Interdisciplinary one-credit laboratory

MA 16290: The Data Science Labs on Calculus

Taking Calculus II? Add a weekly lab that connects calculus to Python programming, Jupyter notebooks, sensors, microprocessors, and real measurements.

Prerequisite: Differential calculus with a grade of C or better
Corequisite: MA 16200 or MA 16600 (Calculus II)
Programming: No previous programming course required
Format: Weekly face-to-face computer laboratory

Ultrasonic distance sensor, Raspberry Pi Pico, LEDs, and wiring on a breadboard — Students build an ultrasonic distance-measurement tool and use calculus and numerical methods to interpret its data.

Honors-contract option

Eligible students may use MA 16290 to support an honors contract in MA 16200 or MA 16600. College procedures and approval requirements apply; contact Prof. Kaitlyn Hood before submitting a contract.

What students do

Find heart rate and analyze blood-flow data from a photoplethysmography sensor.
Build and test an inclinometer with an accelerometer.
Study measurement error using limits, derivatives, and integrals.
Build a distance-measurement tool with an ultrasonic sensor and numerical differentiation.

Spring 2027 sections

MA 16290 meeting options
Section	CRN	Meeting	Location
003	19783	Tuesday, 6:00–8:50 PM	Brown Hall 215
004	23565	Thursday, 3:00–5:50 PM	Brown Hall 215

Schedule checked November 5, 2026. Purdue's live registration system is authoritative if details change.

Spring 2027 course overview Preview the textbook View a recent syllabus