Math 21a - Spring 2001
Syllabus Outline (Regular/Physics sections)

Text: Multivariable Calculus by Ostebee and Zorn, and Supplements.

Syllabus: (subject to minor modifications)

Date Topics Text reference
Feb 5 Introduction to R2 and R3. Points vs. vectors. Examples of curves and surfaces defined by algebraic equations. 1.1 and 1.3
Feb 7 Vector-valued functions - parametrized curves in R2 and R3. Equation(s) of a line. Velocity and acceleration vectors. Arclength. 1.2 and 1.4
Feb 9 Dot product in R2, R3, and Rn. Scalar and vector projections. Equation of a plane in R3. 1.6 and 1.7
Feb 12 The cross product in R3. Intersection of lines and planes. Introduction to row reduction techniques. 1.7, 1.8, and handout
Feb 14 Unit tangent T and unit normal vector N for a parametrized curve. Tangential and normal components of acceleration. Curvature. Equations of motion. 1.5, 4.3, and handout
Feb 16 Introduction to functions of several variables with emphasis of functions of two and three variables. Graph of a function of two variables. Level curves (contours of a function of two variables. Level surfaces of a function of three variables. 2.1
Feb 21 Vector fields in R2 and R3. Examples from physics and differential equations. 5.1 and handout
Feb 23 Integration of a function along a parametrized curve. Line integrals and work done by a variable force along a parametrized curve. 5.1 and handout
Feb 26 Partial derivatives. Continuity and differentiability of functions of several variables. Linear approximation and tangent planes. 2.2, 2.3, and 2.5
Feb 28 Rate of change of a function along a parametrized curve. Basic chain rule. Directional derivative and the gradient vector. 2.4 and 2.5
Mar 2 The gradient vector field of a function of several variables. Conservative vector fields, independence of path, and the Fundamental Theorem of Line Integrals. 2.4 and 5.2
Mar 5 Higher order derivatives & quadratic approx. 2.6
Mar 7 Review for Midterm Exam I -
Mar 7 Midterm Exam I - Wed, Mar 7, 4:00-5:30pm, Sci Ctr Hall C -
Mar 9 Application: Partial differential equations in physics Supplement
Mar 12 Extrema of functions of several variables. Unconstrained optimization. 2.7 and handout
Mar 14 Constrained optimization and the method of Lagrange multipliers. 4.4 and handout
Mar 16 Applications in economics Supplement
Mar 19 General chain rule. Implicit differentiation. Economics applications. 2.8 and handout
Mar 21 Integration over regions in R2 and R3. Average value of a function. 3.1
Mar 23 Iterated integrals and the Fubini Theorem. 3.2
Apr 2 Integrals in polar coordinates (R2) and cylindrical coordinates (R3). 3.3 and 3.4
Apr 4 Integrals in cylindrical and spherical coordinates. 3.4
Apr 6 Applications: centroids, center of mass, moment of inertia. Handout
Apr 9 Change of variables in multiple integrals. Jacobian matrices. 3.5
Apr 11 Review for Midterm Exam II. -
Apr 11 Midterm Exam II - Wed, Apr 11, 4:00-5:30pm, Sci Ctr Hall C -
Apr 13 Line integrals and Green's theorem. 5.3
Apr 16 Parametrized surfaces in R3. 5.4
Apr 18 Surface integrals, surface area. 5.5 and handout
Apr 20 Flux of a vector field through a surface. 5.6
Apr 23 Divergence of a vector field and the Divergence Theorem. 5.6, 5.7, and handout
Apr 25 Curl of a vector field and Stokes' Theorem. 5.6, 5.7 and handout
Apr 27 Review of Five Fundamental Theorems of Calculus. 5.7 and handout
Apr 30 Applications to differential equations: The Heat Equation. Supplement
May 2 Applications in physics: Maxwell's Equations. Supplement
May 4 Last details -


There will be several homework assignments during the semester which will require the use of mathematical software such as Mathematica, Maple, or Matlab in order to do a satisfactory job.