Math 32A:  Calculus of Several Variables

Syllabus

Math 32AB is a traditional multivariable calculus sequence for mathematicians, engineers, and physical scientists.  Math 32A treats differential calculus in several variables.

Instructor: Ko Honda

  • Office: MS 7901
  • E-mail: lastname at math dot ucla dot edu  
  • Telephone: 310-825-2143
  • URL: http://www.math.ucla.edu/~honda
  • Office hours: Mon 2-3pm and Wed 10-11am in my office

TA: Chris Hunt (chunt98 at math dot ucla dot edu) or Yilong Yang (yy26 at math dot ucla dot edu) or Max Zhou (maxzhou at math dot ucla dot edu).  Since Math 32A is a large class, I ask that you email the TA first if you have a question.

Class Meetings: Every week there will be three hours of lecture as well as one hour of discussion.

  • Lectures:  MWF 12 noon-12:50 pm @ MS 4000A
  • Discussion section:  see your schedule (Tu or Th 12 noon-12:50 pm)

Topics

  1. Vector geometry.
  2. Vector-valued functions.
  3. Differentiation in several variables.
  4. Optimization.
Textbook: Jon Rogawski and Colin Adams, Multivariable Calculus, 3rd Edition, W. H. Freeman & Co. (ISBN-13: 978-1-4641-8689-9, ISBN-10: 1-4641-8689-8.)

Prerequisite: Math 31A with a grade of C- or better.


REQUIREMENTS:  You are responsible for carefully reading the following and being aware of all the requirements.  Please ask questions about anything you don't understand.
 

Classroom Expectations

I want you to enjoy this class, but please respect my right to teach and your classmates' rights to learn.
  • Please refrain from disruptive behavior (such as unnecessary talking).
  • Laptop/tablet use is restricted to taking notes.  Your cell phones must be turned off (this in particular means you cannot use your cell phones in class).  Also no reading newspapers and other non-class materials.
  • I will ask you to work on some problems during class and expect you to fully engage in the activity.
  • The goal of the lectures is to introduce the theory and work out some basic examples.  The discussion is for working out slightly harder problems.
Grading System
  • Weekly quizzes: 25%
  • Midterm: 25%
  • Final Exam: 50%
Homework:  Homework will be assigned after every class (see the class schedule) but will not be collected.

Quizzes:  There will be a total of six quizzes in discussion (see the class schedule).  You can drop one quiz, i.e., I will use the five highest quiz scores when calculating your average.  The problems will be chosen from the assigned homework problems, but probably won't be the easiest ones.  For example, there is a quiz in discussion on 4/11 or 4/13 on the homework assigned on 4/3, 4/5, and 4/7.  You must attend the discussion section you're officially enrolled in to take the quizzes. No books, notes, calculators, or other aids will be allowed on the quizzes and exams.  No makeup quizzes will be given.

Midterms:  There will be one in-class midterm exam during the semester (Friday, May 5).  No makeup midterms will be given.  Any absence on a midterm will result in a score of 0, unless excused.  In case of an excused absence, the final exam grade will replace the midterm grade that is missed.  It is your responsibility to let me know in advance if you will be absent for a legitimate reason, so I can excuse you.  In case of an emergency (e.g., sudden illness), please supply some documentation afterwards (e.g., doctor's note).  If you have any conflicts with the midterm, please come talk to me about it within the first two weeks of class.

Final Exam:  Monday, June 12, 11:30 am-2:30 pm.

Academic Integrity
The instructor strongly adheres to the University policies regarding academic integrity violations, and will strictly enforce these rules. You are encouraged to review the UCLA Student Conduct Code.

Tips for Success

  • Try not to fall behind in the class; it is surprisingly difficult to catch up in a math course.
  • If you're looking to get an A in the course, try to do the HW on the day it is assigned.  You will retain the material better if you study a little bit each day.

Getting Help

The Student Math Center (SMC) is located in MS 3974. Hours: M-Th 9 am-3 pm, starting ????.  The SMC offers free, individual and group tutoring for all lower division math courses.  This service is available on a walk-in basis; no appointment is necessary.  Students may ask any of the TAs in attendance for assistance with math problems.

Students with Disabilities 

Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with the Center for Accessible Education (CAE).

WARNING:  The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may become necessary. 

Last modified:  March 29, 2017.