MAT 223: Multivariable Calculus

Spring 2021

Syllabus amendment

1. What

• Final exam cancelled: was a 2-hour cumulative exam during our official final exam slot (05/18 T).
• A fifth midterm added: scheduled for last day of class, Day 40 (05/14 F).
• The midterm will be like all other midterms in length, weight, and not any more cumulative.
• Weights:
  • old: 4 midterms each worth 12% and a final worth 18%, totalling to 66%.
  • new: 5 midterms each worth 13.2%, totalling to 66%.

2. Why

• Bethel's mass vaccine second dose is scheduled for 05/17 M, a day before our final exam slot.
• Many people have reported side effects the next day.
• I want to encourage you to get vaccinated.
• I don't want your final exam to be impacted by side effects outside of your control.
• Therefore we will move the exam a few days earlier.
• Due to the length of our class block, I cannot make the exam as cumulative as a final would be, thus it makes sense to treat it as a midterm and weight it the same as other midterms.

3. Agreement

• Recall that you had already agreed to this "pandemic clause" in the syllabus:
  Due to the uncertain and ever-changing conditions the world is in, additional adjustments may need to be made. Thus:

  • The instructor reserves the right to make reasonable adjustments to the syllabus if necessary. These changes, if any, will be communicated to students in writing. The instructor will make a good-faith effort to help students adversely affected by such changes.
  • Each student is asked to make a good-faith effort to try to adapt.

  We will get through this semester together.
• Please contact me within a week if you want to discuss or reject this amendment.
• Otherwise, I will consider this amendment accepted.
• We will finish this semester together.