MyMathLab® versus Distance Calculus Comparison

Many online (and classroom-based) Calculus-level courses are driven by the MyMathLab® system from Pearson Education.

Many thousands of students use the MyMathLab® system for the Calculus courses. MyMathLab® is a website-based system for doing homework problems associated to traditional Calculus textbooks published by Pearson. For many students, MyMathLab is ubitious with doing Calculus homework in their calculus courses. MyMathLab® offers instructional videos, and multiple choice problem sets where you do your Calculus problems by hand and then choose multiple choice answers from a selection of correct and incorrect answer choices.

Perhaps you have taken a class using MyMathLab®. Perhaps you enjoyed it and benefited from their system, which for many students helps them progress through their Calculus courses more successfully than just doing homework on paper with pencil and handing these homework sets into their instructors.

Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University does not use MyMathLab® - we do not believe in multiple choice based homework problem sets. Such multiple choice systems are good as a test-taking tool, but they are lacking for a true educational experience of doing mathematics with live human instructors.

If you have found success with multiple choice systems, there are plenty of options to choose from around the internet for completing such a course.

However, if you find multiple choice systems unappealing, we invite you to investigate the course structure and materials of Distance Calculus.

Comparison of MyMathLab® vs Distance Calculus

Topic	MyMathLab®	Distance Calculus
Multiple Choice	Yes	No
Use of Computer Algebra System	No	Yes, Extensive
Tied to Traditional Textbook	Yes	No, Reform e-Curriculum
Recursive Grading	Sort of	Yes
Comprehensive Course System	Mostly just homework	Yes
Drill & Practice	Yes	No

Here are a few videos about Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University:

Is Distance Calculus for You?

Success Indicators for Distance Calculus

Distance Calculus - Student Reviews

Date Posted: Apr 30, 2020
Review by: Hannah J.
Courses Completed: Probability Theory
Review: Probability Theory was a great course. Very very thorough. I thought it would never end :). I was very prepared for my coursework in economics. Excellent refereshher of derivatives and integrals - really forced me to remember that stuff from freshman cal.
Transferred Credits to: Boston University

Date Posted: Nov 20, 2025
Review by: John
Courses Completed: Precalculus, Applied Calculus
Review: Great course. Professor Curtis and the TAs graded quickly and gave really helpful feedback that made the class feel smooth and manageable. Definitely recommend it.
Transferred Credits to: Binghamton University (School of Managment)

Date Posted: Sep 20, 2020
Review by: Genevieve P.
Courses Completed: Applied Calculus
Review: I found out from my grad school after being accepted that I needed a Calculus course before starting their MBA program. I had less than 6 weeks to do it (and as a non-STEM undergrad no less). The video lectures were informative, the pre-calc refresher was great to get re-conditioned, and the asynchronous format worked so well as I did this at night/weekends after work. I completed it in 4 weeks. Professor Curtis was extremely responsive, graded assignments quickly, and a supportive guide providing constructive feedback to me to excel at the assignments. I highly recommend this course for those who need a pre-req in a hurry or like learning on their own schedule. Thanks, Distance Calculus and Professor Curtis!
Transferred Credits to: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Distance Calculus - Curriculum Exploration

Complex Numbers & Vectors

P12: Complex Numbers & Vectors:

P12.1: Complex Numbers Part Deux

P12.2: Vectors

P12.3: Polar Coordinates

Course Information

How Distance Calculus Courses Work

HONORS Courses

Frequent Questions

Distance Calculus - Student Reviews

Cristian Mojica★★★★★

Posted: Jan 8, 2021

Courses Completed: Probability Theory

A fantastic course! I was able to complete it in about half a year (with a few gaps) alongside other coursework I was completing. There are no deadlines except the one-year mark after registering, so you work at your own rate and schedule.

Probability Theory is required for me to apply to Master's programs in Statistics, so I was glad when I found Distance Calculus. While the course was slightly less difficult than I originally expected, there were parts that definitely slowed me down and made me think. (Also, although calculus is not everywhere in the course, it is everywhere in normal and exponential variables and beyond, so make sure to review derivatives and integrals (single and double)!) I used Mathematica for my software, and it helped speed along calculations and proved to be the perfect stage and tool for this material. I think visual learners will absolutely revel in how the material is presented in this course. (I know I did!) As there is plenty of writing and calculation to do, you have many opportunities to develop and strengthen your voice as a mathematician. The modern format of 80% electronic notebook work and 20% handwritten work is an excellent mixture for studying probability theory and grasping its core ideas. Dr. Curtis is clear in his answers to any questions and concerns you may have and is highly responsive to email and chat, and to responses you leave in your notebooks. He truly wants to help you and to see you succeed, and he is always on your side.

I highly recommend Probability Theory with Distance Calculus!

Email: comojica@ucdavis.edu

Louisa A.★★★★★

Posted: Dec 9, 2019

Courses Completed: Calculus I

My microeconomics class required college-level calculus as a prerequisite, and I didn't want to wait until next year to take the class. So, I took DC's Calculus I class over the summer, so I could register for econ when I got back to school this fall. I actually think I got more help taking the class online than I would have in the huge lecture classes here. Prof. Curtis was really clear in explaining concepts and talking me through the topics that I was having trouble with. It took me about 10 weeks to finish the class, which didn't seem too long and didn't feel rushed. My friends who are in calculus now, trying to finish the prereq, are pretty jealous!

Chester F.★★★★☆

Posted: May 21, 2020

Courses Completed: Calculus I, Calculus II

I did not enjoy Calculus I at my school. I retook Calculus I, and then Calculus II, over the summer via Distance Calculus and it was awesome. I started my sophomore year back on track and ready for my physics classes. I struggled with the MathLive software but I guess it was alright.

Transferred Credits To: University of North Carolina

Henry F.★★★★★

Posted: Dec 18, 2025

Courses Completed: Differential Equations

Transferred Credits To: Saint Joseph High School

John ★★★★★

Posted: Nov 20, 2025

Courses Completed: Precalculus, Applied Calculus

Great course. Professor Curtis and the TAs graded quickly and gave really helpful feedback that made the class feel smooth and manageable. Definitely recommend it.

Transferred Credits To: Binghamton University (School of Managment)

Trevor★★★★★

Posted: Jun 19, 2025

Courses Completed: Calculus I

POSITIVES:
One of the best math classes I have ever taken. The lessons made the failures of my previous professors very apparent. In a few short minutes, things that I used to struggle with just clicked. This professor is top notch and really wants you to understand how to use the material.
NEGATIVES:
The SOFTWARE is extremely frustrating. Even after taking the time to learn, there are countless glitches. You learn to work around them, and overall, the software makes the math convenient, but its failures are sorely felt throughout the course. Make sure you save often as it crashes regularly, especially with graphs.
The assignments are easy enough but some of them don't line up with the taught material. Be prepared to do some of your own independent research to get a deeper understanding of why things are the way they are.

Transferred Credits To: US Army