UNIV2150: Preparation for Calculus I

Course Description 

Catapult from MATH2250.

This 4-credit hours course offers a review of selected topics from pre-calculus together with problem-solving techniques to prepare students to be successful in Math 2250 (Calculus I). Topics include solving a variety of equations, function notation, describing the behavior of a function from its formula or graph, performing transformations on common graphs, performing operations on functions including composition, a review of specific types of functions and their properties, finding and simplifying a difference quotient, solving multiple step application problems, and an introduction to limits and piecewise functions. 
Two students studying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Learning Objectives 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 

  • Solve multiple types of equations using algebraic manipulation.  
  • Review the graphs of the common functions and their transformations including the graphs of the six trigonometric functions. 
  • Use a function’s graph to:  
  • Identify intervals where the function is increasing or decreasing 
  • Identify extrema  
  • Determine limits  
  • Identify points of continuity/discontinuity  
  • Identify asymptotes  
  • Given a function determine its domain, x and y intercepts, asymptotes, and find its difference quotient. 
  • Perform operations on functions including composition. 
  • Have a good understanding of the graphs and properties of linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, polynomial, and rational functions. 
  • Set up solve multiple step application problems and rewrite a function in terms of one variable given a constraint. 
  • Find limits of functions from a graph including piecewise functions. 

 

Course Syllabi