Calculus 2 -MAT 231

Well, let me take a moment to introduce myself and try to prepare you for the course that you are embarking upon. My name is Michael Santilli and I am your instructor for this class. I am an entrepreneur by day and instructor by night. I currently own and operate a hand full of companies under the Tillian Ventures umbrella while teaching mathematics, physics, and/or engineering during the evenings. My graduate degrees are in Nuclear Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, and have been instructing students for over four decades. Amongst a handful of occupations, I am also a practicing engineer, new product developer, consultant, and a DAD (many times over!)

Due to my classes attracting students that are typically majoring in some sort of engineering, mathematics or a physical science discipline, I take the position that ALL of my students are in need of this course material. Therefore, my classes are demanding. I will guarantee you though, that I will do whatever it takes to have you walk away knowing "your stuff". In all of my years teaching, I have never had a student complain that they weren’t getting their money’s worth :). Please check out what your peers are saying about my courses at ratemyprofessor.com  or other instructor rating websites.

Lastly, don’t sweat it, I am very approachable! If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask me. I am here to help!

                                                              

Ciao and STUDY HARD!

ProfTilli

On 3/2/2016 1:36 PM, Sarah Thomson wrote:
"Hi Prof Tilli, It's been a while since I touched base with you. I wanted to reach out and say hi and I hope all is well. I am actually, finally, at long last, can't believe it's happening... graduating this semester with my degree in Mechanical engineering. I continually emphasize to my peers how your calculus 3 class provided the fundamental basis for my success in almost every class I have taken at ASU. Many of my peers took calculus 3 online and have struggled terribly conceptually with fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and even structural mechanics. I tell them how thankful I am for the level of rigor demanded from your class. They then look at me like I have four heads and tell me I am crazy. I also am somewhat famous... for my notes. This is a habit I picked up from your class. The attached image shows how every bit of note taking is done in my world. I am thankful for this habit. My notes have turned into resources from which I will draw insight for many years. They have value because they are not just equations and scribble... they are a guide for 20 years from now Sarah who can't remember Prandtl's tip loss factor or how convective heat transfer works. Thank you for that. I am at the point in my academic journey that I am starting to apply for actual jobs (it's scary) and though you had me in class a couple years ago now, I always go back to my experience in your class when I need a really good example of a time that I didn't know how hard I was capable of working until the challenge was before me. I hope this semester is going well for you and your students. I tell everyone I talk to that if they want to go and finally learn calculus that they need to go take it again... at MCC... with you. Thank you so much... all my best, Sarah Thomson
PS- Please share with your students what I have said and shared with you... it can literally change their lives. It has changed mine.
Thank you for everything,
Sarah"

I just wanted to say that you were right! 

Now in my upper division physics courses, my peers struggle with the vector calculus. Often I find myself explaining to them what Stoke's or Gauss' theorems mean and how to even apply them. Some didn't even knew what a Jacobian was, which has now popped up a few times.

My mathematical methods in physics courses have been a breeze. They are meant to reinforce your vector calculus, differential equations and linear algebra skills. Which, after having taken calculus 3 with you and having watched your differential equations videos, these courses have served more of like a review with an occasional new concept. I also got into the habit of rewriting my notes for my physics courses and even earn some money for uploading them to the disability resource center.

Thank you so much for teaching the way you do! It was truly an honor having had you as an instructor!

Thank you,