Elementary Calculus at the University of Kentucky
This course is an introduction to differential and integral calculus, with applications to business and the biological and physical sciences. We cover differentiation of rational, radical, and exponential functions, integration as area, and using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus to integrate certain elementary functions. We cover applications to increasing and decreasing functions, concavity, optimization, marginal cost, and others.
This website contains almost all the information you will need this semester, including an optional textbook for the course, contact information for your instructor, policies for grades and absences, worksheets used during recitation and lecture, the course calendar, and more.
This course will emphasize computational and modeling aspects of mathematics. The course will also require you to effectively communicate your solutions. This means that by the end of the semester you should be able to: setup application or word problems, explain the result of a computation, interpret formulas or processes, and clearly communicate your solution process, in addition to getting the "right" answer.
The web homework is only capable of testing your computational ability. Worksheets completed in recitation and lecture will help develop your modeling and mathematical communication skills.
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:
Students will improve with regard to the following mathematical practices:
Course policy regarding supportive discourse: Students are not allowed to make negative comments about themselves or their mathematical ability, at any time, for any reason. Here are example statements that are banned, along with acceptable replacement phrases.
The course calendar contains all homework due dates and dates of exams, as well as a tentative schedule of what will be covered each lecture/recitation (calendar is subject to change). The calendar also includes important dates for the semester.
| Last Name | Mathskeller Hours (CB 63) | Office Hours |
| Burkholder | Tuesday 1:00pm — 2:00pm | Thursday 12:30pm — 1:30pm (POT 702) or by appointment |
| Ezhilmaran | Wednesday 12:00pm — 1:00pm | Tuesday 10:00am — 11:00am (POT 802) Thursday 10:00am — 11:00am or by appointment |
| Fishell | Tuesday 11:00am — 12:00pm | Thursday 11:00am — 12:00pm (POT 902) or by appointment |
| Leaman | Tuesday 2:00pm — 3:00pm | Wednesday 12:15pm — 1:50pm (POT 902) Thursday 2:00pm — 3:00pm |
| Olilima | Thursday 3:00pm — 4:00pm | Thursday 11:00am — 12:00pm (POT 902) or by appointment |
| Reed | Monday 1:00pm — 2:00pm | Tuesday 11:00am — 11:50am (POT 802) Wednesday 3:00pm — 4:00pm or by appointment |
| Smith | Monday 8:30am — 9:30am | Monday 9:45am — 11:45am (POT 702) or by appointment |
| Sullivan | Monday 12:00pm — 1:00pm | Tuesday 9:00am — 10:00am (POT 722) Thursday 3:00pm — 4:00pm or by appointment |
The textbook is written as a series of guided notes that you may use in addition to the notes from class. Each chapter includes a blank set of notes, a completed set of notes, and videos for each worked out example (there are no videos for Chapter 1).
You will need a calculator for the homework and exams. We allow the same calculators as the ACT allows. You may not use any machine (carbon-based life form or silicon-based) that has symbolic manipulation capabilities of any sort on any exam. This precludes the use of TI-89, TI-Nspire CAS, HP 48, TI 92, Voyage 200, Casio Classpad or laptop computer. Also, you may not use your mobile phone, iPhone or Blackberry on any exam even if you forget your regular calculator. If it runs Android, GEOS, iOS, Linux, MacOS, PalmOS, Ubuntu, Unix, Windows, or similar operating systems, you cannot use it on the exams. Answers that are simply the output of a calculator routine or a single numerical or symbolic expression that has no supporting work will receive no credit on exams.
Excused absences are granted according to University Senate Rule 5.2.5.2, which defines the following as acceptable reasons for excused absences: significant illness; death of a family member; University-related trips; major religious holidays; and other circumstances your instructor finds to be "reasonable cause for nonattendance".
The procedure for handling an absence varies based on whether you are missing an exam, a lecture, or a recitation.Absences from exams should be reported (in advance when possible) using one of the alternate exam forms. Please note that you will be required to submit documentation. Students who have university excused absences or who have university-scheduled class conflicts with common hour examinations need to make arrangements to take their exams at an alternate time. According to university policy, it is the student's responsibility to resolve scheduling conflicts with common hour exams, and this must be done at least TWO WEEKS before the exam. If you fail to inform your instructor of exam conflicts in timely manner, a 10 point penalty may be assessed on your exam score and you may be required to take the exam at one of the already scheduled alternate exam times. In the case of an excused absence, a make-up exam must be completed within one week of the absence. Make-ups will not be granted for unexcused absences.
There are no online exams. All exams are taken in-person.
Unless you have a documented excuse, no final exams will be given before Wednesday, May 1 at 6pm.
To request a homework extension, you must provide documentation for any missed lectures. In general, homework extensions will only be granted if an excused absence significantly prevents a student from attempting an assignment during the time it is assigned.
Recitation attendance is required. Contact your TA as soon as possible if you are unable to attend recitation due to an excused absence (you must provide documentation). In the case of an excused absence, any missed work must be completed within one week of the absence. Make-ups will not be granted for unexcused absences.
If you have documented disability that requires academic accommodations, please see your instructor as soon as possible during scheduled office hours. In order to receive accommodations in this course, you must provide a Letter of Accommodation from the Disability Resource Center (Suite 407, Multidisciplinary Science Building, 859-257-2754, email address drc@uky.edu) for coordination of campus disability services available to students with disabilities. The letter must be submitted at least 7 business days prior to the date you wish to use your accommodations. Instructors may require an electronic version of the accomodation letter which you can download by logging into your account with the DRC.
You should feel free to study with friends, but any work you submit for a grade should be your own work. This applies to all exams, quizzes, and writing assignments, with the exception of assignments that are specifically designated as group assignments. Academic dishonesty, in any form, will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, copying a classmate's work, allowing a classmate to copy your work, having someone else turn in a quiz for you, turning in a quiz for someone who was not there, modifying an exam after it has been handed back in an attempt to deceive the instructor into believing the assignment was graded incorrectly, or using a cell phone during an exam. A student found guilty of academic dishonesty will receive an automatic E on the assignment, and in some cases the offense may lead to an E for the course, academic probation, or even expulsion. See sections 6.3.1 and 6.3.2 of the University Senate Rules for more information regarding academic integrity.
Students are expected to actively participate during class. Students are also expected not to distract others. If you are disrupting class, you may be asked to leave.
College-level mathematics can be very difficult, and many of your classmates will be having a hard time adjusting both to the university and to the demands of the class. You are expected to treat your classmates with respect. It is reasonable to disagree, but you should express your disagreement respectfully. Personal attacks or statements denigrating another on the basis of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender or gender expression, age, national/regional origin or other such irrelevant factors are considered a severe disruption. Harassment will not be tolerated.
The University of Kentucky faculty are committed to supporting students and upholding the University's non-discrimination policy. Discrimination is prohibited at UK. If you experience an incident of discrimination we encourage you to report it to the Institutional Equity & Equal Opportunity (IEEO) Office, 13 Main Building, (859) 257-8927. Refer to this DEI statement for details on the University of Kentucky's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Acts of Sex- and Gender-Based Discrimination or Interpersonal Violence: If you experience an incident of sex- or gender-based discrimination or interpersonal violence, we encourage you to report it. While you may talk to a faculty member or TA/RA/GA, understand that as a "Responsible Employee" of the University these individuals MUST report any acts of violence (including verbal bullying and sexual harassment) to the University's Title IX Coordinator in the IEEO Office. If you would like to speak with someone who may be able to afford you confidentiality, the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) program and Bias Incident Support Services (Frazee Hall – Lower Level), the Counseling Center (106 Frazee Hall), and University Health Services are confidential resources on campus.
If you experience technical issues with Canvas, visit https://www.uky.edu/canvas for assistance or call customer service at (859) 218-4357. If you experience technical issues with WeBWorK or Piazza, contact your instructor.
For any written solutions to problems in this course, students are expected to submit work that is clear, legible, and well-written. Students should show all their work in an organized manner, using complete sentences (when necessary) to explain their solutions and justify their computations.
Mathematics is not a spectator sport. To understand what this means, consider how well you might learn to play soccer by merely watching Lionel Messi, or learn to sing by only listening to Adele. Similarly, you will not learn the material in this course by doing just enough to get the correct answer on the homework. In order to learn, you must actively engage during both lecture and recitation. You should also use the homework as a chance to deepen your learning of the course content. The instructor's role is that of a coach or guide who will help you learn as much of the material as you desire. This being said, form good study skills from the start!
You may access your course grades through the Canvas system, logging in with your linkblue ID and password. Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:
| Activity | Percentage of Grade |
| 3 Common Hour Exams | 16.67% each |
| Final Exam (cumulative) | 16.67% |
| Web Homework (WeBWorK) | 16.66% |
| Recitation | 16.66% |
| Total | 100% |
| Minimum Overall Percentage | Final Grade |
| 89.5% | A |
| 79.5% | B |
| 69.5% | C |
| 59.5% | D |
| 0% | E |
MA 123 has common hour exams, including the final exam.
Each exam is worth 100 points. You must bring a photo ID to each exam and you may use an ACT approved calculator on the exams. No Computer Algebra System (CAS), no network (data or wifi), no camera. Absolutely no cell phone use during an exam is allowed. Each exam consists of 18 multiple choice questions and 2 free response questions. The final exam, Exam 4, is comprehensive.
Exams will be graded and returned via Gradescope. Once an exam is returned, you have one week to dispute your grade. No grade changes will be made afterwards. You should go back over an exam once it is returned and redo problems you got wrong. Due to the cumulative nature of this course, it is worth your time to learn from your errors promptly. In addition to accounting for 16.67% of your overall grade, your Exam 4 score will replace your lowest score from Exam 1 through Exam 3 if there is an improvement. To be clear, you may not replace your Exam 4 score nor can you drop it.
A review will be posted within your Canvas course at least a week prior to each exam.
Exams from previous semesters can be found here. These are not practice exams, they are exams given during prior semesters.
| Fall 2023 | Exam 1 Answers | Exam 2 Answers | Exam 3 Answers |
Exam 4 Answers |
|---|
Caution: The exact content of the exams may vary from semester to semester. Some new material may be added and some types of questions may be deleted. Nevertheless, the old exams still serve as a rough guide to the material. Exam content will be drawn from the lecture and recitation worksheets, and web homework (WeBWorK).
Homework is turned in on WeBWorK, our online homework system. You can access WeBWorK using the Assignments tab in your Canvas course. We strongly recommend using Chrome or Firefox as the web browser.
Once you submit your answer to a problem and see the green "correct" notification, you are done with that problem. You do not need to submit the entire assignment. WeBWorK will sync your grade with Canvas as you complete each problem.
You have unlimited tries for each problem up until the close date of an assignment. To earn 100% credit on an assignment, it must be completed by 5:00pm on the date listed below. With the exception of HW14, you can receive 80% credit for any work that is completed after the listed due date and before 11:59pm on Wednesday, April 24.
The document Entering Answers in WeBWorK gives more information about how to enter mathematics to answer questions in WeBWorK. Please contact your instructor or teaching assistant if you have difficulty logging in.
You are required to attend your recitation section. Time in recitation will be used to introduce new content via guided worksheets. Your TA will go over parts of each worksheet with you towards the end of class, after which you will complete an exit question to earn credit for that day (there are no exit questions during exam weeks or weeks in which not every section is scheduled to meet). Exit questions will be graded out of 4 points as follows:
The first 10 minutes of recitation will be used to answer homework questions.
Midterm grades will be posted in myUK by the deadline established in the Academic Calendar.
Below are the notes that will be used this semester. It is recommended that you use an iPad or tablet to save your notes, or print a copy of each.