MATH121/6.0 - Differential & Integral Calculus

Course Instructor: Dr Matt Haynes - haynes.matt@queensu.ca

In Summary:

Differentiation and integration with applications to biology, physics, chemistry, economics, and social sciences; differential equations; multivariable differential calculus.

FY Course Fall Course Winter Course

Course Highlights: Alert Box

  • MATH121 is specifically designed to equip students with a key mathematical skillset, taking you from a basic to a more advanced level that will be very useful for a number of STEM subjects.

  • Visit the thought-provoking Winton Gallery at London's Science Museum to explore the history of mathematics in design and architecture.

  • Go beyond the theory! This course is not intended as a pure mathematics course, and so there is more of an emphasis on practical techniques and applications than on formal proofs.

Course Information:

Differentiation and integration of the elementary functions, with applications to physical and social sciences; Taylor polynomials; multivariable differential calculus. Intended for students planning to concentrate in subjects other than Biochemistry, Biology, Life Sciences, Mathematics or Statistics.

Calculus is a branch of mathematics that can describe precisely how one numerical output quantity changes in response to changes in one or more numerical input quantities. This is a general two-term calculus course, starting with a revision of high-school pre-calculus, and of the basics of single-variable differentiation and integration, and then moving on to more advanced topics, such as multi-variable calculus, differential equations, and various techniques of optimization. Students can take this course with or without high-school calculus experience. The course is not intended as a pure mathematics course, and so there is more of an emphasis on techniques and applications than on formal proofs.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this course a successful student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate conceptual understanding and technical mastery of the following main areas of calculus and pre-calculus:
    • Basics of algebra and arithmetic. 
    • Functions and graphs. 
    • Geometry and trigonometry. 
    • Limits. 
    • Differentiation. 
    • Integration. 
    • Differential equations. 
    • partial derivatives and vector calculus. 
  • Apply knowledge of the topics above to solve extended problems, both abstract and applied. 
  • Communicate and present such mathematical problem-solving skills, by combining explanatory English text with mathematical equations and graphs in a coherent and comprehensible way.  

Experiential and Active Learning Opportunities:

Examples of previous EAL opportunities for this course include coursework assignments at the Observatory Science Centre, Trigonometry practicums to determine the height of objects on the Herstmonceux Castle Estate and a visit to the Winton Gallery, London.

Prerequisites and Exclusions:

Prerequisite None. Exclusion MATH120; MATH123; MATH124; MATH126. Recommended MHF4U and MCV4U or equivalent, or 4U AFIC, or MATH P06, or permission of the Department. Note This course is intended for students who wish to pursue a Major or Joint Honours Plan in a subject other than Mathematics or Statistics.

Course applicable to the following Majors/Medials/Minors:

LISC (core) / MATH (core) / PHYS (depending on plan) / PPEC (depending on sub-plan) / SODE (core) / STAT (core) / APEC (supporting) / ASPH (core) / BCHM (depending on plan) / BIMA (core) / BIOL (supporting) / BMCO (core) / BTEC (other core) / CHEM (depending on plan) / COMA (core) / COMP (supporting) / CSCI (core) / EBIO (core) / ECHM (core) / ECON (supporting) / EGEO (core) / ETOX (core) / GEOL (depending on plan) / Con-Ed Teaching Subject (Mathematics).

MATH121

Back to our Course Directory  Apply for this course today!