Course Info: NS-0260
| Course | NS-0260 Calculus in Context |
| Long Title | Calculus in Context (Calculus I) |
| Term | 2018F |
| Note(s) |
Textbook information |
| Meeting Info | Cole Science Center 316 on M,W from 9:00-10:20 |
| Faculty | Sarah Hews |
| Capacity | 24 |
| Available | 4 |
| Waitlist | 0 |
| Distribution(s) | |
| Cumulative Skill(s) | Quantitative Skills |
| Additional Info | In this course students are generally expected to spend at least 6 to 8 hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. |
| Description | Calculus provides the language and some powerful tools for the study of change. As such, it is an essential subject for those interested in growth and decay processes, motion, and the determination of functional relationships in general. Using student-selected models from primary literature, we investigated dynamical systems from economics, ecology, epidemiology and physics. Computers were essential tools in the exploration of such processes and were integral to the course. No previous programming experience was required. Topics included: 1) dynamical systems; 2) basic concepts of calculus -- rate of change, differentiation, limits; 3) differential equations; 4) computer programming, simulation, and approximation; 5) exponential and circular functions. While the course was self-contained, students were strongly urged to follow it up by taking NS-0261, "Calculus II," to further develop their facility with the concepts. In addition to regular substantial problem sets, each student was asked to apply the concepts to recently published models of their choosing. |