Calculus
Course Overview
This course prepares students for college-level mathematics courses. Calculus is the study of four main ideas: limits, differentiation, definite integrals and indefinite integrals. All concepts in calculus are based on the idea of a limit. Students will use limits in their study of both differential and integral calculus. Applications of derivatives will include tangent and normal lines, velocity, acceleration, curve sketching, maximums and minimums of a function, and related rates. Applications of integration will include calculating the area under a curve and volume of a solid of revolution. The use of a graphing calculator is emphasized throughout the course and becomes a tool in understanding the concepts of calculus.
Syllabus
Grading Scale:
Learning Targets: 90%
Daily Work/Participation: 10%
Assessments: There will be approximately 10 learning targets assessed each quarter. Each learning target will have its own grade in the grade book. Every learning target will be assessed 2 times, and the student’s grade will be based on their most consistent level of performance for that learning target.
Absences:
It is your responsibility to look at your syllabus/calendar and complete the assignment that you missed. Please follow the absence policy in the student handbook regarding an absence for an assessment.
Calculators will be allowed for classwork. It is strongly encouraged that students purchase a graphing calculator. TI-84+ TI-89 are the most common graphing calculators used in other classes at WHS and on standardized tests.
Cell phones will not be allowed to be used as the student’s calculator.
Textbook Information:
Calculus of a Single Variable, Eighth Edition, Larson, 2006
Helpful Websites:
www.webassign.net -- The location of your daily assignments. Must be done online.
www.calcchat.com -- Larson maintains a website that includes textbook exercises, selected solutions, and a Calc Chat service for every section of the textbook.
Google Classroom/Calendar
Westlake High School utilizes the Google Classroom platform to share classroom resources, many assignments, and assessment preparation materials to students. WHS students will receive a classroom code to access these materials, submit assignments, and track any missing work.