Popular demand from UHS AP Calculus BC students has sparked the possibility of offering Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations on campus through dual enrollment with Irvine Valley College (IVC).

Multivariable Calculus, the sophomore-level course completed after the freshman Calculus I-II courses, is the extension of calculus that studies functions of multiple variables, rather than just one. The differential equations course includes the study of first-order differential equations, second and higher-order linear differential equations, the numerical methods of solutions with applications to physics and engineering and more. Math 4A Analytic Geometry and Calculus III, also known as Multivariable Calculus and Math 24 Elementary Differential Equations are dual enrollment classes with IVC. Ergo, if college math is approved for on-campus teaching, one would earn credit through UHS and IVC.

Currently, the IUSD Secondary Mathematics Pathway’s target course progression after AP Calculus BC is AP Statistics or AP Computer Science. Mr. Eric Shulman, UHS AP Calculus BC and AP Precalculus teacher, is an adjunct professor at IVC. After taking a poll from AP Calculus BC students asking them whether they would sign up for Multivariable Calculus next year if offered on campus within the school day or after school, it was clear that UHS students are greatly interested in taking both courses.

“As potential course offerings for the 2024-2025 school year, multivariable calculus offers a natural progression from AP Calculus BC, with the course content fresh in students’ minds to take higher levels of calculus,” Mr. Shulman said.  “The course continuum would be seamless.”

For UHS STEM majors, these courses would give them a fast pass to higher-level classes in college, as Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra are often required courses.

“I can keep myself busy as well as build an early and strong foundation in advanced math,” junior Evan Zhong said. “I might go into finance and economics, and Multivariable Calculus would be extremely valuable for those studies.”

The prospect of having both courses offered on campus during the bell schedule, forty-five minutes on Mondays and eighty minutes two days a week, is a significant advantage. If one were to take the classes at IVC directly, they would only meet two days a week for two and a half hours. Taking the courses at UHS offers more accessibility to help through Office Hours, as opposed to enrolling in IVC outside of school.

“You would be able to see me every day of the week during Office Hours if you wanted to,” Mr. Shulman said.

It is important to note that these are proposed courses pending IVC approval.

“I hope Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations do end up being offered next year for the class of 2025, as I think it could be a really beneficial experience for AP Calculus BC students looking to further their knowledge,” junior Blake Shapiro said.

UHS AP Calculus BC students are eager to take on a new challenge.