Weber State University
Department of Economics

Syllabus QUAN 2400

Business Calculus

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TTH 10:00 - 11:15am                                                                                    Dr. Doris Geide-Stevenson
WB 119                                                                                                        Office: WB 232
Spring 2009                                                                                                   Phone:  626-7634
                                                                                                                                  626-6066 (Dept.) 
E-Mail:  DGSTEVEN@Weber.edu 

Personal Web Page: http://faculty.weber.edu/dgsteven

WSU Online: http://online.weber.edu

Office Hours: M 11am - 12:30pm, TTH  11:15 - 11:45am, W 9:30am - 12pm or by appointment.

Course Description:  This class emphasizes the application of quantitative tools to problems of business and economics. In particular, you will learn how to apply calculus to analyze cost functions, demand, profit maximization and other concepts. The course addresses calculus problem formulation and solution interpretation, with some emphasis on the mathematical procedures employed to solve the problem.

Prerequisites: Math 1050 with a grade of C or higher.

Course Objectives: Objectives for this course fall into three categories 1) Models and Methodology, 2) Tools and 3) Interpretation of Results.

• 1) Models and Methodology: Many sub-disciplines in business and economics rely on mathematical modeling. It is important for you to understand why models are used and how models can help in deriving insights that help to solve business and/or economic problems. You should expect to master the concepts of independent and dependent variables; behavioral equations, and equilibrium conditions as they apply in modeling. While the models discussed in this class are formulated mathematically, it is very important to understand the cause and effect relationships captured by the model.
• 2) The Tools are the basic algebra skills from MATH 1050 (that you need to review) that form the building block for calculus tools that we will learn in this class. During this class you will learn how to use these tools.
• 3) Since we are trying to model business and economics problems, it is not enough to simply 'crank out' a mathematical solution. Rather, we need to be able to explain and to interpret what the numerical solution tells us. Throughout the course we will practice verbal interpretation and discussion of our results.

Required Text:   Calculus with Applications, by Lial, Greenwell and Ritchey, 9th edition, 2007.
                             ISBN 0-321-42132-9

Required Material:  A calculator with the following calculation capabilities: Log, LN, the number e, and exponential calculations.

Special Accommodations: If you have special needs, it is your responsibility to contact me during the first week of classes. Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in room 181 of the Student Services Center (phone: 626-6413) will coordinate reasonable accommodations.

Grading:    

Organization: You are responsible for reading the relevant textbook passages before we meet in class. In class, I will try to work through the most important points of the reading, but will also provide different applications and examples. In class, we will try to focus on questions of methodology as well as the mathematical procedures. You will be able to practice applications by completing homework assignments. Mastery of quantitative methods requires lots of practice and the homework is designed to give you this practice. The exams will heavily draw on the material presented in class and the material practiced in the homework assignments. The material that you read on your own and that was not emphasized in class, will be tested in a more cursory manner. Your commitment to regular practice and regular attendance will ultimately impact your grade.

Policy on Cheating: The work you turn in must be your own. If you are caught cheating on an assignment or an exam you will fail this course. While I encourage cooperation and study groups, simply copying the assignment from another student is cheating. Note that in this case both parties are guilty of cheating.

Make-up Exams: It is your responsibility to attend the in-class or testing center exams scheduled below. Should you be unable to attend the exams on the dates indicated below, you have to let the instructor know in advance of the exam (see voice mail, e-mail address and department phone number above) to be eligible for a make-up exam. The instructor reserves the right to schedule any make-up and determine the form of the exam.

Tentative Course Outline

You are responsible to prepare each class by reading in advance. The following course outline is tentative. At the beginning of each class meeting I will let you know the relevant reading for the next class period. This is when I will let you know exactly which sections of the chapter you are responsible for.

Chapter R: Algebra Reference - Review on your own.

Jan. 6     Chapter 1: Linear Functions (1.1, 1.2, 1.3 (partially only))  

Jan. 8     Chapter 1

Jan. 13   Chapter 2: Nonlinear Functions

Jan. 15    Chapter 2

Jan. 20     Chapter 2, Chapter 3: The derivative

Jan. 22     Chapter 3

Jan. 27     Chapter 3

Jan. 29     Chapter 3

Feb. 3       EXAM I  taken in class

Feb. 5       Chapter 4: Calculating the Derivative

Feb. 10     Chapter 4

Feb. 12     Chapter 4

Feb. 17     Chapter 5: Graphs and the Derivative

Feb. 19     Chapter 5

Feb. 24     Chapter 5

Feb. 26     Chapter 6: Applications of the Derivative

Mar. 3      Chapter 6

EXAM II  - Testing Center March 5 - March 7, WSU Ogden Campus, Student Services Building     

Mar. 5      Chapter 6

March 10 and 12     Spring Break

Mar. 17    Chapter 6

Mar. 19     Chapter 6

Mar. 24     Chapter 6

Mar. 26     Chapter 7: Integration

Mar. 31      Chapter 7

Apr. 2        Chapter 7

EXAM III - Testing Center April 2 - April 4,  WSU Ogden Campus, Student Services Building     

Apr. 7       Chapter 8: Further Techniques of Integration

Apr. 9       Chapter 8

Apr. 14     Chapter 8

Apr. 16     Chapter 9: Multivariable Calculus

Apr. 21      Chapter 9

Apr. 23       Review

Final Exam: Wednesday, April 29, 9:30 - 11:30am.