Course

Calculus for the Social Sciences

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Mathematics
Course Code
MATH 1125
Credits
3.00
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
35
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Tutorial
Course Designation
None
Industry Designation
None
Typically Offered
Fall
Summer
Winter

Overview

Course Description
This course is an introduction to differential calculus for students in business and social sciences. Topics include limits, differentiation techniques for algebraic, logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric functions, mathematical modeling, applications to graphing and optimization, implicit differentiation and differentials.
Course Content
  1. Limits and Limit Laws
  2. Continuity
  3. Tangent Lines and the Derivative
  4. Differentiation Rules and Implicit Differentiation
  5. Related Rates
  6. Marginal Analysis and Differentials
  7. Applications to Graphing Functions
  8. Determining the Extrema of Functions
  9. Additonal techniques of Business Analysis
Learning Activities

Lectures, tutorials,  problem sessions and assignments

Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.  The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.  Evaluation will be based on the following:

Weekly tests 0-40%
Term tests 20-70%
Assignments 0-20%
Attendance/participation 0-5%
Tutorials 0-10%
Final examination 30-40%
Learning Outcomes

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

  • evaluate elementary limits involving algebraic, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions.
  • describe the concept of continuity and determine intervals upon which a function is continuous.
  • apply the intermediate value theorem.
  • find average and instantaneous rates of change.
  • define derivatives and relate them to tangent line slopes and instantaneous rates of change.
  • use differentiation rules to compute the derivatives of algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric and implicit functions.
  • formulate and solve problems involving marginal analysis, elasticity, points of diminishing returns, and other forms of economic modeling.
  • apply the concepts of differentials and linear approximations to applications in business and social sciences.
  • sketch graphs of functions by applying first and second derivative techniques as well as analysis of vertical, horizontal and slant asymptotes.
  • use differentiation to determine the local and absolute extrema of functions.
  • use calculus methods to solve problems of time value of money: interest, annuities, loans, investments and the value of a continuous money flow.

Additional topics that may be included in the course:

  • compute the definite and indefinite integral of a function.
  • use integration techniques (substitution, integration by parts and others) to compute integrals.
  • apply the integral to problems in business and the social sciences.
  • use Newton’s method to determine points of intersection.
  • solve problems involving Markov Chains, Linear Programming and Game Theory.
Textbook Materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. 

Example textbooks and materials may include:

Hoffmann and Bradley, Applied Calculus, current edition, McGraw Hill

Requisites

Prerequisites

MATH 1105 or MATH 1110 or Precalculus 12 or equivalent with a B or better

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for MATH 1125
Alexander College (ALEX) ALEX MATH 104 (3)
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO MATH 108 (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU MATH 108 (3)
Coquitlam College (COQU) COQU MATH 111 (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU MATH 1140 (3)
Langara College (LANG) LANG MATH 1174 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU MATH 157 (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU MATH 1140 (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU MATH 120 (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO MATH_O 116 (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV MATH_V 104 (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC MATH 100 (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC MATH 102 (1.5)

Course Offerings

Winter 2024

CRN
Days
Dates
Start Date
End Date
Instructor
Status
CRN
12161
Tue Thu
Start Date
-
End Date
Start Date
End Date
Instructor Last Name
Schurch
Instructor First Name
Mark
Course Status
Full
Section Notes

MATH 1125 001 – Must also register in MATH 1125 T01 or T02

Max
Enrolled
Remaining
Waitlist
Max Seats Count
35
Actual Seats Count
38
-3
Actual Wait Count
0
Days
Building
Room
Time
Tue Thu
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N1119
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20