Calculus Applied!

About

In this course, we go beyond the calculus textbook, working with practitioners in social, life and physical sciences to understand how calculus and mathematical models play a role in their work.

Through a series of case studies, you'll learn:

• How standardized test makers use functions to analyze the difficulty of test questions;
• How economists model interaction of price and demand using rates of change, in a historical case of subway ridership;
• How an x-ray is different from a CT-scan, and what this has to do with integrals;
• How biologists use differential equation models to predict when populations will experience dramatic changes, such as extinction or outbreaks;
• How the Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model was created to answer a biological puzzle;
• How statisticians use functions to model data, like income distributions, and how integrals measure chance;
• How Einstein's Energy Equation, E=mc2 is an approximation to a more complicated equation.

With real practitioners as your guide, you'll explore these situations in a hands-on way: looking at data and graphs, writing equations, doing calculus computations, and making educated guesses and predictions.

This course provides a unique supplement to a course in single-variable calculus. Key topics include application of derivatives, integrals and differential equations, mathematical models and parameters.

This course is for anyone who has completed or is currently taking a single-variable calculus course (differential and integral), at the high school (AP or IB) or college/university level. You will need to be familiar with the basics of derivatives, integrals, and differential equations, as well as functions involving polynomials, exponentials, and logarithms.

This is a course to learn applications of calculus to other fields, and NOT a course to learn the basics of calculus. Whether you're a student who has just finished an introductory Calculus course or a teacher looking for more authentic examples for your classroom, there is something for you to learn here, and we hope you'll join us!

What you will learn

• Authentic examples and case studies of how calculus is applied to problems in other fields
• How to analyze mathematical models, including variables, constants, and parameters
• Appreciation for the assumptions and complications that go into modeling real world situations with mathematics

Skills you learn

• Biology
• X-Ray Computed Tomography
• Mathematical Modeling
• Derivatives
• Calculus
• Data Modeling
• Physical Science
• Differential Equations

Auto Summary

"Calculus Applied!" is an engaging and practical course offered within the Maths & Statistics domain, designed to extend your understanding of calculus beyond traditional textbooks. Led by experienced practitioners in the social, life, and physical sciences, this course reveals how mathematical models and calculus are pivotal in real-world applications. Throughout the 20-hour duration, learners will delve into a series of compelling case studies. These include analyzing standardized test questions, modeling economic interactions like subway ridership, differentiating between x-rays and CT-scans through integrals, predicting biological population changes, understanding the Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model, modeling data distributions, and exploring the intricacies of Einstein's Energy Equation. Ideal for anyone who has completed or is concurrently studying a single-variable calculus course at the high school (AP or IB) or college level, this course requires familiarity with derivatives, integrals, differential equations, and functions involving polynomials, exponentials, and logarithms. It is not a foundational calculus course but rather focuses on the application of calculus concepts across various fields. "Calculus Applied!" is perfect for students seeking to enrich their calculus knowledge with real-world applications or teachers looking to bring authentic examples into their classrooms. Available through edX with a Starter subscription, this course is designed to enhance your awareness and appreciation of calculus in practical contexts. Join us to explore the fascinating ways calculus intersects with different scientific domains!