Resources for Supporting Student Success in the Mathematical Sciences

AppState - Calculus 1 Co-Requisite Course


Institution Name:  Appalachian State University

Main Course Title and Catalog Description:  MAT 1110 - Calculus With Analytic Geometry I (4 hours):  A study of limits, continuity, differentiation, applications of the derivative, the differential, the definite integral, the fundamental theorem, and applications of the definite integral.

Support Course Title and Catalog Description:  MAT 1530 - Calculus 1 Support (1 hour)

Approximate yearly enrollment in support course (if known):  40 students

Approximate size of each section of support course:  20 students

Approximate percentage of students in main course that are enrolled in support course:  6%  (40 out of about 630)

Contact hours per week for support course:  1 hour per week

How students are chosen for the support course:  All students enrolled in Calculus 1 are sent an email describing the course and students self-select.

Goals/Learning outcomes of support course (what is the support course targeting?):  

Successful students in this course will:

reinforce algebraic skills needed for Calculus 1

review basic knowledge of rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions

monitor their learning of Calculus 1 and actively seek out resources for assistance when needed

practice writing mathematics (especially material in Calculus 1) using correct and complete notation and illustrating all necessary justification

practice reading mathematical texts and develop strategies for learning mathematical content from the Calculus 1 textbook

develop strategies for learning and retaining mathematics

Assessment of support course – personal evaluation of strengths and weaknesses:  

Students are assessed on attendance and participation in class, expected visits to office hours of Calculus 1 or support course instructor or mathlab, and some out-of-class assignments pertaining to development of skills.

Strengths:  Self-regulation is addressed so students gain experience with tools that will help them succeed in all courses, not just math.  Course mixes review of prerequisite material with summaries of current content and connections with past and future material.  Emphasizes the community aspect of learning.

Weaknesses:  Only one contact hour doesn’t give much time to delve deeply into topics or to establish rapport with students.  Instructors of Calculus 1 are given flexibility over some of the content and pacing so students are at different places in the course.