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Math Prep for Science Students

This workshop is designed to improve incoming university students’ fundamental math skills and confidence, and set them up for success in their first-year science classes. We will review a variety of mathematical topics up through the pre-calculus level, including proportional reasoning, trigonometry, and graphical analysis. You will learn how to identify and solve the type of mathematical problems that you will encounter in your introductory physics, chemistry, biology and earth science classes.

Course Dates

August 24 - 28, 2026

Location

Shrum Science P (SSP) Room P9412 (Locate on SFU Roomfinder here)

Format

In-person (10:00 am – 1:30 pm):

  • Interactive lectures and small group problem-solving sessions guided by an experienced university instructor.

Online content via Canvas:

  • Practice questions and self-testing quizzes you can take many times - to measure your understanding of the course material
  • Access to free textbooks – with daily suggested reading assignments
  • Lecture slides & in-class exercise solutions
  • Online discussion board to ask questions - monitored by an instructor
  • Online synchronous office hours daily via Zoom

Questions?

Contact Dr. Sarah Johnson at sjohnson@sfu.ca.

Instructor

Dr. Sarah Johnson, University Lecturer in Physics

Dr. Johnson, the recipient of a 2023 3M National Teaching Fellowship, has been teaching first-year physics for over thirty years. Among other accomplishments, the award celebrates her dedication to student support, including founding SFU’s Science and Math Peer Academic Support program, and her remarkable efforts in breaking down the barriers that prevent young women from pursuing education and careers in physics. In her classes, Dr. Johnson’s educational approach seeks to demystify challenging concepts for her students, utilizing evidence-based teaching approaches such as flipped classrooms, student response systems, and peer learning.