Course Expectations / Syllabus for AP Calculus (BC) The HS of Commerce     |     Mr. Matthew Whitney

Go to Mr. Whitney's Calculus Page  

---

In AP Calculus (BC), the students will further their study of calculus while they prepare for the Advanced Placement Calculus Exam, BC-level. Topics include: integration by the disc and shell methods; arc length and surfaces of revolution; additional integration techniques by parts, trigonometric integrals, partial fractions, and L'Hôpital's Rule; intensive study of infinite series, including Taylor and McLaurin series; and polar coordinates, parametric graphing, and applications.

GRADING POLICY:

Homework/Classwork: Following the philosophy that one learns by doing, homework and classwork will guide the student towards understanding the concepts presented.
Projects: Students should expect at least one extended project per term. These will be similar in nature to the portfolio projects completed for the IB Math Methods course. These will consist of projects, either of a review nature or an exploration of new topics.
Test & Quizzes: Quizzes will be issued routinely (usually announced, but not limited to). Tests will always be announced several days in advance. Midyear and Final exams will be given extra weight (TBA).

End-of-Term (Report card) grades will be derived from the following distribution:

The final grade for the year will be an average of the four quarter term grades. If the instructor deems extenuating circumstances warrants a final grade to be determined by some other means, such circumstances will be thoroughly discussed with the student in a private conference before the issuance of the final grade.

RESOURCES:

Students will have access to a graphing calculator in class. It is recommended that all students obtain their own calculators for use at home. My recommendation is a TI-83, TI-83 Plus, or TI-89.

The College Board is: http://www.collegeboard.org/ap/math/
Mr. Whitney's Home Page: http://users.rcn.com/mwhitney.massed/

Course Text:

Calculus with Analytic Geometry (6th Edition)

Roland E. Larson, Robert P. Hostetler, & Bruce H. Edwards

Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston, MA

© 1998

Supplemental Material:

 

MathPert Calculus Assistant Software

Winplot Graphing Software

Mathematica software

Winplot is a free software available on the internet from the Phillips Exeter Academy. To go to the home page for Winplot, click on the icon at right.

In my web pages you will find a page of Useful Links for further explorations into math and science topics. I expect to incorporate some use of the Internet into this course, and my pages will be our starting point.

Click on to go to my Links Page.
Go to Mr. Whitney's Calculus Page  

Mr. Whitney's Trigonometry Resource Pages
[ Fundamental Identities | Graphing Trig Functions ]

 

[ Back to Top ]

ATTENDANCE:

It is assumed that students having attended this level of academic study have learned the value of good attendance. Even so, students are reminded that the school's attendance policy will be followed in all courses at the High School of Commerce.

CONTACTING YOUR INSTRUCTOR & EXTRA-ASSISTANCE:

Wednesday is my designated extra-help afternoon, when I will plan to stay at least one-hour to assist students. Please do not hesitate to take advantage of this extra time. If any students have computers and Internet access at home, feel free to email me with any questions/concerns you have.

METHODS FOR PARENTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH TEACHER:

Parent(s) who would like to speak with me should contact the Counseling Office at 787-7220 and your child's counselor will make arrangements for us to meet at a mutually convenient time. Also, if you prefer I will call you at a designated time. (Generally, any such meetings/calls should take place before or after school hours of 7:25-2:15 when I will be involved in teaching or other school business.) My email account (mwhitney.massed@rcn.com) is also a useful means to contact me. If you are concerned about your child's progress between report cards, you should also contact the counselor and request a progress report, which I will write and mail to you.

For more information that is of importance to parents ... go to my Parents' Info Page

[ Back to Top ]

 

Projects	Home	Links

Last Updated: November 25, 2003.

Site Created & Maintained by:
Matthew C. Whitney