Math 265A: Calculus I – CRN: 31977

Spring 2025, from 2/10/2025 through 05/23/2025

Instructor: Guillermo Alvarez

Contact information

Email Address: guillermo_alvarezpar@cuesta.edu

Phone Number: 805 592 9917

Office Location/ Hours: Office 2701, and Online Office Hours by appointment.

Classroom and on-campus meeting times: Monday and Wednesday at room 4111, from 11:00am through 12:20 pm. These meetings are mandatory. 

Instructor Contact Expectations: 

The best and fastest way to contact me is by email.  I will generally respond to your emails within 24 hours during weekdays only.  During busy times of the semester, the response time may increase to 48 hours.  On weekends, I will do my best to get back to you ASAP but I cannot guarantee an expeditious response. 

Course Environment:

This online course will be using a Web-based Learning Management System Canvas as the method to disseminate information. Canvas provides the framework for the course including PowerPoint presentations, student data files, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book. Using the communication tools, you can communicate using e-mail, and you can share materials and ideas with other course participants via the discussion forums and groups.

Exam Information

There will be quizzes and exams.  The quizzes will be 80 minutes long, and the final exam will be 120 minutes long. The dates for those exams will be included in the syllabus. 

Homework and Other Activities

There will be homework and other activities, usually every week.

Class opens / Accessing Canvas:

You can access Canvas by logging into MyCuesta, then clicking on the Resources Tab, then clicking on Canvas in the Online Learning Channel, or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) into your browser address bar. Do not bookmark / favorite the canvas site after your login, or you will get an error message next time you try to log in. You must access the canvas log in directly.

If you are not familiar with logging into canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide.

 Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the directions on the course home page.  

If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas after the first day of class and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address: support@my.cuesta.edu. 

Online Learning: 

If you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, please be patient with yourself. Online classes are not inherently easier, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least as much time, if not more, on this course as you would on a course that meets face to face. Since there is no lecture component, much of this time will be self-directed and there will be a substantial amount of reading, viewing, studying, and writing required. This course is completely online using Canvas; all coursework, other than exams (lectures, discussions, homework assignment…) is submitted online. See the Exam Information section above.  Please be prepared to spend at least 12 hours per week on coursework for this class.

IS an ONLINE CLASS FOR YOU? 

• First, go to the Online Readiness Resources to take a "self-assessment”. There are many resources that were designed to help you understand the basis for an online class and the skills necessary for success. (If the tutorials do NOT describe you, then taking this class online is NOT for you and I strongly suggest that you drop the online class and enroll in a traditional classroom section.)

Regular Effective Contact policy:

This is a partially synchronous course, which means that you will have to come to campus at certain given times each week. See class schedule for specifics. Regular and Effective Instructor Contact might be met through weekly instructor initiated threaded discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, phone or messaging to individuals; and virtual office hours.

Course Description

Calculus is an amazing set of mathematical tools that originally allowed scientists to calculate the areas of curved figures and to determine the paths of objects subjected to gravitational and other forces. These tools are now used in every scientific field, including all branches of engineering and even in epidemiological models for the spread of diseases like COVID-19. In this class will learn to how and when to use the two major tools of calculus: differentiation and integration. You will also come to understand how the concept of a "limit" forms the foundation for all of calculus. It will be an exciting journey and I look forward to helping you build a strong foundation in calculus. 

Prerequisites:

A grade of C or better in Math 242(Precalculus Algebra) and Math 231 (Trigonometry) or the equivalent at another school. 

[For the official course description and course outline of record please go to CurricUNET]

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Compute limits algebraically, graphically and using L’Hopital’s rule.
2. Compute derivatives of single-variable functions using product rule, quotient rule, chain rule, and differentiation rules for polynomials, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
3. Apply derivatives to investigate the graphs of functions through tangent lines, extrema, and concavity.
4. Apply derivatives to solve related rates and optimization problems.
5. Evaluate definite and indefinite integrals of single-variable functions using Riemann sums, basic integration rules, and substitution.
6. Apply definite integrals to find areas and the average value of a function. 

Text Book and Materials

• Calculus, Early Transcendentals,3rd Edition, by Briggs, Cochran, and Gillett 

  Calculator and Software:

  You will need a scientific calculator for some homework, quizzes, and exams. The ONLY calculators you may use in class are: 

  Texas Instruments: TI-30 or TI-34 (NOT the TI-36 ) Casio: fx-260 or fx-300 (NOT the fx-115 or the fx-991) Sharp: EL-501, 510, 516, 520, 531, or 535 

  **Phones are prohibited during quizzes and exams.** 

Technical Support

Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to  support@my.cuesta.edu. If you are having issues with Canvas, you should contact the Canvas Support Hotline at (877) 921-7680, or click on the help button on the Canvas Navigation to report a problem.

If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.

Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome.  This may solve your problem!  Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specifications.

Accommodations:

This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources, please contact  DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services).

College & Course Policies:

Academic Honesty Policy: Any students who violate the college Academic Honesty Policy will receive a 0 for the class and be reported to the Vice President of Student Services for further action. In addition to my course policy, please note all students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of conduct.

Add / Drop Policy: I will drop any students who do not participate in the first discussion post by the deadline.  I may also drop any students who do not login to the course at least 3 days per week.  In addition to my policy, please review the Cuesta policy for drops and adds. 

• Add Policy
• Drop Policy

Waitlist Policy: I will add students in the order they appear on the waitlist.  I email students during the first week of class with add codes, based on available spots in the course. In addition to my course specific procedures, please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructions.