Pre-Calculus and Pre-Statistics Modules
The Pre-Calculus and Pre-Statistics Modules for introductory courses provide you with the opportunity to review and demonstrate mastery of prerequisite material.
You will progress through each module’s series of online assignments as independent study, using the MapleTA software.
These modules are coordinated by Mathematics and Statistics Learning Support. You can make use of Math and Stats Learning Support drop-in hours to obtain extra help with any of the material covered by the module work.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the module program, please contact Tina Balfour.
Pre-Calculus Modules
Each pre-calculus module covers a key skill area from secondary school mathematics, up to and including topics covered in the Ontario Grade 12 Advanced Functions course (i.e., there are no questions requiring calculus itself).
Reviewing this material will not only earn you course credit towards your final calculus grade, but will also help you when completing course work such as problem/lab assignments and tests.
The marks earned by completing modules are non-transferrable from one course to another. How the marks earned are applied to each course may differ; check your course syllabus carefully. If you switch courses or have any questions regarding the module program, contact Tina Balfour.
Fall 2024
Access opens Friday Sept. 6 at 4 p.m.
Earning Bonus Marks
Up to five bonus marks can be earned for course credit in MA102 by successfully completing these supplementary modules:
- One half-mark is granted when a minimum of 80% is obtained on a module's test for credit by the deadline indicated below.
- If all nine modules are successfully completed by Sunday Oct. 20, then an additional half-mark is awarded, to earn the maximum 5% in bonus marks.
- The first six modules do not reopen after the due date indicated below.
Minimum Score
Before a module's test for credit may be attempted, you must obtain a minimum score of 80% on all of the module's assignments.
You can complete the assignment any number of times until the minimum score is obtained.
Test for Credit
A test for credit is timed and must be completed in one sitting, but may be attempted any number of times (though having achieved 80% or better on the prerequisite work should result in being able to pass the test on the first or second try).
Deadline to Earn Module Bonus Marks
In order to obtain a module's bonus mark, a passing score of 80% or better must be attained on the test by the following dates:
| Module | Deadline, to earn bonus mark |
|---|---|
| Module A - Numerical Expressions | Sunday Sept. 22, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module B - Algebraic Expressions | Sunday Sept. 22, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module C - Factoring | Sunday Sept. 22, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module D - Rational Expressions | Sunday Oct. 6, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module E - Equations and Inequalities | Sunday Oct. 6, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module F - Geometry | Sunday Oct. 6, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module G - Functions and Graphing | Sunday Nov. 10, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module H - Exponential and Logarithmic Functions | Sunday Nov. 10, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module I - Trigonometry and Trigonometric Functions | Sunday Nov. 10, 11:59 p.m. |
Note that the modules are independent of one another; for example, you do not have to have completed Module B before attempting Module C, etc. Thus, if you miss completing a module before its due date, you can still access and complete any remaining modules to earn their bonus marks.
MapleTA site
Consult the User Guide (see tab below) to learn how to access the modules and how to use correct syntax for entering answers.
Go to the MapleTA login screen after you've read the "how to" user guide; access will open by 4 p.m. on Friday September 6.
Access opens Friday Sept. 6 at 4 p.m.
Earning Bonus Marks
Up to five bonus marks can be earned for course credit in MA103 by successfully completing these supplementary modules:
- One half-mark is granted for each module completed.
- If all eight modules are successfully completed, then an additional one mark is awarded, to earn the maximum 5% in bonus marks.
Minimum Score
Before a module's test for credit may be attempted, you must obtain a minimum score of 80% on all of the module's assignments.
You can complete the assignment any number of times until the minimum score is obtained.
Test for Credit
A test for credit is timed and must be completed in one sitting, but may be attempted any number of times (though having achieved 80% or better on the prerequisite work should result in being able to pass the test on the first or second try).
Deadline to Earn Module Bonus Marks
Once you have obtained a score of 80% or better on the test, you have completed that module and earned the associated bonus credit.
Each module must be completed by the date given below:
| Module | Deadline, to earn bonus mark |
|---|---|
| Module A - Algebraic Expressions | Thursday Sept. 26 11:59 p.m. |
| Module B - Factoring | Thursday Oct. 3, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module C - Rational Expressions | Thursday Oct. 10, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module D - Equations and Inequalities | Thursday Oct. 24 11:59 p.m. |
| Module E - Geometry | Thursday Nov. 7, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module F - Functions and Graphing | Thursday Nov. 14, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module G - Exponential and Logarithmic Functions | Thursday Nov. 21, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module H - Trigonometry and Trigonometric Functions | Thursday Nov. 28, 11:59 p.m. |
Note that the modules are independent of one another; for example, you do not have to have completed Module B before attempting Module C, etc. Thus, if you miss completing a module before its due date, you can still access and complete any remaining modules to earn their bonus marks.
MapleTA site
Consult the User Guide (see tab below) to learn how to access the modules and how to use correct syntax for entering answers.
Go to the MapleTA login screen after you've read the "how to" user guide; access will open by 4 p.m. on Friday September 6.
Access opens Friday Sept. 6.
Earning Bonus Marks
Up to five bonus marks can be earned for course credit in MA129 by successfully completing these supplementary modules:
- One half-mark (0.5%) is granted for each module completed.
- If all eight modules are successfully completed, then an additional one mark (1%) is awarded, to earn the maximum 5% in bonus marks.
Minimum Score
Before a module's test for credit may be attempted, you must obtain a minimum score of 80% on all of the module's assignments.
You can complete the assignment any number of times until the minimum score is obtained.
Test for Credit
A test for credit is timed and must be completed in one sitting, but may be attempted any number of times (though having achieved 80% or better on the prerequisite work should result in being able to pass the test on the first or second try).
Deadline for Bonus Marks
In order to obtain a module's bonus mark, a passing score of 80% or better must be obtained on the test by the following dates; note: a few dates may be adjusted once the date of the course midterm has been confirmed.
| Module | Deadline, to earn bonus mark |
|---|---|
| Module A - Numerical Expressions | Monday Sept. 23, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module B - Algebraic Expressions | Monday Sept. 30, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module C - Factoring | Monday Oct. 7, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module D - Rational Expressions | Monday Oct. 21, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module E - Equations and Inequalities | Monday Nov. 4, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module F - Geometry | Monday Nov. 11, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module G - Functions and Graphing | Monday Nov. 18, 11:59 p.m. |
| Module H - Exponential and Logarithmic Functions | Monday Nov. 25, 11:59 p.m. |
Note that the modules are independent of one another. You do not have to complete Module A before attempting Module B, etc. If you miss completing a module before its due date, you can still access and complete any remaining modules to earn their bonus marks.
MapleTA site
Consult the User Guide (see tab below) to learn how to access the modules and how to use correct syntax for entering answers.
Go to the MapleTA login screen after you've read the "how to" user guide; access will open by 4 p.m. on Friday September 6.
Pre-Statistics Modules
Pre-Statistics Modules can be incorporated into any introductory-level course on probability and statistics to provide students with an opportunity to review, and demonstrate mastery of, fundamental math skills required to be successful in such a quantitative course.
No knowledge of statistics is required to complete the modules. They give you an opportunity to review some key mathematical skills that would be required in a statistics course, such as order of operations and working with formula.
Contact Tina Balfour to learn how the modules can be integrated into your course.
Fall 2024
Not incorportated into any courses at this time.
MapleTA
First, read the relevant course information above, so that you are aware of what needs to be completed to earn credit for your particular calculus course; how the modules are used in each course varies.
If you have any problems working with MapleTA, or you can't find the answer within this guide, connect with Tina Balfour at tbalfour@wlu.ca.
The term classes used on this page only refer to MapleTA classes only, not to be confused with your Laurier-registered classes.
To access MapleTA:
- Go to the MapleTA login page.
- Log in with your Laurier username and password without the @mylaurier.ca.
- Review the Classes I Am Taking list.
- If Pre-Calculus Modules – MA### (along with the term) appears in the list, then select the class.
- If the class does not appear in the list, contact Tina Balfour.
Browser Requirements
Your internet browser must be able to communicate with our server properly. Before starting any of the module work, make sure your browser is set to accept cookies and allow popups.
Enable Javascript
Some question types require Javascript to run in the background so, your browser must have Java enabled.
MapleTA requires a recent version of Java installed on your computer. The latest version is available as an easy-to-install free download from the Java Website.
Saving Assignments
While working on any module assignment, you can select "Quit & Save" part way through, and return at a later time to finish the assignment.
This leaves the assignment in an "open" state. MapleTA only allows you to have one open assignment at a time.
Submitting Assignments
When you have finished an assignment and are ready to submit your answers:
- Select the Submit Assignment button.
- Select Grade.
- Allow for the page to refresh on its own.
- As there is no indication of progress, it may appear as nothing is happening; however, do not select Submit again as this may cause an error.
Proceeding to Next Assignment
You cannot proceed to the next assignment within a module until you have scored 80% or better on the preceding assignment. You can repeat any assignment as many times as necessary until a passing score is attained.
Before making an additional attempt at an assignment, check View Details of your current attempt (after it's been graded) to see what errors you made and in particular, whether your errors were math-based, or whether it was simply the way in which you entered your answer.
Some expressions must be entered a certain way for the program to interpret them correctly (see the "Entering Answers into MapleTA" tab for more details).
Attempt Test for Credit
Once you pass with a score of 80% or better on the module's entire set of assignments, you are eligible to attempt the modules Test for Credit, if required.
For this test:
- It is timed test, so as soon as the link is opened, the time starts and continues even if you select Quit & Save.
- The test must be completed in one sitting and you cannot log in at a later time to finish the test.
- You can repeat the test as often as needed until a score of 80% or better is attained.
Equation Editor
The Equation Editor allows you to enter your answers to have it look the same way you would write it on paper, making it easier to check if an answer is input in the way you intended. However, MapleTA may not mark answers entered in the Equation Editor correctly and may mark it as incorrect.
To avoid this problem and to ensure your answers are graded accurately:
- Use text mode when you enter your answers and use your brackets correctly.
- Select Preview (or the magnifying glass) below the answer box to double check your answer.
Special Instructions
In some cases, there will be additional points that need to be considered when entering your answer in order for the program to interpret it correctly. When required, any special instructions will be included as part of the answer, so make sure you read the entire question.After you have submitted your assignment/test, MapleTA will display your final score for that attempt.
To check which questions you've answered correctly or incorrectly:
- Select View Details to view each question with your response, and the correct response.
- Select Quit & Save to exit the assignment.
View Past Results
To view your past results, all attempts for your assignment and the recorded score:
- Log in to MapleTA.
- Select the class link.
- Select the Gradebook menu item near the top of the page.
- Select View past results.
- Select the assignment(s) that you want to check, then select Search.
- Select Details to open the assignment and view which questions you answered correctly/incorrectly.
Review the guidelines based on your Laurier course to view the requirements for bonus marks in your calculus course.
Each module has a deadline by which it must be completed in order to earn any associated bonus mark.
To earn your course credit.
- Complete the module by earning a score of 80% or better on each component of the module.
- At the end of the term, the manager of MaSt will inform relevant course instructors of marks earned through the module program, according to details provided on your course syllabus.
