Does anyone know why instructors for most, in some cases all sections of, Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra have yet to be listed on the Fall 2017 course atlas?
Doesn’t seem like faculty really like to teach those foundation courses (linear, Diff. Eq, Multi). They are likely playing rock paper scissors.
@bernie12 That’s unfortunate and unlikely to lead to the best teaching outcomes.
@BiffBrown Since moving to Utah my sleep schedule is screwed lol
Well, it is what it is I guess. I think there are too many math majors, many (probably an overwhelming amount) of them joint, so they assume the students really do not care as much, kind of like the goal is to just get many to and through math 250 seamlessly so that they can exit the department. It isn’t like Georgia Tech where they see a reason to teach well or rigorously because many will feed into engineering and physics majors that actually build upon or apply the material. Most of the joint majors will not take courses in their other department requiring or applying the math skills and they likely know it. I think typically linear algebra gets the strongest teachers as it may get many of those teaching 250. Also, math department is stretched VERY thin in terms of faculty resources. When that happens, it is hard to be concerned about quality. I am almost pro them going to large lecture for those courses, choosing strong instructors that run 2 sections with several TAs to help them run a good rigorous course that train all folks at a level of math that makes sense for a top school. Small sections are good until you staff them with those who don’t want to be there.
To get this type of stuff to change on main (especially in departments that have traditionally struggled with it), students would have to show they care and demand a different type of excellence. But I am pretty sure easier than normal A’s in intermediate foundation courses is the most important to most (especially the joint majors), and even if it wasn’t they don’t seem to believe in asking for something else (like hitting the department chair when things are not up to par. This seems to only happen when grades are rough/things are hard) despite having a lot of power as students that pay tons of money. Basically, students need a sense of agency about academics. I rarely see this unless students think they are in danger of failing or something.
@bernie12 The visiting professors who taught classes like Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus appear not to be teaching them this year for some reason.
I would have thought that math majors have to take much more advanced classes than Math 250.
@BiffBrown : Pure math majors and maybe the new Statistics and Math and even polisci/math likely have to go higher than 250, but I think joint major econ/math, likely the most popular can stop at 250 and then maybe take classes within econ. that qualify as electives (basically cross-listed courses). This effectively turns 211, 221 and 212 are true service courses more so than training grounds. Most students who major or joint major in math do not start at the 100 level (most have AP credits that they use) so this resullts in 2XX being service courses for a variety of majors, joint majors, and physical sciences such as physics, and 1XX being a service course for pre-health and pre-business folks.