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Calculus is about behavior, not just rules
Derivative and integral formulas matter, but Rutgers Math 151 constantly asks what they mean for a graph, a model, or a physical situation.
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01:640:151 · Mathematics · School 01 — New Brunswick School of Arts and Sciences
Math 151 is the first course in Rutgers' mathematical-and-physical-sciences calculus sequence. It covers limits, continuity, differential calculus of rational, trigonometric, exponential, and inverse functions, applications of the Mean Value Theorem, and an introduction to integral calculus.
How hard?
Students rate teaching
SIRS · 9,833 responses · 2014–2025
Spring 2027
24 open in snapshot
When it meets
Busch, Livingston, College Avenue
AI-generated overview
Higher means more demanding · AI summary
5 units · topic sequence may vary by instructor
The public syllabus opens with function behavior, logarithms and inverse trig review, limit laws, one-sided limits, continuity, the Intermediate Value Theorem, and infinite-end behavior. This phase is really about learning to describe what a function is doing before differentiation enters the picture.
After limits, the course turns local change into a formal object. Students learn the derivative at a point and as a function, then build fluency with differentiation rules so rates of change become a practical tool instead of an abstract slogan.
The middle of the term expands the derivative toolbox: trig functions, chain rule, implicit differentiation, derivatives of inverse and logarithmic functions, inverse trig functions, related rates, and linearization. These are the sections where algebra accuracy and notation discipline really start to matter.
Math 151 then pivots from computation to interpretation. The Mean Value Theorem, monotonicity, the first derivative test, concavity, curve sketching, L'Hopital's Rule, and applied optimization all ask students to connect formulas to behavior, not just push symbols around.
The final unit introduces antiderivatives, finite sums, definite integrals, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, substitution, and area between curves. The course does not try to exhaust integration techniques; instead it sets up the conceptual bridge into Math 152.
Public r/rutgers discussion paints Math 151 as a course where consistency matters more than last-minute heroics. Students repeatedly point to common-exam pressure, lots of practice, and outside resources such as lecture notes, worksheets, tutoring, or the Math 157 practicum as the difference between feeling lost and staying afloat.
Derivative and integral formulas matter, but Rutgers Math 151 constantly asks what they mean for a graph, a model, or a physical situation.
Results such as the Intermediate Value Theorem and Mean Value Theorem turn small local facts into larger conclusions about an interval.
A lot of 'calculus mistakes' in 151 are really simplification, substitution, or inverse-function mistakes from earlier math.
The end of 151 introduces accumulation and the Fundamental Theorem so students are ready for the heavier integration work in Math 152.
Common pitfall
Instead
After every computation, ask what the sign or size of the derivative says about the function.
Common pitfall
Instead
If a step feels mysterious, check simplification, factoring, trig identities, and inverse-function facts before assuming the calculus idea is the issue.
Common pitfall
Instead
Use past exams, worksheets, and office hours continuously; Math 151 is paced for steady repetition.
24 open · Busch, Livingston, College Avenue
| Section | Status | Instructor | Meeting | Campus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0115769 | Open | Monday 10:20 AM-11:40 AM at HLL 116; Thursday 10:20 AM-11:40 AM at HLL 116; Tuesday 8:30 AM-9:50 AM at ARC 206HLL 116ARC 206 | Busch | |
| 0215770 | Open | Monday 10:20 AM-11:40 AM at HLL 116; Thursday 10:20 AM-11:40 AM at HLL 116; Tuesday 10:20 AM-11:40 AM at ARC 206HLL 116ARC 206 | Busch | |
| 0315771 | Open | Monday 10:20 AM-11:40 AM at HLL 116; Thursday 10:20 AM-11:40 AM at HLL 116; Tuesday 12:10 PM-1:30 PM at ARC 206HLL 116ARC 206 | Busch | |
| 0415772 | Open | Tuesday 10:20 AM-11:40 AM at TIL 264; Friday 10:20 AM-11:40 AM at TIL 264; Thursday 8:30 AM-9:50 AM at BE 101TIL 264BE 101 | Livingston | |
| 0515773 | Open | Tuesday 10:20 AM-11:40 AM at TIL 264; Friday 10:20 AM-11:40 AM at TIL 264; Thursday 10:20 AM-11:40 AM at BE 101TIL 264BE 101 | Livingston | |
| 0615774 | Open | Tuesday 10:20 AM-11:40 AM at TIL 264; Friday 10:20 AM-11:40 AM at TIL 264; Thursday 12:10 PM-1:30 PM at BE 101TIL 264BE 101 | Livingston | |
| 0715775 | Open | Tuesday 12:10 PM-1:30 PM at LSH A142; Friday 12:10 PM-1:30 PM at LSH A142; Wednesday 2:00 PM-3:20 PM at BE 121LSH A142BE 121 | Livingston | |
| 0815776 | Open | Tuesday 12:10 PM-1:30 PM at LSH A142; Friday 12:10 PM-1:30 PM at LSH A142; Wednesday 3:50 PM-5:10 PM at BE 121LSH A142BE 121 | Livingston | |
| 0915777 | Open | Tuesday 12:10 PM-1:30 PM at LSH A142; Friday 12:10 PM-1:30 PM at LSH A142; Wednesday 5:40 PM-7:00 PM at BE 121LSH A142BE 121 | Livingston | |
| 1015778 | Open | Monday 12:10 PM-1:30 PM at COR 101; Thursday 12:10 PM-1:30 PM at COR 101; Tuesday 2:00 PM-3:20 PM at ARC 206COR 101ARC 206 | Busch | |
| 1115779 | Open | Monday 12:10 PM-1:30 PM at COR 101; Thursday 12:10 PM-1:30 PM at COR 101; Tuesday 3:50 PM-5:10 PM at ARC 206COR 101ARC 206 | Busch | |
| 1215780 | Open | Monday 12:10 PM-1:30 PM at COR 101; Thursday 12:10 PM-1:30 PM at COR 101; Tuesday 5:40 PM-7:00 PM at ARC 206COR 101ARC 206 | Busch | |
| 1315781 | Open | Monday 8:30 AM-9:50 AM at HLL 116; Thursday 8:30 AM-9:50 AM at HLL 116; Tuesday 5:40 PM-7:00 PM at SEC 220HLL 116SEC 220 | Busch | |
| 1415782 | Open | Monday 8:30 AM-9:50 AM at HLL 116; Thursday 8:30 AM-9:50 AM at HLL 116; Tuesday 7:30 PM-8:50 PM at SEC 220HLL 116SEC 220 | Busch | |
| 1515783 | Open | Monday 8:30 AM-9:50 AM at HLL 116; Thursday 8:30 AM-9:50 AM at HLL 116; Tuesday 9:20 PM-10:40 PM at SEC 220HLL 116SEC 220 | Busch | |
| 1615784 | Open | Tuesday 8:30 AM-9:50 AM at LSH A142; Friday 8:30 AM-9:50 AM at LSH A142; Wednesday 8:30 AM-9:50 AM at LSH B112LSH A142LSH B112 | Livingston |
Historical student surveys
Teaching
3.97
Course quality
3.78
Response rate
49.1%
Coverage
355 offerings · 2014–2025
| Instructor | Offerings | Teaching | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Ullman | 12 | 4.17 | 3.93 |
| Schwarz Jeffrey | 12 | 3.84 | 3.80 |
| Banmali Banerjee | 10 | 4.24 | 3.70 |
| Malcolm Bowles | 8 | 4.44 | 4.05 |
| Laurent Vera | 8 | 4.55 | 3.96 |
| Matthew Charnley | 8 | 4.46 | 3.93 |
Catalog and planning context
Credits
4
Current campuses
Busch, Livingston, College Avenue
Current availability
24 open of 24
Catalog terms
Fall, Spring, Summer
Core codes
QQ, QR
Loaded terms
4
((21:640:113 and 21:640:114) or (01:640:112))<em> OR </em> ((50:640:113 and 50:640:114) or (01:640:115))
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