This course offers a streamlined approach to university-level calculus, tailored for engineers and scientists. We begin with a review of precalculus in the first module, followed by derivatives and integrals in the second and third modules. The fourth module introduces Taylor series, while the fifth and sixth modules cover important applications of calculus.
The course features 59 concise lecture videos, each accompanied by practice problems. After each major topic, you will find a short practice quiz to reinforce your understanding. Solutions to problems and practice quizzes are included in the instructor-provided lecture notes. At the end of each module, there is an assessed quiz to evaluate your progress. Score over 80% on these quizzes to earn a course certificate.
Download the lecture notes:
https://www.math.hkust.edu.hk/~machas/calculus-for-engineers.pdf
Watch the promotional video:
https://youtu.be/mDuHJos21wo
Functions lie at the foundations of calculus. First, we revisit the set of real numbers and then introduce complex numbers.
We define functions and their inverses, as well as discuss the concepts of limits and continuity. Finally, we introduce the essential functions studied in calculus, including polynomial and rational functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, and inverse trigonometric functions.
What's included
11 videos25 readings5 assignments
Show info about module content
11 videos•Total 70 minutes
Course Overview•3 minutes
Module One Introduction•1 minute
Real Numbers | Lecture 1•7 minutes
Complex Numbers | Lecture 2•9 minutes
Functions and their Inverses | Lecture 3•8 minutes
Limits and Continuity | Lecture 4•8 minutes
Polynomials and Rational Functions | Lecture 5•9 minutes
How to Write Math in the Discussion Forums using MathJax•1 minute
Rational Numbers are Dense•5 minutes
Square Root of Two is Irrational•10 minutes
Write as a Complex Number•5 minutes
Solve a Complex Equation•5 minutes
Determine the Square Root of i•5 minutes
Inverse of the Linear Function•5 minutes
Inverse of the Unit Quarter-Circle Function•5 minutes
Evaluate Limits•5 minutes
Function Ranges•5 minutes
Function Domain and Range•5 minutes
Definition of e^x•5 minutes
Combine Logarithms•5 minutes
Addition and Multiplication of Exponents•5 minutes
Change of Base Formula•5 minutes
Convert from Degrees to Radians•5 minutes
Cosine and Sine are Phase-shifted Functions•5 minutes
Double-angle formulas•5 minutes
Power reduction formulas•5 minutes
Pythagorean Identities•5 minutes
Polar Coordinates•5 minutes
Plot of Arccosine•5 minutes
Trigonometric Functions of Inverse Trigonometric Functions•5 minutes
Inverse Trigonometric Function Identity•5 minutes
5 assignments•Total 110 minutes
Module One Assessment•50 minutes
Diagnostic Quiz•15 minutes
Numbers•15 minutes
Elementary Functions•15 minutes
Transcendental Functions•15 minutes
Differentiation
Module 2•6 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, we define the derivative and explore methods to differentiate various functions. We begin by learning the power rule to differentiate power functions, followed by learning the sum, product, quotient, and chain rules. We then learn how to differentiate exponential functions, natural logarithms, trigonometric functions, and finally, inverse trigonometric functions.
What's included
13 videos30 readings5 assignments
Show info about module content
13 videos•Total 87 minutes
Module Two Introduction•1 minute
Definition of the Derivative | Lecture 10•9 minutes
Power Rule | Lecture 11•7 minutes
Sum and Constant-Multiple Rules | Lecture 12•6 minutes
Asymptotic Behavior of the Arctangent Function•5 minutes
The Derivative of 1/x•5 minutes
The Derivative of x^{3/2}•5 minutes
Finite Power Series•5 minutes
Product Rule for Three Functions•5 minutes
Derivative of x^2•5 minutes
Derive the Quotient Rule from the Product Rule•5 minutes
Derivative of a Rational Function•5 minutes
Derivative of Negative Exponent Power Laws•5 minutes
Derivative using the Power Rule and Chain Rule•5 minutes
Derivative using the Power Rule, Product Rule and Chain Rule•5 minutes
Derivative using the Power Rule, Quotient Rule and Chain Rule•5 minutes
The Chain Rule for the Composition of Three Functions•5 minutes
Derivatives of Exponential Functions•5 minutes
Derivative of the Limit Definition of the Exponential Function•5 minutes
Derivatives of Logarithm Identities•5 minutes
Derivatives of Logarithms•5 minutes
Derivative of a to the x power•5 minutes
Derivative of log base a•5 minutes
Derivative of x to the x•5 minutes
Another Derivation of the Derivative of Sine•5 minutes
Derivatives of ln, sin, cos•5 minutes
Differential Equation for Cosine and Sine•5 minutes
Differential Equation for cos x + i sin x•5 minutes
Derivative of a Complicated Trigonometric Expression•5 minutes
Another Derivation of the Derivative of arccos•5 minutes
Derivative of an arcsine•5 minutes
5 assignments•Total 120 minutes
Module Two Assessment•60 minutes
Differentiation Rules I•15 minutes
Differentiation Rules II•15 minutes
Exponential and Logarithm Functions•15 minutes
Trigonometric Functions•15 minutes
Integration
Module 3•5 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, we define the integral and explore methods to integrate various functions. We begin by learning how the definite integral is used to calculate areas. We then find a connection between integration and differentiation by proving the first and second fundamental theorems of calculus. These theorems motivate us to define an indefinite integral as an anti-derivative. Throughout the module, we will examine various integration techniques, including integration by substitution, integration by parts, integration of trigonometric functions, trigonometric substitution, and integration by partial fractions.
What's included
10 videos16 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
10 videos•Total 63 minutes
Module Three Introduction•1 minute
Definite Integral | Lecture 22•8 minutes
First Fundamental Theorem of Calculus | Lecture 23•5 minutes
Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus | Lecture 24•6 minutes
Indefinite Integral | Lecture 25•5 minutes
Integration by Substitution | Lecture 26•10 minutes
Integration by Parts | Lecture 27•7 minutes
Trigonometric Integrals | Lecture 28•8 minutes
Trigonometric Substitution | Lecture 29•6 minutes
Integration by Partial Fractions | Lecture 30•7 minutes
16 readings•Total 115 minutes
Orthogonal Functions•5 minutes
Even or Odd Integrals•5 minutes
Derivative of a Constant Integral•5 minutes
First Fundamental Theorem and the Chain Rule•5 minutes
Differentiating the Integrand•5 minutes
Some Simple Integrals•5 minutes
Polynomial Integral•5 minutes
Trigonometric Integral•5 minutes
Exponential Integral•5 minutes
Simple Substitutions•5 minutes
Integration by Substitution•15 minutes
Integration by Parts•15 minutes
Gamma Function•10 minutes
Trigonometric Integrals•10 minutes
Tangent and Secant Integral•10 minutes
Partial Fraction Integral•5 minutes
4 assignments•Total 100 minutes
Module Three Assessment•50 minutes
Fundamental Theorems•20 minutes
Elementary Techniques of Integration•15 minutes
Advanced Techniques of Integration•15 minutes
Infinite Series
Module 4•6 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, we explore sequences and series. We learn how an infinite power series can converge to a function. These convergent series are known as Taylor series, and we will determine the Taylor series for the most important functions of calculus, including the exponential function, sine and cosine functions, the natural logarithm, and the arctangent. We also learn L’Hospital’s rule, a very useful tool for finding indeterminate limits.
What's included
11 videos24 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
11 videos•Total 83 minutes
Module Four Introduction•1 minute
Sequences and Series | Lecture 31•9 minutes
p-Series | Lecture 32•12 minutes
Harmonic Series | Lecture 33•8 minutes
Geometric Series | Lecture 34•6 minutes
Ratio Test | Lecture 35•8 minutes
Power Series | Lecture 36•11 minutes
Taylor Series | Lecture 37•10 minutes
L’Hospital’s Rule | Lecture 38•6 minutes
Taylor Series of Elementary Functions I | Lecture 39•6 minutes
Taylor Series of Elementary Functions II | Lecture 40•8 minutes
24 readings•Total 180 minutes
Sum of the Squares of the Fibonacci Numbers•5 minutes
Sum of the First n Numbers•5 minutes
Sum of the Squares of the First n Numbers•5 minutes
Sum of the p-Series•10 minutes
Egyptian Fractions•10 minutes
Rearrangement of the Alternating Harmonic Series•10 minutes
Converting Repeating Decimals into Fractions•5 minutes
Drug Blood Concentrations•10 minutes
Convergence of a Series•5 minutes
Exponential Function•10 minutes
Cosine and Sine Functions•10 minutes
Power Series Equal to Zero•5 minutes
Linear Approximations•10 minutes
Infinity over Infinity•10 minutes
Compute Limits•5 minutes
Exponential Function Grows Faster than any Power Law•5 minutes
Logarithm Function Grows Slower than any Power Law•5 minutes
Taylor Series Derivatives•5 minutes
Taylor Series Limits•5 minutes
Trigonometric Addition Formulas•5 minutes
Hyperbolic Trigonometric Functions•10 minutes
Binomial Theorem•10 minutes
Taylor Series for Tangent•10 minutes
Integrating using Taylor Series•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 100 minutes
Module Four Assessment•50 minutes
Sequences and Series•15 minutes
Power Series•15 minutes
Taylor Series•20 minutes
Applications I
Module 5•5 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, we begin to apply the calculus. Using Taylor series, we define the complex exponential function and use it to prove key trigonometric identities. We employ calculus to derive the circumference and area of a circle, as well as the surface area and volume of a sphere. Finally, we show how calculus can be used in numerical methods to find the roots of equations and to integrate and differentiate functions.
What's included
11 videos18 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
11 videos•Total 77 minutes
Module Five Introduction•1 minute
Complex Exponential Function | Lecture 41•8 minutes
Polar Form of Complex Numbers | Lecture 42•7 minutes
Trigonometric Identities | Lecture 43•7 minutes
Circumference of a Circle | Lecture 44•8 minutes
Area of a Circle | Lecture 45•9 minutes
Surface Area of a Sphere | Lecture 46•11 minutes
Volume of a Sphere | Lecture 47•3 minutes
Newton’s Method | Lecture 48•10 minutes
Trapezoidal Rule | Lecture 49•7 minutes
Centered Differences | Lecture 50•6 minutes
18 readings•Total 140 minutes
Another derivation of the Complex Exponential Function•10 minutes
Integration using the Complex Exponential Function•10 minutes
Derivation of the Pythagorean Identity•5 minutes
Hyperbolic Trigonometric Functions and the Complex Exponential Function•10 minutes
Simplifying Complex Expressions•5 minutes
Roots of Complex Numbers•5 minutes
Orthogonality Relations for Cosine and Sine•10 minutes
Additional and Double Angle Formulas for Hyperbolic Trigonometric Functions•10 minutes
Circumference of a Circle in Cartesian Coordinates•10 minutes
Area of an Ellipse•10 minutes
Circumference from Area•5 minutes
Surface Area of a Cone•10 minutes
Surface Area from Volume•5 minutes
Volume of a Cone•10 minutes
Compute sqrt(3)•5 minutes
Estimate ln 2•5 minutes
Trapezoidal Rule for Unevenly Spaced Points•10 minutes
Centered Difference Approximation for a Differential Equation•5 minutes
4 assignments•Total 100 minutes
Module Five Assessment•50 minutes
Complex Exponential Function•15 minutes
Areas and Volumes•20 minutes
Numerical Methods•15 minutes
Applications II
Module 6•4 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, we continue exploring applications of calculus. We learn how to use derivatives to find local extrema of functions. We prove that among rectangles with a given perimeter, the one that maximizes the area is a square. We find the shortest path between two villages after collecting water from a river. We determine the optimal position on a beach for a lifeguard to enter the sea to rescue a swimmer in distress. We discuss how calculus is used in physics to define velocity and acceleration, and how to determine the position and velocity of an object falling under gravity. Lastly, we explore differential equations related to growth, decay, and oscillation, including equations for compound interest and the oscillating pendulum.
What's included
11 videos14 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
11 videos•Total 69 minutes
Module Six Introduction•1 minute
Maxima and Minima | Lecture 51•7 minutes
Maximum Area of a Rectangle | Lecture 52•3 minutes
Shortest Path | Lecture 53•9 minutes
Lifeguard Problem | Lecture 54•9 minutes
Position, Velocity, and Acceleration | Lecture 55•5 minutes
Gravity of Earth | Lecture 56•8 minutes
Growth, Decay, and Oscillations | Lecture 57•7 minutes
Compound Interest | Lecture 58•7 minutes
Pendulum | Lecture 59•7 minutes
Concluding Remarks•5 minutes
14 readings•Total 97 minutes
Cubic Polynomials with no Local Extrema•5 minutes
Cubic Polynomial with Three Distinct Real Roots•10 minutes
Three-sided Fence•5 minutes
Pipe around a Corner•10 minutes
Seated Lifeguard Problem•10 minutes
Position, Velocity, and Acceleration•5 minutes
Trajectory of a Cannon Ball•10 minutes
Differential Equation for the Complex Exponential Function•10 minutes
Rule of 72•10 minutes
Newton’s Law of Cooling•10 minutes
Pendulum Starting at the Bottom•5 minutes
Pendulum with Friction and a Driving Force•5 minutes
Please Rate this Course•1 minute
Acknowledgements•1 minute
4 assignments•Total 100 minutes
Module Six Assessment•50 minutes
Local Extrema•20 minutes
Newton’s Second Law•15 minutes
Growth, Decay, and Oscillations•15 minutes
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HKUST is a world-class research-intensive university that focuses on science, technology, and business as well as humanities and social science. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with a global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and innovative thinking.
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Reviewed on Apr 14, 2026
Excellent review if you have had calculus in the past. If its your first time studying calculus this course will set the foundations for further learning.
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Reviewed on Jan 2, 2026
This is my first time trying to learn calculus, and the course was very helpful and organized.
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