This course is all about analyzing mathematical functions with calculus. We will begin by looking at limits and continuity of functions.
A significant part of this course covers the derivative and applications of the derivative in biological sciences.
We will be using Biocalculus: Calculus for the Life Sciences by James Stewart.
The prerequisite for this course is Math 118 (precalculus).
This prerequisite is extremely critical for your success in this class as the content in this class builds on precalculus. You will struggle in this class if you have not mastered precalculus.
I recommend Chapter 1 of the book Precalculus, Mathematics for Calculus by James Stewart if you are looking for a solid reference for precalculus.
Lectures are held in class. Most lecture notes will be typed up, available on at this page.
Some examples will have a Show Solution button. I recommend when you are reading through the notes to try solving the problem on paper, then comparing your solution after.
Homework will be posted every Monday and Wednesday. The one posted on Monday will be due on Thursday the same week, and the one posted on Wednesday will be due on Monday next week.
The only accepted format is on paper in person. Grading is based on two criteria: completeless and a few problems will be chosen to be graded for correctness.
Quizzes will be in person every Monday and Thursday except the Monday on the first week. The Monday one will cover content on the Wednesday and Thursday from the previous week and the Thursday quiz will cover content on Monday and Tuesday. They will be held at the beginning of class.
There will be two midterms and one final exam on the last day of class. All exams will be cumulative at the date the midterm is given.
Exam dates:
| A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93-100 | 90-93 | 87-90 | 83-87 | 80-83 | 77-80 | 73-77 | 70-73 | 60-70 | 0-60 |
Cheating of any form requires, at minimum, a F on the assignment. Let us define what is allowed for each assignment.
| Resource | Homeworks | Quizzes + Midterms + Final |
|---|---|---|
| Me (the professor) | Yes | Yes |
| Course materials (lectures + notes) | Yes | No |
| Textbook | Yes | No |
| Collaboration with peers | Yes | No |
| Online resources (internet + math engines like Photomath) | No | No |
If a student misses a quiz or exam, the score of that test will be zero unless the student contacts the instructor to make alternate arrangements before the beginning of the test or presents an acceptable official document (e.g., doctor’s note) explaining the absence. The final must be written at the scheduled time to pass the course.
Students registered with the DRC should contact me ASAP so we can set up the necessary arrangements!
A four unit class requires four hours of lecture and at least four hours of work outside of lecture. How to spend this time wisely?
Using office hours is an important step in being successful in college. You should attend office hours to clear up any questions you have about anything; doesn't need to be course related. If you need help, don't hesitate to reach out!