Professor David Blecher

Survey of Undergraduate Mathematics (Math 4389--Spring Semester, 2024--Section 11143) --- TuTh 1--2:30 face-to-face in F 154.

IN PROGRESS: THIS DOCUMENT WILL CHANGE

Text: No textbook required. Notes and all other class material will be provided.

A problem-based revisit of some of the most important topics in the undergraduate mathematics curriculum. The two main goals, which are somewhat different (i.e. distinct), are 1) a somewhat honest reminder of the main contents of several undergraduate math classes, and 2) preparation for the Major Field Test in Mathematics, which you will take at the end of the semester. Attendance is mandatory This class will be taught in a `flipped classroom' format. This means that there will be almost no lecturing in class (except towards the end, on classes some students may not have taken), just the students working problems. There is not time in class to teach again the contents of so many courses. Thus you will do the reading outside of class, with class time usually devoted to students working problems in the form of tests or presentations of problem solutions by students. With regard to in-class presentations of problem solutions by students, the class will be divided into groups, and a rotating representative of the group will present, with the instructors help and advice if needed. For example you can ask the instructor any questions on the material or problem beforehand, perhaps by email. Also there will be in-class quizzes and 7 or 8 in-class tests. Your main task as a student in 4389 in-class presentations, if you are not presenting, is to follow the presentations, and either (a) be reminded of the necessary technique to the point where you are confident that you could do a similar question on the upcoming test, or (b) if you fail on (a) then study the written solution (from your notes taken in class or maybe from a photo of the presentation) after class on your own, until you do understand it and are confident that you could do a similar question on the upcoming test. You may need to consult notes or the internet, or come see me in office hours, to get to that point. It is strongly suggested that you look at and try the problems before class, otherwise steps (a) or (b) will probably be more difficult. And of course you are supposed to have studied the online notes on the module days earlier.
%NOT SO RELEVANT THIS TIME BECAUSE THE CLASS IS NOT ONLINE... Information and instructions for use of the online tools.

NOTE: WE are transitioning from Blackboard to Canvas, and CASA to CCS-CASA, so that where you see Blackboard or CASA on this website or on Canvas, replace by Canvas or CCS. Since these are new systems and may have teething problems, always keep a copy of your answers safe in case you have to redo.

Upcoming due dates: KEEP WATCHING THIS SPOT AND THE CALENDAR ON CANVAS SINCE THINGS WILL BE ADDED. Pace yourself, dont do things at the last moment.

EMCF 4 is due March 4 (questions on Canvas in the DE module folder, you put the answers on CCS/CASA). DE Test Tuesday March 5 in class. March 8 DE problem sheet extra problems upload on Canvas. Students can register for the Math field test now. The registration is open. Students can register at the lenk that you were emailed. EMCF 5 is due March 25 (questions on Canvas in the LA module folder, you put the answers on CCS/CASA). March 26 and 28 Linear algebra test in class. Linear algebra homework (questions 24,26, 27) due March 28 on Canvas in the LA module folder. Quizzes in class April 2 and 4. Linear algebra problem sheet extra problems upload on Canvas due March 27. EMCF 6 is due April 8 (questions on Canvas in the LA module folder, you put the answers on CCS/CASA). EMCF 7 is due April 11 on CCS/CASA (3 questions).
Analysis test in class is on April 9 and 11. Algebra test April 23 in class . EMCF 8 is due April 18 (questions on Canvas in the Algebra module folder (there are some typos pointed out there in the instructions there), you put the answers on CCS/CASA).
April 17 is the last day to drop with a W. Algebra problem sheet extra problems upload on Canvas due April 25.
EMCF 9 is due April 30 tentatively on CCS/CASA (Questions 1 and 7 have faults so change the 8 to a 1 in question 1, and in question 7 you may assume that the tasks are indistinguishable.) EMCF 10/11 (Mock Field test) is due April 29 on CCS/CASA (it is split into 2 parts because of its length and CASA restrictions, do questions 1-50 as EMCF 10 (which may possib For more test dates etc see also the Canvas calendar, but these dates may move depending on class progress.
MAKE YOUR FIELD TEST BOOKING! YOU WERE SENT AN EMAIL ABOUT THIS ON 7/19. TO BE ADDED ...
IMPORTANT: Wednesday Jan 31 is the Last date to drop with refund or not having it count towards the ‘allowed drops’/enrollment cap.
Grader/TA/Tutor's office hours are in the M.U.S.L. (Mathematics Undergraduate Student Lounge) 11 Fleming (Suite): This is located in the basement of Fleming, where you can study, work with a group, or relax with friends. See the first few lines of the syllabus linked above for their MUSL hours (although Sahidul's hours now end at 12).

The Differential equation problem sheet is accessible on Canvas. Try to solve all the problems before class. You are responsible for presenting the solution for `your number'. So if you are student 5, for example, you will need to present problem 5 in class. However students 1, 26, 27, 28, 29 will together present Question 1 to the class with student 1 responsible for i and ii, student 26 responsible for iii, student 27 responsible for iv and v, student 28 responsible for vi, student 29 responsible for vii. Student 16 will present Question 2 (ii), student 3 and 17 will present 3 (1 ii) (two methods), student 18 will present 3 (1 iii), student 19 will present 3 (1 iv), student 20 will present 3 (1vi), student 21 will present 3 (1vii), students 4 and 22 will present 4 (ii) (work with student 4 on this), student 23 will present the second problem in 11, student 24 will present 12 (ii), student 25 will present 15(ii).

The Linear algebra problem sheet that you will present may be found on Canvas. For some of these the Linear algebra `important facts' notes (partial), the varaint of the latter presented in lecture, and the linear algebra `cheatsheet', on the notes link of this site will be useful. Please familiarize yourself with this document, and the notation used there, like RREF(A), and try to use the same notation in your in-class presentations. Present your own number, (so student 3 does problem 3, etc), with the following exceptions: Student 21 will present 16d, student 22 will present 1cd, student 23 will present 22, Student 24 will present 21ab, student 25 will present 21cd, student 26 will present 7def, student 27 will present 8c, student 28 will present 10de, student 29 will present 19cd.

  • Note The analysis problems that you will present in class are in the Analysis folder on canvas. Present your own number as usual with the following exceptions: student 11 does problem 9c but not 11, student 28 will do 23c, and student 29 will do 28.

Algebra presentation problem sheet is on the Canvas Algebra module-- Please do your number, except student 4 will do 4 and 11, student 20 will do 20 and 33, Student 22 will do 22 and , Student 24 will do 24 and 30, student 26 will do 26, 28, and 32, student 28 will do 31 (prove it). In problem 1, the integers are positive. In problem 4, also prove that this is a group. In problem 10 part II, show that this is isomorphic to Z. In problem 17 , `invariant' is usually called `normal', prove your answers. In problem 20 a hint is to look at what (x+y)(x+y) = x+y implies. Try to use the  `Algebra cheat-sheet' on the "Notes for most of the modules" link including some algebra topics that  will be useful.   Some of these problems require trial and error, others require facts from  the just mentioned `cheatsheet’, etc.   In your presentations circle the KEY STEP or KEY FACT/S you are using, as well as write up the problem, and its number.

  • Information on the final exam/ETS Field Test.
    Field test dates are May 1--3 (Wed-Fri) I believe, at the UH testing center. There is a fee (less than $40), which you pay when registering for it. Hopefully this expense is defrayed by not having to purchase a text book for the course. More details on the link in the last line.

Towards the end of the semester you will receive several mock exams as practice for the final. One of these (CASA EMCF 10) you should do under test conditions, and turn in your solution on TO BE ADDED on the CCS/CASA EMCF tab; or before you take the final if that date is earlier. This is the one that is titled MATHEMATICS TEST (RESCALED). This Mock test is really hard, much much harder than the real Field test, so will be graded with a very generous curve. There are two other Mock Field test with keys on Canvas in a folder called Practice tests for Field Test and Math GRE. There was another linked below from the ETS website but this has recently disappeared -- hopefully will be replace it. Do at least one mock exam under test conditions.

Help/Tutoring:

Help is available at several levels. The grader and the instructor can answer questions, go over problems and help in various ways; they have office hours (listed on the Course Handout). See also the list below for tutoring/workshops, etc. You can get online help at any time http://online.math.uh.edu.

Tutoring Help : Math Lab (located in 222 Garrison, has student tutors who, on a walk-in basis, offer help with individual problems) also known as CASA Tutoring . There is also: UScholars , LAUNCH , Scholar Enrichment Program (SEP) , Knack tutoring , etc.) See links on Canvas syllabus page under Academic Support Services, and over at NSM .

Online Help and Reviews of Calculus (and other courses)

The Department of Mathematics has a Mathematics Undergraduate Study Lab (MUSL) is located in room 11 in the basement of Fleming. MUSL has student tutors who, on a walk-in basis, offer help with individual problems.