UCSC
ECON/AMS 11B
FALL 2010
SYLLABUS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

ECON/AMS 11B - Mathematical Methods for Economics, II - is the continuation of ECON/AMS 11A. The course covers differential calculus in several variables and integral calculus in one variable.

We begin with differential calculus for functions of several variables. We study partial derivatives, their interpretations and applications including elasticity and Taylor approximation. Finally, we look at optimization in several variables, both with and without constraints, the `envelope theorem' and study applications to economics.

The study of integral calculus begins with antidifferentiation and the indefinite integral, with elementary initial value problems as motivation. Finally, we'll learn about the definite integral, the fundamental theorem of calculus and see how to apply definite integrals to compute area, consumers' and producers' surplus, present value and other things.

CHEATING

  • CHEATING IN ANY FORM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. CHEATING DEVALUES EVERYBODY'S GRADES - YOU SHOULDN'T TOLERATE IT EITHER!
  • STUDENTS CAUGHT HELPING OTHERS CHEAT ARE ALSO CHEATERS.
  • STUDENTS CAUGHT CHEATING MAY BE DROPPED FROM THE COURSE AND RECEIVE A FAILING GRADE. AT THE VERY MINIMUM, A STUDENT CAUGHT CHEATING ON AN EXAM WILL RECEIVE A SCORE OF ZERO ON THAT EXAM.
  • CHEATERS WILL ALSO BE REPORTED TO THE ECONOMICS AND/OR AMS DEPARTMENTS AND TO THEIR COLLEGE PROVOST.

PLEASE BRING YOUR STUDENT ID TO EVERY EXAM.

 

LECTURE SCHEDULE (subject to change)
and
EXAM DATES (not subject to change)

9/24 - 10/1

Functions of several variables; partial derivatives and applications.
Sections 17.1 and 17.2.

10/4 - 10/8

Higher order partial derivatives; chain rule; Taylor polynomials
Sections 17.4, 17.5. Supplementary Note 2.

10/11 - 10/15

Optimization: critical points and second derivative test.
Supplementary Note 3 and Section 17.6.

Monday, 10/18

EXAM 1

10/20 - 10/22

Applications; Constrained optimization.
Sections 17.6, 17.7.

10/25 - 11/1

Envelope theorem; Applications.
Supplementary Note 4 and Section 17.7.

11/3 - 11/10

Differentials and the indefinite integral.
Sections 14.1 - 14.4.

Friday, 11/12

EXAM 2

11/15 - 11/19

Techniques of integration and applications.
Sections 14.4,14.5.

11/22 - 11/24

The definite integral and the fundamental theorem of calculus.
Sections 14.6 and 14.7.

11/29 - 12/3

Applications of definite integrals.
14.9 - 14.11, 15.3.

Tuesday, 12/7

FINAL EXAM, 8 - 11 am.


TIPS FOR SUCCESS

11B covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time.
To do well in the class, I recommend the following:

  1. Attend all the lectures.
  2. Go to section each week for additional help and review.
  3. Read the book and the supplementary notes (on the review page):
    • Read the relevant sections and notes before the material is covered in class. You don't need to understand every word the first time
      you read it, but you should take note of the new concepts and techniques that are introduced.
    • Re-read the material again after the material has been covered in class. Read actively this time: take notes and try to work out the
      examples on your own, then compare your work to the work in the text.
    • Re-read the material once again when you work on the homework.
  4. Study in one to two hour blocks, five or six days a week. Don't cram all your studying into one or two days a week. All in all, you should spend
    between 8 and 12 hours a week studying for this course, outside of class. This is a 5-unit course, and the university expects the average student
    to spend a minimum of 15 hours a week total on each such course.
  5. Form a small study group (3-4 students), and spend several hours a week studying together. This is especially useful for drilling the technical stuff
    (like computing integrals and derivatives or solving equations).
  6. Use all the resources:
    • Go to section for review and to see solutions to previous homework assignments.
    • Go to MSI for help on the current homework assignment.
    • Go to office hours - mine or the TAs' - for additional help.

There are no miracles - the more you study and the more effectively you study, the better you will do.

YOUR GRADE

Your grade in this class is determined by your scores on the homework, two midterm exams and the final exam, as described below. There are no extra-credit options, and everyone is graded the same way. If you are worried about your performance/grade in the class, then you should come discuss your concerns with me at the beginning of the quarter, so that I can help you devise a study plan that will help you meet your goals. Once again - there are no miracles. You need to study hard all quarter long to do well. Remember: the tests get progressively more challenging for most students, so don't take a good score on your first midterm as a sign that you can ease off on the studying.

Your overall score in the class in the class is computed as follows:

  • The average of your 7 highest homework scores comprises 10% of your overall score in the class.
  • The higher of your two midterm scores comprises 30% of your overall score.
  • The lower of your two midterm scores comprises 15% of your overall score.
  • Your score on the (comprehensive) final exam comprises the remaining 45% of your overall score.

Please note that your exam scores are not `curved' (I don't assign letter grades to exams). I use the raw scores to compute your overall score in the class (which is also not `curved'), and only then do I assign letter grades. Your letter grade is determined by your overall score according to the following (approximate) ranges:

A- to A+ 90 - 100
B- to B+ 79 - 89
C to C+ 65 - 78
D 50 - 64
F 0 - 49

There are small variations in these ranges from time to time, and intangible factors like improvement throughout the quarter can help in borderline cases, especially on the D/C border. Please note that there is no C- grade at UCSC and that if you are taking the course P/NP, then you need to earn the equivalent of a C or better to pass.