Math 26A: Calculus I for Social and Life Sciences

Engagement, Structure, Application

Course Description

Limits, differentiation with applications, integration and applications in the Social and Life Sciences. Enrollment capacity is 30 student. Course is typically run using lectures and it is a lower division course.

Overview of the Redesign Project

I redesigned group work to be more efficient. The challenge was to cover the material while still allotting time for group work. To achieve this, I shortened the review at the beginning of the course, focusing on a few key concepts instead of covering everything. Additionally:
I ensured that I covered more applications, as this course is for Social and Life Sciences students. This was accomplished by spending less time on the review and providing students with the option to choose specific problems from the in-class worksheet instead of completing the entire worksheet

Assessment of the Redesign Project

This table shows three ways I assessed my course redesign.
Worksheet	Worksheet	Worksheet
Worksheet where I have only two problems. These problems took longer.	Several problems but students were asked to attempt atleast five problems.	Students were asked to complete at least two parts of #2 and #3.

Reflection

The challenge was to manage so that I could cover the required content and the students get to do group work on the problems from the key concepts. As I mentioned above, I achieved this by shortening the review time I spend in the beginning and also by smartly designing the worksheets. I reminded my students repeatedly about the concepts they need to review throughout the course. My students seem way more comfortable after finishing worksheets rather than just attending a lecture.

Faculty Biography

This table includes my faculty biography.
	Hi! My name is Vardayani Ratti, and I am in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. I joined Sac State in 2022. I am an Applied Mathematician, and my research involves the application of mathematics to biology, ecology, medicine, and geography.

**Program Sponsors**
	This work was supported by: Sacramento State Anchor Initiative Sacramento State Academic Affairs - Center for Teaching and Learning

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