MATH 1341 - Calculus for Engineer/Sci I

Fall 2009

Course Information

This is our premier calculus course for engineers, math, science, and computer science majors. The goal is to ensure that students know and are able to effectively use this subject which is so vital to all those disciplines. Thus attention is given to the scientific and technical uses of calculus, which are many indeed.

The topics considered in the course include differentiation and integration of functions of one variable, especially polynomial, exponential, and trigonometric functions and their inverses. We study vectors and vector-valued functions with an eye on their use in modeling a variety of physical processes. Proficiency with the rules of differentiation is an important goal. We also begin the study of integration and its connection with differentiation. We are concerned that students understand what the subject is good for; this often requires understanding its underlying principles.

Specific mathematical skills that you will learn in this course are:

  1. Parametrizing curves in the plane and motion along a straight line.
  2. Using functions, derivatives and vectors to model physical processes (e.g. velocities, accelerations and other rates of change).
  3. Applying the definition of the derivative to calculate the instantaneous rate of change as a limit of average rates of change.
  4. Visualizing and interpreting derivatives geometrically as slopes of tangent lines to graphs.
  5. Deriving, learning, and using the rules of differentiation to calculate derivatives of important functions, including polynomials, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, and combinations of such functions using the product, quotient and chain rules.
  6. Sketching graphs of functions by analyzing the first and second derivatives.
  7. Modeling physical problems with differential equations and vector-valued functions, especially problems involving Newton's laws of motion.
  8. Solving optimization (maximum-minimum) problems via derivatives.
  9. Calculating the linearization of a function and using it to approximate changes in the value of the function.
  10. Understanding integrals as limits of sums and understanding the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
  11. Calculating antiderivatives of some important functions.

 

 

There is a free tutoring service at Math Center.

Click here for detailed information.

For Fall 2009, service starts September 16.

 

Syllabus

Final exams from past two years:

2007, 2008

 

NEW 12/3/09


 The final exam is scheduled on Friday 12/18 at 10:30am to 12:30pm. Check your MYNEU account for room assignement.

There will be a review session on Thursday 12/17 evening from 6pm to 8:30pm at 200 RI.

Here is a review sheet with some practice problems.
 

The solutions to the practice problems and the past two years’ final exam will be posted next week.
 

NEW 12/9/09 

Solution to final exam of Fall 2007 and Fall 2008 are here.

Here is the solutions

 to the practice final problems.