Department of Mathematics
There is a big difference between calculus study at Lehigh and calculus at most high schools. A solid high–school precalculus course is necessary background for calculus at Lehigh. Students need a strong foundation in functions (forms, graphs, roots) and trigonometry to really thrive in calculus. Most students who take calculus in high school are accustomed to using a graphing calculator. Calculators are not permitted in Lehigh calculus classes. Lehigh hasvery high standards, and calculus students are expected to learn calculus without relying on calculators. Manystudents find a summer course in calculus at a local community college to be helpful in bridging from high school mathematics to Lehigh calculus.
Advanced Placement for Calculus
Students
who score 4 or 5 in the AB advanced placement exam may receive 4 credits
for Math 21 and those who score 4 or 5 on the BC advanced placement exam
may receive 8 credits for Math 21 and 22. Students should preregister for
Math 21, 31, or 51 now, and if the AP exam scores warrant credit, the appropriate
adjustments can be made later. Advanced placement
and course credit is also granted for successful completion of approved
college courses taken during high school. Approval is granted on
a case–by–case basis and depends on submission of detailed information
as to course content.
We
recommend that students consider beginning Lehigh calculus a semester below
their advanced placement. If you have credit for Math 21 and are eligible
for Math 22, consider taking Math 21; if you have credit for Math 21 and
Math 22 and are eligible for Math 23, consider taking Math 22. You will
relinquish some or all of your AP credit, but experience has shown that
many AP courses do not provide adequate preparation for calculus at Lehigh.
Depending on demand, the Department of Mathematics may offer anticipatory
exams for Math 51, 21, 22 and 23 during the orientation period.
Calculus Readiness Exams
All
students who plan to take Math 51 or Math 21 in the fall semester must
take a calculus readiness exam during the summer preregistration process
or in August during orientation. These are tests on precalculus mathematics,
such as algebra, graphing, functions, and trigonometry. The purpose of
the readiness exams is to ensure that students are appropriately placed
and to identify students who need additional preparation before taking
the calculus course their intended majors require.
Students
whose scores on the Math 51 readiness exam indicate that they lack sufficient
preparation must take Math 0 (see description below) before taking Math
51.
Students whose scores on the Math 21 readiness exam indicate that they lack sufficient preparation can take Math 75, 76 or Math 0 (see description below).
Calculus Courses
With
three different calculus sequences, the Mathematics Department is able
to tailor its offerings to students with different preparations and needs
for studying calculus.
also
Math
75 and76, Calculus I, parts A and B, substitute for Math 21
The
20s sequence (12 credits) is required of all engineering students as well
as majors in Mathematics, Computer Science, and many natural science programs.
The College of Business and Economics is beginning to require Math 21 in
its curriculum. The three semesters cover single– and multiple–variable
calculus and introduce differential equations. Each week there
are 3 lectures and one meeting in a small group with a graduate student.
Each of these
courses is offered in both semesters each year
Math
75 and 76 (2 credits each).These
are 2 credit courses that together replace MATH 21. These two courses constitute
a year long sequence (which must be started in the fall) that substitutes
for MATH 21. The slower pace and additional precalculus material is intended
to allow students who need more preparation to master the material of MATH
21. Both courses have 2 lectures and one meeting in a small group with
a graduate student
Successful
completion of Math 21 or Math 76 is a prerequisite for Math
22. Students who start with Math 21 and find themselves struggling can
switch to Math 75 or Math 51 as long as they do so in a timely fashion.
The
30s sequence(12 credits) is the
most in–depth and rigorous sequence and requires the most student effort.
It covers the same material as the 20s sequence and, therefore, meets any
stated requirement for the 20s sequence. Classes are small, and the ‘Honors’
designation in the course title records the student’s high aptitude and
motivation for mathematics.
MATH 0: Preparation for Calculus (2 credits, Fall):
This course is for students who need more preparation before moving on to calculus, as evidenced by low scores on the readiness exam. The 2 credits do not count toward
the total number of credits required for graduation, but the grade does count in the student’s GPA. Students taking Math 0 must pass with a grade of C– before taking Math 51 or 21.
For more information: contact Professor Lee Stanley, preferably via email at ljs4@lehigh.edu or Mary Ann Dent, Academic Coordinator at (610) 758-3731 or via email atmad8@lehigh.edu.