No Calculators Allowed?

Janos · 05-12-2008, 09:53 AM

I was speaking with a current McGill [engineering] student, and he told me that McGill pretty much doesn't allow the use of calculators. We were talking via online messaged (e-mail) so I asked him for a little more detail, but he's yet to respond.

Any input or comments on this? Are calculators allowed or not allowed?

I find it kind of weird that highschool allows the use of calculators, but university wouldnt. Do they want us to brush up on our multiplication and long division skills? Why would they possibly do this? The only explanation I can see woulf be one of two things:
1 - Either everything (math) is so theoretical (algebra)that there is no need for a calculator... though even then I'd think you need to do some calculations, no?
2 - He meant that no graphing calculators can be used for tests/quizzes/exams. This makes sense, but it's a lot different then wording "no calculators allowed"

Anyone that can clarify?

Ocikat · 05-12-2008, 03:16 PM

You don't really need to use calculators for things like Calculus right?(e.g. derivative of 2x) But McGill allows you to use calculators for Physics and Chemistry.

Ocikat · 05-12-2008, 03:21 PM

If calculators can help during the process, profs do allow you to use calculators if not then no.

1) No, in algebra, stuff like matrix, calculators can't do anything.
2) Yes graphing calculators are allowed in Chemistry and Physics and other courses which require you to perform complex calculations.

"I was speaking with a current McGill [engineering] student, and he told me that McGill pretty much doesn't allow the use of calculators."
^ He is wrong. Ask "real" McGill Engineering student

justatest · 05-12-2008, 04:02 PM

in most upper year engineering classes, "standard faculty" calculators are allowed, which are pretty much one scientific calculator everyone uses. The only time calculators weren't allowed were for first year math classes (Calc 1 and 2, Linear Algebra), but they would have been useless anyway.

Graphing Calculators will never be allowed for their ability to store and run programs.

You will always know well ahead of time whether or not a calculator is allowed for the exam.

drmambo · 05-13-2008, 01:04 AM

True dat ^.

First off, calculators would render most of the calc I and II exams just tests to see if you can use your calculator or not (as both the TI-83, and the faculty allowed calculator can do derivatives and integrals).

Secondly, to echo everyone else: calculators are a) allowed, and b) needed in the sciences (like chem and physics).

Math classes are a majority theoretical (what with indefinite integration and all), however science classes rarely ask for symbolic answers (physics might, chem definitely will not).

The classes I'm talking about are solely within the first year curriculum, however.

sophia.l · 05-13-2008, 01:52 AM

I saw that calc I and calc II don't allow calculators, but what about calc 3 classes?

drmambo · 05-13-2008, 10:55 AM

Quick question: what does it matter? Will the inclusion or exclusion of a calculator in a curriculum make or break your enrollment in any class? If so, you should probably take some time off until you're mature enough to handle university.

Janos · 05-13-2008, 01:05 PM

Having or not having a calculator doesn't make a difference to me, I just wanted some clarification. I didn't know what we were going to be able to use one for or not, and my ablility to do long division and multiplication tables is pretty rusty. (I can do it, but I'd burn a hell of a lot of time). I figured I'd get an answer and brush up if necessary - since I've nothing to lose.

A calculator for calculus and algebra would be nice to have, but I agree it probably wouldn't be very useful. Just a thought.

Ocikat · 05-13-2008, 01:41 PM

Don't worry you will be fine.

Janos · 05-13-2008, 03:56 PM

Hahah doesn't matter at this point anyway... I was declined!