Business Calculus Syllabus and Course Overview

Business Calculus: Course Syllabus and Overview

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to calculus with an emphasis on conceptual understanding and applications to business. Topics include differentiation, curve sketching, optimization, integration, and partial derivatives.

• Focus: Calculus concepts applied to business problems.

• Topics: Differentiation, optimization, integration, partial derivatives.

• Applications: Business, economics, and related fields.

Class Logistics

• Meeting Times: MWF 10:50-11:40 in UNA 153.

• Instructor: Peter Zimmer, UNA 173, 610-436-2966, [e-mail]

• Office Hours: MWF 11AM, TR 12:20-1PM (appointment recommended).

• Textbook: Calculus and Its Applications, 12th edition, by Bittinger, Ellenbogen and Surgent.

• Calculator Policy: A basic scientific or graphing calculator may be useful for certain homework problems, but calculators will not be permitted on exams.

• Course Materials: Posted on West Chester's "Desire 2 Learn" (D2L) website at https://d2l.wcupa.edu.

• Homework: 8-10 homework assignments, submitted via MyMathLab (accessible via D2L).

Exams and Grading

• Exams: Two in-class exams (tentatively scheduled for Friday Sept 26, 2025 and Friday Oct 31, 2025), and a cumulative final exam (given 8-10 AM Friday Dec 12, 2025 in BPMC 205).

• Make-up Exams: Only for University-approved reasons and must be requested in advance.

• Evaluation Policy: Take-home Quiz 5%, Homework 20%, Midterms 40%, Final 35%.

• Grading Criteria: Based on accuracy, work shown, correct use of notation, and written explanations.

Course Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

• SLO 1: Explain the concept of a limit and how it is used to make sense of the slope of a tangent line to a given curve and instantaneous rate of change.

• SLO 2: Use differentiation to solve problems arising in business settings.

• SLO 3: Use integration to solve problems arising in business settings.

• SLO 4: Use appropriate strategies to solve problems using tables, graphs, and formulas.

• SLO 5: Use reasoning and correct mathematical notation to offer written solutions to multistep problems.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Last day to add/drop	Tuesday Sept 2, 2025
Exam 1	Friday Sept 26, 2025
Fall Break	Oct 13-14, 2025
Last day to withdraw	Thursday Oct 23, 2025
Exam 2	Friday Oct 31, 2025
Thanksgiving	Wednesday Nov 26 - Friday Nov 28, 2025
Final Exam	10:30-12:30 Wednesday Dec 10, 2025

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to adhere to the university's standards for academic integrity. Violations include cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentation of work. Consequences include automatic failure and possible removal from the course.

• Cheating: Copying any part of another's work or using unauthorized resources.

• Plagiarism: Presenting another's work as your own.

• Misrepresentation: Falsifying information or data.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

West Chester University is committed to providing equal access for all students. Students should contact the Office of Educational Accessibility (OEA) for accommodations. Documentation may be required.

Reporting Incidents of Sexual Violence

Faculty and staff are required to report incidents of sexual violence, except in certain confidential circumstances. Resources and reporting information are available at this link.

Inclusive Learning Environment and Anti-Racist Statement

West Chester University values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The university is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students, free from discrimination and harassment.

Emergency Preparedness

Students are encouraged to sign up for the WCU ALERT service for emergency notifications. For emergencies, contact the Department of Public Safety at 610-436-3311.

Electronic Mail Policy

All official university communications will be sent to your university email account. Students are responsible for checking their email regularly and maintaining academic integrity in all electronic communications.

Key Calculus Concepts for Business Applications

• Limits: The foundation of calculus, used to define derivatives and instantaneous rates of change. Formula: $\lim_{x \to a} f(x)$

• Derivatives: Measure the rate of change of a function, essential for optimization and marginal analysis in business. Formula: $f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h}$

• Integration: Used to calculate areas under curves, total accumulated quantities, and solve business problems involving totals. Formula: $\int_a^b f(x) \, dx$

• Optimization: Finding maximum or minimum values of functions, crucial for profit maximization and cost minimization. Example: Setting $f'(x) = 0$ to find critical points.

• Partial Derivatives: Used in functions of several variables, such as cost functions depending on multiple inputs. Formula: $\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}$

Example Application: Marginal Cost

• Definition: Marginal cost is the derivative of the cost function with respect to quantity produced.

• Formula: If $C(q)$ is the cost function, then marginal cost is $C'(q)$.

• Application: Used to determine the cost of producing one additional unit.

Example Application: Revenue Optimization

• Definition: Revenue optimization involves finding the price or quantity that maximizes revenue.

• Formula: If $R(q)$ is the revenue function, set $R'(q) = 0$ to find the optimal quantity.

• Application: Used in pricing strategies and sales forecasting.