This course covers the breadth of university calculus: differentiation, integration, infinite series, and ordinary differential equations. It focuses on concepts and interconnections. In order to cover this much material, computational techniques are de-emphasized. The approach is historically based and classical, following original texts where possible. Further techniques and applications, which would normally be covered in a first calculus sequence, will appear in following mathematics courses, such as Differential Equations and Non-Linear Dynamical Systems, Ordinary Differential Equations, and Fourier Analysis and Partial Differential Equations. This is an advanced course; Calculus AP or IB cannot be used as substitutes for it. On the other hand, this is at the same time an introductory course on calculus: the course treats the concepts in a logically independent way, so if the other prerequisites are met, no prior experience with calculus is required.
Remote students should contact the instructor to discuss whether the class can be taken remotely in a way that makes sense.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand foundational ideas of calculus as a whole
- Recognize when a problem is amenable to calculus methods
- Interpret models involving calculus, specifically differential equations
- Try out ideas, make conjectures, and experiment
- Persist on difficult, long-form, and open-ended problems
Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Prerequisites: MAT 2102: Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning and Modeling (recommended), or any previous Bennington College mathematics course, or permission of the instructor (contact: amcintyre@bennington.edu).
Course Level: 4000-level
Credits: 4
T/F 4:10PM - 6:00PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Course Frequency: Once a year
Categories: 4000 , All courses , Four Credit , Fully In-Person , Mathematics , Updates
Tags: quantitative reasoning , STEM