Skip to main content

Online Calculus Course for Credit

Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University offers calculus-level courses for real academic credits - not 'certificate' or other types of course achievement measurements that are commonly found today with MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) like Coursera, Udemy, edX, and others.

When you complete a calculus-level course, it is important that you are able to provide to other schools, universities, colleges, employers, and graduate programs, that you actually completed a university-level calculus course - not just engaged a MOOC course.

Whatever your academic goal, likely you are looking to earn real academic college credits that you can show on an Official Academic Transcript from a regionally accredited university, the highest level of accreditation in the U.S.

MOOC courses are great. Khan Academy, Udemy, edX, Coursera - all of these are excellent resources, but they do not offer real academic credits nor real academic transcripts for course completion. You may learn a lot in these courses, but the end result is not an official academic transcript.

X Here is a video about earning real academic credits from Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University:

Academic Credit for Courses in the U.S. is the distinction between an accredited college or university, and something less that accredited. If you are investigating academic Calculus programs online to complete your Calculus course work, you will likely be told by your college or university that any incoming transfer credits must come from an accredited college or university program.

The Distance Calculus program is part of Roger Williams University - University College - a fully regionally-accredited university in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Credit for Courses completed through Distance Calculus are real college credits from Roger Williams University.

The online classes offered from Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University are asynchronous - self-paced - there are no fixed meeting times, no zoom meeting to attend, and you have 1 year to complete your course from the date of your enrollment. You may want to complete one of these online classes quickly - in a matter of weeks if you have a challenging deadline to meet - or take your time as your work/life schedule allows, and complete one of these online courses at a more relaxed pace, stopping and starting as you need to. This type of self-paced program is excellent for working adults.

Academic credit for courses from Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University may be transferred to both undergraduate and graduate programs - see our Transfering Credits page for more information on transferring these online classes to other institutions - either part of a university degree program for a bachelor's degree you may be enrolled in now, or planning to be enrolled in; also many students enrolled in Distance Calculus are earning academic credit for courses to be part of their graduate school applications to a graduate school university degree program. When you are applying to a graduate program, you are not doing a credit transfer per se, but rather including proof of completion of these Calculus courses to be part of your graduate school application. For baccalaureate students already enrolled in a a college or university, you will be doing an academic credit transfer - it is best to follow the advice on the Transfering Credits page. If you are high school or otherwise not yet enrolled in an undergraduate program, but planning to start in such a program, the academic credit transfer is easier to accomplish, with presentation of official official academic transcripts when you start your new undergraduate program. Many advanced high school students complete upper Distance Calculus courses with this credit transfer plan in mind.

The exam schedule for these online classes from Distance Calculus are scheduled with the instructor at your convenience, once you have completed all of the course work. Many students in Distance Calculus will have their final exam sheduled on a Saturday, or Sunday, or in the evening. During COVID-19, all proctored final exams are completed over Skype video with the instructor.

Below are the list of course topics for the core Calculus courses for Distance Calculus that outline the principles of calculus that are explored in the Calculus I and Calculus II courses. Please see the links above for the other courses offered by Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University.

Course Description for Calculus I (Calculus 1)

  • Precalculus Review
    • Solving Simple Equations
      • Solving (easy) equations in 1 variable
      • What if you can't solve for x?
      • Finding solutions numerically
      • Finding solutions graphically
      • Solving equations of more than 1 variable
    • Functions
      • Functional notation
      • Data sets
      • Graphing functions
      • Data sets and smooth curves
      • Domain and Range
      • Algebraic combinations of functions
    • Linear Functions
      • Algebraic definition
      • Slope
      • Graphing linear functions by hand
      • Properties of linear functions
      • Linear data sets
    • Quadratic Functions
      • Algebraic definition
      • Graphing and Properties of Quadratic Functions
      • Solving quadratic equations algebraically:Factoring
      • Solving quadratic equations algebraically:Quadratic formula
      • Solving quadratic equations numerically and graphically
    • Power and Polynomial Functions
      • Algebraic definition
      • Graphing and Properties of Polynomial Functions
      • Solving polynomial equations algebraically: factoring
      • Solving polynomial equations numerically and graphically
      • Radicals and fractional exponents
    • Rational Polynomial Functions
      • Rational Polynomial Functions
      • Algebraic definition
      • Graphing and Properties of Rational Polynomial Functions
      • Solving rational polynomial equations algebraically: factoring
    • Exponential Functions
      • Algebraic definition
      • Graphing and Properties of Exponential Functions
      • Solving exponential equations numerically and graphically
      • Exponential Growth and Applications
      • Data sets and exponential functions
    • Logarithmic Functions
      • Inverse Functions
      • Algebraic Definition
      • Graphing and Properties of Logarithmic Functions
      • Solving exponential and logarithmic equations algebraically
      • Solving logarithmic equations numerically and graphically
      • Logarithmic Growth and Applications
      • Data sets and logarithmic functions
    • Trigonometric Functions
      • Trigonometric Data
      • Periodicity
      • Amplitude, Phase Shift, Graphing Trigonometric Functions
      • Trigonometric Functions
      • Trigonometric Identities
  • Growth: Preparing for the Derivative
    • Growth of Linear Functions: Rate of Change
    • Growth of Power Functions: Rate of Change
    • Growth of Exponential Functions: Rate of Change
    • Dominance of Growth of Functions
    • Percentage Growth of Functions: Percentage Rate of Change
    • Global Scale: Infinite Limits
    • Data Functions and Interpolation
    • Approximation of Functions by Linear Functions
  • Continuity
    • Limits
    • Continuous Functions
    • Jump Discontinuities
    • Piecewise Functions and Continuity
    • Limit Rules
  • Exponential Functions and Natural Logarithms
    • e = Euler's Number
    • Natural Logarithm
    • Growth Analysis
    • Applications: Carbon Dating
    • Percentage Growth and Steady Growth of Exponential Functions
    • Data Functions and Logarithmic Analysis
    • Inverse Functions
    • Applications: Compound Interest and Finance
    • Applications: World Population
  • The Derivative of Polynomial, Exponential, Logarithmic, and Fractional Powers
    • Instantaneous Growth Rates
    • Definition of the Derivative
    • Computing the Derivative Graphically
    • Computing the Derivative Algebraically
    • Computing the Derivative Numerically
    • Average Growth Rate vs. Instantaneous Growth Rate
    • Applications of the Derivative: Spread of Disease
    • Finding Maxima and Minima of Functions
    • Relating a Function and Its Derivative
  • The Derivative of Polynomial, Exponential, Logarithmic, and Fractional Powers
    • Computing Derivatives
    • Sum, Difference, Product, Quotient Rule
    • Chain Rule
    • Logarithmic Differentiation
    • Instantaneous Percentage Growth
    • Growth Dominance
    • Applications: Linear Dimensions
    • Implicit Differentiation
  • Using Derivatives
    • Finding Maxima and Minima
    • Finding Good Representative Plots
    • Applications: Maximizing Volume
    • The Second Derivative
    • Applications: The Space Shuttle Challenger
    • Mean Value Theorem
  • Integration
    • Measuring Area Under a Curve
    • Definition of the Integral
    • Properties of Integrals, Symmetry
    • Integrals of Data Functions
    • Numerical Methods: Rectangles, Trapezoids
    • Undefined Integrals
    • Numerical Calculation of Integrals
  • Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
    • Derivative of an Integral
    • Integral of a Derivative
    • Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Formula
    • Distance, Velocity, and Acceleration
    • Improper Integrals
    • More Properties of Integrals
    • Applications: Measure Accumulation Totals
    • Indefinite Integrals and Antiderivatives
    • u-Substitution

Calculus II (Calculus 2) Course Description

  1. Integration
    1. Measuring Area Under a Curve
    2. Definition of the Integral
    3. Properties of Integrals, Symmetry
    4. Integrals of Data Functions
    5. Numerical Methods: Rectangles, Trapezoids
    6. Undefined Integrals
    7. Numerical Methods: Rectangles, Trapezoids
    8. Numerical Calculation of Integrals
  2. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
    1. Derivative of an Integral
    2. Integral of a Derivative
    3. Fundamental Formula
    4. Distance, Velocity, and Acceleration
    5. Improper Integrals
    6. More Properties of Integrals
    7. Applications: Measure Accumulation Totals
    8. Indefinite Integrals and Antiderivatives
  3. Measurements via Slicing
    1. Measuring Area via Slicing
    2. Measuring Volume via Slicing
    3. Density and Mass
    4. Accumulation of Rates
    5. Arc Length
  4. Computing Integrals
    1. Algebraic Antiderivatives
    2. Integrals of Standard Functions: Polynomial, Exponential, Trigonometric, Logarithmic
    3. Transforming Integrals: u-substitution
    4. Measuring Area under Parametric Curves
    5. Integrals of Polar Functions
  5. Measurements via Slicing
    1. Measuring Area via Slicing
    2. Measuring Volume via Slicing
    3. Density and Mass
    4. Accumulation and Rates
    5. Arc Length
  6. Double Integrals
    1. Measuring Area and Volume
    2. Gauss-Green Formula
    3. Changing Order of Iterated Integrals
  7. Integration Techniques
    1. Separable Differential Equations
    2. Integration By Parts
    3. DeMoivre's Theorem
    4. Integration Patterns and Reduction Formulas
    5. Partial Fractions Technique
    6. Trigonometric Integrals
    7. Trigonometric Substitution
    8. Integration via Differentiation Technique
  8. Taylor's Expansion of a Function
    1. Splines and Smooth Splines
    2. Points of Contact
    3. Application: Landing an Airplane
    4. Taylor Expansion
    5. Recognizing Familiar Expansions
    6. Using Expansions for Approximations
    7. Derivatives and Integrals of Expansions
    8. Expansions At Other Points
    9. Newton's Method
    10. Calculating Limits: L'Hopital's Rule
    11. Expansions and Solving Differential Equations
    12. Complex Exponentials
    13. Euler, Midpoint, Runge-Kutta Integral Estimates
  9. Sequences and Series
    1. Sequences of Numbers
    2. Series of Numbers
    3. Convergence
    4. Convergence of Taylor Expansions
    5. Barriers: Radius of Convergence
    6. Shared Convergence Intervals for Derivatives and Integrals of Functions
    7. Applications: Drug Dosing
  10. Power Series
    1. Basic Definition
    2. Solutions of Differential Equations
    3. Convergence Intervals of Power Series
    4. Ratio Test
    5. Finding Series Convergence Values via Power and Taylor Series
  11. Polar Coordinates
    1. Basic Graphing
    2. Recognizable Curves
    3. Differentiation and Integration in Polar Coordinates
  12. Vector Analysis
    1. Vector Arithmetic
    2. Dot Product, Cross Product
    3. Planes



 





Distance Calculus - Student Reviews

Laura T.★★★★★
Posted: May 18, 2025
Courses Completed: Linear Algebra
I completed the Linear Algebra course as a prerequisite to an M.Ed program in Mathematics. I worked entirely at my own pace, it was cheap, I actually learned the material. This was not a "pay your fee, take your B" type of class. I had to demonstrate true understanding in order to earn credit. Dr. Curtis was responsive and helpful when I had questions. All in all I would recommend this course and any other Distance Calculus course.
Transferred Credits To: James Madison University
Rachel H.★★★★★
Posted: Jan 15, 2021
Courses Completed: Probability Theory
Dr. Curtis gave helpful and timely feedback, and made the teaching videos very engaging! The course model and associated software was easy to acclimate to.
Transferred Credits To: Cedarville University
Jessica M.★★★★★
Posted: Feb 25, 2020
Courses Completed: Applied Calculus
I highly recommend this course. I started the Kennedy School at Harvard with a last-minute admission, but my application required the Liberal Arts calculus course, so I had to finish the course in 3 weeks. Diane was an awesome instructor! The class was surprisingly interesting. If you need to take calculus fast, this is the program to use.
Transferred Credits To: Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
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
Video Player