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Introduction to Functions and Calculus I
MATH MA

Course Information

Description

This is the first half of a full-year course that studies functions and their rates of change. Fundamental ideas of calculus are introduced early and used to provide a framework for the study of mathematical modeling involving algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions. In this semester, we will emphasize conceptual mastery of and computational fluency with the critical ideas of differential calculus.
 
There will be required workshops Tuesdays.
 
This course is appropriate for students with and without calculus experience. Techniques from high school algebra are used right away and students who have taken a break from mathematics can expect to spend extra time reviewing them.

Course Notes

Math Ma is taught in small sections throughout the day on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule (9:00-10:15 am, 10:30-11:45 am, 12-1:15 pm, 1:30-2:45 pm, and 3:00-4:15 pm with sufficient enrollment). Completing your registration for Math Ma is a two-step process: first, you'll enroll in the course within my.harvard, and then, you'll fill out the Math Sectioning form in your my.harvard To-Do list to submit your time preferences. Please submit time preferences before 5pm on Tuesday, September 2. Note this To-Do list may take up to 15 minutes to appear after enrolling. If your time preferences change, you may submit the form again; only your latest submission will be used. At a later date, you'll be asked to sign up for your Tuesday workshop. In order to receive your section assignment, you are required to take the Math MA skills check in-person on September 2. Please see the course's Canvas site for more information. This course, when taken together with Mathematics Mb, can be followed by Mathematics 1b. Mathematics Ma and Mb together cover all the material in Mathematics 1a (and more).

Class Notes

The QUIZ component of this course represents the designated time slot for your mid-term exams. While these exams do not occur weekly, it's important that this period remains on your schedule. If you encounter an academic conflict, you have the option to enroll in the TBA section. Students enrolled in the TBA section will be required to take all exams out of sequence.

School Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Credits 4
Cross Reg

Available for Harvard Cross Registration

Department Mathematics
Course Component Lecture
Grading Basis FAS Letter Graded
Exam/Final Deadline Dec. 15, 2025
General Education N/A
Quantitative Reasoning with Data N/A
Divisional Distribution Science & Engineering & Applied Science
Course Level Primarily for Undergraduate Students