UM Directory

Contact Information

Department:

Mathematics

Email:

richard.darnell@umontana.edu

Phone:

(406) 243-5311

Office Hours:

"When people come and say, 'I hate math,' they're saying, 'I hate my mathematical experience.' Because math is objectively a beautiful, profound expression of human thought. You can't expect someone coming from high school math to have a reasonable critique.

What they're really saying is, 'I was devalued in this experience.' And I say to them, 'I'm sorry that's the experience you had, but I'm here to present you with another one. And you have to be open to that.

So: Are you willing?" -- Aris Winger

In Person: (Drop-in hours, no need for appointment)
   Monday: 2-3:30 pm
   Tuesday: I'm in and out of meetings (10 am, Noon, 2 pm), but will be around my office from 9ish to 4ish otherwise.
   Wednesday: 2-3:30 pm
   Friday: 2-3:30 pm
And, by appointment (email or call to schedule)

Online (Zoom): By Appointment at Zoom Meeting Room

***Making the most of our time during office hours***

Answer this question...Why are you coming to see me?

• Get help with a homework question or general topic from class
  • Try to identify what it is you know AND don't know. The more you can communicate these two things, the easier it is for us to have a productive conversation.
  • Bring in a specific homework question (or two, or three, or...) that you're working on, and be able to explain what you understand AND don't understand about it. "I don't understand any of it," is not a helpful starting point, and is frustrating to us all as I have to go on a "fishing expedition" to try and figure out what exactly it is you're having issues with.
• Talk about grades
  • Be sure to check the syllabus and your current grade on Canvas.
  • Is the issue a missing or incorrect score for an assignment? Have evidence and documentation as appropriate to confirm the missing or inaccurate information.
  • Is it to make a plan for improving a grade over the course of the semester? Come equipped with ideas and a plan that will serve as the starting point for our conversation.