WHAT CALCULUS DO VARIOUS COLLEGE MAJORS WANT?
Calculus includes among its traditional client groups engineering, physics, business, biological science and social science majors. Some people feel that the college calculus course which “tries to be all things to all people” is doomed. Recent conferences (Toward a Lean and Lively Calculus, 1986, and Calculus for a New Century, 1987) give some indication that client disciplines are not happy with the calculus that students know. Most of the areas want students to have a conceptual understanding of the basic ideas in calculus rather than great computational and manipulative facility. Client populations seem very interested, in working with mathematics departments to revamp and refine calculus courses in order to better meet the needs of their majors. Emphasis on specific topics, more relevant applications related to their fields, more use of technology, and more effective instruction are among the requests most frequently cited. HOW IS CALCULUS TAUGHT IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES? Whil
