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.

Calculus for Engineers

Calculus for Engineers

Instructor: Jeffrey R. Chasnov
Top Instructor
Access provided by HKUST
4,279 already enrolled
29 reviews
Recommended experience
Recommended experience
Beginner level
High school mathematics
29 reviews
Recommended experience
Recommended experience
Beginner level
High school mathematics
What you'll learn
Differentiation and integration
Infinite series and Taylor polynomials
Complex exponential function and trigonometric identities
Areas and volumes, minimax problems, velocity and acceleration, numerical methods, and differential equations
Details to know

Add to your LinkedIn profile
26 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

There are 6 modules in this course
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
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
- Exponential Function | Lecture 6•5 minutes
- Natural Logarithm | Lecture 7•6 minutes
- Trigonometric Functions | Lecture 8•8 minutes
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions | Lecture 9•7 minutes
25 readings•Total 122 minutes
- Welcome and Course Information•1 minute
- 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
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
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
- Product Rule | Lecture 13•7 minutes
- Quotient Rule | Lecture 14•8 minutes
- Chain Rule | Lecture 15•7 minutes
- Exponential Function | Lecture 16•9 minutes
- Natural Logarithm | Lecture 17•7 minutes
- Power Rule Redux | Lecture 18•3 minutes
- Sine and Cosine | Lecture 19•9 minutes
- Trigonometric Functions | Lecture 20•7 minutes
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions | Lecture 21•6 minutes
30 readings•Total 150 minutes
- Another Definition of the Derivative•5 minutes
- Leibnitz’s notation•5 minutes
- Differentiability•5 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Instructor
Instructor ratings
We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

Top Instructor
Offered by

Offered by

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.
Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Jennifer J.

Larry W.

Chaitanya A.
Learner reviews
29 reviews
- 5 stars
90%
- 4 stars
10%
- 3 stars
0%
- 2 stars
0%
- 1 star
0%
Showing 3 of 29
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.
Reviewed on Jan 2, 2026
This is my first time trying to learn calculus, and the course was very helpful and organized.