Skip to main content

Upper Division Mathematics: Computational Differential Geometry

Differential Geometry is the study of curves and surfaces in 2D, 3D, and higher dimensions - the higher-dimensional objects being ones we can't really see too well without first projecting them down into 3D or 2D.

We study curves first - one-dimensional objects living in either 2D or 3D. Differential Geometry uses the derivative to analyze how a curve moves, how to classify it, and how to understand its structure by analyzing how its derivatives change. After a thorough study of curves, we move to surfaces in 3D - and sometimes higher-dimensional surfaces that require a projection down into 3D to visualize.

This is different from Algebraic Geometry, which doesn't really engage the derivative - it stays in the algebraic realm, asking different questions. But as you can see from the animations below, the subject is very rich in visual wonder.

Explore these videos below, along with the rest of the course description, and see if Differential Geometry should be the course you take after Multivariable Calculus.

Double Torus (Genus 2)
Torus


Bumpy Surface
Course
DMAT 451 - Computational Differential Geometry
Credits
4 Semester Credit Hours
Delivery
Fully Online, Asynchronous, Self-Paced
Schwarz Minimal Surface

RWU Course Catalog - DMAT 451 • Computational Differential Geometry
Course
DMAT 451
Course Title
Computational Differential Geometry
Transcript Title
Differential Geometry
Credits
4 Semester Credit Hours
Description
A first course in differential geometry from a computational and graphical standpoint. Topics include a comprehensive study of curves and surfaces with emphasis on exploring a catalog of named geometrical objects, curvature and other metrics, orientable, non-orientable, ruled, and minimal surface, culminating with an introduction to the Gauss-Bonnet Theorem.
Prerequisite
Successful completion (C- or higher) of Multivariable Calculus or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
E-Textbook
Differential Geometry of Curves and Surfaces using Mathematica, 3rd Edition, by Gray et al.
Software
LiveMath & Mathematica

DMAT 451 - Learning Outcomes

  1. To use computer graphing tools to visualize 2D and 3D curves and surfaces
  2. To understand and compute various metrics about parametric and non-parametric curves and surfaces
  3. To understand and compute the key concept of curvature, and understand its relationship to derivatives and differential equations
  4. To understand the role of motions in geometry
  5. To understand and compute the Frenet frames for curves
  6. To understand and compute the concept of the derivative for vector fields
  7. To understand and compute the local Gauss map for surfaces
  8. To understand and compute the concept of orientability of surfaces
  9. To understand and compute Gaussian and Mean curvature
  10. To understand and compute Ruled and Minimal Surfaces
  11. To be introduced to the Gauss-Bonnet theorem

DMAT 451 - Syllabus of Topics

1. Getting Started
1.1 Email and Chat
1.2 Learning About the Course
1.3 Required Hardware
1.4 Software Fundamentals
2. Curves
2.1 Euclidean Spaces
2.2 2D and 3D Parametric Curves
2.3 Arclength
2.4 Curvature vs. Derivative
2.5 Angles
2.6 Catalog of Famous Curves
3. Alternative Ways of Plotting Curves
3.1 Implicit Curves
3.2 Contour Plots
3.3 Polar Coordinates
3.4 New Curves from Old
4. Solving Curvature Equations
4.1 Euclidean Motions
4.2 Intrinsic Equations
4.3 Assigned Curvature
5. Global Properties of Plane Curves
5.1 Total Signed Curvature
5.2 Turning Numbers
5.3 Rotation Index
5.4 Convexity
5.5 Constant Width
5.6 Support Functions
6. Space Curves
6.1 Tangent, Normal, Binormal Frames
6.2 Curvature and Torsion
6.3 Frenet Formulas
6.4 Arbitrary Speed Curves
6.5 Tubes and Tori
7. Fundamental Theorem of Space Curves
7.1 Assigned Curvature and Torsion
7.2 Contact
7.3 Curves That Lie on a Sphere
7.4 Curves of Constant Slope
8. Calculus of Euclidean Space
8.1 Tangent Vectors and Directional Derivatives
8.2 Tangential Maps
8.3 Vector Fields
8.4 Derivatives of Vector Fields
9. Surfaces in Euclidean Space
9.1 Patches
9.2 Local Gauss Map
9.3 Regular Surfaces
9.4 Level Surfaces
9.5 Catalog of Famous Surfaces
10. Non-Orientable Surfaces
10.1 Orientability
10.2 Mobius Strip and Klein Bottle
10.3 Projective Planes
11. Surface Metrics
11.1 Distance
11.2 Isometries
11.3 Conformal Maps
11.4 Gaussian and Mean Curvature
11.5 Non-Parametrically-Defined Surfaces
12. Ruled and Other Surfaces
12.1 Examples
12.2 Curvature
12.3 Surfaces of Revolution
12.4 Examples of Minimal Surfaces
Gyroid Minimal Surface

Distance Calculus Referenced Colleges & Universities (29 Years - 393+ Institutions)

Distance Calculus students have transferred course credits to these colleges and universities:

Agnes Scott College • Aiken Technical College • Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Science • Alma College • American Graduate University • American Public University • American University • Andrews University • Arizona State University • Armstrong Atlantic State Univeristy • Athens State University • Auburn University • Auburn University MBA Program • Augusta State University • Austin Peay State University • Azusa Pacific University • Babson College • Baruch College • Baylor University • Belmont University • Beloit College • Bentley University • Berklee College of Music • Berry College • Bethany College • Binghamton University • Bloomsburg University • Bluefield State College • Bluegrass Community and Technical College • Borough of Manhattan Community College • Boston Conservatory • Boston University • Bryant University • Buena Vista University • California Lutheran University • California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo • California state University • California State University Channel Islands • California State University, Dominguez Hills • California State University, Sacramento • Carleton College • Carnegie Mellon University • Cedarville University • Central Michigan University • Central Washington University • Champlain College • Chapman University • Charter Oak State College • Chicago State University • Clark University • Clarkson University • Clemson University • Cleveland State University • Coastal Carolina University • College of Santa Fe • College of William & Mary • Colorado Mesa University • Colorado State University • Columbia University • Columbia University School of Business • Cornell Univeristy • Cornell University • Covenant College • CUNY Medgar Evers College • Denison University • DePaul University • Drexel University • Duke University - Fuqua School of Business • Duke University School of Law • Duke University, Durham NC • Duke University, Fuqua School of Business, Law School, Graduate Programs • East Stroudsburg University • Eastern Illinois University • Eastern Kentucky University • Eastern Mennonite University • Eastern Nazarene College • Elon University • Embry Riddle Aeronautical University • Embry Riddle University • Endicott College • Evangel University • Excelsior College • Fairifield University • Fairleigh Dickenson University • Ferris State University • Florida A & M University • Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University • Florida Atlantic University • Florida Institute of Technology • Florida International University • Florida State College, Jacksonville • Florida State University • Fordham University • Fox Valley Technical College • Franklin University • Freed-Hardamen University • Fresno State University • Friends University • Gannon University • George Mason university • George Washington University • George Washington University School of Business • Georgetown University • Georgia Institute of Technology • Georgia State • Georgia State University • Georgia Tech • Gordon College • Governor's State University • Green Mountain College • Griffith University • Grinnell College • Grove City College • Hamline University • Hampshire College • Hampton University • Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government • Harvard University: Kennedy School of Government, Medical Schools • Hillsdale College • Hillsdale University • Hiram College • Hofstra University • Howard University • Huntingdon College • Illinois Institute for Technology • Illinois Institute of Technology • Indiana University • Iowa State University • Jacksonville State University • James Madison University • Jeff State Community College • Johns Hopkins Univerisity • Johns Hopkins University • Kalamazoo College • Kansas State University • Kaplan University • Kennesaw State University • Kentucky State University • Kettering University • Kings College, University of London • La Sierra University • Lebanon Valley College • Lee University • LeTourneau University • Liberty University • Lincoln University of Pennsylvania • Lipscomb University • Loma Linda University • London School of Economics • Loyola Marymount University • Luther College • Macon State College • Marian University • Marquette University • Mars Hill College • Marshall University • Mary Baldwin College • Massachusetts Maritime Academy • McHenry County College • Mercer University • Mercyhurst College • Meredith College • Mesa State College • Messiah College • Miami University • Michigan State University • Michigan Technological University • Middle Tennessee State University • Middlebury College • Millersville University • Missouri University of Science and Technology • Montana State University • Montana Tech • Montclair University • Morehead State University • Murray State University • Naval Post Graduate School • New Mexico Military Institute • New Mexico State University • New York University • North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State Univerisity • Northeastern University • Northern Arizona University • Northern Michigan University • Northwest Nazarene University • Northwestern University • Oberlin College • Occidental College • Oglethorpe University • Oklahoma Baptist University • Old Dominion University • Olympic College • Orange Coast College • Oregon State University • Pacific Lutheran University • Penn State University • Pennsylvania State University • Pepperdine University • Pomona College • Portland State University • Princeton University • Purdue University • Quinnipiac University • Randolph-Macon College • Regent University • Regis University • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Rhode Island School of Design • Rice University • Robert Morris University • Rochester Institute of Technology • Roger Williams Univerity • Roger Williams University • Roosevelt University • Rowan University • Rutgers University • Saint Anselm College • Saint Joseph's University • Saint Louis University • Saint Michael's College • Salve Regina University • Samford University • San Diego State University • Santa Fe Community College • Shepherd University • Smith College • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology • Southern Adventist University • Southern Methodist University • St. Anselm College • St. John's College • St. Mary's College of Maryland • Stanford University • Stanford University, MBA • State University at Buffalo Law School • State University at Buffalo, Law School • State University of New York • Stevens Institute of Technology • Strayer University • SUNY Binghamton • Swarthmore College • Syracuse University • Texas A&M University • Texas A&M • Texas A&M University • Texas Tech University • The Art Institute of Atlanta • The Catholic University of America • The Citadel • The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina • The College of New Jersey • The College of St. Scholastica • The George Washington University • The Master's College • The New England Institute of Art • The Ohio State Universtity • The University of Alabama • The University of South Carolina • The University of Texas at Austin • The University of Virginia • Thomas Edison State College • Trinity University • TUI University • Tulane University • Union University • United States Air Force Academy • United States Military Academy • Univeristy of Puget Sound • University of Alabama, Huntsville • University of Arizona • University of Arkansas, Little Rock • University of Auckland, New Zealand • University of California, Berkeley • University of California, Los Angeles • University of California, Santa Barbara • University of California, Santa Cruz • University of Central Florida • University of Central Oklahoma • University of Central Texas • University of Chicago • University of Cincinnati • University of Colorado • University of Colorado, Boulder • University of Colorado,Colorado Springs • University of Connecticut • University of Dallas • University of Findlay • University of Florida • University of Georgia • University of Hartford • University of Hawai'i-Manoa • University of Illinois • University of Kentucky • University of La Verne • University of Maine • University of Maryland • University of Massachusetts • University of Massachusetts, Amherst • University of Memphis • University of Michigan • University of Michigan: MBA, Medical Schools, Graduate Programs • University of Minnesota • University of Minnesota, School of Public Health • University of Minnesota, Twin Cities • University of Minnesota-Twin Cities • University of Mississippi • University of Missouri • University of Missouri, Columbia • University of Montana • University Of Mount Union • University of Nebraska • University of Nevada • University of New Hampshire Law School • University of New Haven • University of New Orleans • University of North Carolina • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill • University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill • University of North Carolina, MBA • University of North Dakota • University of North Texas • University of Northern Iowa • University of Notre Dame • University of Oklahoma • University of Otago • University of Pennsylvania • University of Pennsylvania Architectural School • University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business • University of Phoenix • University of Pittsburgh • University of Portland • University of Redlands • University of Richmond • University of San Francisco • University of South Carolina • University of Southern California • University of Southern Indiana • University of Sussex • University of Tampa • University of Tennessee • University of Texas • University of Texas at Austin • University of Texas, Arlington • University of Texas, Austin • University of Texas, Brownsville • University of Texas, Dallas • University of Texas, Houston • University of Utah • University of Virginia • University of Warwick • University of West Alabama • University of West Florida • University of West Georgia • University of Wisconsin • University of Wisconsin, Madison • University of Wyoming • University West Florida • US Air Force Academy • Utah State University • Utah Valley University • Valdosta State University • Valley Forge Military College • Vanderbilt University • Villanova University • Virginia Military Institute • Virginia Tech • Walla Walla University • Washing State University • Washington and Lee University • Washington State University • Webster University • West Chester University • West Virginia University • West Virginia Wesleyan College • Western Governors University • Western Kentucky University • Western Michigan University • Westminster College • Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania • Wheaton College • Wheaton College (IL) • Wheaton College Illinois • Whitman College • Whittier College • Widener University • William and Mary • William Jewell College • Winthrop University • Woodbury University • Wright State University • Yale University • Yeshiva University • Yonsei University
Scherk's Fifth Surface





Distance Calculus - Student Reviews

James Holland★★★★★
Posted: May 3, 2018
Courses Completed: Calculus I, Calculus II
I needed to finish the Business Calculus course very very very fast before my MBA degree at Wharton started. With the AWESOME help of Diane, I finished the course in about 3 weeks, allowing me to start Wharton on time. Thanks Diane!
Transferred Credits To: Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
Quinn M.★★★★★
Posted: May 17, 2025
Courses Completed: Linear Algebra
Online learning for math is certainly a different way of learning than most are used to in school - However, Distance Calculus does a great job of providing valuable feedback and tips on each assignment, and the professor is always available for detailed instruction and help. Tools like Mathematica provide an environment for learning with a lot more freedom and opportunity for exploration of concepts than the regular classroom setting.
Transferred Credits To: Chaminade University of Honolulu
Howard B.★★★★★
Posted: May 17, 2025
Courses Completed: Applied Calculus
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
Lucas L.★★★★★
Posted: Jun 25, 2026
Courses Completed: Multivariable Calculus
The professor as well as the TAs give great feedback when you need help with problems and the videos are great at explaining concepts. Return time on work is good and the work is not too much to handle.
Transferred Credits To: University of Wisconsin
Hari K.★★★★
Posted: Jun 24, 2026
Courses Completed: Linear Algebra
This course gives a perspective on Linear algebra that no traditional course does. I’d say i gained much more intuition for this subject from the DC course than my friends who took traditional courses elsewhere. As a cs major, this version of learning with visualization has helped me a lot in understand ML models. However the course doesn’t have videos for the last 2 chapers so i had to self learn with the mathematica notebooks. Response times are a little slow but since it’s a remote class, i guess it’s justified. Overall amazing course and definitely take this over traditional lin alg classes.
Julia★★★★★
Posted: Jun 24, 2026
Courses Completed: Calculus I
As a full-time business owner completing an Executive MBA, I needed to satisfy a calculus prerequisite without putting my work on hold. Distance Calculus made that possible. The fully self-paced structure let me work early mornings and weekends around an unpredictable schedule, which a fixed-semester classroom course never would have allowed.
The course covered the core business calculus material thoroughly — derivatives, optimization, integration techniques including u-substitution, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, improper integrals, and numerical methods. The LiveMath computer algebra environment was central to the experience: it forced me to build each step explicitly rather than just arriving at an answer, which actually deepened my understanding of the mechanics.
Communication through the student portal was responsive when I had questions. For working professionals who need a rigorous, accredited calculus course on a flexible timeline, I'd recommend it.
Transferred Credits To: MIT Ebma
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Prerequisites for the Differential Geometry Course?

Yes, you need to have completed Multivariable Calculus with a grade of C- or higher, and it is a very good idea if you have completed the other Sophomore-level courses as well.

Is the Differential Geometry Course Computer-Based?

Yes, we will study a truly wonderful textbook entitled Differential Geometry of Curves and Surfaces using Mathematica, and almost all of the coursework will be in Mathematica.

Is the Differential Geometry Difficult?

Yes, Differential Geometry is a challenging course, usually reserved for the junior or senior undergraduate university level. By using Mathematica, the visualization of the subject will be made easier, but the hard mathematics are the same difficulty.

Is Differential Geometry in the lower-division Calculus sequence?

No, Differential Geometry is a junior or senior undergraduate university level course. It is a good preparation course for Real Analysis.

Will the Differential Geometry course transfer to my university?

You need to ask your university that question! See the instructions on the Transferring Credits page.

Video Player