The Stuyvesant High School Online Course Guide

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Who should take this course?
Students with a good background and interest in mathematics. AB Calculus is for students who are interested in scientific, business, and computer science careers. See below for specific requirements

What will we be studying?
Calculus is the "mathematics of change" and therefore has applications to all fields of endeavor, including the natural sciences, social sciences, economics and business. In this course the concept of approaching a target (the limit) is used to develop the operators of instantaneous rate of change (the derivative) and the area under a curve (the definite integral). Applications of the derivative and the integral include instantaneous speed, maximization and minimization of functions, sketching functions using the graphing calculator, and area under a curve.

How is the course taught?
This is a standard math class, with lecture and discovery approach. Problems from Part I and Part II of old AB Advanced Placement exams are reviewed throughout the year in order to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May, so that students may obtain either a term or a full year of credit for calculus in college.

What are the completion requirements?
Homework is regularly collected and there are six major tests each term and a departmental final in the fall.

Are there any special demands, costs, etc.?
Everyone must have a TI-84 Plus graphing calculator, or its equivalent. In preparation for the AP Exams in the Spring, some teachers may require students to purchase practice booklets. Also, there is a fee to take the AP Exam.

Details and pre/co-requisites:
This is a full year course and cannot be dropped mid-year. Either MM8A/MM8B or MM81/MM82, with a minimum grade of 85% is a pre-requisite. Students must have a minimum Math average of 88% as well as a 90% average in their Math Regents Examinations.

Strong Math students may opt to take Pre-calculus MM81/MM82 as a co-requisite. Pre-calculus is a year long course which contains the skills in operations with functions and graphing that are essential for success in calculus. Pre-calculus and calculus can be studied concurrently since topics are taught in pre-calculus earlier in the year than when they are needed in calculus. Students who wish to double up in mathematics must meet the following criteria:

Juniors must have a minimum 94% average in Mathematics, a minimum overall average of 90%, and a 94% average on their Math Regents Examinations.
Seniors must have a minimumm 90% average in Mathematics, a minimum overall average of 88%, and a 92% average on their Math Regents Examinations.

Students who double up in Pre-calculus and Calculus AB may anticipate 75 minutes of homework in Mathematics each day and may be required to take 2 Math tests on the designated Math test day.

Students who "double-up" in their Junior year are expected to enroll in Multivariate Calculus and Differential Equations in their senior year.

Please note: If you "double up", your requested program must be able to fit within the confines of a school day without the need to postpone any required courses. Required courses may not be postponed to make space for an elective course.