Calculus I - MTH 231, Section D001 (28443): Fall 2025
Mondays and Wednesdays: 12:20pm - 2:15pm in 1S-217
Prof. Ilya KofmanEmail: ikofman math.csi.cuny.edu
Course website: http://www.math.csi.cuny.edu/~ikofman/math231.html |
Prof. Ilya KofmanEmail: ikofmanmath.csi.cuny.edu
Course website: http://www.math.csi.cuny.edu/~ikofman/math231.html |
Textbook: You can rent or buy, new or used, from any store. You can use either the 3rd or 4th edition of this textbook:
Homework: Answers to odd-numbered exercises are in the back of the book. I highly recommend working jointly on homework problems with fellow students. The homework problems in bold on the syllabus have matching Webwork problems, which must be submitted online. To pass this course, the Webwork problems are the minimum requirement; to earn an excellent grade, you will have to do the other assigned problems in your textbook.
Webwork: Webwork is a free online system that provides individualized homework problems, gives immediate feedback, and allows you to correct mistakes until the due date. Later, you can see detailed solutions online. Webwork is required in this course, and it is a major part of your grade. Webwork website
Quizzes and Exams: See the schedule of quizzes and exams below. No electronic devices, such as phones or calculators will be allowed during quizzes and exams.
Grading: The course grade will be determined (subject to change announced in class) by your scores on Webwork, quizzes, exams and final exam. Without exception, you must take the final exam at the time scheduled by the college.
Help: My office hours are on Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30 - 5:45pm in my office, 1S-209. Also, free math tutoring is available.
How to Study: (1.) Come to class (attendance is mandatory). (2.) Read the relevant sections after class. (3.) Do the homework. Leave time to think about it! (4.) Come to my office hours or the help room with any remaining questions. (5.) To study for a math exam, you must DO MORE PROBLEMS from sample quizzes and exams, homework and textbook.
| Date | Topic | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Wed Aug 27 | Review of functions | Chapter 1, 3Blue1Brown Essence of Calculus |
| Wed Sep 3 | Limits, rates of changes | 2.1, 2.2 |
| Mon Sep 8 | Limit Laws, Continuity | 2.3, 2.4, cw1 |
| Wed Sep 10 | Algebraic & trigonometric limits | 2.5, 2.6 |
| Mon Sep 15 | Limits at Infinity, IVT | 2.7, 2.8, cw2 |
| Wed Sep 17 | Quiz 1: 2.1-2.8 | Exam 1 F07 Exam 1 F07 Solutions, Sample Problems 1-9 Solutions |
| Mon Sep 29 | Derivatives | 3.1 |
| Mon Oct 6 | Derivative as function, Product and Quotient Rules | 3.2, 3.3 |
| Wed Oct 8 | Rates of change | 3.4 |
| Tues Oct 14 | Higher derivatives, trigonometric derivatives | 3.5, 3.6 |
| Wed Oct 15 | Review | Sample Problems Solutions |
| Wed Oct 22 | Exam 1 |
|
| Fri Oct 24 | Chain Rule | 3.7, Practice Problems |
| Mon Oct 27 | Implicit Differentiation, Log functions | 3.8, 3.9 |
| Wed Oct 29 | Related rates | 3.10 |
| Mon Nov 3 | Linear Approximations, Extreme Values | 4.1, 4.2 |
| Wed Nov 5 | Quiz 2: 3.6-4.2 | |
| Mon Nov 10 | First Derivative Test, Concavity | 4.3, 4.4 |
| Wed Nov 12 | L'Hopital's Rule, Curve Sketching | 4.5, 4.6, Handout |
| Mon Nov 17 | Optimization | 4.7 |
| Wed Nov 19 | Review | Sample Problems Solutions |
| Mon Nov 24 | Exam 2 | |
| Wed Nov 26 | Area Approximation, Definite Integral | 5.1, 5.2 |
| Mon Dec 1 | Indefinite Integrals | 5.3 |
| Wed Dec 3 | Fundamental Theorems of Calculus | 5.4, 5.5 |
| Mon Dec 8 | Substitution Rule | 5.7, 5.8 |
| Wed Dec 10 | Final Exam Review | Chapter 5 |
| Mon Dec 15 | Final Exam Review | Ch 2-5, Sample Problems Solutions, Final exam F07 Final exam F07 Solutions |
Useful online resources:
Attendance policy: Attendance is mandatory. Unauthorized absences from three or more classes will result in a course grade of WU (Withdrew Unofficially).
Disability policy: Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable academic accommodations if determined eligible by the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS). Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of student's eligibility from OAS, which is located in 1P-101. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with the OAS staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.
Integrity policy: No electronic devices, such as phones or calculators will be allowed during quizzes and exams. Any cheating during quizzes or exams will result in your failing the course and the matter being reported to the dean, following CUNY's Academic Integrity Policy, which is available online at https://www2.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/legal-affairs/policies-procedures/academic-integrity-policy.
Important Dates: www.csi.cuny.edu/currentstudents/academiccalendars