1. How did you feel about math when you were in school?

Well, I am currently in my final year at the U of O so I will tell you how I have felt about Math throughout school. In grade school, I relied on help from my dad to explain concepts. I spent a lot of one on one time with him working on math homework. I enjoyed thinking about problems which led me to be moved up a math level in 8th grade. In high school, my favorite math class was geometry. My teacher was very enthusiastic and incorporated field trips, real world applications, and introduced us to the history of mathematicians and artists such as Esher. In college, I started to face greater problems. The class sizes were much larger, and the material was covered at a rapid pace. I took math 111 and 112, which is all that is required for my degree. This covers pre calculus and trigonometry. My main difficulty was applying the concepts to realistic applications, such as in physics. I wanted to do well in math and physics, I even attempted a calculus class, which is not required for my major, but the pace of the class was too fast. What I have discovered for myself is that if I am to take a class which requires learning new concepts in math, I need to allocate a generous amount of time to that class, need one on one tutoring, and hands on work. The combination of these dramatically increases my understanding of the material and application/usage of the concepts. For my major I had to complete a physics sequence, my first attempt at physics, I did not pass. So the following year, I took a lighter class load and signed up for an extra lab session in conjunction with the physics class. This allowed me more time to work on the homework, be in a smaller setting in the lab groups, and get hands on experience at the same time. That year I completed the three term physics sequence even though my major required the first two courses. I attribute my success in the course to the small lab sessions where I was able to do hands on work and talk through the concepts with others.


2. How do you feel about it now?

I have great admiration for anyone who can grasp math concepts quickly. Although I may never take another math course again, I do continue to practice and learn on my own. I feel that I have a lot of enthusiasm regarding math. I would like to understand calculus, and other higher levels of math. But I also think that I get intimidated by the subject, which hinders my capabilities to understand it. I think that the attitude you approach a subject with, has an immense effect on your performance. I believe that anyone has to have a confident attitude so that they can understand the topic, and they have to use tactics that prove beneficial to them in order to succeed. Such as my tactics for taking physics: smaller class load and extra lab session and enthusiasm for the subject.


3. Did you have to go to college for this job?

I am currently completing my Bachelor of Architecture degree, this is a five year degree program and it is a professional degree.


4. If so, for how long?

I started U of O in the fall of 1995, and I will be graduating in the Spring of 2000. In order to be an architect you must receive a B. of ARCH. degree from a five year degree program and an accredit school of architecture as determined by a national board, or you receive your M.of. ARCH from an accredited masters program. After you have received either of these, you must then complete a three year internship with a registered architect in a office or within a firm before you are eligible to take the licensing exam, which is similar to the bar exam for law students.


5. If so, what kind of math did you take there?

The B. of ARCH. requires Math 111/112 and Phys.201/202. You must also take a structures sequence which consists of four classes: ARCH 471/472/473/474, Static's, Wood, Steel and Concrete, and Building Enclosures. This sequence applies your math and physics courses to building behavior and construction.


6. What is your job title/description?

Currently I am a fifth year senior, I will be looking for an internship position with a firm, and the after three more years, I can apply for my architecture license.


7. What kind of math do you use in your job?

Lots of trigonometry, geometry, algebra, and physics. I use the trigonometry and geometry in figuring out the design of the building. Trigonometry is especially useful when designing pitched roofs, in order to figure out the highest point of the roof and the the length that a rafter should be from the roof ridge to the sill plate of the wall, I need to know the hypotenuse of the triangle. In order to figure out if a beam will carry a certain load, I need to be able to calculate the forces that are applied in various directions and if the beam is strong enough to withstand those forces.


8. How do you use technology in your job?

Autocadd is the primary computer aided design tool that architects use. Other computer programs that are used include programs such as Lightscape, 3-D Studio, and Energy Scheming. These programs are some that are currently used at U of O, however there are many programs available and many more appearing in the market that are used for drawing plans, 3-D models, calculating loads and building performance, and testing energy efficiency in buildings.


9. Is there anything else that you would like to tell us?

Yes, when I applied to architecture, I did not know that I wanted to be an architect. I just thought, this looks like an interesting field, Ill give it a try without knowing if this is exactly what I want to do. I took a risk, and it turned out to be one of the best choices I have made for myself. You don't have to feel absolutely confident about the field you want to study when in college, just involve yourself in a field that has some aspects that appeal to you, and only from there will you start see goals that you want to work towards. Have a good attitude in your classes, approach them with confidence, and find out what works best for you in order to understand.