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Calculus II

Course Number: MTH 252
Transcript Title: Calculus II
Created: September 1, 2012
Updated: December 19, 2014
Total Credits: 5
Lecture Hours: 50
Lecture / Lab Hours: 0
Lab Hours: 0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement: No
Satisfies General Education requirement: Yes


MTH 251

Course Description

Includes anti-derivatives, the definite integral, topics of integration, improper integrals, and applications of differentiation and integration. Graphing calculator required. Prerequisites: MTH 251 and its prerequisite requirements. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes

Upon successful completion students should be able to:

  1. Analyze real world scenarios to recognize when derivatives or integrals are appropriate, formulate problems about the scenarios, creatively model these scenarios (using technology, if appropriate) in order to solve the problems using multiple approaches, judge if the results are reasonable, and then interpret and clearly communicate the results.
  2. Appreciate derivative and integral concepts that are encountered in the real world, understand and be able to communicate the underlying mathematics involved to help another person gain insight into the situation.
  3. Work with derivatives and integrals in various situations and use correct mathematical terminology, notation, and symbolic processes in order to engage in work, study, and conversation on topics involving derivatives and integrals with colleagues in the field of mathematics, science or engineering.
  4. Enjoy a life enriched by exposure to Calculus.

Alignment with Institutional Core Learning Outcomes

Outcome Assessment Strategies

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of derivatives and integrals and their application to real world problems in:
  • At least two proctored exams, one of which is a comprehensive final that is worth at least 25% of the overall grade.
  • Proctored exams should be worth at least 60% of the overall grade.
  • At least one of the exams should require the use of technology.
  • A closed book/closed note/no technology exam over anti derivative formulae.

And at least one of the following:

  • Take-home examinations
  • Graded homework problems
  • Quizzes
  1. Consistently demonstrate proper notation, documentation, and use of language throughout all assessments and assignments. For proper documentation standards see Addendum.
  2. Demonstrate an ability to work and communicate with colleagues, on the topics of derivatives and integrals, in at least two of the following:
  • A team project with a written report and/or in-class presentation.
  • Participation in discussions.
  • In-class group activities.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Context Specific Skills

  • Students will learn to use the first and second derivatives of a function to find extreme function values and to solve applied maximum/minimum problems.
  • Students will learn the formal definition of the definite integral and several estimation techniques rooted in this definition.
  • Students will learn to anti differentiation function formulas and use the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus to evaluate definite integrals.
  • Students will learn to model and solve several types of applications using definitive integrals.
  • Students will learn to evaluate indeterminate form limits using L'Hopital's Rule.

Learning Process Skills

  • Classroom activities will include lecture/discussion and group work.
  • Students will communicate their results in oral and written form.
  • Students will apply concepts to real world problems.
  • The use of calculators and/or computers will be demonstrated and encouraged by the instructor where appropriate. Technology will be used (at least) when graphing curves, evaluating derivatives, and evaluating definite integrals.



The goal is to use the first and second derivatives to analyze the behavior of families of functions.

1.1 Find points that satisfy the mean value theorem for functions presented in graphical form.
1.2 Use the first derivative to help find absolute extreme function values over a closed interval.
1.3 Use The Second Derivative Test to classify the behavior of a function at appropriate critical points.
1.4 Solve applied problems involving optimization.
1.5 Use L'Hopital's Rule to evaluate limits.


The goal is to find the antiderivative(s) of a function expressed in graphical or symbolic form.

2.1 Draw the family of antiderivative curves given the graph of the derivative.
2.2 Estimate values of an antiderivative given the graph of  the derivative and initial conditions for the antiderivative.
2.3 Utilize the rules of antidifferentiation.

2.3.1 Antidifferentiate power, exponential, and trigonometric functions.
2.3.2 Antidifferentiate a function using substitution.
2.3.4 Antidifferentiate a function using integration by parts.
2.3.5 Evaluate integrals using a computer algebra system.


The goal is to develop a practical understanding of the definite integral, to make connections between the derivative and the definite integral, and to understand multiple techniques for definite integral evaluation and estimation.

3.1 Find left hand, right hand, and midpoint Riemann sums for functions presented in graphical, tabular, and/or symbolic form.
3.2 Interpret the practical meaning of Riemann sums of rate functions.
3.3 Determine/estimate the totals change in a function when the derivative of the function is presented in graphical, tabular, and/or symbolic form.
3.4 Express definite integrals as the sum and/or difference of the areas of the regions between the integrand’s curve and the horizontal axis.
3.5 Evaluate definite integrals using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
3.6 Apply the properties of the definite integral.
3.7 Approximate definite integrals numerically.

3.7.1 Construct and evaluate a Riemann Sum using left- hand endpoints, right-hand endpoints, or midpoints.
3.7.2 Utilize the trapezoid rule to approximate a definite integral.
3.7.3 Utilize the Simpson's rule to approximate a definite integral.
3.7.4 Estimate the errors accrued in the approximation techniques listed above.

3.8 Evaluate improper integrals.

3.8.1 Determine divergence or convergence utilizing the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
3.8.2 Determine divergence or convergence by comparison.


The goal is to use the definite integral to solve application problems.

4.1 Study applications to geometry.

4.1.1 Find areas of planar regions using definite integrals.
4.1.2 Calculate volumes of a given cross-section by slicing.
4.1.3 Calculate volumes of a given cross-section by revolving a region in a plane around a line.
4.1.4 Calculate arc length of a curve over a closed interval.

4.2 Study applications to physics, engineering, and other sciences

4.2.1 Discuss unit analysis and emphasize the difference between mass and weight.
4.2.2 Calculate work done by a force applied to an object to move it a given distance.

4.3 Find the average value of a continuous function over a given interval.

Documentation Standards for Mathematics

All work in this course will be evaluated for your ability to meet the following writing objectives as well as for "mathematical content".

  1. Every solution must be written in such a way that the question that was asked is clear simply by reading the submitted solution.
  2. Any table or graph that appears in the original problem must also appear somewhere in your solution.
  3. All graphs that appear in your solution must contain axis names and scales. All graphs must be accompanied by a figure number and caption. When the graph is referenced in your written work, the reference must be by figure number. Additionally, graphs for applied problems must have units on each axis and the explicit meaning of each axis must be self-apparent either by the axis names or by the figure caption.
  4. All tables that appear in your solution must have well defined column headings as well as an assigned table number accompanied by a brief caption (description). When the table is referenced in your written work, the reference must be by table number.
  5. A brief introduction to the problem is almost always appropriate.
  6. In applied problems, all variables and constants must be defined.
  7. If you used the graph or table feature of your calculator in the problem solving process, you must include the graph or table in your written solution.
  8. If you used some other non-trivial feature of your calculator (e.g., SOLVER), you must state this in your solution.
  9. All (relevant) information given in the problem must be stated somewhere in your solution.
  10. A sentence that orients the reader to the purpose of the mathematics should usually precede symbol pushing.
  11. Your conclusion shall not be encased in a box, but rather stated at the end of your solution in complete sentence form.
  12. Remember to line up your equal signs.
  13. If work is word-processed all mathematical symbols must be generated with a math equation editor.