MATHEMATICS 106B
Calculus for the Life Sciences
Fall Semester (2009)



Text. D. Hughes-Hallet, et al., 2006. Applied Calculus, 3rd edition, John Wiley & Sons. .

Instructor. David Logan

Recitation Coordinator. Sara Reynolds

Office Hours. See my home page or the door of my office in Avery 310.

Prerequisites. Calculus requires a working knowledge of basic algebra and functions. Students with grades of C in algebra courses or a precalculus course are at risk in Math 106B and may need extra practice in algebraic manipulations. Some review is contained in Chapter 1 in the text.

Calculators. A scientific, graphing calculator, although not required, may be helpful to some students. The best choices is a TI-83 or newer versions of this calculator. This calculator plots curves, solve simultaneous equations, and computes definite integrals and derivatives at specific points. Calculators that do symbolic calculations (e.g., T-89, TI-92, TI Voyage 200) are not permitted on examinations.

Grading is based upon three examinations (300 points), a recitation grade (100 points), and a comprehensive final examination (200 points). No exams are "dropped". An approximate grading scale is 88-100 (A range), 75-87 (B range), 60-74 (C range), 50-59 (D range). For example, 88 would be a low A, that is, an A-minus, and 74 would be a high C, that is, a C-plus. The scales will never increase.

The recitation grade will be determined by the graduate assistant.

Recipe for Success. My job in this course, as instructor, is: (1) to give well-prepared lectures emphasizing the important concepts, problem solving techniques, and motivation, (2) to provide an efficient organizational framework for the course mechanics, and (3) to create a challenging, supportive, learning environment.

Because this is a large-lecture course, it puts a great responsibility upon students to be independent in learning the material and recognizing when they are having difficulties so that they can seek help. A prescription for student success is attend all classes (VERY important), work the assigned exercises soon after the material is covered in class, and take good class notes. If you need help, go to the Mathematics Resource Center or see your recitation instructor or me during our office hours. For examinations, review the homework exercises and the examples worked out in lecture and in the text. Examination questions will be taken "nearly verbatim" from class notes, homework exercises, and examples worked out in the book . Missing class or getting behind in this course is a poor decision, and it nearly always leads to failure or withdrawal.

Suggested practice problems from the text are on the Syllabus that is posted on Blackboard. This is a minimal list of exercises; some students may have to solve additional exercises from the text to master the material.

Make-Up Tests. A lot of time goes into composing quizzes and examinations, so hopefully no makeups will be required. In emergency cases I may give a makeup examination if it is arranged prior to the normally scheduled examination. Notify me before the exam if you have an emergency; only then will I consider a make-up.

Hour-Test Dates. Test Dates, including the final examination, are listed on the Syllabus

Exam Results.

The averages and standard deviations for quizzes and tests will be posted here on this web page.

Test 1: A (88-100), B (70-80), C (51-65), D (48-50), F (0-47). Mean = 67.
Test 2: A (88-100), B (73-82), C (57-66), D (47-54), F (0-46). Mean = 66 .
Test 3: A (87-100), B (72-86), C (51-71), D (45-50), F (0-44). Mean = 67 .
Recita: A (88-100), B (75-87), C (60-74), D (50-59), F (0-49). Mean = 80 .
Overall: A (88-100), B (73-87), C (55-72), D (48-54), F (0-47). Mean = 69 .


The overall mean grade includes 3 individuals that have very low averages and who are not seriously a part of the course.

To get a current "estimate" of your grade, divide your total points by the total number possible to get the percentage and look above at the grade scale.

Getting Help. Visit the

Mathematics Resource Center
13B Avery Hall
Mon-Thurs 12:30-8:30
Friday 12:30-2:30