Physics Professor teaching Math with no book assigned to the course

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics professor teaching a mathematical methods course using only lecture notes without assigning a textbook. Participants express their thoughts on the implications of this approach, share personal experiences, and discuss the commonality of teaching from notes versus textbooks.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the effectiveness of teaching solely from notes, expressing concern that important material may be missed due to the professor's last-minute preparation.
  • Another suggests checking the table of contents of a recommended textbook for supplementary reading, indicating that using additional resources can be beneficial.
  • Some participants share that it is common for courses to be taught from lecture notes, with varying opinions on the absence of recommended texts.
  • One participant reflects positively on courses taught from professors' notes, arguing that it can lead to a more thoughtful and engaging learning experience.
  • Concerns are raised about the lack of supplementary reading materials, with some participants suggesting that it is unusual not to provide any references.
  • Another participant mentions that the professor's notes may be based on previous instructors' materials, implying that some continuity exists in course content.
  • There is a suggestion that the professor's intention may be to keep students focused on the lecture material without distractions from other texts.
  • One participant shares their experience of asking the professor for additional reading materials but receiving limited guidance, leading them to seek resources independently.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express mixed views on the appropriateness of teaching without a textbook. While some find it common and acceptable, others feel it limits access to information. There is no consensus on whether this approach is beneficial or detrimental to learning.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of supplementary reading materials and the potential impact on learning, but there is no resolution on whether this teaching method is effective or appropriate.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering courses taught from lecture notes, educators exploring different teaching methodologies, and individuals interested in the dynamics of academic instruction in STEM fields.

lonewolf219
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Just wondering what anyone else thinks about one of the physics professor's at my university teaching a mathematical methods course strictly from notes. He did not assign a textbook.

Most of the material I have not seen before. Is this common? This course was restructured halfway through the school year, and the professor has admitted to writing the notes the night before class. I can't help feeling shorthanded. There is no suggested reading material AT ALL. Am I wrong to think he cannot possibly communicate everything he should be communicating through his lecture notes thrown together at the last minute?

Please let me know if you have any thoughts about this...
 
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Thanks! One of my professor's has mentioned her before...
 
It's not uncommon to teach from lecture notes, it's more uncommon to not list any supplementary texts. You can always just ask your instructor what it recommends.
 
In my experience it's very common to teach from notes. Out of all my math classes, only the two semesters of statistics I took were taught from a textbook, and the instructor's notes were different from the textbook (a good thing in this case). The syllabus for each class I have taken did have a list of suggested references, though. I really like it when professors teach from their own notes; it really helps especially when you read the course textbook.
 
This is common. The best courses I took were based on professors notes and not on texts - both in undergrad and grad school (EDIT: come to thing of it, I can think of NO graduate course I took that was strongly based on a book...). It is unusual to not recommend books that are worth looking at, or to not put books on reserve in the library. But my hunch is that you are actually getting a course that the professor has actually thought through and hopefully not thrown together at the last minute. It would be much easier for her/him to simply pick a book and march through it.

Check out your library to look at math methods books. If you find one you think could help, check it out. Also, used copies of old editions of many math methods books can be found online (places like amazon) for cheap. Finally, there are some free books online. Here is one by Prof. Nearing at Miami:
http://www.e-booksdirectory.com/details.php?ebook=104
the www.e-booksdirectory.com site has MANY books.

jason
 
Interesting! OK, I will try to embrace a different teaching style than I am used to, and check out the library... Thanks for your thoughts guys!
 
lonewolf219 said:
Most of the material I have not seen before. Is this common?

Isnt this supposed to be the case all the time unless you are throttling down to maximize your GPA?
 
I am just surprised that a professor would think it was a good idea to limit our information on a new topic.
 
  • #10
Is he forbidding you from reading anything else? :eek:
 
  • #11
The professor's notes are surely based on notes by the professor teaching the course before him. It's not mandatory for him to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors, of course. Each lecturer must/should have the decency of bringing some novelty into his classes, if not in course content, then perhaps in presentation (to include an important proof for example).

But simply not providing a bibliography to his course is not tragic. His intention is that his students do not get distracted from his material by reading things they may not need.

Fortunately, you have PF to ask about supplimentary reading.
 
  • #12
And nothing prevents you from going to your professor and asking for some supplementary reading.
 
  • #13
I already asked, and he did not provide any information other than to say just use your old physics books. I did buy a mathematical methods book that I thought would be good, but so far it is not much help. I should have asked PF first! The library carries the Mary Boas book jtbell mentioned earlier, which I plan to check out. Thanks for the advice
 
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