Math 1026

About this course:

Math 1026 is a three credit course that covers topics in Integral Calculus, including numerical techniques, elementary differential equations, and applications in the life sciences. The course consists of quizzes, exams, and labs in the format of a Math Emporium course.

Instructor: Erika Rappold
Contact: erappold@vt.edu

How we work in this course:

Learning at the Math Emporium is based on a student-led learning approach, where knowledge is constructed by the students' exploration and hands-on problems.

You will be asked to work in Math 1026 (free) online text-book at your own pace, work examples, and work on practice problems that will prepare you for the quizzes and exams in your course. Students should be prepared to actively develop learner autonomy and independence, instead of passively listening to a lecture. Please click in this link to know the steps to work in our course.

You will also work on bi-weekly labs. These labs explore a variety of business applications. Your score on the lab will be based on a lab problem quiz.

Your grade in this course:

The final grade for this course is computed based on the following:

• Midterm tests: 55%
• Quizzes: 10%
• Final Exam: 20%
• Labs: 15%

Grades are not rounded.

You will receive scores for 13 Graded Quizzes this semester.

• Most quizzes (Quizzes 2 - 10) will be based on the mathematical content of the course. Each of these quizzes will have 8 questions.
• Four quizzes (Quizzes 1, S, E, and the Empo TC Assessment) will not be based on mathematical content.
  • Quiz 1: This is the Orientation Quiz. It covers things you need to know to succeed in your course. Quiz 1 has 15 questions.
  • Empo TC Assessment: This is your opportunity to get familiar with the Testing Center. The questions on this quiz are about the Testing Center and how to take Exams there. This assessment is taken in the Testing Center, like a Midterm Exam.
  • Quiz S: This is a survey on your study skills. You will learn more about this quiz from your Instructor.
  • Quiz E: This is an end-of-semester survey about the Emporium. You will learn more about this towards the end of the semester.
• Only the highest 10 Graded Quiz scores will be used to calculate your ending Quiz % Average at the end of the semester.

You will receive grades for 4 Midterm Tests. 

• Each Midterm Test consists of 18 problems in multiple-choice format covering the same material as the corresponding Practice Problems. All Tests are proctored and must be taken in the Testing Center.
  
•  You may take each of the 4 Midterm Tests twice before the deadline date and time that appear to the right of the test link in the Quiz and Test System for that test.  If you take the test a second time, your better score will count for ⅔ of that test score, while your lower score will count for ⅓ of that test score.
• If it is to your benefit, the percentage grade from your Final Exam will replace the lowest Midterm Test percentage score.
• There are 4 Midterm Tests that must be taken for this course. The LAST day to start a test is called the deadline day. Deadline days for your Midterm Tests are: (remember, the times of your deadlines can be found in the Quiz & Test system)
  
  Test 1 - February 7
  Test 2 - February 28
  Test 3 - March 28
  Test 4 - April 18
  
  

You will take a Comprehensive Final Exam.

• The Final Exam consists of 25 problems in multiple-choice format covering all of the course content.  
• The Comprehensive Final Exam must be taken one time before the deadline.
• If it is to your benefit, the percentage grade from your Final Exam will replace the lowest Midterm Test percentage score.
• The LAST day to start the Final Exam is:  May 8
  
• Note: Since the final exam is worth 20% of your course average, you can’t earn an A in this course if you miss the final exam.

You will complete 8 Lab Assignments this semester.

• Your lowest Lab Assignment will be dropped.
• The scores from all other Lab Assignments will contribute equally to your Lab % Average.

If you want to track your grade in the course, you can use the Grade Estimator.

Honor Code: 

The Undergraduate Honor Code pledge that each member of the university community agrees to abide by states:

"As a Hokie, I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times. I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do."  

Students enrolled in this course are responsible for abiding by the Honor Code. A student who has doubts about how the Honor Code applies to any assignment is responsible for obtaining specific guidance from the course instructor before submitting the assignment for evaluation. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the University community from the requirements and expectations of the Honor Code. For more details about how the honor code applies to Emporium courses, see the Emporium Honor Code Policy.

For additional information about the Honor Code, please visit the University's Honor System.

Getting Help in this course

Learner autonomy means that you will be in charge of persistently seeking help in a timely manner, keeping track of the deadlines and managing your time wisely. 

At the Math Emporium you will have support from your instructor and tutors to succeed. Visit the help resources available for you at the Math Emporium.

You should feel free to contact your instructor with any questions you may have.

Instructor: Erika Rappold
Email: erappold@vt.edu