Math 212: Multivariable Calculus
Spring 2020

Contact Info
Spring 2020

Office: Fowler 325
Email: gdaigle@oxy.edu

Office Hours:

Often in office:

Course Information

Lecture:

Daily Reading

Course Goals

In this course we will extend our theory of calculus to cover functions of multiple variables. We will understand these functions algebraically and geometrically, and learn how to use the tools of differential and integral calculus to further understand them.

Topics will include: 3D graphing, planes, partial derivatives, vectors, directional derivatives, gradients, the chain rule, optimization and Lagrange multipliers, integration, parametrization, vector fields, line and surface integrals, and Green’s, Stokes’s, and the Divergence theorem.

The course syllabus is available here.

Course Notes

Homework

Webwork

The primary way this course will handle homework assignments is through the MAA’s online WeBWork interface. You will need to go here and log in to your account; your login is the same as your Oxy login name, and your password is your student ID. (Please change this as soon as possible.)

I currently plan to have weekly homework assignments, generally due on Tuesdays. (We do not have class on Tuesday, but the homework system is online so that’s fine. I’ll be on campus to answer questions on Tuesday afternoons.)

There is a very brief assignment due this Friday, January 24, just to make sure you have gotten into the system.

Written Assignments

Each week you will have a written assignment due, generally on Wednesdays.

Tests

Tentative midterm dates are February 21, March 20, and April 10.

The final exam will be held in our usual classroom according to the official schedule.

Graphing calculators will not be allowed on tests. Scientific, non-programmable calculators will be allowed. I will have some to share, but not enough for everyone.

Mathematica

You don’t need Mathematica at any point in the course, but it can be very helpful to do calculations or experiment with visualizations. Occidental has a license that allows you to install Mathematica on your personal computer.

You can download Mathematica by following this link. You will be asked to create an account. After you have created an account and logged in, return to that link to download Mathematica for your computer.

References

There is no official textbook for this course. If you would like references or other perspectives, I recommend the following free online textbooks: