Studiegids

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Calculus

Vak
2024-2025

Admission requirements

Required course(s):

  • Mathematical Reasoning

Recommended course(s):

  • Mathematical Modeling

Description

The course will consist of three topics. The first part of the course will focus on sequences and series. The second part of the course is dedicated to the study of solving linear equations, i.e. linear algebra. We will introduce matrixes and learn techniques how to solve linear equations efficiently. The last part of the course starts by reviewing functions of several variables as we’ve seen in Mathematical modeling. We learn how to calculate partial derivatives and how to use them to find extreme values of such functions. In all three cases, we will look into applications of these topics in areas as economics and business, environmental sciences, and physics.

Course Objectives

After this course, students will:

  • know how to analyze mathematical series and sequences;

  • know how to use linear algebra to solve linear equations;

  • know how to find extreme values of multivariate functions;

  • be able to apply the above tools from calculus to solve problems in areas as economics and business, environmental sciences and physics.

Timetable

Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2024-2025 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.

Mode of instruction

Math is learned by doing. Students will get a lot of exercises in which they can practice with the material and are encouraged to do as much exercises as possible. This material will be made available through Brightspace. Additional reading material will be made available for students who want to know more background material on the topics.

Class time will mostly be used for lectures, in which all the new material will be introduced and explained. During class time, there will also be some time to discuss examples of the material and we will solve some exercises together.

Assessment Method

The final grade will consist of the following components:

  • 15% from quizzes (every lecture, except the first lecture; the best 10 out of 13 quizzes count each 1.5% towards the final grade).

  • 37.5% from three take-home assignments (3*12.5%, weeks 3, 5 and 7).

  • 40% from one in-class final exam (week 8).

  • 7.5% from active class participation.

Reading list

Readings will be posted on Brightspace.

Registration

Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.

Contact

Wim Nijgh, w.nijgh@math.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks

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