Course Description: Mathematical Analysis for Life Sciences (4)
Functions and graphs, limits, derivatives, antiderivatives, differential equations, and partial derivatives with applications in the Life Sciences.

Prerequisites: Students must meet the ELM requirement.

Course Objectives: For the most part we will learn how to find and use the derivative of a function, how to find and use the antiderivative (indefinite integral) of a function, and how to find and use the definite integral of a function. We will learn the concepts of the tangent line to a curve and the area under a curve. We will deal with some basic applications involving these topics. We will also improve your algebra skills. Continue learning to write, understand, construct, verbalize and use Mathematical and logical arguments and reasoning in the course work and in other areas where they might apply.  Perhaps most importantly, learn to determine independently, the validity of an argument or approach to a problem. Learn to perform independent experiments using calculators and computers to further these goals. If we can do a reasonable job of reaching these objectives you will be prepared to continue in courses that require this course as a prerequisite.

Course Outline: We will cover chapters R and 1 - 7.
     Chapter R: Algebra Reference
     Chapter 1: Linear Functions
     Chapter 2: Nonlinear Functions
     Chapter 3: The Derivative
     Chapter 4: Calculating the Derivative
     Chapter 5: Graphs and the Derivative
     Chapter 6: Applications of the Derivative
     Chapter 7: Integration

Homework: In general you will be assigned a weekly homework assignment. The homework will be due at the beginning of class one week later. I will in general not accept late homework. The homework will be scored, and returned. I will drop your two lowest scores. Homework will be worth 15 points of your final grade.

Quizzes: In general you will have a 10 to 20 minute quiz each week. They will be corrected, scored, and returned. I will drop your two lowest scores. Quizzes will be worth 15 points of your final grade. There will be no makeup quizzes. 

Exams: There will be four Big exams. There will not be makeup exams. Each will be approximately one hour long and emphasize material covered since the previous exam. Each Big exam will emphasize one to two chapters. Each will be worth 10 points of your final grade. I want to emphasize that the following are tentative dates and chapters for the Big Exams:

  Big Exam 1    Friday Sept. 24       Chap. 1, 2
  Big Exam 2    Friday Oct. 15        Chap. 3, 4
  Big Exam 3    Monday Nov. 22    Chap. 5, 6
  Big Exam 4    Monday Dec. 6       Chap. 7

Final: The final will be worth 30 points of your final grade and will be comprehensive. The date and time of the final is Wednesday Dec. 15 11:00 - 1:00 pm. 

Grades for the semester will be assigned based on your point score as follows.
  A   90 - 100 points
  B   80 -  89 points
  C   70 -  79 points
  D   60 -  69 points
  F     0 -  59 points

Attendance: I expect you to attend all classes. If you know you will miss a class make arrangements with me beforehand. I will do my best to make reasonable accommodations. If you do miss a class it is your responsibility to check on announcements and homework. You know the dates for the tests and the final so do not make plans that interfere. You should assume we might have a quiz on any day. My not warning you is not an excuse for missing a quiz.

I will occasionally spend time during class answering homework questions and discussing or reviewing ideas and or problems I see during office hours or in the homework. Due to time constraints you will need to utilize my office hours in order to have the majority of your questions answered. Try the assigned homework as soon as possible so that you might ask me questions as soon as possible. Use Blackboard to ask questions. I will check the postings frequently and try to answer promptly.