Pre-calculus study sessions for Math 180

TitlePre-calculus study sessions for Math 180
Faculty/College/UnitScience
StatusCompleted
Duration1 Year
Initiation04/01/2017
Completion03/31/2018
Project Summary

Math 180 has traditionally been a “high risk” course at UBC, with combined failure and withdrawal rates of over 20% averaged over the last five years. Since 2015W, we have been gathering data on students’ incoming math skills and we have found that these pre-calculus skills are a strong predictor of success in first year calculus courses such as Math 180. We propose a pilot program to support Math 180 students who have been identified as being at risk due to gaps in their incoming skills. The program would consist of small group (10-15 students), weekly TA-led study sessions, where students work through tasks designed to strengthen key basic math skills. These tasks would also incorporate such skills into the calculus content in Math 180, and support the development of effective study habits.

Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2017/2018
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorCostanza Piccolo
Year 1: Funded Amount10,139
Year 1: Team Members

Costanza Piccolo, Instructor, Mathematics, Faculty of Science
Mark Mac Lean, Professor of Teaching, Mathematics, Faculty of Science
Alain Prat, Science Teaching and Learning Fellow, Mathematics, Faculty of Science