Course Web Pages
Web pages for this course are located
at
www.math.ups.edu/~martinj/courses/spring2003/m352/m352.html
You can get to this page by following links at
www.math.ups.edu/~martinj.
Assignments will be listed and class handouts will be available to
download as PDF files. Scores for assignments and exams will be
posted by code name for those who wish. If you want your scores to be
posted, send me an e-mail with the code name you want to use.
Course Overview and Text
Complex analysis is the study of functions for which each input is a complex number and each output is a complex number. After successfully completing this course, a student should
Grading, Coursework, and Policies
In class, we will discuss new material, respond to questions from reading the text, and work through assigned problems on which there are difficulties. When we discuss new material, the focus will be on ``the big picture.'' That is, we will look at new ideas in their simplest form and how these ideas fit together. Often, we will not consider details and variations in depth during a first pass through new material. Your mastery of the details will begin outside of class with a careful reading of the text and work on the assigned problems. We will address the details by responding to questions on the reading and problems that you bring to class. You are expected to participate in class by being present (and alert), by responding to questions I pose, and by asking the questions that you have.
Outside of class, you should read the relevant sections of the text carefully. This will generally include working through the reasoning of arguments and filling in steps that are omitted in calculations. You should keep a list of specific questions from the reading and find answers to those questions either in class, with me outside of class, or with study partners.
The text is also a source of problems that are essential in building understanding and skill. I will assign homework problems from the textbook on which I expect you to spend considerable time and effort. I will also designate problems to be collected and evaluated. For these problems, you should write up careful solutions using the standards of proper technical writing. You should not get in the habit of focusing only on the problems designated to be turned in. You will need to do many more problems in order to become facile with the concepts, techniques, and applications.
We will have five exams during the semester. These will be a combination of in-class and take-home. I will give you at least one week notice before any in-class exam. The final exam is scheduled for Friday, May 16 from 8:00-10:00 am. The final exam may also include a take-home component.
To determine course grades, I calculate a total course score with homework problems weighted at 30% and exams (including the final) weighted at 70%. I assign a preliminary course grade based on an objective standard (ususally 93.0-100% for an A, 90.0-92.9% for an A-, 87.0-89.9% for a B+, 83.0-86.9% for a B, etc.). I then look at each student's performance subjectively. Occasionally I will assign a course grade that is higher than the objective standard. For example, if a student has a grade of B according to the objective standard but has shown steady improvement, I might assign a course grade of B+.
Office Hours
I am available in my office for help several hours each day. I am often in my office during the day in hours at which I do not have a scheduled class, meeting, or other activity. A copy of my schedule is included here. Feel free to come look for me. To be (almost) guaranteed that I will be in, come during one of the hours labeled as an ``office hour.'' You can also call, send e-mail, or stop me after class to schedule an appointment for a specific time.