AP Calculus Syllabus
2015-2016
Mrs. Scroggin –
Purpose
The primary purpose of this course is to prepare students for success on the AP Calculus AB Exam. Students may then choose either to bypass Calculus I in college or to use their knowledge from this course to help them succeed in Calculus I in college.
The secondary purpose of this course is to prepare students for college-level work in mathematics. Students are expected to apply what is learned in class to novel problem situations and to develop independence in analyzing problems and synthesizing information.
Course Expectations
1) Come to class on time and prepared (with textbook, notebook, pencil, and calculator).
2) Respect the teacher and classmates.
3) Academic honesty (i.e. Collaborating on homework and class-work is allowed; copying is not. Tests are individual assignments.)
4) Tests are to be completed within one class period. The time allotted for each test question is based on the time allotted for each question on the AP Calculus Exam.
5) Late practice problems will not receive credit. If a student is absent the day an assignment is given, it will be due the day after the student receives the assignment. If a student is absent the day an assignment is due, it will be due on the day the student returns. In the case of an extended absence, the teacher and student will agree upon an acceptable due date for all missed assignments.
6) Late collected problems will be lowered by one letter grade per day of lateness. If a student is absent the day that collected problems are due, the assignment will be due on the day the student returns.
7) It is in a student’s best interest to make up missed tests as quickly as possible. Tests may be made up during study hall or after school (please allow a full hour of testing time). All tests must be completed by the end of the marking period at the absolute latest.
8) Help class will be offered at least once per week. If a student cannot attend his/her own teacher’s help class, the student can attend the help class of another math teacher.
Grading
Tests (50%) – Two tests will be given each marking period for the first three marking periods. These tests will generally cover an entire chapter’s worth of material, and will be composed of multiple choice and free-response questions similar to those on the AP Calculus Exam. The number of questions and timing given for tests will be proportional to the number of questions and timing on the AP Calculus Exam.
Collected Problems (30%) – When we begin a chapter, students will be given a list of problems that they will turn in when we conclude the chapter. As we work through the topics in the chapter, students will complete these problems to the best of their ability, showing all work. These problems are to be turned in and graded.
Practice Problems (15%) – Practice problems will be checked at the beginning of class and scored on a scale of 0 through 4, based on percentage of problems completed and the amount of work shown. Students are expected to check their answers in the back of the book, correct their own work as much as possible, and come to class with specific questions. Generally 15 to 20 minutes of class time will be allowed to review practice problems. If a student requires more help, he or she will need to attend Help Class.
Challenge Problems (5%) – Students are expected to correctly complete at least five designated challenge problems per marking period.
*The 4th marking period will be graded differently, as we will be reviewing for the AP Exam, then completing a culminating project.
Topics Covered in AP Calculus
Taken from p. 7-9 of the College Board’s AP Calculus Course Description
I. Functions, Graphs, and Limits
Analysis of graphs (throughout the course)
Limits of functions (including one-sided limits) (Chapter 1)
Asymptotic and unbounded behavior (Sec. 1.4 and 1.5)
Continuity as a property of functions (Sec. 1.4)
II. Derivatives
Concept of the derivative (Sec. 2.1 and 2.2)
Derivative at a point (Sec. 2.1 and 2.2)
Derivative as a function (Chapter 2, Sec. 5.1, 5.3 through 5.7, 5.10)
Second derivatives (Sec. 2.3)
Applications of derivatives (Sec. 2.6 and Chapter 3)
Computation of derivatives (Sec. 2.2 through 2.5)
III. Integrals
Interpretations and properties of definite integrals (Chapter 4)
Applications of integrals (Chapter 6)
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (Sec. 4.4)
Techniques of antidifferentiation (Sec. 4.2 through 4.6)
Applications of antidifferentiation (Sec. 5.2 through 5.4, Sec. 5.6, 5.7, 5.9, 5.10, Chapter 6)
Numerical approximations to definite integrals (Sec. 4.6)
AP Calculus Exam: Thursday, May 5, 2016 – 7:30 AM
Fee: $91
Deadline for deciding to take/paying for exam: Beginning of April
Students who choose not to take the AP Calculus Exam will be required to take a final exam for this class!
Exam Details: Taken from p. 16 of the College Board’s AP Calculus Course Description:
Section I: Multiple Choice
45 questions in 105 minutes
Part A (28 questions in 55 minutes) does not allow the use of a calculator.
Part B (17 questions in 50 minutes) contains some questions for which a graphing calculator is required.
Multiple-choice scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers, and no points are awarded for unanswered questions. Because points are not deducted for incorrect answers, students are encouraged to answer all multiple-choice questions. On any questions students do not know the answer to, students should eliminate as many choices as they can, and then select the best answer among the remaining choices.
Section II: Free-Response
6 problems in 90 minutes
Part A (two problems in 30 minutes) requires the use of a graphing calculator.
Part B (four problems in 60 minutes) does not allow the use of a calculator.
During the second timed portion of the free response section (Part B), students are permitted to continue work on problems in Part A, but they are not permitted to use a calculator during this time.
In determining the score for each exam, the scores for Section I and Section II are given equal weight. Since the exams are designed for full coverage of the subject matter, it is not expected that all students will be able to answer all the questions.