- What is the prerequisite for attending this course? Answer: the prerequisite for this course is MATH 347 or MATH 348, or equivalent experience.
- I could not make it to the previous lecture. What you recommend me to do? Answer: Please, have a look at the lecture slides on my webpage and review the book sections that are related to the topics in the lecture slides.
- I accidentally submitted my homework to the wrong field on Canvas or uploaded the wrong assignment. Could you still evaluate it? Answer: your homework will be evaluated in accordance to the Syllabus. If you can only submit it correctly after the deadline, please note that full credit may not be achievable, as it would be considered as a late submission.
- Will the grades be curved? Answer: no, grading will not be curved.
- I’ve either missed or will miss one or more midterms. Can a new exam be arranged for me? Answer: I am sorry, but I am unable to arrange a new exam during the semester. Instead, the final exam will carry more weight for you, which compensate for the missed exams.
- Will you provide mock exams? Answer: I am afraid I will not be providing mock exams. However, I do offer exercise suggestions at the conclusion of each class (please see the lecture log). These exercises are designed to practice for your exams.
- I believe the grading for my exam/homework was not fair. Is there a process for raising this concern and having my grade reviewed? Answer: absolutely! You’re welcome to attend my office hours, and we can have a discussion about your concern and review your grade together.
- I was not able to take the final exam. What should I do? Answer: the final exam can only be rescheduled for students with valid reasons, such as medical documentation. Please email me and explain me why you missed the exam.
- What will the exams be like in terms of format? Answer: the midterms will consist of 5 problems each and you will have 90 minutes to solve all of them. Typically, the exam will include two straightforward problems, two moderately challenging problems, and one more difficult problem. The content will largely resemble exercises from the homework or the provided list of practice questions. Additionally, you might be asked to prove a theorem covered in class or something related to the course material. You cannot use a cheat sheet, have conversations with other human beings, or seek any kind of help during the exam.
- Can you tell me if I will receive an A? Answer: I am unable to provide a definitive answer to that. To determine whether you will receive an A, you will need to calculate your total points at the end of the semester and check if they meet the criteria for an A grade.
- I have discovered that I was using the wrong edition of the book for my homework after submission. What options do I have? Answer: our homework will be evaluated based on the Syllabus. If you are only able to resubmit it correctly after the deadline, it is important to note that obtaining the full score might not be possible, as it would be considered a late submission.
- I believe I have found an error in the homework. What should I do? Answer: I encourage you to attend my office hours, where we can discuss the mistakes you have identified, make corrections, and address any other questions you might have.
- When can we expect the midterm grades to be released? Answer: typically, it takes around 10-14 days to grade the exams and input the scores into the system. Your understanding is appreciated.
- Is it possible to have my midterms back? Answer: certainly, once I have uploaded the grades on Canvas, you will be able to retrieve your midterms. If you were not present in class, you can collect your midterms during my office hours.
- Can I collaborate with classmates on assignments? Answer: absolutely, I encourage you to collaborate with your peers. However, it is important that you write your solutions in your own words.
- Can I take MATH 413 as an honors course to fulfill the James Scholar honors credit requirement? What steps are needed for obtaining honors credit? Answer: I am unsure about the specifics. You might want to contact the department chair for more information.
- Do you have a preferred writing program for typing the homework? Answer: no, any program you prefer is acceptable for obtaining the extra credit.
- Can I earn extra credit by scanning my homework? Answer: no, I am sorry, but that option is not available.
- I typed my homework, but I have not received the extra credits. What should I do? Answer: please reach out to our grader Igor Araujo via email (net id: igoraa2) and kindly request the addition of your credits.
- Can I use any method to solve questions in the exam? Answer: yes, you are welcome to use any method you prefer. However, it is important to use common sense. For example, if you are asked to prove Pascal’s rule in the exam, you cannot solely rely on the statement “as discussed in class, this is true.” If you choose to use a general theorem that has not been covered in class, you should provide a proof for it during the exam.
- What topics will the exams cover?
- The first exam will cover all material presented up to one lecture before the exam.
- The second exam will cover all material presented between the first exam and one lecture prior to the second exam.
- The third exam will cover all material presented between the second exam and one lecture prior to the third exam.
- The final exam will cover the entire content of our course.
- Could you provide guidance on the specific pages and sections of the book that I should read for the upcoming exam? Answer: I encourage you to determine these based on the topics we have covered in class.
- What’s the best way to get ready for the exam? Answer: to set yourself up for success, it’s essential to complete your homework and ensure a solid grasp of the lecture material. The sections of the book related to the content of the lecture are very helpful and I advise you to take a look at it to reinforce your knowledge. Additionally, make use of the suggested exercises and videos that I share after each lecture – they can be quite beneficial. Good luck!
- Is it possible to do some extra work to get an extra credit in this course? Answer: extra credit is not available for undergraduate students. Even for graduate students, the math department strongly advises against it, as the additional work typically does not align with the depth of a graduate-level course.
- Would you be able to share the answers to the homework questions? Answer: unfortunately, I will not be able to provide the answers. However, if you have any questions or need clarification, I would be happy to assist you during our study sessions on Fridays.
- Do you have any recommendations for additional study materials? Well, I believe the textbook we are currently using is quite good. However, if you have any questions or would like to delve deeper into a specific topic, you can always google your questions and find online resources such as handouts from other professors, blog posts, and YouTube videos. Additionally, feel free to attend my office hours, and I would be more than happy to address any questions you might have regarding the course material.