MATH 32 (Section 1) - First Day Handout

Calculus III - Fall 2019

General information


Time and place:    T Th 9:35 - 10:50 am, RN 105
Instructor:             Lenny Fukshansky
Office:                    Adams 218
Phone:                   (909) 607 - 0014
Email:                    lenny@cmc.edu
Office hours:         (tentatively) TTh 4:00 - 5:30 pm, or by appointment
Class webpage:     http://math.cmc.edu/lenny/classes/fall_2019/m32/fall_2019_m32.html

The class webpage is a good source for all class related information; in particular, homework assignments will be posted on the class webpage weekly. Please check it regularly.


Textbook: (Required) Calculus: Early Transcendentals (7th Edition), by Stewart (published by Cengage Learning).

Course description

Multivariable calculus and vector analysis. Functions of several variables; polar coordinates and parametric representation of curves; partial differentiation, the method of Lagrange multipliers; multiple integration; calculus of vector functions.

Prerequisite: Mathematics 31 or placement.

Material to be covered

We will aim to cover most of the material in Chapters 12 - 16 of the textbook.

Teaching philosophy:

The main goal of this course is to present the mathematical way of thinking, centering on rigorous logic and analytical reasoning. We will do this on the example of the classical material of Multivariable Calculus. The approach we take will be largely theoretical, aiming to not only demonstrate computational methods, but also to understand what makes them work. While we will not be able to prove all the results presented, we will see some proofs and discuss the underlying logic behind the main concepts. In this way, this course will also serve as an introductory exposition of the art of mathematical proof, which may be different from a more computational approach to Calculus taken in many high school courses.

Grading policy

Class attendance and homework completion are required parts of the course. Homework assignments will be regularly posted on the course webpage and collected every Thursday. Late homework will not be accepted. There will be two in class midterm exams and the comprehensive final exam. Here is the tentative exam schedule.

Midterm 1:        Thursday, October 10, in class
Midterm 2:        Thursday, November 14, in class
Final Exam:       Wednesday, December 18, 2:00 - 5:00 pm in RN 105

Make-ups for exams will only be given with documented CMC-approved excuses (see College Regulations).

The grade break-down will be as follows:
The grading scale used for this class will be:
I reserve the right to introduce a curve (up or down) at the end of the semester depending on the class's overall performance.

Additional resources  

There is tutoring available in the Quantitative and Computing Lab (QCL): our designated QCL mentor will be Yingqi (Edward) Shi.

Special policies

Please notice that confidentiality reasons prevent me from providing you with any information regarding your performance in this class except for in person. Please DO NOT  email or call with any kind of grade inquiries.

The following are basic rules that all students should follow in order not to disturb the class.
The use of calculators, or any other electronic devices, as well as any books or notes, is prohibited during all tests.

Important dates



The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the class policies.

All printed handouts and web-materials are protected by US Copyright Laws. No multiple copies can be made without written permission by the instructor.