Outcomes Gates

Outcome Gates

A hallmark of the PLC learning mode is the focus on specific outcomes-so that students and outside evaluators know that specific learning goals have been accomplished. Thus although students receive individual course credit in Calculus, Physics and Humanities, they earn that credit only by passing through a series of outcome gates, which can be repeated until they are mastered. Listed below are the outcomes gates or goals to be measured across two terms for Calculus students who wish to get credit for the first two Calculus sequence courses (MA 1021 and MA 1022). Similarly the broad outcomes gates listed for students seeking credit for two beginning Humanities courses are also listed. The Physics outcome gates are being revised and will be posted later in the summer.

MA 1021: Calculus I

Upon successful completion of this PLC you will be able to do the following:

1. Understand and evaluate limits for functions, including trigonometric functions
2. Compute derivatives using the definition for simple examples

Compute derivatives (like lightning!) using the basic techniques of differentiation, including:

3. Power Rule
4. Quotient Rule
5. Power Rule
6. Chain Rule
7. Analyze curves using the first and second derivatives
8. Formulate and solve optimization problems using the derivative
9. Understand and apply the Mean Value Theorem

MA 1022: Calculus II

Upon successful completion of this tutorial you will be able to do the following:

1. Evaluate integrals based upon the basic concept of integration.
2. Set up an integral which represents a quantity from an application (area, volume of revolution, work, moment)
3. Apply the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus to differentiation problems.

Simplify anti-derivatives by appropriate substitution resulting in an integral which can then be solved by:

4. The power rule
5. Logarithms
6. inverse trig functions
7. Simplify anti-derivatives by effective use of "integration of parts"
8. Evaluate an integral by using tables
9. Manipulate and solve equations using properties and logs and exponentials
10. Differentiate log and exponential functions
11. Analyze applications involving exponential growth and decay
12. Manipulate expressions and solve equations containing inverse trig functions
13. Differentiate inverse trig functions (arcsin, arccos, arctan).

Humanities

Any 1000 level History, Literature, Philosophy Course

Upon successful completion of the PLC you will have gained an ability to:

1. understand that the past is shaped and understood only in the context of questions and understandings of the present.
2. read, digest, and summarize in writing the essential argument or thesis of an article or book.
3. pose or draw out from statistical and objective data an argument or thesis in cogent written form.
4. weigh and criticize the extent to which evidence is offered for an argument or thesis, in cogent written form.
5. pose alternative theses from identical evidence, in written and oral forms.
6. find and manipulate sources for "foundational" knowledge in history, literature, and philosophy.
7. grasp clearly the distinction between primary and secondary source material in history and to understand the issues of historiography
8. master oral and powerpoint presentation of the project team's argument and evidence for each project assigned

Project-based Learning Community
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280
Phone: +1-508-831-5215 - Fax: +1-508-831-5485 - plc@wpi.edu