MA 242: Calculus III

Syllabus for section 014, Fall 2025, 4 credits

MA242 is the third course in a three-semester calculus sequence designed for science and engineering majors, focusing on the rich landscape of multivariable calculus. In your previous studies, you explored functions of a single variable, such as f(x) = x^2, where each input yields a single output. This course extends those foundational ideas to functions of several variables, for example g(x,y) = xy, and introduces vector-valued functions, which can produce outputs in higher-dimensional spaces.

Our central aim is to generalize the core concepts of calculus—differentiation and integration—to settings involving multiple variables. Throughout the semester, you will develop tools to analyze and visualize these functions using three-dimensional geometry, deepening your intuition for how calculus operates in higher dimensions. Multivariable calculus not only broadens the scope of mathematical analysis but also provides essential techniques for understanding complex phenomena in science and engineering.

Teaching Staff

·       Instructor of Record: Moody Chu

Office: SAS 4112

Office Hours: 11:30 - 12:30, Monday, Wednesday

Phone: 919-515-3265

email: chu@math.ncsu.edu

 

·       Teaching Assistant: Helen Reed (sections 014A and 014B)

Office: Laundry (Language and Computer Labs) 202

Office Hours: 10:00 - 11:00 AM, Thursday; 11:00 - 12:00 AM, Friday

Email: hereed@ncsu.edu

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this course, you will possess the ability to extend the principles of differential and integral calculus to functions of several variables, vector-valued functions, and vector fields. You will learn to compute volumes and surface areas, solve optimization problems in higher dimensions, and evaluate physical quantities such as velocity, work, flux, and potential. The course will guide you in describing and analyzing geometric objects in three-dimensional space using the powerful methods of calculus. You will encounter elegant generalizations of the fundamental theorem of calculus in multivariable contexts. Above all, you will cultivate the confidence and skill to approach and unravel sophisticated mathematical challenges.

Course Structure

·       Lecture: The lecture component of this course will take place Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the time slot 1:55PM – 2:45PM. Students are expected to attend and participate unless they have an excused absence. Recordings of the lectures will be posted to Moodle. We will keep track of attendance through the Moodle attendance system, and consistent presence may positively influence your final grade, particularly in borderline cases.

 

·       Recitation: You have also signed up for a “Lab” component for this course that meets Tuesdays and Thursdays. The class is divided into two subsections. Depending on which subsection you have enrolled in, the meeting time would be 11:45AM-12:35PM or 1:55PM-2:45PM. These recitations are designed to give you practice with concepts and skills you learn in lecture. You will also have a chance to ask your recitation leader questions and work together with your classmates. You will also take exams during these recitation sections.

 

·       WebAssign Homework: You will have online homework assignments through WebAssign typically due on Thursday nights at 11:59pm.  Please see the Moodle site for instructions on getting access to WebAssign. The approximate cost for access is $77.50 and includes access to the textbook through the WebAssign portal. WebAssign access is included with Course Ready. WebAssign will also allow you to take a seven-day extension for 80% credit (a 20% penalty). This policy is meant to help you in case of technical issues, typos in your answers, and short-term disruptions to your participation (e.g. illness).

 

·       Textbook: An electronic copy of the course textbook Calculus for Engineers and Scientists, Volume III by Franke, Griggs, and Norris is included with your WebAssign purchase. You can also access the textbook through the link: MA 242 Textbook.

 

·       Exams: We will have three major exams during the semester, which you will take during your recitation section. The (tentative) midterm dates are:

 

1.     Exam 1: Thursday, Sep 18

2.     Exam 2: Tuesday, Oct 21

3.     Exam 3: Tuesday, Nov 18

 

·       Final Exam: The comprehensive final exam, carrying a total of 200-point (with double weighting), will be administered in person on Wednesday, December 10. You will complete the exam in your regular lecture classroom.

Grading Policy

Your grade for the course will be calculated as according to the following grading scheme:

 

final grade= curve{[@avg(WebAssign homework)+@sum(three hour tests)+@(final exam) )]/6}

 

·       Grades will be assigned according to NC State’s standard letter grade scale.

·       Final grades will be determined using the class curve, ensuring that each grade category is represented. Please note even a difference of one or two points may affect your final letter grade.

Policies for Late or Missed Work

·       If you fall behind in the course for whatever reason, you should reach out to your instructor or TA. As stated above, you can turn in WebAssign problem sets up to seven days late and written homework up to one day late for 80% credit (a 20% penalty).

·       For longer-term, recurring, or more serious illness or other interruptions to your participation in this class, you should reach out to your instructor or TA as soon as you can.

·       Lecture and recitation sessions are recorded through Panopto from which you should make up the missed materials as soon as possible.

Extra Help

·       Your peers: We encourage and expect you to work together with your classmates on homework assignments and studying, either remotely or in person.

 

·       Office hours: Office hours are posted on Moodle. No appointment is necessary. You can ask questions about the homework, study questions, or general questions about course material.

 

·       Course Resources: On the Moodle site, there is a section called “Resources”, which has links to all of the course materials along with other study materials. You can also access the textbook through WebAssign which has many worked examples.

Academic Integrity

·       On WebAssign, we encourage you to work together with your peers and seek help from the teaching staff, textbook, and other resources as needed. However, you should make sure you understand the solutions you submit. Part of the purpose of these assignments is to prepare you for the exams, so be careful not to overuse help resources.

·       On Midterms and the Final Exam, you may not work with anyone else nor seek outside help--collaboration is strictly prohibited unless otherwise specified. Each assessment will have instructions outlining exactly what resources or electronic aides you are permitted to use.

·       Posting course materials to websites like Chegg and Course Hero is a violation of copyright law and course policy and is strictly prohibited. Violations of this policy will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct.

·       You are expected to abide by the Code of Student Conduct (NCSU POL11.35.01) and Pack Pledge. Violations of academic integrity will be handled in accordance with the Student Discipline Procedures (NCSU REG 11.35.02).

Course Schedule

The following rough schedule is tentative and subject to change. Details, including assignment due dates can be found on the course Moodle and WebAssign pages.

 

Week 1	Intro to R3, vector arithmetic, dot product
Week 2	Dot product, cross product, lines and planes
Week 3	Vector-valued functions and parametrically-defined curves
Week 4	Multivariable functions, Equations in R3, Surface parameterization
Week 5	Partial derivatives, Linearization, chain rule
Week 6	Chain rule, gradient, tangent planes, optimization
Week 7	More optimization, double integrals
Week 8	Double and triple integrals
Week 9	Double and triple integrals in other coordinate systems
Week 10	Vector fields, line integrals, FTLI, conservativeness
Week 11	Parametrizing surfaces, scalar surface integrals, flux
Week 12	Flux, div and curl of vector fields, Green’s Theorem
Week 13	Stokes’ Theorem
Week 14	Divergence Theorem and Review

 

Additional Information

 

Audit information: Students may not audit this course.

 

Course catalog description: Third of three semesters in a calculus sequence for science and engineering majors. Vectors, vector algebra, and vector functions. Functions of several variables, partial derivatives, gradients, directional derivatives, maxima and minima. Multiple integration. Line and surface integrals, Green's Theorem, Divergence Theorems, Stokes' Theorem, and applications. Use of computational tools. Prerequisite: MA 241 with grade of C- or better or AP Calculus credit, or Higher Level IB credit.

 

Statement for students with disabilities: Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with the Disability Resource Office at Holmes Hall, Suite 304, 2751 Cates Avenue, Campus Box 7509, 919-515-7653. For more information on NC State’s policy on working with students with disabilities, please see the Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Regulation (NCSU REG 02.20.01).

 

Digital Components: This course may require using digital tools including Moodle, WebAssign, email, Google Drive, Zoom, Gradescope, and Panopto. Please refer to the documentation for these tools for privacy and security information.

   Students may be required to disclose personally identifiable information to other students in the course, via digital tools, such as email or web-postings, where relevant to the course. Examples include online discussions of class topics, and posting of student coursework. All students are expected to respect the privacy of each other by not sharing or using such information outside the course.

 

Additional Rules and Regulations: Students are responsible for reviewing the NC State University Policies, Rules, and Regulations (PRRs) which pertain to their course rights and responsibilities, including those referenced both below and above in this syllabus:

■      Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy Statement  https://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-04-25-05  with additional referenc [sic] at  https://equalopportunity.ncsu.edu/policies/

■      Code of Student Conduct https://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-11-35-01.