2009 Fall MATH 31L-02
Bulletin Course Description Introductory calculus with a laboratory component. Emphasis on laboratory projects, group work, and written reports. Differentiation, transcendental functions, optimization, differential equations, numerical approximations, Euler's method, the Fundamental Theorem, separation of variables, slope fields, and mathematical modeling. Not open to students who have credit for Mathematics 25L or 26L. Instructor: Staff
(Instructor named in bulletin description above may not be current. For current instructor, see listing below.)
Title LABORATORY CALCULUS I Department MATH Course Number 2009 Fall 31L Section Number 02 Primary Instructor Blake III,Lewis D Prerequisites Course Homepage www.math.duke.edu/first_year/courses/31l.html
Synopsis of course content
Topics include linear models, rates of change, the derivative, exponential and logarithmic functions, introduction to differential equations, Euler's Method, optimization, related rates, differentiation and modeling with trig functions, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and separation of variables. Some of the specific mathematical applications are from population analysis, physics, economics, biology, and chemistry.
Textbooks
Calculus by Deborah Hughes-Hallett, Andrew M. Gleason, et al., fifth edition. We also use a Lab Manual to be available in the University Bookstore.
Assignments
Assignments include daily homework, weekly lab reports or quizzes.
Exams
There will be approximately three major tests, and a Departmental final examination. There will also be one differentiation skills test which students must pass to pass the course.
Grade to be based on
Laboratory reports, homework, in-class exams, and a final exam, except that the skills test must be passed in order to pass the course.
Additional Information
A fundamental component of this course is the weekly calculator lab. Students work in teams to explore the concepts of calculus in the context of real-world problems.
