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.
Lastly you will learn how to avoid common mistakes students tend to make in calculus.
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.
Lectures will follow the sections in the textbook.
In lecture, after introducing a concept, seeing how to use it in a few examples, you will be given a similar problem to work on. We will use the following strategy:
Finally, I will present my solution. Instead of writing down stuff for 50 minutes we are learning by engaging with the material.
Homework will be posted every Tuesday. It is due in one week (the following Tuesday).
The only accepted format is on paper in person and stapled in the top left corner. If you forget to staple you will lose points.
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 Tuesday. They will cover the material from the previous week. Think of the homework from the previous week as a mechanism to get you ready for the quiz.
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.
The final is taken in the classroom we meet for lecture.
Unless I have granted you an exception, you must take the final at the specified time; you cannot take the final during a different section.
For homework: Penalized 20% per day turned after the due date.
For quizzes/exams: You must email me 24 hours before the quiz or exam time to be considered for a make-up quiz/exam. Failure to do so will receive a zero on the quiz/exam.
| 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 |
Canvas will only be used to keep track of grades. All course content will be hosted on my website.
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 |
Students registered with the DRC should contact me ASAP so we can set up and discuss 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?
The main course portal contains practice exams and their solutions which I will upload a week before each exam date.
My advice is to complete the practice exam first, then checking your solutions with the key. This way you can see the concepts you need to work on.
The Learning Support Center hosts drop-in tutoring in several locations. The main location is Graphic Arts 26-110A.
See this link for more details.
The Math and Stats Help Hub has drop-in virtual and in-person tutoring.
Details can be found here (you need to be logged in to Canvas).
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!
For example, if you would like to get personalized advice and feedback on your understanding of the material, office hours is the place to do it. I will learn about your thought process in a problem, determine your weaknesses and strengths, and come up with a plan moving forward.