FAQs

• Q. When and where are the lectures and tutorials?
• Q. What were the old subject codes for my courses?
• Q. How do I find out about other mathematics courses?
• Q. Do I need to buy the textbook?
• Q. Are there any alternative or better reference books?
• Q. What do I need to bring to the tutorials?
• Q. Why is this course important?
• Q. Exactly what topics are covered in this course?
• Q. How do I get a password for the computer lab?
• Q. What is the assessment scheme?
• Q. Where do I submit my assignments?
• Q. Where do I collect my assignments?
• Q. Is it compulsory to come to lectures and tutorials?
• Q. I was turned away from a lecture. What is going on?
• Q. What should I do if I am sick for a lecture or one of the assignments or the midsemester or final exam?
• Q. Where can I find the lecture notes or assignment sheets?
• Q. Where are the lecturers' offices and when are the consultation hours?
• Q. Where can I go for extra help?
• Q. Can you recommend a private tutor?
• Q. How can I register to become a mathematics tutor
• Q. What can I do if I feel there is something wrong with the lecturer or course?
• Q. What can I do if the lecturer is really great?
• Q. Where can I go for help if I have personal problems?
• Q. If I have a disability, what can be done?
• Q. Where is the final exam. What will it be like and are there sample papers?
• Q. What happens on public holidays?
• Q. What is plagiarism?

Answers

• Q. When are the lectures and tutorials? A. There are usually three hours of lectures and one hour of tutorial each week. The times and locations of lectures and tutorials can be found in the course profile (look up your course at http://www.maths.uq.edu.au/courses). Find locations at the university map. Timetables are also listed at SI net.
• Q. What was the old course code for my course? A. The library examinations page shows old and new course codes.
• Q. How do I find out about other mathematics courses? A. You should visit the course web pages. Each course contains a link, "About this course". This page will tell you what the course covers and if it is relevant to you.
• Q. Do I need to buy the textbook? A. Some courses specify a text while others only use a list of references. For first and second year subjects it is highly recommended that you obtain the text. New copies are available in the bookstore, while the union bookshop often sells secondhand copies. There may be copies of the text in the library, but these will usually be restricted to short term loans.
• Q. Are there any alternative or better reference books? A. Check the course profile. You may also find useful information in the Resources page.
• Q. What do I need to bring to the tutorials? A. You should bring working paper, your calculator, your lectures notes (most important) and any question sheets we may work on. You may find the textbook useful (especially if questions are set from the text).
• Q. Why is this course important? See the link to About This Course at the course page for an appreciation of the applications of this course and the skills that you will learn.
• Q. Exactly what topics are covered in this subject? A. For a general overview, see the link About this Course,for the syllabus, see the Course Profile, but for specifics visit the course Lecture Notes.
• Q. How do I get a password for the computer lab? A. Computer accounts are issued only to students who are enrolled in courses which use the labs as part of teaching. See the Course Profile to see if there is a computer component in your courses.
• Q. What is the assessment scheme? A.See the Course Profile. It is your responsibility to ensure that you understand the assessment structure of the course.
• Q. Where do I submit my assignments? A. Usually you will hand in your assignments at the tutorial session. Late assignments will not be accepted without reasons. Some courses may require you to submit at another time - the details will be given in lectures. Make sure your assignments include Student name, student number, course code, tutorial group.
• Q. Where do I collect my assignments? A. Your assignments will usually be returned to you by the tutor or lecturer within a couple of weeks of the due date. If you failed to collect your assignment, visit the lecturer or wait until the next week.
• Q. Is it compulsory to come to lectures and tutorials? A. It is strongly encouraged that students attend the lectures and tutorials. It has been found that students who do not attend most of the lectures and tutorials are likely to fail the subject.
• Q. I was turned away from a lecture. What is going on? A. If a lecture theatre is filled to capacity, occupational health and safety laws say that no more students may attend. We are not allowed to fill the stairways with people. So you may be turned away from a lecture theatre if it it full.
• Q. What should I do if I am sick for a lecture or one of the assignments or the midsemester exam or the final exam? A. If you miss a lecture or tutorial, catch up by reading the notes from a friend, on the web or in the library. You should check the tutorial solutions also. If you have missed a submission which is worth marks, show your medical certificate or letter of support from Student Support Services to the lecturer and they may arrange for an extension (if within the week) or you may be exempted from the tutorial or assignment. If you are exempted from any tutorial/assignment, then an average for the other tutorials/assignments is taken and a pro-rata mark will be returned. Please note that ad hoc excuses (car trouble and the like!) will not be accepted: only documentation in connection with illness or bereavement. If you enrolled late, then exemption will automatically be granted for anything missed before the date of enrolment. If you miss the midsemester exam, take your medical certificate or letter of support from Student Support Services to the lecturer and they will organise an alternate weighting scheme for you. If you miss the final exam it is crucial that you contact the Examinations Section (St Lucia - 3365 2488, Gatton - 5460 1126), or the Student Centre on Ipswich Campus (3381 1011), or report to the Student Centre on your campus as soon as possible. Under certain circumstances you may be allowed to take your examination later on the same day; however, you may be required to apply for a special examination.
• Q. Where can I find the lecture notes or assignment sheets? A. Depending on the course, full lecture notes or simply main points may be available. You should check the Lecture Notes page to determine what is available to you. Some lecturers will produce scans of the slides, while other lecturers will just outline the main ideas. For some courses, a copy of the actual overhead slides will be placed in the library. Just ask the librarian at the enquiries counter where to find them. Assignment sheets will probably be available on the web page, but they will be given out in class also.
• Q. Where are the lecturers' offices and when are the consultation hours? A. Check the Course Profile or the front page of this course webpage.
• Q. Where can I go for extra help? A. You can visit the lecturer during consultation hours if you have queries about the course or content. Alternatively, you can ask for help at Student Support Services in the Student Union complex. They can provide learning assistance free to students. If you feel that you need much more help and want a private tutor, visit the mathematics department office (6th floor of building 67) and they can either take your name or provide a list of potential tutors.
• Q. Can you recommend a private tutor? A. If you feel that you need much more help and want a private tutor, visit the mathematics department office (6th floor of building 67) and they can either take your name or provide a list of potential tutors.
• Q. How can I register to become a mathematics tutor? A. Visit the mathematics office on level 6 and advise the departmental secretary. They will take your details.
• Q. What can I do if I feel there is something wrong with the lecturer or course? A. You can visit the lecturer's office, or see them after the class, or phone them or email them to let them know how you feel. The lecturer certainly will not hold it against you, because constructive criticism is important. If you do not want to discuss the matter directly with the lecturer, you can use the feedback facility on the web page. Another idea is to talk the matter over with one of the other course lecturers, and they can pass on the message to the lecturer. Of course, if you feel the matter is important enough, you may wish to let the head of department know directly.
• Q. What can I do if the lecturer is really great? A. Of course, you may want to reward your lecturer or tutor, and one of the best ways is just to go up and say that you are enjoying the course. If you want to really reward them, you can nominate university teachers for an Excellence in Teaching Award.
• Q. Where can I go for help if I have personal problems? A. If you feel that problems in your life are interfering with your university performance, you should consult Student Support Services in the Student Union complex. They offer academic and personal support in a confidential environment for free to students. They will help with personal counselling, careers counselling, learning assistance, disability support, financial assistance, UQ-link support and international student support. They can provide a letter to give to lecturers which will help your case for a special exam (there is no longer special consideration for examinations), but do not leave it too late. If you are concerned about privacy with regard to medical certificates, please contact the University Health Service. With your permission, the Director will contact your treating practitioner to clarify the extent of your medical condition or other incapacity, and provide lecturers with a report - the Director is bound by confidentiality obligations. In any case, this course of action if preferred as academics are not qualified to assess medical evidence. The procedure outlined here accords with the University's policy on student privacy and confidentiality.
• Q. If I have a disability, what can be done? The official policy states: "Any student with a disability who may require alternative academic arrangements in the course is encouraged to seek advice at the commencement of the semester from a Disability Adviser at Student Support Services ." You may note the official university policies.
• Q. Where will the final exam be? What will it be like and are there sample papers? A. The final exam timetable will be posted around the university in about week 10. It is also available on SI Net. Visit the Resources Page for examination resources. The Course Profile will outline the format of the exam.
• Q. What happens on public holidays? A. Consult your Course Profile.
• Q. What is plagiarism? A. Plagiarism is the act of using other author's ideas and words or solutions without acknowledgement. It is a form of cheating and is considered as misconduct under official university policy. You must not engage in plagiarism in any of your assignments. For more information, consult the libarary UseIt on Plagiarism

Mathematics FAQs