PCC/ CCOG / MTH

Course Content and Outcome Guide for MTH 251

Date:
06-DEC-2011
Posted by:
Stephen Simonds
Course Number:
MTH 251
Course Title:
Calculus I
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture hours:
30
Lecture/Lab hours:
0
Lab hours:
30
Special Fee:
$12

Course Description

Includes limits, continuity, derivatives and applications of derivatives. Graphing calculator required. TI-89 Titanium or Casio Classpad 330 recommended. Prerequisites: MTH 112 or CMET 131; and their prerequisite requirements. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

This is the first course of four courses in the Calculus sequence. Lab time shall be used by students to work on group activities - the activities to be used during lab are on the mathematics department home page.
 

Intended Outcomes for the course

 

 Upon successful completion students should be able to:

• Analyze real world scenarios to recognize when derivatives and limits are appropriate, formulate problems about the scenarios, creatively model these scenarios (using technology, if appropriate) in order to solve the problems using multiple approaches, judge if the results are reasonable, and then interpret and clearly communicate the results.
• Appreciate derivatives and limit-related concepts that are encountered in the real world, understand and be able to communicate the underlying mathematics involved to help another person gain insight into the situation.
• Work with derivatives and limits in various situations and use correct mathematical terminology, notation, and symbolic processes in order to engage in work, study, and conversation on topics involving derivatives and limits with colleagues in the field of mathematics, science or engineering.
• Enjoy a life enriched by exposure to Calculus.

Course Activities and Design

 


 

Outcome Assessment Strategies

 

1.  Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of derivatives and limits and their application to real world problems in: 
  • at least two in-class exams, one of which is a comprehensive final
  • proctored exams should be worth at least 50% of the overall grade
  • a closed book/closed note/no technology exam over derivative formulae
  • laboratory reports (graded homework with an emphasis on proper notation and proper documentation) ,
 
And at least one of the following: 
  • Take-home examinations
  • Quizzes
  • Attendance
 
The Lab component WILL ACCOUNT FOR 25% of GRADE (This component shall include the score received for laboratory reports as well as a score reported by the student's lab instructor - lab homework is evaluated by the student's lecture instructor.)
 
2.  Consistently demonstrate proper notation, documentation, and use of language throughout all assessments and assignments. For proper documentation standards see Addendum.
 
3.  Demonstrate an ability to work and communicate with colleagues, on the topics of derivatives and limits, in at least two of the following: 
  • A team project with a written report and/or in-class presentation
  • Participation in discussions
  • In-class group activities


 

 

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

1.   Context Specific Skills
 
  • Students will learn to evaluate limits graphically, numerically, and symbolically.
  • Students will learn the formal definition of the first derivative and find algebraic derivative using both this definition and the traditional shortcut formulas associated with derivatives.
  • Students will learn to learn and apply the relationships between functional behavior and first and second derivative behaviors.
  • Students will learn to model and solve several types of applications using derivatives.
 
2.  Learning Process Skills
 
  • Classroom activities will include lecture/discussion and group work.
  • Students will communicate their results in oral and written form.
  • Students will apply concepts to real world problems.
  • The use of calculators and/or computers will be demonstrated and encouraged by the instructor where appropriate. Technology will be used (at least) when graphing curves and estimating limits.
 
COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

REQUIRED STUDENT COMPETENCIES:
 
1    Limits and Continuity
The goal is to understand the limit at a point, infinite limits, limits at infinity, continuity at a point and continuity over an interval.
 
1.1    Determine the limit at a point (from the left, from the right, and two sided) for functions presented in graphical form.
1.2    Estimate the limit at a point (from the left, from the right, and two sided) for functions presented in symbolic form using an appropriate table.
1.3    Determine the limit at a point (from the left, from the right, and two sided) for functions presented in symbolic form.
1.4    Estimate the limits at infinity (both positive and negative) for functions presented in graphical form.
1.5    Estimate the limits at infinity (both positive and negative) for functions presented in symbolic form using an appropriate table.
1.6    Determine the limits at infinity (both positive and negative) for functions presented in symbolic form.
1.7    Identify points of discontinuity for functions presented in graphical form.
1.8    Identify points of discontinuity for functions presented in symbolic form.
1.9    Identify intervals of continuity for functions presented in graphical form.
 
2    The Derivative
The goal is to understand the definition of the derivative, the meaning of instantaneous rate of change, and the practical meaning of the derivative as rate of change.
 
2.1    Find average velocities for objects whose position functions are presented in graphical, tabular, and symbolic form.
2.2    Estimate instantaneous velocities for objects whose position functions are presented in graphical, tabular, and symbolic form.
2.3    Find average accelerations for objects whose position functions and velocity functions are presented in graphical, tabular, and symbolic form.
2.4    Estimate instantaneous accelerations for objects whose position functions and velocity functions are presented in graphical, tabular, and symbolic form.
2.5    Estimate derivative values for functions presented in graphical , tabular, and symbolic form.
2.6    Sketch the graph of the derivative for functions presented in graphical form.
2.7    Use the formal definition of the derivative to find derivative values.
2.8    Find the units for, and interpret the meaning of, derivative values for applied functions presented in graphical, tabular, symbolic, and written form.
2.9    Identify points of nondifferentiability for functions presented in graphical form.
2.10 Identify the concavity and points of inflection for functions presented in graphical form.
2.11 Determine the shape of a function from numerical and graphical information about that function’s first and second derivatives.
 
3    Symbolic Differentiation
The goal is to find derivative formulas for functions presented in symbolic form using both Leibniz notation and prime notation and to interpret the formulas in applied contexts.
 
3.1    Utilize the rules of differentiation for power, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions.
3.2    Differentiate the sum, difference, product, and/or quotient of two or more functions.
3.3    Differentiate a composite function.
3.4    Differentiate implicit functions.
3.5    Solve applications involving related rates.
 
4    APPLICATIONS OF THE DERIVATIVE
The goal is to use the first and second derivatives to analyze the behavior of families of functions.
 
4.1    Find the critical numbers for a function.
4.2    Use the First Derivative Test to identify intervals where the function is increasing and decreasing and to identify maxima and minima.
4.3    Use the Concavity Test to identify intervals where the function is concave up or concave down, and identify points of inflection.
4.4    Graph a function by hand after identifying the increasing/decreasing behavior, concavity, asymptotes and intercepts
 
Documentation Standards for Mathematics
 
All work in this course will be evaluated for your ability to meet the following writing objectives as well as for "mathematical content."  
  1. Every solution must be written in such a way that the question that was asked is clear simply by reading the submitted solution.
  2. Any table or graph that appears in the original problem must also appear somewhere in your solution.
  3. All graphs that appear in your solution must contain axis names and scales. All graphs must be accompanied by a figure number and caption. When the graph is referenced in your written work, the reference must be by figure number. Additionally, graphs for applied problems must have units on each axis and the explicit meaning of each axis must be self-apparent either by the axis names or by the figure caption.
  4. All tables that appear in your solution must have well defined column headings as well as an assigned table number accompanied by a brief caption (description). When the table is referenced in your written work, the reference must be by table number.
  5. A brief introduction to the problem is almost always appropriate.
  6. In applied problems, all variables and constants must be defined.
  7. If you used the graph or table feature of your calculator in the problem solving process, you must include the graph or table in your written solution.
  8. If you used some other non-trivial feature of your calculator (e.g., SOLVER), you must state this in your solution.
  9. All (relevant) information given in the problem must be stated somewhere in your solution.
  10. A sentence that orients the reader to the purpose of the mathematics should usually precede symbol pushing.
  11. Your conclusion shall not be encased in a box, but rather stated at the end of your solution in complete sentence form.
  12. Remember to line up your equal signs.
  13. If work is word-processed all mathematical symbols must be generated with a math equation editor.