Syllabus

Calculus 1
201-103-RE

Field of Study : Social Sciences

Discipline : Mathematics
Weighting: 3-2-3
Number of Units: 2 2/3
Semester : Winter 2015

Instructor : Vronique Pag

Course Website: cisacalculus1.weebly.com
Availabilities: Monday 12.30 to 16; Tuesday 12 to 13.30, Thursday 13 to 15.30
(until April)

A) Description of course
This first calculus course allows the student to master a new mathematical tool:
derivatives. This tool is essential in the study and analysis of a wide variety of
phenomena, from market fluctuations to climate change. The course focuses on four
essential functions (algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric). By
studying their limit and their derivatives, the student will become able to
understand their variation and long term behaviour, two crucial features in the
modelling of real-life phenomena.

Statement of the Competency

To apply methods of differential calculus to the study of functional models in the
field of Social Science
Elements of the Competency
1.
To situate the historical context of the development of differential calculus.
2.
To recognize and describe the characteristics of algebraic, exponential,
logarithmic and trigonometric functions expressed in symbolic or graphic form.
3.
To analyze the behaviour of a function represented in symbolic or graphic
form using an intuitive approach to the concept of limits.
4.
To define the derivative of a function, to interpret it and apply derivative
techniques.
5.
To analyze the variations of a function using differential calculus.
6.
To solve optimization and rate of change problems.

Course contribution to program

This course is the first of a sequence of three compulsory mathematics courses. It is
a stepping-stone to the development of more powerful mathematical skills that will
be used in a variety of social sciences programs at university. It also aims to develop
study skills and a work discipline that should be useful to the student throughout his
or her studies.

Course objectives
Amongst the General Goals of the Science Program, some are more specifically
targeted by this course. They are:
a. To distinguish the main facts, notions and concepts related to the object of study,
i.e., the human phenomena, from a disciplinary and transdisciplinary
perspective;
b. To explain theories, laws, models and schools of thought in relation to their
authors and concrete situations;
c. To demonstrate the qualities associated with scientific intellect and critical
thinking as well as the skills required to apply the qualitative and quantitative
methods used in the field of Social Science;
d. To use the necessary research and methods in order to pursue their studies.

B) Pedagogical methods
Lectures
Lectures emphasise active learning; this places the student at the center of her
learning by allowing her to actively engage with her learning process and the
construction of her own knowledge. This implies most lectures will require
students to be discovering, calculating, practicing, discussing, and so on. Individual
and small team work on open questions or exercises are to be expected, as well as
round-table discussion of results.
Participation
Students must attend all lectures, as they inevitably are a central element of active
learning. When in class, students will be expected to contribute ideas, results of
calculations and team discussions. Students are also expected to be very frequent
visitors of the course website.
Bilingualism
The course is given in English, meaning that the professor will be using this
language and that students will be strongly encouraged to do so as well. Most course
material is given in English, unless, in the case of online material, better material is
to be found in French. Homeworks and exams will be given in English, but students
are permitted to answer in French and are allowed to ask for a translation at any
time (to be given verbally).
Use of Information and Communication Technologies(ICTs)
ICTs are an integral part of this course. Many web 2.0 tools such as Wolfram Alpha,
Webwork, Khan Academy and Desmos will be used. The course website is an
essential tool in this class and the student is likely to be using it whenever (s)he is
working on this subject. As such the students laptop is essential. Students will
however be submitting work in paper format, as learning to write mathematics on a
computer is not part of this course. Moreover the professor reserves the right to
not use the laptop in some lectures, should paper and pen be the best tools for the
suggested activity.
International Dimension
The international dimension of knowledge will be integrated to this course, so that
students are made aware of the variety of ideas, customs, interests and values they
can encounter. The contexts of discovery and use of calculus will be frequently
referred to by activities suggested by the professor and by historical presentations
by the students.

C) Evaluation
Formative
Students should practice and test themselves on a regular basis using Khan
Academy and Webwork. There will also be practice sessions in class where
students will practice on Khan Academy or will answer a problem and explain it to
the class, receiving feedback from their colleagues and the professor. There will be
a Webwork homework before each exam (except for the final); these will be
excellent preparation for the exams. The concept map required at the end of term is
also a formative homework as it will allow the student to get feedback on their
understanding of the main concepts of the course.
Summative
There will be three exams and one quiz in this course. Please refer to table below.
Support
Students are invited to interact in class so they flag issues or misunderstandings as
they arise. They are invited to meet with the professor during availabilities either
when they need extra help or as required by the professor.
Evaluation Calendar
Date

Evaluation

Weight

Weeks 2 to 3

WebWork* 1(Boot Camp)

3%

Week 4 (6th of February)

Exam 1

10%

Weeks 6 to 8

Webwork 2 (Limits)

3%

Week 8 (12th of March)

Mid-Term Exam

25%

Week 9 to 10

Webwork 3 (Derivatives)

4%

Week 11 (2nd of April)

Quiz (Derivatives)

6%

Week 14

Concept Map

6%

Week 15 (due 1st of May)

Homework (Graphs and

Optimization)

8%

Exam Week

Final Exam

30%

various dates after

reading week

Oral presentations /videos

(History and Context)

5%

D) Additional information
Please note that all items of the Politique institutionnelle dvaluation des
apprentissages (PIEA) apply to this course.
Please refer to:
http://cisa.csadl.ca/portail

E) Documents and Materials

Compulsory
Notes will be taken on paper, so students must bring a notebook of some sort. A
basic scientific calculator will be required for exams.
Recommended (online)

www.khanacademy.org (Khan Academy, Tutorials and Exercises)

mathworld.wolfram.com (Wolfram Alpha, online calculator)
www.desmos.com (Desmos, online graphing calculator)

Recommended (at BiblioTEC)

STEWART, James, Calcul diffrentiel, adapt par Stphane Beauregard et Chantal

Trudel, Modulo, 2013.

CHARRON G., PARENT P., Calcul intgral 6e dition, Chenelire ducation, 2007.
AMYOTTE L., HAMEL J., Calcul diffrentiel, ERPI, 2007

F) Course outline
Week

Content (and elements of

competency)

Evaluations

Week 1

Boot Camp (pre-calculus)

Week 2

Boot Camp (pre-calculus; 4 basic

functions)

Webwork 1 (3%)

Week 3

Boot Camp (pre-calculus; 4 basic

functions)

Webwork 1 (3%)

Week 4

Limits

Exam 1 (10%)

Week 5

Limits and continuity

Week 6

Limits and definition of the derivative

Webwork 2 (3%)

Week 7

Derivation of algebraic functions

Webwork 2 (3%)

Reading week
Week 8

Derivation, product and quotient rule

Mid-Term Exam (25%)

Beginning of oral
presentations (5%)

Week 9

Derivation, chain rule, trigonometric

functions

Webwork 3 (4%)

Week 10

Derivation, exponential and

logarithmic functions

Webwork 3 (4%)

Week 11

Problems using the derivatives

Quiz (6%)

Week 12

Graphs and variations

Week 13

Optimization

Week 14

Graphs and Optimization

Concept map (6%)

Week 15

Graphs and Optimization

Homework (8%)

Exam Week

Exam 3