Math 111 A&B Autumn 2012 FAQ
LECTURES
Q: Is attendance at lectures required?
A: No. But attendance is strongly recommended. It will be much easier to succeed in this course if you attend all class sessions (including lectures and quiz sections) ready to participate fully. You are responsible for knowing about what goes on in class, whether or not you attend.
A: No. But attendance is strongly recommended. It will be much easier to succeed in this course if you attend all class sessions (including lectures and quiz sections) ready to participate fully. You are responsible for knowing about what goes on in class, whether or not you attend.
Q: What should I do if I have to miss a lecture?
A: Ask one of your colleagues if you may copy his/her notes and check the course discussion board for any announcements. Copy your colleagues notes (by hand, preferably) and ask your TA or instructor or another student about anything that you don't understand.
A: Ask one of your colleagues if you may copy his/her notes and check the course discussion board for any announcements. Copy your colleagues notes (by hand, preferably) and ask your TA or instructor or another student about anything that you don't understand.
Q: What is acceptable behavior in lecture?
A: Ideally, you are actively engaged with the lecture material, following along with examples, and asking any questions that arise. That's a lot to hope for, I know. Do not do anything during lecture that is distracting to your instructor or other students. Be aware that I can see and hear you, even in a crowd of 150 students. Sleeping, texting, and reading the newspaper clearly aren't ideal but usually aren't too much of a distraction. Engaging in extensive conversations with a friend, however, are quite bothersome---I've been known to ask talkers to leave class.
A: Ideally, you are actively engaged with the lecture material, following along with examples, and asking any questions that arise. That's a lot to hope for, I know. Do not do anything during lecture that is distracting to your instructor or other students. Be aware that I can see and hear you, even in a crowd of 150 students. Sleeping, texting, and reading the newspaper clearly aren't ideal but usually aren't too much of a distraction. Engaging in extensive conversations with a friend, however, are quite bothersome---I've been known to ask talkers to leave class.
Q: Is it OK if I leave lecture early?
A: I understand that every once in a while, you might need to take off early. One or two people leaving class quietly doesn't bother me at all. However, when more than a handful of people leave during the last five minutes of class, it distracts me and the rest of the class. If too many people start leaving, I will ask that the exodus cease.
A: I understand that every once in a while, you might need to take off early. One or two people leaving class quietly doesn't bother me at all. However, when more than a handful of people leave during the last five minutes of class, it distracts me and the rest of the class. If too many people start leaving, I will ask that the exodus cease.
QUIZ SECTION
Q: What happens in quiz section?
A: You'll meet in smaller groups (40 students) with your TA. There will almost always be some time for you to ask questions about the homework due that night. You may also work on a short group activity or an old exam problem to help you practice doing problems in a test-like environment.
A: You'll meet in smaller groups (40 students) with your TA. There will almost always be some time for you to ask questions about the homework due that night. You may also work on a short group activity or an old exam problem to help you practice doing problems in a test-like environment.
Q: Is attendance in quiz section required?
A: A portion of your grade is determined by your participation in quiz section. Your TA will take attendance and you are expected to participate in all group activities and test preparation exercises (i.e., you will not be given credit for participation if you read the paper during these activities). You may miss two quiz sections without penalty to your grade.
A: A portion of your grade is determined by your participation in quiz section. Your TA will take attendance and you are expected to participate in all group activities and test preparation exercises (i.e., you will not be given credit for participation if you read the paper during these activities). You may miss two quiz sections without penalty to your grade.
Q: Can you excuse my absence for missing a quiz section?
A: Only in the case of religious holidays or for UW athletes. If you plan to miss a quiz section for one of these reasons, you must make arrangements with me a week in advance. (Contact me via e-mail, please.) I will not make arrangements in any other circumstances. You may miss two quiz sections without penalty to your grade.
A: Only in the case of religious holidays or for UW athletes. If you plan to miss a quiz section for one of these reasons, you must make arrangements with me a week in advance. (Contact me via e-mail, please.) I will not make arrangements in any other circumstances. You may miss two quiz sections without penalty to your grade.
HOMEWORK
Q: What is this week's homework assignment and when is it due?
A: All homework assignments are on Webassign. Assignments are generally due on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 11 p.m.
A: All homework assignments are on Webassign. Assignments are generally due on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 11 p.m.
Q: Do you grant extensions on homework?
A: Never. Not for any reason. Do not ask. You may, however, miss 10% of all possible homework points without penalty to your grade.
A: Never. Not for any reason. Do not ask. You may, however, miss 10% of all possible homework points without penalty to your grade.
EXAMS
Q: When are the exams?
A: Exam dates are listed on the course website.
A: Exam dates are listed on the course website.
Q: What resources am I allowed to use on exams?
A: You're allowed to use a ruler, a scientific (non-graphing, non-programmable) calculator, and one 8.5-by-11-inch sheet of hand-written notes.
A: You're allowed to use a ruler, a scientific (non-graphing, non-programmable) calculator, and one 8.5-by-11-inch sheet of hand-written notes.
Q: Can I type my note sheet?
A: No. Note sheets must be hand-written. To construct a hand-written note sheet, start with a blank (both sides) sheet of paper and write on it.
A: No. Note sheets must be hand-written. To construct a hand-written note sheet, start with a blank (both sides) sheet of paper and write on it.
Q: Can I write on both sides of the note sheet?
A: Yes.
A: Yes.
Q: What am I allowed to put on the note sheet?
A: Anything you want as long as it's hand-written.
A: Anything you want as long as it's hand-written.
Q: Can I photocopy my friend's note sheet?
A: No. A photo-copied note sheet is not hand-written.
A: No. A photo-copied note sheet is not hand-written.
Q: What happens if I use a note sheet that is not hand-written?
A: Using a typed note sheet is an instance of academic misconduct. If you use any source on the exam other than what is described above, I will give you a zero on the exam (and offer you a hearing before the Committee on Academic Conduct).
A: Using a typed note sheet is an instance of academic misconduct. If you use any source on the exam other than what is described above, I will give you a zero on the exam (and offer you a hearing before the Committee on Academic Conduct).
Q: I want to do well in this course. What advice can you give me?
A: Read through these tips for how to study mathematics successfully.
A: Read through these tips for how to study mathematics successfully.
Q: I suffer from test anxiety. What should I do?
A: Try one of the Student Counseling Center's Study Skills Workshops. They are offered periodically throughout the quarter.
A: Try one of the Student Counseling Center's Study Skills Workshops. They are offered periodically throughout the quarter.
Q: I understand everything we do in class. Why do I get low grades on
exams?
A: During exams, you have to demonstrate your ability to solve problems, not simply your understanding of the material. (I've watched tennis for years and I understand how to play. That doesn't mean that I am able to play tennis. If I had to take a tennis test, I'd have to practice playing tennis myself...not just watch other people playing.) You MUST practice solving problems BEFORE you get to the exam.
A: During exams, you have to demonstrate your ability to solve problems, not simply your understanding of the material. (I've watched tennis for years and I understand how to play. That doesn't mean that I am able to play tennis. If I had to take a tennis test, I'd have to practice playing tennis myself...not just watch other people playing.) You MUST practice solving problems BEFORE you get to the exam.
CALCULATORS
Q: Are graphing calculators allowed?
A: No. A plain scientific calculator with no graphing/programmable capabilities is required. Some cheap options available at the bookstore are the TI-30XIIs, TI-30Xa, and Sharp EL500.
A: No. A plain scientific calculator with no graphing/programmable capabilities is required. Some cheap options available at the bookstore are the TI-30XIIs, TI-30Xa, and Sharp EL500.
Q: What's a scientific calculator?
A: A scientific calculator does computations a bit beyond the basic four operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. You'll need a calculator that can compute powers, square roots, and natural logs (look for a button with an "ln" on it).
A: A scientific calculator does computations a bit beyond the basic four operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. You'll need a calculator that can compute powers, square roots, and natural logs (look for a button with an "ln" on it).
ACADEMIC CONDUCT
Q: What constitutes cheating in this class?
A: All work is expected to be your own. Submitting another person's work as your own or copying work from another student on homework or an exam constitutes cheating. Further, allowing someone to copy your work is also considered cheating. The consequences for allowing another student to copy your work on homework or an exam are the same as for the student doing the copying.
A: All work is expected to be your own. Submitting another person's work as your own or copying work from another student on homework or an exam constitutes cheating. Further, allowing someone to copy your work is also considered cheating. The consequences for allowing another student to copy your work on homework or an exam are the same as for the student doing the copying.
Q: What happens if I am accused of cheating?
A: If you are accused of cheating, you have the right to a hearing before the university's Committee on Academic Conduct. Information on the hearing process and possible university sanctions can be found here. If you are found guilty of academic misconduct, then in addition to any sanctions imposed by the Committee, you will receive a 0 on the assignment in question.
A: If you are accused of cheating, you have the right to a hearing before the university's Committee on Academic Conduct. Information on the hearing process and possible university sanctions can be found here. If you are found guilty of academic misconduct, then in addition to any sanctions imposed by the Committee, you will receive a 0 on the assignment in question.
MATH STUDY CENTER
Q: Where is the Math Study Center?
A: The Math 111/112 Study Center is in the basement of the Communications building: CMU B-006.
A: The Math 111/112 Study Center is in the basement of the Communications building: CMU B-006.
Q: What really goes on at the Math Study Center?
A: Math 111 students come to the MSC and work on their homework or study for exams. Some students work alone, some in groups. TAs and instructors for the course are in the room, available to answer questions. If you need help and the tutors are all busy, put your name on the waiting list on the board at the front of the room.
A: Math 111 students come to the MSC and work on their homework or study for exams. Some students work alone, some in groups. TAs and instructors for the course are in the room, available to answer questions. If you need help and the tutors are all busy, put your name on the waiting list on the board at the front of the room.
Q: I went to the MSC and waited an hour for the TA to answer one
question. What good is the MSC?
A: There may be times when the wait for help at the MSC is long, especially the day before a homework assignment is due or around exam time. We suggest that you start your studying early and go to the MSC early in the week when the wait will be shorter.
A: There may be times when the wait for help at the MSC is long, especially the day before a homework assignment is due or around exam time. We suggest that you start your studying early and go to the MSC early in the week when the wait will be shorter.
Q: I need a lot of intensive help with this course. Can I get that
kind of help at the MSC?
A: Not really. There will only be one or two tutors in the MSC at any given time. Most of the time, this means that the tutors will only be able to help each student or group of students for a few minutes at a time. If you need a personal tutor, you may want to try the tutor list available here or outside the Math Student Services Office (PDL C-036).
A: Not really. There will only be one or two tutors in the MSC at any given time. Most of the time, this means that the tutors will only be able to help each student or group of students for a few minutes at a time. If you need a personal tutor, you may want to try the tutor list available here or outside the Math Student Services Office (PDL C-036).