MATHEMATICS 31 COURSE OUTLINE

Program Overview

The Mathematics 31 course introduces students to the mathematical methods of calculus. The course provides a link between the outcomes of the Mathematics 10-20-30 program and the requirements of the mathematics encountered in post-secondary programs. The course builds on existing skills in working with functions and expands this knowledge to include a study of limits in preparation for a study of differential and integral calculus. The methods of calculus are applied to problems encountered in the areas of science, engineering, business and other fields of endeavour.

The focus of the course is to examine functions that describe changing situations as opposed to the more static situations encountered in previous mathematics courses. Emphasis is placed on using graphical methods to illustrate the way in which changing functions behave.

Students will develop skills in the areas mathematical processes, measurement and geometry, algebra of functions and limits, calculus of derivatives and integrals, and data management. The Mathematics 31 program covers seven topics:

• precalculus and limits,
• derivatives and derivative theorems,
• applications of derivatives,
• curve sketching,
• trigonometric functions,
• integrals, integral theorems and integral applications,
• calculus of exponential and logarithmic functions.

The online approach to this course relies heavily on the use of textbook sample problems and practice questions.

Prerequisites

• Successful completion of "Orientation to Online Learning"
• 65% recommended in Pure Math 30, but students with a strong Math 20 background may take Math 31 concurrently with Math 30.

Required Resources

• Required Text and Materials: Calculus - A First Course,
• the Math 31 CD, and a scientific or graphing calculator.
• Equipment: TI-83 Plus or TI-83 Graphing calculator

General Expectations

• Students must complete their course with in the time limits specified by their instructor.
• Instructors will provide completion dates for assignments, quizzes, and exams on the calendar within each course. Since these dates reflect the time needed to complete each section of the course, it is critical that meet all deadlines. Students are required to contact their instructor regarding any changes to these deadlines. Assignments that are not submitted by the deadline will be assessed a mark of 0 (zero).
• Students that fail to meet their course deadlines, even for a short period, may be required to meet with the administration to discuss their progress.
• Students must maintain regular contact with their instructor via the communication tools provided in their course. A minimum of two contacts per week is expected.
• Revelation Online is a "virtual" school. Students are expected to participate in chat and discussion sessions designated by the instructor. Chat sessions will be posted on the course calendar.
• Technical issues will occur and are not an excuse for late or missing assignments. Students are expected to manage their time so that minor delays due to technical problems do not result in missing deadlines. Students are expected to contact Technical Support if they experience technical problems.

Technical Skills and Equipment Requirements

• Students must have internet access. A high speed connection, either ADSL or cable, is necessary in some courses.
• Skill in using a web browser to navigate the web to locate educational resources and download files.
• File management skills necessary to create directories, save files, and retrieve files.
• Ability to use email to send messages and attachments.
• A Java enabled browser, either Internet Explorer 5.0 or Netscape Communicator 6.0 or higher.
• Word processor such as Microsoft Office or OpenOffice.

Face-to-Face Requirements

• Students are required to write two exams (mid-term and final) at the testing centre located at the Revelation Online Centre.
• Students may be required to attend appointments with the school councilor if their progress becomes a problem.

Evaluation

• 40% Unit Work (quizzes, assignments, online tests)
• 20% Midterm
• 40% Final