CALCULUS  PLACEMENT GUIDELINES FOR ENTERING STUDENTS:


Calculus I: Students who have essentially mastered a precalculus course,
and
those who have a score less than 3 on an AP exam (either AB or BC)
should begin their study of calculus with I.

Calculus II: Those with 3, 4 or 5 on the AB exam or 3 on the BC exam or with
no AP exam, but having a grade of A in a full year high school calculus
course, should begin with II.  Those with a 4 on either the AB or BC exam
who complete Calculus II with a grade of C or higher as their first calculus course earn 3
points of AP credit.

Calculus III: Those with a 5 on the BC exam should begin with
III.  Those with a 5 on the BC exam who complete Calculus III as their first course in Calculus
and receive a grade of C or higher earn 6 points of AP credit.

Honors Mathematics III: Students who want a proof-oriented theoretical
sequence and have a 5 on the BC exam may begin with Honors III, which is
especially designed for mathematics majors.  On completion of this course
with a grade of C or higher they receive 6 points of AP credit.
 
 
 
 

PHILOSOPHY OF HONORS MATH:

Honors Math III is aimed at students with a strong interest in and aptitude for
Mathematics who also have a strong Calculus background from high school.
This is a course for the best prepared and most able mathematics students. It covers
the material of multivariable calculus from a thoroughly mathematical point of view
as well as other topics chosen by the instructor. This course
serves as an introduction to the upper level, undergraduate level mathematics courses
offered by the Department.
 
 
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Is it possible to switch between sections, levels and sequences of calculus?

Students can always go to the first few lectures of one Calculus class and then, if
it seems appropriate, switch to another level or a different sequence. Such transfers
require the approval of the instructors and, after the drop/add date, the class dean.
 
 

I am not sure that, following department guidelines, the scores on my AP exam
place me in the appropriate section. What should I do?

These are guidelines only, but they are based on years of experience.
 
 

How does AP credit work?

See the discussion under placement.

Which pocket calculator should I get?
 
 
Calculators are not allowed in Calculus exams. You do not need a calculator.   
 

CONTACTS:


The following are people to contact with their e-mail addresses for further questions  about the various Calculus Sequences and placement:

General       ---   Professor Walter Neumann,   e-mail:  neumann@math.columbia.edu
                              Undergrad. Admin. Assistant Mary Young, e-mail:   my@math.columbia.edu
Calculus I   --- Professor Julius Ross,         e-mail:  jaross@math.columbia.edu
Calculus II  --- Professor Catherine O'Neil,   e-mail:    oneil@math.columbia.edu
Calculus III --- Professor Mu-Tao Wang,   e-mail:   mtwang@math.columbia.edu 
Calculus IV --- Professor Michael Thaddeus,  e-mail:  thaddeus@math.columbia.edu
Honors Math III - IV --- Professor Julius Ross,   e-mail:  jaross@math.columbia.edu
 
 

SAMPLE SYLLABI:

Below are links to sample syllabi for the various Calculus courses. They are meant to be
representative only. Each instructor will prepare his own syllabus, but they will be similar
to the ones below.

  Calculus I sample syllabus.

  Calculus II sample syllabus.

  Calculus III sample syllabus.

 Calculus IV sample syllabus .