Calculus A

Course Description

Limits, differential calculus, and introductory integral calculus of algebraic and transcendental functions of one variable. Prerequisite: An acceptable score on the Calculus Readiness Diagnostic Test; or a grade of C or better in one of MAT 120, MAT 151, MAT 184, or MAT 190; or a Pass in MAT 181; or concurrent registration in MAT 181; or a score of 2 or better in the AP Calculus AB or BC exam.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Quantitative Reasoning courses prepare you to apply mathematical reasoning to formulate and solve problems from a variety of contexts and real-world situations.

In a Quantitative Reasoning course, you will:

  • Interrelate real-world information with mathematical forms (e.g., with functions, equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, words, geometric figures).

  • Formulate and justify conclusions based on quantitative arguments.

  • Communicate the quantitative evidence of the argument.

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Define limits, continuity, derivatives, integrals, and Riemann sums.

  • Formulate examples of continuous and differentiable functions, increasing and decreasing functions, and concave up and concave down functions.

  • Construct a mathematical model for optimization, related-rates, and area problems; solve the model; and interpret the results in the context of the original problem.

  • Combine different methods to analyze a function to determine its monotonicity, concavity, and net-change properties and to draw its graph.

  • Use mathematical theorems to support and justify statements with rigorous mathematical arguments.

  • Compute limits, derivatives, and simple antiderivatives using appropriate techniques.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure

Percentage/Points

Getting Started

10%

Homework

15%

Unit Assessments

40%

Skill Assessments

20%

Final Assessment

15%

Grading Scale

Percentage

Letter Grade

93-100

A

90-92

A-

87-89

B+

83-86

B

80-82

B-

77-79

C+

73-76

C

70-72

C-

67-69

D+

63-66

D

60-62

D-

0-59

F

Attendance/Participation:

Students who accumulate a total of 6 unexcused absences throughout the semester will receive a warning. Two additional unexcused absences after this warning will result in being dropped from the course. An excused absence will require prior approval in most circumstances.

After the first two weeks of the semester, students who have failed to attend the course will be dropped for non-attendance.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

  • Calculus by Taalman and Kohn. ISBN-13: 978-1-4292-4186-1

  • MAT 196 – Calc A Workbook

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.