# Boston University MA 124 Calculus 2: Topics and Practice

> A study guide for Boston University CAS MA 124 Calculus 2: log, exponential and trig functions, integration methods, series and Taylor's series.

Source: https://practicecalculus.com/courses/boston-university-ma-124
Updated: 2026-11-08

## At a glance

- **Course code:** CAS MA 124
- **Units:** 4
- **Offered:** Fall and spring (sections listed for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027)
- **Prerequisites:** CAS MA 121 or CAS MA 123
- **Covers:** Logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric functions; sequences and series; Taylor's series with the remainder; methods of integration
- **Next course:** CAS MA 225 (Multivariate Calculus) or CAS MA 230 (Honors-Level Vector Calculus)
- **Practice here:** [Calculus 2](/learn/calculus-2)

## Key takeaways

- CAS MA 124 is Boston University's Calculus 2, a 4-unit course offered in fall and spring.
- It covers logarithmic, exponential and trig functions, methods of integration, sequences and series, and Taylor's series with the remainder.
- The prerequisite is CAS MA 121 or MA 123.
- Students may receive credit for only one of CAS MA 122, MA 124 or MA 129.

**Boston University CAS MA 124**, Calculus 2, completes BU's introduction to the calculus of one variable. The course page says that Calculus I and II together are an introduction to calculus of a function of a single real variable. MA 124 adds the transcendental functions in depth, methods of integration, and series. This guide maps each topic to free practice with instant feedback.

## What MA 124 covers

The BU course page lists four topics: logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric functions; sequences and series; Taylor's series with the remainder; and methods of integration. The prerequisite is CAS MA 121 or MA 123, and the course carries 4 units. Students may receive credit for only one of CAS MA 122, MA 124 or MA 129.

MA 124 fulfills one BU Hub unit each in Quantitative Reasoning II, Scientific Inquiry II and Critical Thinking. Sections are listed for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, and the Fall 2026 notes ask students to reserve Thursday evenings, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, for exams and to register for a discussion section.

## MA 124 topic map

| MA 124 topic | Practice | Read |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Logarithmic functions | [Exponentials and logs](/learn/calculus-1/functions-warmup/exponentials-and-logs) | [Natural logarithm](/functions/natural-logarithm) |
| Exponential functions | [Exponential and log derivatives](/learn/calculus-1/derivative-rules/exponential-and-log-derivatives) | [Derivatives of exponential and log functions](/blog/derivatives-of-exponential-and-logarithmic-functions) |
| Trigonometric and inverse trig functions | [Inverse trig derivatives](/learn/calculus-1/derivative-rules/inverse-trig-derivatives) | [Arctangent](/functions/arctangent) |
| Substitution | [U-substitution refresher](/learn/calculus-2/integration-techniques/u-substitution-refresher) | [U-substitution](/blog/u-substitution) |
| Integration by parts | [Integration by parts](/learn/calculus-2/integration-techniques/integration-by-parts) | [Integration by parts guide](/blog/integration-by-parts) |
| Trig integrals and substitution | [Trig integrals](/learn/calculus-2/integration-techniques/trig-integrals) | [Trig substitution guide](/blog/trig-substitution) |
| Partial fractions | [Partial fractions](/learn/calculus-2/integration-techniques/partial-fractions) | [Partial fractions guide](/blog/partial-fractions) |
| Sequences | [Sequences](/learn/calculus-2/sequences-and-series/sequences) | [Limits at infinity](/blog/limits-at-infinity) |
| Series and convergence | [Comparison tests](/learn/calculus-2/sequences-and-series/comparison-tests) | [Convergence tests](/blog/convergence-tests) |
| Power series | [Power series and radius](/learn/calculus-2/power-series-parametric-polar/power-series-and-radius) | [Power series](/blog/power-series) |
| Taylor's series | [Maclaurin series](/learn/calculus-2/power-series-parametric-polar/maclaurin-series) | [Taylor series](/blog/taylor-series) |
| The remainder | [Estimating with Taylor](/learn/calculus-2/power-series-parametric-polar/estimating-with-taylor) | [Taylor's theorem](/theorems/taylors-theorem) |

## How MA 124 differs from other Calculus 2 courses

Two things stand out in the BU description. First, logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric functions are listed as a topic of their own, so expect to revisit them carefully, including their inverses, before using them in integration. Second, the description does not mention parametric equations or polar coordinates, which many Calculus 2 courses include. Check your syllabus, but plan to spend most of your energy on integration methods and series.

## Example problems at the MA 124 level

**1. An exponential integral.**

$$\int x e^{-x}\,dx = -xe^{-x} - e^{-x} + C$$

**2. A ratio test.** For $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{n!}{n^n}$, the ratio $\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} = \left(\frac{n}{n+1}\right)^n \to \frac{1}{e} < 1$, so the series converges.

**3. Taylor's series with the remainder.** Using $e^x \approx 1 + x + \frac{x^2}{2}$ at $x = 0.2$ gives $1.22$. The remainder is at most $\frac{e^{0.2}(0.2)^3}{6} < 0.002$.

## How to do well in MA 124

- **Rebuild your function toolkit first.** Logs, exponentials and inverse trig appear everywhere, so revisit them in week one.
- **Practice choosing a method.** The [choosing a strategy](/learn/calculus-2/integration-techniques/choosing-a-strategy) lesson trains the decision that exams test.
- **Learn the series tests together.** [Choosing a test](/learn/calculus-2/sequences-and-series/choosing-a-test) helps you see which test fits which series.
- **Plan around evening exams.** Space your review across the week before each Thursday exam instead of cramming.

When you finish, see the [MA 225 guide](/courses/boston-university-ma-225) for multivariate calculus.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is BU CAS MA 124?

CAS MA 124 is Calculus 2 at Boston University: logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric functions, sequences and series, Taylor's series with the remainder, and methods of integration.

### What are the prerequisites for MA 124?

CAS MA 121 or CAS MA 123.

### Can I take both MA 124 and MA 129?

No. BU lets students receive credit for only one of CAS MA 122, MA 124 or MA 129.

### Which BU Hub areas does MA 124 fulfill?

Since Fall 2020, one unit each in Quantitative Reasoning II, Scientific Inquiry II and Critical Thinking.

### What comes after MA 124?

CAS MA 225, Multivariate Calculus, or CAS MA 230, Honors-Level Vector Calculus. Both list MA 124 or MA 129 as the prerequisite.