University of North Dakota Online Calculus versus Distance Calculus
Another Calculus online program available on the internet is from the University of North Dakota (UND).UND's Calculus online program is quite different than Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University.
As reported by former UND Calculus course students, the UND Calculus course is centered on using a traditional paper textbook, having the student work through the textbook problems, and utilize the Calculus videos from Khan Academy to supplement the textbook.
In contrast, Distance Calculus is quite a different course in so many ways! Our video library of instructions is tied DIRECTLY to our own curriculum (Calculus&LiveMath), and using a computer algebra graphing software (LiveMath) as the cornerstone of the coursework platform, quite unlike a regular paper Calculus textbook. We use our own course management system (CMS), which is not Moodle nor Blackboard nor any of the other CMS's you may have had contact with previously.
For many students, a paper-textbook-centered course structure may work for them. If you are good at reading a paper textbook, working through the textbook problems, and watching Khan Academy videos to help out, then UND's course may be a very good choice for you.
UND's Calculus I (Math 165) course is less expensive (tuition: $1368) than Distance Calculus Calculus I (tuition: $1782 + e-text/software $115). So if you are looking for the lowest price course, UND is the less expensive option.
Distance Calculus is designed to facilitate tremendous interaction between student and instructor via the exchange of these LiveMath (and Mathematica for the higher courses) notebooks, back and forth, back and forth, until the student work is 100% correct and complete. Explore below in more detail (in video format) the Distance Calculus courses, and write us if you have any questions!
Student interaction with the instructor(s) is via this computer algebra notebook exchange, but also on sharing screen-cast recorded movies back and forth, which solves many "I'm stuck and writing out my question is not working out!", and then also real-time chat back and forth with the instructor(s) on Skype chat.
Is Distance Calculus For You?
Distance Calculus Success Indicators
Distance Calculus - Student Reviews
Date Posted: Feb 19, 2020
Review by: Rebecca Johnson
Courses Completed: Applied Calculus
Review: I took the Business Calculus course from Distance Calculus in 2013. I was admitted to my MBA program, but then they told me I needed to take Calculus before starting the program. I finished the Business Calculus course in about 3 weeks in August before my program started. Not the most fun thing to do over the summer, but at least I got it done. Thanks Diane and Distance Calculus team!
Transferred Credits to: Kellogg MBA Program
Date Posted: May 17, 2025
Review by: Howard B.
Courses Completed: Applied Calculus
Review: I truly loved this class—it's one of the most enjoyable math courses I’ve ever taken. Pros: -- Exceptional Instruction and Support: Dr. Curtis was incredibly responsive and helpful whenever I had questions. The TA was also very supportive, and thanks to their guidance, I was proud to earn a 100% in the course—even without having taken pre-calculus beforehand. -- Innovative Software Platform: The custom software used in the course made a huge difference for me. I found it intuitive and engaging, and it helped reinforce the concepts in a way traditional textbooks never did. -- Thorough, Rigorous Curriculum: The structure of the course really pushed me to stay organized and plan ahead. I felt like I was being challenged in all the right ways. Potential Considerations for Others: -- Requires Strong Time Management: If you haven’t taken pre-calc, like me, you’ll need to be extra proactive. The course can move quickly if you need, and pacing yourself is essential. -- Software Learning Curve: While I personally loved the software, students who aren’t comfortable adapting to new digital tools might need a bit of extra time upfront to get used to it. -- Helpful to Have Supplementary Resources: One improvement might be to offer a short list of "starter resources" (videos, concept overviews, etc.) for students who need a broader intro to calculus before diving in. Overall, I highly recommend this course to motivated students, especially those comfortable with self-paced learning and open to using new tools. Dr. Curtis is a fantastic instructor, and the course setup really works.
Transferred Credits to: MIT
Date Posted: Jan 13, 2020
Review by: Joe
Courses Completed: Calculus II
Review: This is the most interactive and productive online course I have ever taken. I had taken calculus before but never understood some of the underlying concepts until I took this course. If you want to really learn calculus in a way that will stay with you for the rest of your life, take this course.
Transferred Credits to: The college of New Jersey
Distance Calculus - Curriculum Exploration
Functions
- P2: Functions:
- P2.1: What is a Function?
- P2.1.a: Notation
- P2.1.b: Data Sets & Functional Notation
- P2.1.c: More Data Sets
- P2.1.d: When is a Data Set NOT a Function?
- P2.1.e: Algebraic Formulae
- P2.1.f: Massachusetts Lunatics
- P2.1.g: Hurricane Katrina Data
- P2.1.h: Formal Definition of Function
- P2.1.i: Homework Problems
- P2.2: Graphing Data Functions
- P2.2.a: Input vs. Output
- P2.2.b: Graphing Data in LiveMath Manually
- P2.2.c: Graphing Multiple Data Sets
- P2.2.d: Graphing 3D Data
- P2.2.e: Not a Function?
- P2.3: Functions from Algebraic Formulae
- P2.3.a: Generating Data
- P2.3.b: Graphing Generated Data
- P2.3.c: Increasing Resolution
- P2.3.d: Smooth Curves
- P2.3.e: Graphing Without Data
- P2.3.f: Graph Multiple Functions Together
- P2.3.g: Functions in 3D
- P2.4: Bad Inputs?
- P2.4.a: Undefined Input Values
- P2.4.b: All Good Input Values = Domain
- P2.4.c: All Realized Output Values = Range
- P2.5: Combinations of Functions
- P2.5.a: Add, Subtract Functions
- P2.5.b: Multiply Functions
- P2.5.c: Divide Functions
- P2.5.d: Abstract Substitution
- P2.5.e: Composition of Functions
- P2.6: Functions Without Algebraic Formulae
Course Information
Frequent Questions
