How to Solve A Problem: Insights for Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Success in College

✍ Scribed by Kelling J. Donald

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2023
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 153
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This concise and accessible resource offers new college students, especially those in science degree programs, guidance on engaging successfully with the classroom experience and skillfully tackling technical or scientific questions. The author provides insights on identifying, from the outset, individual markers for what success in college will look like for students, how to think about the engagement with professors as a partnership, and how to function effectively in that partnership toward achieving their pre-defined goals or markers of success. It is an ideal companion for science degree prospects and first-generation students seeking insight into the college experience.

• Offers transferable problem-solving ideas and skills applicable for other disciplines and future careers.

• Provides new students with support and inspiration for their college experience.

• Includes guidance for successful interactions with professors, peers, professionals, and others.

• Encourages thoughtful determination of desired outcomes from the college experience and shaping one's actions toward accomplishing those objectives.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Endorsements
Half Title
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Author Biography
1 On Encountering a Problem
What Is a Problem?
The Right to Propose a Problem
The Implicit Faculty Commitment
The Responsibility of the Problem Solver
The Student’s Personal Commitment
Preparing for Problems
Patience, Persistence, and Problem-Solving
Knowing ≤ (The Battle)/2
To Take on a Problem
What’s Really a Blessing?
2 The Logic of the Problem: Good Thinking and Its Rewards
Subject-Independent Logic (Subject-Specific Laws)
Scientific Laws ‘Do’ Nothing
General Logical Ideas in Science
The Logic of Limiting Factors
The Logic of Amounts
Units – The Basics
Units and Meaning
Logic above Memorization
Reading a Chemical Formula – Not Only for Chemists
3 Solutions in Words: Answering Short Answer Questions
Symbols and Words
Short Answers in Words
4 Making Textbooks Pay
5 Solutions in Numbers: Basic Mathematical Procedures
Some Mathematical Reminders
(1) Algebraic Manipulations and Some Useful Math Relations
(2) Trigonometric Ideas
Beyond Triangles
(3) Other Interesting Relationships and Definitions
Helpful Definitions and Quantities
More Emphasis on Logarithms and Powers
Linear (Straight-Line) Equations
Quadratic Equations
Graphical Representations of Experimental Data
Simultaneous Equations
Option 1 – The Exponential Form:A= Aoe-kt
Option 2 – The Straight Line Form: ln(A) = ln(Ao) – kt
An Extra Example
A Word on Matrices
On the Shapes of Things
Circles, Cylinders, and Spheres
Triangles and (Triangular) Prisms
Rectangles and Cuboids
Layer upon Layer
A Fun Illustration from Shapes
Stay the Course
6 Practical Solutions: Science in the Laboratory
Why Experiments Matter
Approaching Laboratory Activities
Insist on High Standards of Logic and Reasoning
Be Willing to Think Independently and Take on New Challenges
An Appreciation of Errors
Another Suggestion to Keep in Mind
The Unknown Possibilities
Ethical Engagement
7 Spreading the Word
Preparing Papers
Writing Abstracts
Preparing Posters
Preparing Talks
8 Persisting against Problems
Mindset and Anxiety about Belonging
Thoughts on Managing the Demands
Avoid Overcommitment
Get a Calendar
Sleep – Eat Well – Exercise
Nurture Good Friendships
Be Good to Others
Remember Why You Are in College
Be Gracious and Forgiving
Celebrate
On to the Next Problem
Appendix I Additional Notes on Matrices and Matrix Algebra
Appendix II Thinking about Vectors: Basic Notes
Appendix III Safe Problem-Solving
Index

✦ Subjects

Critical Thinking; Problem Solving; Study skills; College Student Orientation