Preparing for Sequential Mathematics Courses

 

An important characteristic of the Mathematics program is that the courses are highly cumulative.  That is, in order to be successful in a mathematics course, you should remember and be able to apply the mathematics you have learned in previous courses.

To help you do this, the Mathematics department has prepared documents which include topics you should know for courses along with links for review material and practice problems.  You should review and work through these documents between courses so that you will be ready to function successfully on the first day of class.

You should also spend some time on the "Are you ready for..." website made available by the University of Buffalo.

What calculator should I buy?    Each calculus instructor has their own calculator policy.  You should get an e-mail from that instructor in the two weeks before classes start letting you know what calculator you should use.  If you don't receive an e-mail, you can contact your instructor using the e-mail address format firstname.lastname@sdstate.edu .  If you are an engineering student, you should know that for the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (the national certification exam) you will be limited to certain calculators, so be sure you can function with only these calculators. (see website:  http://www.ncees.org/exams/calculators/#approved )

 

Entering Calculus I:

Review of Algebra and Trig  you should know for Calculus I  (this is a summary of material you need to know- no problems)

Information about the Gateway Exam

 

Entering Calculus II:

You should know all of the above plus

List of topics, resources for review, problems             Solutions (only check these after you have worked through the problems yourself!)

 

Entering Calculus III:

You should know all of the above plus

List of topics, resources for review, problems            Solutions (only check these after you have worked through the problems yourself!)

 

Entering Differential Equations

(still to come)