• first year,  math

    lost in a STEM course maze

    August 4, 2016

    Hi,

    I am a first year student from the States and I recently signed up for my courses on timetable. I’ve taken 2 years of AP Physics (algebra-based) and one year of AP Calculus AB. I registered for PHY151 and MAT135/136 and failed to see that PHY151 has a co-requisite of either MAT137 or MAT157. I am worried that my calculus knowledge is not quite strong enough for MAT137. I did pretty well in high school calc but not well enough that I feel super confident. After looking at the course description for MAT137 I can’t tell if it is a good idea to take it in first year. I plan to enter some type of mathematical or physical sciences program which is why I chose PHY151 (plus two years of physics).

    Is taking MAT 137 a bad idea? Should I switch to PHY131 and keep MAT135/136? If anyone knows of any major differences between the two math classes that would be greatly appreciated. I am taking CHM151 in addition to physics and math. I thought about dropping physics for first year and taking BIO120 instead (and keeping MAT135/136) because I have no clue what sciences I like best and I couldn’t bear taking all three plus math. I’m in need of advice about the two math courses and about which two of three (physics, chemistry, biology) is most important to take in first year.

    Thanks so much

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    if you’re thinking of entering a math/physical sciences program, then yes, it does make sense to take PHY151 and MAT137 or -57. it’s great that you’re being realistic about your abilities and trying to find the calc class that works for you, but you will need to take 137/157 if you’re planning on doing PHY151.

    here’s what i would do: enrol in the PHY151 and MAT137. see how the math goes. if you took AP Calculus, you’re probably better prepared than you think. HOWEVER – and this is the important point – if you do find that it is too much for you, you can DROP DOWN to MAT135/136 by early October.

    unfortunately, it’s not possible to start in MAT135/136 and upgrade, but at least you can downgrade if you find the 137 to be completely overwhelming.

    if you do drop down, however, you will be in a sticky situation with respect to the physics class. since you have to be taking MAT137 or 157 to stay in PHY151, you will likely be removed from PHY151 unless you stay in MAT137. it’s possible to ask for an exception from the physics department, but it would certainly be an exception. it’s not something you can count on. what’s more likely is that you’ll have to make the hard decision of either abandoning physics or sticking it out in MAT137.

    that’s all pretty far down the road at this point, though. it’s pointless to stress about it now. i’ve laid out one possible strategy, but you have to do what feels right to you. down the road, if it turns out that the decision you made isn’t working for you anymore, then just change it.

    there is this rhetoric about university that makes it out to be this inflexible decision, a once-in-a-lifetime chance. it’s like the decisions you make on course enrolment day in first year will dictate the rest of your life. not so. in my first year, i knew by December of my first ever semester at university that i was in the wrong program. so i changed it. big whoop. four years later, i graduated from the right program and the right school. i’m glad i started out on the wrong path, because it helped illuminate the right one.

    as for which sciences you should take: it really depends on what program you’re interested in. if you’re thinking about a more physics-based program, you probably won’t need to take any biology, and perhaps not even any chemistry, either. the astronomy & physics specialist, for example, only requires that you take physics and math in your first year. biological physics, understandably, requires phyiscs, bio, chemistry and math (though they don’t all have to be taken in your first year).

    obviously, your ideas about which program(s) you’d like to enrol in may change after first year, but if you can decide which programs you think you might be interested in, then you can get an idea of the first year courses you might want to take.

    good luck!

    aska

    Read More
  • math,  scholarships/bursaries

    don’t math if you can help it

    June 15, 2016

    Hi! So, I’m finishing up grade 11 and ending the year with a precalculus class at the grade 12 level because I fast tracked. Since that means I finished up my math requirements for high school, I wasn’t planning on taking any math next year. I didn’t think it would be that big a deal, since I want to apply for Ethics, Society, and Law and PoliSci, and it won’t be on my Top 6.
    But now I’m concerned because I know that the universities at my province typically make you take at least one university level course in subjects like math, and I’m not sure if that also applies for UofT. If it does, I might retake the course again in grade 12. Will that be held against me because UofT “…reserves the right to give preference to students whose marks are a result of a single attempt at each course”?
    Ohhh one last thing! When it comes to scholarships offered by UofT, like the entrance scholarship you get if you have a 92%, do they determine that percentage using all your marks in grade 12 or just your Top 6?

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    if you don’t want to take math, if you think not taking math will improve your average, if math isn’t good for your soul – don’t take math. trust aska. university is hard enough without taking courses you hate (and especially math. like, full offence – why do that to yourself?).

    uoft will never force you to take math if it’s not a program requirement for you, and, as you rightly pointed out, neither ethics, society & law nor poli. sci. require any math courses.

    the only thing we have that is similar to what you’re suggesting are ‘breadth requirements.’ basically, the university requires you to take one or two courses in five major areas of study which are supposed to encompass all areas of study. almost every single course in the faculty of arts & science fits into one (or sometimes two) of these categories. and yes, one of the categories is ‘The Physical and Mathematical Universes.’

    however, there are lots of ways to fill this pesky requirement that don’t involve taking math. some courses are designed to be lowballs for people who…let’s say aren’t the most number-oriented of folks. one of them is AST201, and you can find plenty more of these ‘lowballs’ on the course calendar.

    a caveat: by the time you get to subject POSt-application time, the summer after your first year, you may have changed your mind about what you want to study. that’s two years from now, after all. let’s say you change your mind, and decide to do an international relations major, for example. in that case, not having done calculus would prevent you from taking ECO100, one of the prerequisites for that program.

    my point is that not taking calculus does close some doors on you. however, you seem not to be too interested in those doors, so if it’s a choice between keeping some hypothetical future options open that you may not care about, and preserving your grades and sanity, go for the latter.

    finally: everything is determined based on your top six. that includes scholarships.

    cheers,

    aska

    Read More
  • failing,  math

    math again, wrath again

    January 13, 2016

    Hey,Without an announcement on blackboard for MATA30, I checked Rosi to see a failing mark of 45%, which is down 15% from what I had going into the exam. I am in Physical and Environmental Sciences program which also requires MATA36 semester two. I immediately re-enrolled in MATA30 and kept MATA36 for my second semester at UTSC without knowing if it will actually allow me to do this. I am wondering if that is the easiest way for me to make up the shockingly failed course. Or what other possible suggestions allow for me to continue without tuition change/summer classes.
    (I know exams and holidays means business but id appreciate the closest available help since I don’t know of any possible deadlines)Thank you

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    first thing’s first: i’m glad you signed up for MATA30 again and secured a spot in that class. THAT WAS SMART; DON’T DROP IT. however, since MATA30 is a requirement for MATA36, they’re probably not going to let you take MATA36 until you’ve finished the former course. you can always ask the department (nothing’s stopping you), but i doubt they’ll make an exception.

    so: what you have to do now is drop MATA36. you can consider taking it next year, if you don’t want to take anything in the summer. you still have a while until the drop deadline, but the math department has the authority to pull you from the course at any point, so it’s best for you to do it before they do.

    i know it’s frustrating to have to contemplate altering your plans, and i’m sure you just want to get first-year math out of the way. but taking MATA36 in fall 2016 instead of winter 2016 (or even in the summertime) doesn’t have to completely disrupt your schedule. feel free to talk to the registrar’s office if you need further help with planning.

    cheers,

    aska

    Read More
  • math

    shout out to this person for not asking *me* their math question

    September 22, 2014

    Hey! I looked at the math aid centre schedule, and I don’t see my course. Is it still cool for me to walk in and ask a TA if they are available to help me out even though my course isn’t listed? Thanks, Aska!

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    well, the location in sidney smith (assuming you’re on the downtown campus; i really really hope you’re at the downtown campus) says that it is intended for students in “MAT133Y, MAT135H, MAT136H, and possibly other courses.”

    i’d say the “possibly other courses” part is an open invitation to go in and see whether you can sniff out a TA who at least recognizes what you’re trying to learn. i’m not sure how strictly they follow the schedule, but i think it’s worth it to try.

    even if your question is not necessarily something they specialize in or are there for, they might be able to help you.

    and if they can’t help, you can at least count on finding a sympathetic ear from a graduate student in mathematics who probably knows all too well what it’s like to study some obscure branch of math that no one has every heard of. otherwise, you may have to go searching at one of the other math aid centres, or find a private tutor.

    i hope you find someone who can help you!

    aska

    Read More
  • math

    high school calculus…it’s all a blur…

    September 15, 2014

    Hi,
    Im in the process of transferring from mata30f to mata30y. However i would like to get an opinion of the depth of mata30f. Can someone please advise
    me whether 30f is similar to highschool calculus and vectors or if it goes in more depth than that (highschool).

    Also is there a way that i could obtain past papers from previous 30f exams to get a knowledge of the difficulty.

    Appreciate your advise on this at your earliest please

    ———————————————

    Hey there,

    Well, I think you can get a pretty good sense of how similar it is just from the course description. For example, take a look at this hunk of text: Elementary functions: rational, trigonometric, root, exponential and logarithmic functions and their graphs. Basic calculus: limits, continuity, derivatives, derivatives of higher order, analysis of graphs, use of derivatives; integrals and their applications.

    Does any of that ring a bell somewhere in the dusty corners of your brain? Do you remember doing trig? Exponential functions? Derivatives? (Hopefully you remember derivatives from Grade 12 calculus).

    In fact, all of that stuff is on the MCV4U1 curriculum, except integrals. I can’t speak for high schools in other provinces or countries, but if you did high school in Ontario, you should expect a pretty significant portion of the course to be review from high school.

    That said, it won’t be the exact same as high school calculus. The material will definitely go into more depth, and concepts will be introduced here and there which you’re not familiar with. Integrals, which likely come at the end of the course, you probably haven’t encountered at all.

    But the aim of the course is definitely not to fling you into the deep end.

    As for past papers, the prof will usually let you know if they’ll be providing past papers as practice. You can also ask if he/she has them. Since most people don’t get to keep their exam papers, getting them directly from the prof is pretty much the only way to get your mits on them, so I wouldn’t go around any shadowy corners of the internet begging for them off strangers.

    If the prof decides not to provide past papers, though, I wouldn’t worry. Study questions, assigned textbook work, and weekly problem sets are all regularly employed (and SUPER FUN!!) ways of providing students with plenty of practise for the exam.

    Cheers,

    Aska

    Read More
  • courses,  math

    course space, course time (continuum)

    September 4, 2014

    Hi Im thinking of shifting to mata30y from mata30f and I was wondering what times are available to switch into mata30y.

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    you can find all the available times for MATA30H3 F, S and Y here. MATA30H3 Y has only one lecture section, which is full, but the waitlist is only one person long at the moment. if you get on it now, you’ve got a good chance of getting in.

    this, by the way, is info i’m reading directly from ROSI. if you want to see that info for yourself, it’s real easy.

    all you have to do is type the course code into the search bar under ‘course enrolment,’ and it’ll tell you everything you need to know. so try that next time, k? i’m sure you can do it. i believe in you.

    best,

    aska

    Read More
  • failing,  math,  stats,  summer

    your status on summer stats

    May 1, 2014

    hey, so I most likely failed my MAT137 course. I was only required to take the 135/136 combo but for some reason I opted for the full year harder 137 option. Anyways, too late now. My question is, if I retake the course in summer school, what does my transcript look like? And also I was planning on doing STA247 over the summer which has MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1/MAT157Y1 listed as prereqs. (Though there must be some error as MAT135 is an H course). Can I still take STA247?? I was really hoping on taking it so I can lessen my course load for next year. STA247 is “Probability with Computer Applications” so maybe because I got a good mark in my CSC165 Mathematical Expression and Reasoning for Computer Science course that may somewhat void my MAT137 fail?? Thanks.

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    if you’ve taken a course and you fail it, then you take the same course again, both marks will appear on your transcript and be weighted equally. the passed course wouldn’t cancel out the mark of the previous, failed course.

    as for STA247, if you were to take and pass MAT137 in the ‘F’ term of the summer, and STA247 was offered in the ‘S’ term of the summer, then you would theoretically be able to take it. however, i’m taking a look at the timetable for stats and it looks like STA247 is offered in the ‘F’ term of the summer. so no luck on that one.

    CSC165 isn’t listed as a prereq for STA247, so i don’t think that’ll affect your ability to enrol in STA247 in the summer. i mean, good for you for doing well, and all. that’s groovin‘. it just won’t affect your ability to get into stats for the summer, unfortunately. maybe you can consider taking another one of your 2014-2015 courses in the summer if you’re really set on lessening your course load for next year?

    best of luck, friendo, and try to remember not to stress too much about this, and to go outside this summer.

    cheers,

    aska

    Read More
  • chem,  first year,  math,  summer,  UTM

    quaking in my boots for summer school

    February 10, 2014

    How difficult are chem110/120 & mat134 during summer school at utm?!? I really need some advice :(

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    well, if you’ll allow me to get a little PHILOSOPHICAL here, difficulty is kind of a relative thing. i don’t know what you specifically find hard. BUTTT if you’d like to know generally how difficult the classes will be, i suggest you take a look at the course descriptions (chem 110, chem 120 and mat134; these aren’t for summer 2014, but they should give you a general idea of the course content).

    just read the course descriptions and consider your own abilities. did you struggle with stoichiometry in high school? what about titrations? if you struggled with anything in the course descriptions, maybe brush up on some grade 12 problems to review. same goes for math.

    HOWEVER keep in mind that the classes will most likely have a little bit of review incorporated into them already, and you can get that just from the course description. for example, any ontario calculus class should have taught the fundamental theory of calculus, and that’s in the course description for mat134. so they definitely won’t just be throwing you into the deep end.

    the second thing to consider is the speed – most summer classes proceed at roughly twice the pace of a fall/winter class. do you think you can keep up with that speed? i mean you’ll also be going to class more often, so there won’t be LESS CLASS TIME, but it will be a bit CONDENSED.

    these are all things to consider, but at the end of the day, there’s shouldn’t be a huge difference between the summer classes and fall/winter classes. if you think you need to review, go for it, but i wouldn’t worry too much. if you work reasonably hard and make sure to keep up with the pace of the class, you’ll be alright. have a little faith in yourself.

    cheers,

    aska

    Read More
  • masters,  math,  subject POST

    math minor or non-degree???

    November 1, 2013

    Hey guys, troubled mind here.
    So I graduated in 2012 with BBA Management specializing in Finance, and after working for about a year I am interested in taking a Masters program in Mathematical Finance. As my BBA left me pretty much uneducated in math, I need to take about 2 semesters worth of math courses to be deemed competitive. I also realized that the sum of these courses qualify for the completion of a Minor in Math. So my question is this: Is it possible to take these courses and qualify for a Minor in Math? or do I have to take them as Non Degree.
    Thank you for your time

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    it’s actually not possible to do just a minor at uoft – you have to do one specialist, two majors, or a major and two minors in order to get a degree. Meaning you’d have to do your courses as a non-degree student.

    But DON’T PANIC. the good thing is non-degree status doesn’t really change anything for you (except that you get last pick for courses on rosi) (but it’s not like math courses fill up incredibly fast anyways amirite?). You’ll get your courses just fine, and you won’t be at a disadvantage when applying to grad school compared to someone who has a minor in math. All the grad schools care about is the marks you got in the courses they specify.

    For once, the answer is easy-peasy! Good luck and I keep smilin’,

    aska

    Read More
  • breadth requirements,  math

    Breadth requirements *shivers*

    October 25, 2013

    Hello!

    First of all, love the Game of Thrones reference on your ask page!

    Now to my question. I’ve heard from a U of T alumnus that any student must take a math or science course in first year even if he or she is 120% sure his/her major and future career will have nothing to do with either. Is that true?

    THANKS!

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    thanks, man! Just for you, I’m gonna make this post GoT themed. Catering to your personal tastes and stuff, yeah. Aska’s like that.

    Now, as to your question, the idea of forcibly making everyone take a math/science course seems like some kind of dystopian fantasy, and is fortunately not true. If you’re coming in to the faculty of arts and science, which you almost certainly are, you need to fulfil breadth requirements, which are basically a certain number (no more than one or two) of courses that you need to complete in each of five categories to get your degree. One of these categories is called “the Physical and Mathematical Universes.” HOWEVER if you take 1.0 (that is, two semester’s worth – so one full-year or two half-year courses) courses in each of the other four categories, then you don’t have to take any in that fifth math one.

    Also keep in mind that you don’t have to fulfil the breadth requirements in first year! So there is time to figure all this stuff out.

    So don’t worry yourself friend – you can avoid math for now.

    aska

    Read More
  • frosh,  math,  stress

    Pythagoras wouldn’t have panicked. He was kinda scary though.

    September 27, 2013

    Hello,

    I am a first year-student in Life Sciences about to embark on the journeys of MAT135 in the Fall and MAT136 in the Winter, and I feel very insecure about it. I got a 75 in grade 12 calculus, and the teacher was being generous. I feel like I don’t remember anything from last year? Should I review my notes? If I do, wouldn’t that hold me back? Does MAT135 touch upon some concepts from grade 12?

    How much should I be worried about university math – on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being ‘really worried’? I know there are math aid centres – can I just drop into those? Should I also allow myself to be consumed with stress if I get a low mark? And if I do get a low mark (and I’m praying I’m not) will that affect my application to the program I want to get into (Human Biology)?

    Thanks for your time.

    ———————————————

    You’re stressing a lot. Let me tell you something: there is no call for the kind of panicking you’re doing right now. Life is too short for that kind of silliness. Here’s something that you probably don’t realize: you’re not the only one who knows you’re a frosh. It’s not some kind of big secret. Everyone else can tell. I can tell, your peers can tell, and more importantly, your profs can tell.

    This means that the professor knows your background, and he or she is going to structure the lecture appropriately towards it. The course starts off with a quick review of trigonometry, which, if you went to school in Ontario, is something that you started learning about in Grade 11 Math (if you went to school outside Ontario, you’re also more than likely to have learned this before).

    Now, I’m not saying the course is going to be a piece of cake, but it won’t be impossible, either, regardless of what your marks were like in high school. If you consistently do the weekly problems and go to lecture, you’ll do well. If you do find yourself needing help, however, it is always available to you – absolutely feel free to drop in on it!

    As for Human Biology, as long as you complete 4.0 credits, you’re eligible to enrol – so don’t panic.

    Good luck, little soldier, and try to chin up!

    aska

    Read More
  • math

    last minute decisions lead to last spots on the waitlist

    August 23, 2013

    I enrolled into MAT133Y and soon after found out that I need MAT135/136 instead. I am currently enrolled in MAT133 but waitlisted for MAT135/136 at the same time. I know that they are exclusions of each other so I’m wondering if ROSI will give me the option of choosing which one to stick with once I’m approved for all my choices. AAAND do you think there is a chance for me to get into MAT135/136. I am 4th for 135 and 47th for 136… and would they give me preference over other ppl since I require MAT 135/136?

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    The sometimes helpful thing about ROSI is that it doesn’t recognize exclusions. The conveniently helpful thing about the Math Department is that they don’t really pay much attention to exclusions either. 😉

    (Or, at least, that’s what the word on the streets is.)

    Anyhow, don’t worry if you’re in MAT133Y and suddenly get into MAT135H/136H. Naturally, of course, just make sure you drop 133Y once you get into the other ones. But yeah, ROSI won’t kick you out of one or the other.

    As for your waitlists…

    I’d say you’re in a great place for MAT135H. You may very well get in before class starts, but if not, I’m sure that at least four people will drop it after the first lecture.

    Now with MAT136H. Yeah. No. Not the best spot on the waitlist.

    You’re not going to get any preference though just because it’s a prerequisite for something you need in the future. MAT136H is a prerequisite for a lot of people. Maybe consider some other lecture sections? Maybe an equivalent at another campus?

    Anyhow, I can’t think of place to incorporate a stupid picture into this post, so take this and prosper.

    Cheers!

    aska

    Read More
  • economics,  math,  repeating course

    extra work for economics

    July 19, 2013

    Hey!

    This is the first time I’m writing to you and I guess I have a little problem. I’ve just finished my first year at UofT St. George and although I struggled a bit, I know where I went wrong and I’ve kinda figured out what i have to fix to do better academically. However, I did not get into the Subejct Post that I wanted: Economics. I want to Major in Economics but i didn’t get the required math grade as I took MAT136H1 and barely passed. I’m thinking of repeating the course again this fall, but my question to you is do you think its possible for me to take MAT133Y1 instead? I know that MAT133 is an excluded course if a student has received credit for MAT136, but I think i’d have a better chance of making the grade if I took MAT133 instead. I know a lot of people would say that maybe Econ just isn’t for me because I’m not good at math, but i think last year was more down to me being lazy and not having the foundation that I would have liked. So yeah, basically what I’m asking is: is it possible for me to do MAT133 instead of repeating MAT136 having passed MAT136?

    Regards,
    Regretfully-motivated.

    ———————————————

    Regretfully motivated,

    It is possible for you to do MAT133Y, but the credit WILL be counted as extra, meaning it won’t contribute to your cGPA, and on your transcript it’ll just say “EXT” (for extra) next to it.

    However, the grade you get will still be considered for a program requirement.

    And, lucky for you, you won’t have to go through the trouble of bugging your college to enrol in the course for you since technically you’ve never taken MAT133Y before.

    Just note that with MAT133Y, you need to get at least 63%.

    Cheers!

    aska

    Read More