Single-Variable Differential Calculus (220-A-DL-20)

Instructors

Amy Alznauer

Meeting Info

Online: TBA

Overview of class

Single-Variable Differential Calculus covers the following: limits; differentiation; linear approximation and related rates; extreme value theorem, mean value theorem, and curve-sketching; optimization. Through this course you will explore, tangle with, and ultimately master the fundamental techniques of differential calculus, all of which stem from the limit and all of which revolve around wielding the derivative as a powerful tool for understanding the mathematical and physical world.

The course is conducted completely online. A technology fee will be added to tuition.

This course was formerly MATH 220-CN.

Registration Requirements

This course relies on a solid foundation in algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. I will provide review materials and opportunities, but please know that success in this course often rests on this prior knowledge.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Grasp the fundamental and beautiful themes of differential calculus, while simultaneously exploring the wider world of mathematical creativity.
Evaluate limits of functions using a variety of methods.
Compute derivatives both formally and using differentiation rules.
Apply the techniques of differentiation to implicit contexts and then use this method in related rates problems.
Analyze the behavior of a function in order to sketch the graph of a function.
Use the derivative as a powerful tool in various applied and theoretical contexts.

Class Materials (Required)

The primary textbook for this course is Calculus, 14th edition by George B. Thomas, ISBN: 978-0-13-443898-6, a publication of Pearson. You need to get the E-Text version of this (instructions are in the Canvas site). The homework will not be done through their portal, but I want you to have access to their full solution manual and to their additional resources.

Personally, I feel that a hard copy of a book is quite useful and easier to use as a studying tool, but I realize this might not be financially feasible. If you do want both, you can purchase both online through Pearson Links to an external site. or through the Northwestern University bookstore. Both hardcover and digital copies of the textbook from the bookstore will come with a pre-paid access code for MyLab. Finally you can check for used copies online (for example here Links to an external site.). But if you buy used, rent, or borrow from a friend, you will still need to purchase access to MyMathLab.

Calculator (To Have or Have Not): There are wonderful online calculators and graphing calculators so this is an optional purchase. But I for one love having a calculator by my side when I am doing long, calculus problems. Here are two good ones: TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator (Links to an external site.) and TI-36X Scientific Calculator (Links to an external site.).

Everything Else: In addition to old-school paper and pencils, you will also be using Canvas and Desmos and Geogebra (explained in the INTRODUCTION module--see course Canvas site).

Additional required readings and media are posted on Canvas, including timely news articles, academic research, and videos that you will review in order to complete some assignments and participate in discussion forums.

Class Attributes

Asynchronous:Remote class-no scheduled mtg time