* FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS *

GENERAL:

Do I have to attend lectures and tutorials? No! There are no marks for attendance, your final mark is calculated solely on your performance on class tests and on final exams. However, it is very strongly recommended that you attend all lectures and tutorials. You will learn a lot by listening to lectures, taking notes and seeing your instructor solve problems and do exercises.

Why aren't full lecture notes posted on the internet? If you miss a class, borrow class notes from someone in your class and copy/photocopy them. There are pedagogical reasons for not posting class notes. Coming to class and taking notes is an integral part of your learning process. As a matter of fact, there is research showing that posting class notes on internet (or giving handouts) could contribute negatively towards students' learning (and lower their grades). As well, there is the textbook that you can read if you missed a class (the course web page will tell you exactly what was done in class). If something is covered in class, and it is not in the textbook, it will be posted to the course web page. How to make sure I have good notes? Read this.

Why do I have to learn computer programming in a mathematics course? Read this! Computer programming (coding) is an increasingly important skill to possess in virtually all fields of study. While you will not be asked to code from scratch in Math 1LS3, you will be working with code and modifying code, which can help to facilitate a working knowledge of the principles of coding. Also, recall that the lowest of the four assessments (three term tests, set of computer labs), will not be used in your final mark calculation. So if you absolutely cannot bring yourself to learn anything about computer programming, you could simply not complete the labs and then just use your three tests as your top three assessments.

What calculator am I allowed to use? McMaster Standard Calculator, Casio fx991MS or Casio fx991MS PLUS.

What are my marks so far? Updates of marks are posted here.

What can I do to improve my mark? Course marks are exclusively based on your tests and the final exam. We do not give extra assignments, nor extra work of any kind with the purpose of improving individual student's marks. Doing so (among other things) would not be fair towards other students in the course.

I feel I need extra help. How do I find it? To review the background material, you can use the Calculus: Fear No More book that you can buy in the bookstore. Consult other learning resources. Where can I find solutions to assignments? Click here.

TESTS:

What material is covered on tests? Where do I write my test? About a week before the test, all relevant test information will be posted on this webpage. What calculator am I allowed to use? McMaster Standard Calculator, Casio fx991MS or Casio fx991MS PLUS. You are encouraged to use symbolic or graphic calculator or math software (such as Maple) to study, investigate, or to check solutions to assignments and practice questions.

Test questions were nothing like sample test questions and/or homework questions. If you feel that this is true, then you did not prepare for the test. Moreover, there is no reason why test questions should be the same as homework or sample test questions.On each test, you should expect questions that require fresh thinking, rather than recalling a similar (or same) question from an assignment or from a lecture.

How are tests returned to me? You need to go to math help centre to pick up your test(s). What do I do if I want to discuss my test? After you claim your test, while still at the math help centre, look at it. If you have questions about marking, talk to your teaching assistant immediately. Once you leave math help centre you cannot come back to discuss your test.

I think I will have to miss a test. What should I do? Read the information posted under tests link. Test is in the evening, and I have an evening class that day. What do I do? An announcement will be posted here. I came late for my test ... can I have extra time? Sorry, no. If you are 10 minutes late, you will have 10 minutes less to write the test.

Do I write my tests in pencil or in pen? General rule: pen for tests, anything (pen or pencil) for exams. On a test, it could happen that a marker makes an error marking your paper. It will be easier for you to prove your claim (and thus have the error corrected) if your paper is written in pen. The final exams are not returned to you, so it makes no difference whether you do it in pen or in pencil (of course, you can view your final exam if you wish to do so). How much work do I have to show when I solve a math question? Probably the best answer is that you will learn by experience. Observe how your instructor solves examples and problems in lectures. Look at solutions to sample tests that are in your coursepack. See how homework assignments are solved (solutions are posted here). When studying, do not just look at a solution to figure out a correct answer, but also pay attention to how it is written.

Why don't I get part marks on multiple choice questions? Major reason why we do not give part marks - and also important message - is that sometimes ALL of the answer needs to be correct. It does not suffice to come half-way, or almost-there, we want to see completely correct solutions. Actually, this reflects real life situations, where we usually have to complete 100% of the task given to us - completing 80% of it, with 20% left out (or wrong), is not acceptable! Think of a pilot who does the whole flight ok, but then misses the runway when landing. Or a surgeon, who performs a great kidney operation on you, but does it on the left kidney instead of a right one. Would you give these people part marks? As well, part marks are sometimes counterproductive - students know that there will be part marks, so they use the strategy of writing no matter what, hoping that they will collect some marks. It is amazing how far one can go in collecting part marks - for instance, passing a test without solving correctly/completely one single question! At University of Waterloo, there was (probably still is) the rule that 50% of points on a test/exam is not a pass, unless 3 out of 6 problems were completely, or 95% completely, solved. We know that this is frustrating, but we hope that you will accept our reasons - the message to you is - be more careful! And practice more ... ask yourself, why did I make a mistake? Why is it that I know something but then did not manage to complete it correctly?