Advanced Placement Calculus AB

Syllabus 2005-2006

Instructor: Ms. Amanda Mollet
                  Email
Office:       C104
Phone:         240-497-6342

Textbook:  Calculus: Graphical, Numerical, Algebraic, by Finney, Demana, Waits, Kennedy

Course Description/Overview:  Calculus AB is a course in single-variable calculus that includes techniques and applications of the derivative, techniques and applications of the definite integral, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Algebraic, numerical, and graphical representations are emphasized throughout the course. The course will develop the student’s understanding of the concepts of calculus and provide experiences with calculus methods and applications. Problems will be expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. Technology will be used to explore, investigate, and reinforce the relationships among the multiple representations of functions and to confirm and interpret results. At the conclusion of this course, students will be prepared to take the AP Calculus AB Exam. Students will be expected to take the exam in May 2006.

Grades:  Grades are based on tests, quizzes, projects, AP Packets, and classwork.

Tests: Tests will be given at the end of each unit. Be prepared to take tests without your calculator. Tests are generally worth 70-85 points each. Unit tests will not be reassessed.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given weekly or bi-weekly within units. Quizzes are generally worth 30-40 points each. Some quizzes will require a calculator.
Projects: Students will be expected to complete individual and group projects each quarter. Project grading rubrics will be given to students one week prior to the project due date. *Student portfolios will be required as a project during the fourth marking period. Information and expectations for the portfolio will be discussed in class.
AP Packets: These will be given about every four to five weeks. You will usually have several days to complete these. They will be graded on correctness. You may work with other students on these but should not copy anyone else’s work. Each packet will be worth approximately 30-40 points.
Classwork: Students will be expected to complete individual or group assignments and labs. Grades for group assignments will be based on the collaborative solution process, the documenting of the process, and the presentation of the group’s results.
Homework: Homework will be assigned daily. You are expected to complete all assignments on time. You may work together, refer to notes, and use any resources that you have available to complete the work. Daily homework will be graded periodically.

Written Work: All work should be done legibly, with pertinent steps shown. This pertains to homework, AP packets, projects, quizzes, and tests. Set-ups should be written out using Calculus equations, even if the final value of the answer will be obtained from the calculator. This is the requirement on the AP Calculus exam.

Supplies: Students should have the textbook (covered), an erasable writing utensil, paper, a math notebook (or section of a binder), and a graphing calculator (preferably the TI-83+ or TI-83) in class everyday. You may also use a TI-89, however students using the TI-89 must be familiar with the functions of the calculator, as it will not be used in class demonstrations.
*There will be tests, quizzes, and a portion of the AP Calculus exam on which you will not be permitted to use a calculator.

Academic Dishonesty: This applies to both written work and oral presentations. Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, the following: the willful giving or receiving of an unauthorized text, unfair, dishonest, or unscrupulous advantage in academic work over other students using fraud, duress, deception, theft, trickery, talking, signs, gestures, copying, or any other methodology. Assignments deemed academically dishonest will receive a grade of zero.

Extra help: I am available for extra help after school on Tuesdays from 2:15 – 3:00 in C104. I will also be available at other times by request.

Topics

Precalculus Review
Limits and Continuity
          Average and Instantaneous Rates of Change
          Definition and Property Limits
          Limits involving Infinity
          Continuity
          Rates of Change and Tangent Lines
Derivatives
          Definition
          Relationships between the graphs of f and f’
          Local Linearity
          Differentiability
          Differentiation of Polynomials
          Product and Quotient Rules
          Velocity, Acceleration, and Motion
          Trig and Inverse Trig Functions
          Chain Rule
          Implicit Differentiation
          Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Applications of Derivatives
          Absolute and Local Extrema
          First and Second Derivative Test
          Inflection Points
          Concavity and 2nd Derivatives
          Relationships between the graphs of f, f’ and f”
          Modeling
          Max/Min Problems
          Using Tangent Lines
          Related Rates
          The Mean Value Theorem
Definite Integrals
          Definition and Interpretation of the Definite Integral
          Riemann Sums
          Definite Integral and Antidifferentiation
          Average Value
          Derivatives of an Integral
          The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
          Trapezoidal Rule
Differential Equations
          Definition
          Slope Fields
          Antidifferentiation
          Exponential Growth and Decay
Applications of Definite Integrals
          Finding Total Change
          Area between 2 functions
          Volume of a Solid
          (Disk and Washer Method)