SOURCE:
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/9/3/new-math-intro-course/
The Harvard Math Department will pilot a new introductory course aimed at rectifying a lack of foundational algebra skills among students, according to Harvard’s Director of Introductory Math Brendan A. Kelly.
The course, titled Math MA5, will run alongside two established math courses — Math MA and MB — with an expanded five-day schedule.
Kelly said that students in MA5 will meet with “one of two instructors all five days” with “a variety of different activities” on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
WOW, that is simply stunning.
Back in the day, incoming Harvard needed at least advanced placement algebra to get an admit.
Most had at least a semester of Calculus.
I had to take a remedial algebra class. I was out of service after 8 years in 1976-77 and applied to a pretty hard engineering school and miraculously got accepted. They wouldn’t even tell me what my SAT score was. I really think they only accepted me because it was a state school and a veteran inducted from there.
5 days a week....algebra problems and homework...lots. Didn’t count towards graduation.... I ended up getting an A which helped me tremendously with the other courses I was to take and I’m glad they had the program. Graduated 13 quarters later in 1980 with a 3.2.....
They need this class because they are highly selective in their admittance standards. Per capita.