Calculus

Mathematics is used in almost all specialist fields. After all it is the language of technical sciences. You can use it to describe phenomena and it is a tool you can use to solve technical scientific problems. This includes:

1. goniometric functions used to describe (sound) waves
2. calculating the volume of a tumor using an MRI scan
3. efficient production and planning

If a mathematical formulation of the problem is possible, you can use mathematical tools to solve it, for example using:

1. differentiation to find an optimal setting of parameters, for example in relation to a production process or a system of rules
2. derivatives of functions to calculate the speed and acceleration of objects
3. integral calculations to determine a centre of gravity
4. differential equations to describe growth models or in relation to mass spring systems

As you have to have a command of a number of basic mathematical tools for all courses at the TU/e, the basic course in mathematics is given immediately in the first quartile. The course is partly a repeat of what you learned at secondary school. We then build on this and teach you how to apply the knowledge. The subjects dealt with are:

• arithmetic skills and functions
• limits
• differentiation
• integration
• (first order) differential equations
• simple vector calculation of planes and space

In some disciplines more formal knowledge of mathematics is required in order to apply it. A higher abstraction capacity is also required. For that reason there are two variants within the basic course in mathematics: the formal variant with subject code 2WBB0 and the 2WAB0 variant which is given more from the perspective of the applications of the specialist field in question.
 
The basic courses matrix shows which variant is most suitable for you. If it indicates that you are best off following the application-oriented variant, but you are more interested in the formal variant, we will, of course, invite you to opt for the first variant.