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\centerline{\bf Calculators and Science and Engineering Calculus}
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Occasionally students ask why we do not allow the use of calculators
on calculus examinations.  The purpose of this statement is to explain
our reasons.
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The Differential and Integral Calculus is perhaps the most powerful tool
ever invented to further our understanding and analysis of the
physical world.  It is fundamental to an understanding of much of
modern science and engineering.  Our goal in educating students
is to help them understand the basic concepts of the Calculus which
provide the basis not just for subsequent Mathematics courses but also
for many other Science and Engineering courses.
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Our reasons for not allowing the use of calculators on examinations are
primarily pedagogical.  Calculus courses typically illustrate
and test the understanding of the basic concepts through relatively simple
examples and problems.  More complex use of the concepts is made in subsequent
Mathematics, Science and Engineering courses.  The better graphing or
programable calculators can now ``solve'' many of these problems--for
example symbolically differentiate and integrate simple functions,
``evaluate'' some limits and even sum some series.  If learning how to get
answers to these particular problems were the goal of the courses, it
would make sense
to train students on the solution of these problems using calculators.  We
believe, however, that this would be counterproductive in helping students
master the underlying concepts.  Indeed, we believe that developing the
ability to work simple problems by hand is a crucial step in mastering the
concepts of the Calculus, which is the main goal of our courses. The use
of sophisticated software packages in problem solving is introduced in
later courses. These packages can be better used by scientists and
engineers who have already mastered the basic ideas of the Calculus.  The
same principle applies in other parts
of mathematics.  For example, nobody would try to solve a large system of
linear equations by hand, but in order to understand the underlying
concepts students need to develop the ability to solve small systems by
hand, even though they may never  have to carry out the procedure ``in
the real world.''
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\underbar {Current Policy}  MA 161, 161E, 165, 166 and 261 do not
allow the use of calculators on examinations and quizzes.  These
courses do spend some class time discussing the use of graphing
calculators, and some of the pitfalls into which graphing calculators
(and computers) can lead the unwary. They also assign some homework
problems to be done using calculators.  The use of calculators in the
advanced placement courses (MA 173, 174, and 271) is at the instructors'
discretion. MA 265 and 266 use the software package MATLAB as an integral
part of
the course. Though they are not needed, students may use non-graphing,
non-programmable calculators on the Calculus Credit Exams for MA 165, 166,
261, 265 and 266.


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