Math Placement  

Our courses are conducted in small groups to foster collaboration. Each class is centered around a series of thoughtfully chosen problems that necessitate new mathematical tools and ways of thinking. As you and your classmates work on these problems, your instructor will illuminate the captivating mathematical story and show you how mathematical ideas spring from the need to solve essential problems in a variety of contexts. 

Through this approach, we aim to highlight effective engagement in the problem-solving process. Problem-solving involves confronting new challenges where the solution isn’t immediately clear. In your coursework, you will learn to identify the goal of a problem, devise a strategy, refine your approach as you deepen your understanding, and persevere until you find a solution. We all experience an emotional roller coaster in the problem-solving process, and it is important to anticipate that at different moments, you will experience curiosity, frustration, confusion, excitement, and satisfaction. 

Because of how our courses are structured, active participation in class is critical for your success. We encourage you to demonstrate curiosity about the diversity of mathematical viewpoints, share your insights, embrace the learning opportunities in making mistakes, and seek help whenever needed.

Because it’s impossible to learn mathematics without doing mathematics, our introductory courses include three problem sets a week. These problem sets help you engage with the material between sessions, address misconceptions, and come to the next class session prepared for a spirited discussion. 

Problem SETs are the primary place where learning happens. We consider class time as an opportunity to provide the background material that allows you to own your understanding through engagement with problem sets. This means most of your learning will occur outside the designated classroom time. This is indeed a hallmark of learning in the university setting.

Harvard offers numerous resources to support you in learning mathematics.

• Each course has office hours hosted by the course instructors (in the Math Department, we call instructors Teaching Fellows or TFs). Office hours are a time set aside for you to ask questions you have about the content and reflect on your understanding with an expert. 
• Each of our introductory courses has a Math Question Center (MQC). This is a place where you can work with students in the course on the problem set. There will be an undergraduate course assistant there to help facilitate the session. 
• The Academic Resource Center provides peer tutoring. You can find more information here. 

It’s up to you to use these resources effectively to promote your personal growth. Asking for help and seeking different perspectives are essential aspects of learning mathematics, but taking ownership of your learning is crucial. When you complete a problem set, you should be able to reflect on how the problems fit together and how they contribute to your overall understanding of the topic. You should aim for the high, but achievable standard of being able to explain the PSET from top to bottom to a classmate.