MATH 31A
Differential and Integral Calculus
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Preparation: at least three and one half years of high school mathematics (including some coordinate geometry and trigonometry). Requisite: successful completion of Mathematics Diagnostic Test or course 1 with grade of C- or better. Differential calculus and applications; introduction to integration. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2020 - Prof. Willis is a fantastic lecturer; he's really responsive during lectures and actually pays attention to the questions asked in the chat (he'll actually answer all of them and make sure you understand by demonstrating with examples). His pacing during lectures is pretty much perfect, and the concepts were explained super clearly. He's also pretty funny and will interact with the students in the chat. Workload for this class is decent, there's a few written homework problems paired with online Sapling homework due every week. If there were any homework problems students were stuck on, Prof. Willis and the TAs would be super helpful during their office hours. The midterms and final were open-note, 24-hour window assignment-like exams submitted through Gradescope. The lectures were recorded, and attendance wasn't required for either the lectures or discussions. (Michael Johnson was also a pretty awesome TA; he was super helpful.)
Fall 2020 - Prof. Willis is a fantastic lecturer; he's really responsive during lectures and actually pays attention to the questions asked in the chat (he'll actually answer all of them and make sure you understand by demonstrating with examples). His pacing during lectures is pretty much perfect, and the concepts were explained super clearly. He's also pretty funny and will interact with the students in the chat. Workload for this class is decent, there's a few written homework problems paired with online Sapling homework due every week. If there were any homework problems students were stuck on, Prof. Willis and the TAs would be super helpful during their office hours. The midterms and final were open-note, 24-hour window assignment-like exams submitted through Gradescope. The lectures were recorded, and attendance wasn't required for either the lectures or discussions. (Michael Johnson was also a pretty awesome TA; he was super helpful.)
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2016 - Short homework, although he only chooses all even problems so you can't check your answers in the back of the textbook. Tests are EXTREMELY HARD (final average was a 39%). Elementary calculus should never be this tough. Lectures are pointless, as he pretty much only proves theorems. However, the curve is pretty generous given that everybody fails his tests. He's definitely a genius from a different planet, but doesn't have a clue about how to teach.
Winter 2016 - Short homework, although he only chooses all even problems so you can't check your answers in the back of the textbook. Tests are EXTREMELY HARD (final average was a 39%). Elementary calculus should never be this tough. Lectures are pointless, as he pretty much only proves theorems. However, the curve is pretty generous given that everybody fails his tests. He's definitely a genius from a different planet, but doesn't have a clue about how to teach.
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