The Business Calculus GMTA

The business calculus teaching experience is uniquein many ways. In particular, it is a class that istypically taught in the mathematics department bymathematics instructors who never took such a courseprior to teaching it. Because of this nuance,business calculus is perceived to be a difficultclass to teach. This study compares the beliefs andteaching practices of two experienced GraduateMathematics Teaching Assistants (GMTAs) as they teachbusiness calculus for the first time. In addition, administration are interviewed regarding the course itself, perceptions about the course, and those affected by the course. Finally, comparisons are made between the two GMTAs and inferences are drawn based on their experiences. Furthermore, recommendations are made regarding the BusinessCalculus Program. In particular ideas are presentedas to how the Mathematics Department could assistGMTAs with teaching this course. In addition,thoughts are presented as to how the Department couldassist in correcting misconceptions about the course,its purpose, and the positive aspects related to teaching and taking the course.