Course Syllabus
Math 6A: Vector Calculus 1
Instructor: Bohan Zhou
Communication: Canvas Message (preferred) or Bohan.Zhou@math.ucsb.edu (for urgent request only)
Lecture: TuTh 14:00-15:15pm @ ILP 2101
In-person Office Hour: W 12:00-13:00 pm @SH6702
Shared Office Hours: W 11:00-12:00pm @SH6702
Zoom Office Hours: by appointments Zoom Link
Teaching Assistant:
| Edward Chen (zec@ucsb.edu) | Daniel Ralston (danielralston@ucsb.edu) |
| OH: 11am-12pm Tuesdays, South Hall 6431J | |
| Mathlamb: Tuesday 12-2pm | Mathlab: 3-5pm Thursdays |
Math Lab: M-F 12pm-5pm @SH 4607A.
About the Course
Math 6A is the first quarter of a two quarter sequence in vector calculus. Topics covered include Calculus of Functions of Several Variables; Vector-Valued Functions of One Variable; Scalar and Vector Fields; Integration along paths; Double and triple integrals; Integration over surfaces, properties, and applications of integrals; Classical integration theorems of vector calculus.
Students graduating with any undergraduate degree in Mathematics will demonstrate proficiency in mathematical communication, including the ability to read and write detailed, well-organized, logically sound proofs in complete sentences.
Textbook:
-
- Calculus: Early Transcendentals (9th) by Stewart. Older versions are fine. Or try this online textbook.
- UCSB Math 6A/6B, Vector Calculus, by Lovric, Anton, Kreyszig. Specially prepared for UCSB by Wiley, Edition S13, ISBN:9781118610886. It is available in library in reserves.
Lecture Notes: Template Notes in PDF are uploaded prior to lectures. Updated Notes in PDF are uploaded after lectures.
Assignments:
Our Daily Practice: WeBWorK
Think of WeBWorK as your daily training ground to build concept fluency. Assignments are posted after most lectures and are due by 11:59 PM on the next lecture day. To help you master "big ideas" over simple computation, please complete these without calculators or AI tools. Because I value your persistence over a single deadline, we provide grading related treatment. See Webwork for details.
Demonstrating Your Mastery: Exams
Exams are milestones where you show your growing expertise. To ensure transparency, all exam problems are closely related to your WeBWorK practice.
The temporary schedules are midterms (Tu 04/21+Th 05/14) and one final (06/09). If life or health interferes with an exam date, please reach out to me as soon as possible so we can coordinate your success by alternating grading schemes. The midterm make-up exam will not be offered. The final exam must be taken to receive a passing grade in this course. All exams are closed book and closed notes, with exception of one-page cheatsheet. Any other resource (including calculators, AI tools) during the exam is strictly prohibited. See Exams for more details.
attendances point, reflection point and participation point:
You can earn bonuses that elevate your grade through your consistent effort. In short,
Attendance points are earned in discussions to help elevate your letter grade.
Reflection points are ''second chances'' to recover midterms earned in discussions by relfection.
Participation points are earned in lectures (up to 4% added to your grade) for actively helping our community learn.
Your grades will be improved after earning attendances point and bonus points, but will not hurt if you choose to not earn them. See Attendances points and Participation points. Reflection points are announced after each exam.
Grading:
| Webwork | Mid 1 | Mid 2 | Final | Max{Mid1, Mid2, Final} |
| 25% | 20% | 20% | 25% | 10% |
Reflection Points adjust your midterm grades directly.
Participation Points (up to 4%) is added on your weighted grades from the above.
| A | A- |
B+ |
B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D+ | D |
| >=93% | >=90% | >=87% | >=83% | >=80% | >=75% | >=70% | >=65% | >=60% | >=55% |
Attendance may raise your letter grade one-level up.
See Grading for details and examples. See Regrading Policy also.
Academic Dishonesty
All students enrolled at UCSB are required to fully understand and commit to the principles of academic integrity, accepting personal accountability for their work. This commitment is detailed at: UCSB Academic Integrity Guidelines. Any work submitted to meet academic requirements must be the original creation of the student. Acts of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary measures by the University. These acts include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, and unauthorized collaboration.
Sanctions will be applied to students found guilty of academic dishonesty, tailored to the nature and severity of the offense. Instances of cheating will be formally reported to the Office of Student Conduct. Notice: There is a strict no-tolerance policy on cheating. This is your first and only warning.
Other Useful Links:
Disclaimer: We reserve the right to make changes to this syllabus and to course policies during the term. Important changes will be announced by email when they are made.
Last Update: 05/10/2026
Course Summary:
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