Review Sheet, one of medium difficulty and
one tougher exercise (you can even take them from the book). Make sure you can solve the problems and then create a practice test for a
fellow classmate. Exchange tests and see how you do. ENJOY THE SUCCESS YOU WORKED HARD TO ACHIEVE!!!

Group Work: Group studying is encouraged! You will be surprised how simply talking through the topics and exercises will
increase your understanding! However, ALL assignments must be written up in your own words (see academic honesty section below).

Academic Honesty: Plagiarism (intentionally or knowingly representing the words, ideas, or work of another as one's own) in any
academic exercise is inappropriate and could result in any of the following: a failing grade for the assignment, a failing grade for the
course (or an academic ‘F’), probation, suspension, or expulsion. Cheating is not limited to copying someone else’s work. Allowing
someone to see or copy your work is also academically dishonest. Another example (especially relevant for this course) is inappropriate
use of the text’s solutions manual. Please read and be aware of the section in the Sierra College general catalog that discusses academic
dishonesty.
Title IX Compliance: As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment for my students and
for the campus as a whole. So that the college can provide students with appropriate services and assistance, I am required to share with
the College’s Title IX Coordinator any instances of sexual harassment, sexual violence and/or other forms of prohibited discrimination. If
you would rather share information about sexual harassment, sexual violence or discrimination to a confidential employee who does not
have this required responsibility, call a campus advocate at (916) 660-8400. Campus advocates are available at each college campus and
provide confidential counseling, crisis intervention and connection to campus and community resources.

Tentative Schedule

Week Date Objective

8/26 Intro 2.2 / 2.1
1
8/28 2.3 / 2.4
9/2 NO CLASS - Holiday
2
9/4 2.4 / 2.5
9/9 2.5 / 2.6
3
9/11 2.7 / 2.8
9/16 2.8 / Review
4
9/18 Exam #1
9/23 3.1 / 3.2
5
9/25 3.3 / 3.4
9/30 3.4 / 3.5
6
10/2 3.5 / 3.6
10/7 3.7 / 3.8
7
10/9 3.8 / 3.9
10/14 3.9 / 3.10
8
10/16 3.10 / Review
10/21 Exam #2
9
10/23 3.11
10/28 4.1 / 4.3
10
10/30 4.2 / 4.4
11/4 4.5 / 4.7
11
11/6 4.7 / 4.8
11/11 NO CLASS - Holiday
12
11/13 4.8 / Review
11/18 Exam #3
13
11/20 4.9 / 5.1
11/25 5.1 / 5.2
14
11/27 5.3 / 5.4
12/2 5.4 / 5.5
15
12/4 5.5 / Review
12/9 Exam #4
16
12/11 Final Exam

Other Important Dates Add/Drop/Refund Deadline – September 8th

Withdraw Deadline – November 5th

Other Important Notes This syllabus, ALL class policies and procedures are subject to change according to the instructor’s
discretion. I reserve the right to alter the schedule as it pertains to the course content, exam dates and anything else contained in this
document. I will (of course) notify the entire class if any changes are made.