MATH
21 B
Mathematics Math21b Spring 2009
Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
Midterm evaluations
Course Head: Oliver Knill
Office: SciCtr 434
We read the midterm evaluations. Thanks for all the feedback. Below is a summary.


Textbook:

Some quotes: Easy to read. Ok. Not enough examples. Effective. A bit heavy. Expensive. Lack of color is depressive. Some liked it more than Stewart in 21a, some liked it less.

Hourly:

Hard but fair. Time was a problem for some. Matching was felt harder than in practice. Some formulations could be clearer.

Homework:

Summary: Almost everybody find the homework ok. A handful think there are some problems which are too hard or "clever". The MCQ was helful.

Reviews:

Should be taped. Can be slower.

Practice text

Very helpful. Could be posted earlier.

Lectures:

The lectures were voted effective to very effective (only 5 "not effective" statements from 160). Time is often a problem. Lectures have often a time crunch.

Website:

Everybody seems happy about the website. Wishlist: due dates for homework, more handout sheets. Hints about doing proofs.

MQC

Is considered a big help. Its nice to get personal attention. But if the MQC is crowded, this attention is gone. Sometimes chaos due to too few CAs. Somebody mentioned that there is no sense of accomplishement if one is walked through a problem. Sometimes the MQC does not stay open until 10:30.

Problem sessions

Its nice that there is one almost every day. Best recap of lectures. Amazing. Good to hear the material again.
Please send questions and comments to math21b@fas.harvard.edu
Math21b (Exam Group 1)| Oliver Knill | Spring 2009 | Department of Mathematics | Faculty of Art and Sciences | Harvard University