Math Camp FAQ
How often does Math Camp meet?
What can I expect during our classes?
How do I maximize my time in Math Camp?
It has been years since I have even looked at math. How can I get a jump start on Math Camp?
What should I bring on the first day?
Math Camp is an intensive review of some basic concepts of algebra and geometry and a tiny bit of calculus. The purpose of this short and intensive course is to prepare you for SPEA masters classes that require some basic background in mathematics.
Math Camp is specially designed for those students who have not taken a math class in a very long time and need a refresher course or who feel that they might need extra help mastering some basic mathematical concepts.
Math Camp is ungraded; however, each day you will have some homework exercises to work that we will evaluate the next day.
How often does Math Camp meet?
We will meet every day for a week—Monday through Friday. We will meet from approximately 9:00am to 1:00pm. After class, you are encouraged to stick around SPEA to work on your homework. You can work in the atrium or in the Business/SPEA library. Every afternoon, the Teaching Assistant(s) (TA) will be available for a couple of hours in order to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to drop by between the hours of 3pm - 5pm.
What can I expect during our classes?
In class, we will have lectures and in-class exercises. We will also have guest appearances from faculty members who will tell us how the mathematical concepts we have been discussing will be helpful in your future classes and in public affairs and environmental science in general.
To better help you decide whether or not you need to attend Math Camp, use the evaluation tool and then check your answers. If you score well on the test and feel confident that you know how to answer these questions, then you don’t need to be in Math Camp. If you do not score well or cannot figure out the answers to these problems, then Math Camp is for you.
Math Camp Advanced is designed for all MSES, MPA/MSES and those MPA students that intend to incorporate some of SPEA’s demanding quantitative and/or analytical coursework in their academic designs. The Advanced course will provide an intense review of mathematical skills – from Algebra to Intermediate Calculus.
How do I maximize my time in Math Camp?
To maximize your learning, come to class prepared. Read the lecture notes, then come to class and pay close attention to the lectures. Then go home and reread the lecture notes and your class notes before doing the homework assignments. Work in groups on the homework and explain difficult concepts to each other. If you still have questions, then come and see the professor or the TA.
It has been years since I have even looked at math. How can I get a jump start on Math Camp?
If you want to do further reading on the subject, these are some basic textbooks that might be helpful. A couple suggestions are below. Or you can just check out a basic algebra book from the library.
Barnett, Raymond A., Michael R. Ziegler and Karl E. Byleen (2004) Finite Mathematics for Business, Economics, Life Sciences and Social Sciences (10th edition), Prentice Hall.
Gaur, Ajai S., Sanjaya S. Gaur.Statistical Methods for Practice And Research: A Guide to Data Analysis Using SPSS, Sage Publications.
Lial, Margaret L, John Hornsby, and David Schneider. College Algebra (9th edition). Addison Wesley.
Stewart, James. Calculus: Early Transcendentals (Stewart's Calculus Series) (Also, check out the author’s excellent website: http://www.stewartcalculus.com/media/4_home.php)
Sullivan, Michael. College Algebra (7th edition). Prentice Hall.
Waner & Costenoble. Finite Mathematics (2nd edition). Brooks & Cole.
What should I bring on the first day?
All you need to bring is a basic calculator, pencil, and paper. We will provide the course pack when you arrive on the first day.
You are welcome to park in the Fee Lane Parking Garage on Fee Lane just off of 10th Street; we'll provide you with a parking pass for display in your car window that will enable you to enter and exit the parking garage during SPEA’s Math Camp week. This parking privilege is only offered to registered Math Camp attendees and will end at the close of the week. You will see signage indicating "SPEA Parking" in and around the SPEA Building and garage entrance. We encourage you to park in the Fee Lane Garage on the 4th floor for easy access to the sky bridge which leads to the SPEA building. Please refer to the campus map for directions to SPEA.
Math Camp
Monday
Roots and exponents
Fractions
Polynomials (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing)
Percent change
Summation
Tuesday
Solving quadratic equations
Solving systems of equations
Wednesday
Functions and Graphing
Logarithmic and exponential functions
Thursday
Derivatives
Integration
Friday
Word Problems
Application problems
Math Camp Advanced
Monday
Factoring polynomials
Solving simultaneous equations
Distance formula and midpoint formula
Functions
Slopes
Equations of lines
Applying linear functions
Percent change
Graphing functions (preliminary)
Tuesday
Unit analysis
Review of exponents
Logarithms
Limits
Difference quotient
Preview of differentials
Wednesday
Differentiation general form
Alternative notation for differentiation
Rules of differentiation
Partial derivatives
Interpreting first, second, and third derivatives
Applications for derivatives
Graphing higher order polynomials
Thursday
Riemann sum
Integrals
Rules for integrals
Initial conditions
Definite integrals
Applications for integrals
Friday
Calculus of trigonometric functions
SPEA applications for calculus