Fall 2026 - MATH 157 D400
Calculus I for the Social Sciences (3)
Class Number: 2986
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 9 – Dec 6, 2026: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Surrey
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Instructor:
Justin Chan
jhc34@sfu.ca
1 778 782-8245
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Prerequisites:
Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least C, or MATH 110 with a grade of at least C.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Designed for students specializing in business or the social sciences. Topics include: limits, growth rate and the derivative; logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric functions and their application to business, economics, optimization and approximation methods; introduction to functions of several variables with emphasis on partial derivatives and extrema. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 151 or 154 may not take MATH 157 for further credit. Quantitative.
COURSE DETAILS:
Topics Covered:
- Function review
- Limits and continuity
- Average and instantaneous rates of change
- The derivative
- Differentiation Techniques
- Applications of Differentiation
- Related rates
- Linear approximation and Newton's method
- Curve sketching
- Optimization
- Multi-variable calculus: partial differentiation and extrema
- Applying qualitative analysis to business and economics models
Grading
- Online Assignments (WileyPlus) 5%
- Quizzes 15%
- Midterm 1 20%
- Midterm 2 20%
- Final Exam 40%
NOTES:
THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANY OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION.
Students should be aware that they have certain rights to confidentiality concerning the return of course papers and the posting of marks.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Hughes Hallett et al. Applied Calculus ebook (7th Edition) bundled with WileyPlus*
*WileyPlus is a platform that all students must use to successfully complete this course. Students purchase a Hughes Hallett et al. Applied Calculus ebook (7th Edition) bundled with WileyPlus from either the link provided in Canvas or through SFU Bookstore which includes access to the electronic version of the textbook and WileyPlus access.
ISBN: 9781119798941
RECOMMENDED READING:
OPTIONAL:
Calculus Early Transcendentals: Differential & Multi-Variable Calculus for Social Sciences adapted by Petra Menz and Nicola Mulberry available online at the following link: https://www.sfu.ca/math-coursenotes/Math%20157%20Course%20Notes/frontmatter-1.html
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.