Support Classes

Many modules will have support classes associated with them. These include core second-year modules, most third-year and some fourth-year modules.

Support classes will vary depending on the material and how they support the lectures. Some will spend most of the time going over the assignments sheets (assessed or otherwise), and if these sheets are assessed it is usually the Teaching Assistant (TA) of the support class that marks them. Other classes will go over particularly tricky parts of the module, or additional examples that give a better insight.

In other departments, support classes are sometimes known as "seminars". Indeed, maths support classes will appear on your timetable as "seminars".

Preparation

Don't go to a support class expecting the TA to know what you have been struggling with. They will welcome feedback from you on what you would like help with and would probably be happy to receive an email ahead of time to give them sufficient time to prepare.

Make sure you are prepared: this means attending the lectures beforehand, and attempting the assignment sheets that are going to be covered.

Expectations

What you can expect from the TA of your support class:

• They should turn up to the classes promptly and be well prepared.
• The style and the teaching may vary but you should expect the TA to be have good subject knowledge and be well-prepared to answer relevant questions. In particular, most of the TAs will not be experts on the course they are covering so cannot be expected to answer questions outside of the material covered in lectures (although of course many will still do so).
• The TA will mark any assessed work and return marks to the lecturer promptly. The University expects all work to be returned within 20 working days of the submission deadline, but for support classes you should typically get it returned within at least 2 weeks.
• If you have minor concerns about your support class (can't hear the TA, can't read writing, don't feel they're going over the things you need help with) then talk to the TA! Often this could be the first time they have taught a support class and would welcome any feedback that would improve their performance.
• If you have any serious concerns about your support class that you feel cannot be directly addressed with the TA, please write to the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
• You are encouraged to email your TA with suggestions for topics you are particularly having problems with, but it is not the TAs job to email individual solutions to students. That is what the support classes are for.
• If the TA will miss a support class due to unforeseen circumstances, they or the lecturer will notify you beforehand and if possible arrange a replacement class.

mathXchange

Second and third year students have access to a series of two-hour support sessions to support their Core Modules, known as mathXchange.

At these sessions, which take place in the Undergraduate Workroom, students can:

1. Access one-to-one support from teaching staff with problems and queries. These could be very specific queries about content from the module or you could just ask teaching staff to help you build confidence the module in general.
2. Work with other students on the material in their Core Modules, knowing that support is on hand if necessary.
3. Work alone, knowing that support is on hand if necessary.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend mathXchange. You can attend as many sessions as you like each week and you can drop-in for just a part of any session. We will provide a very supportive, friendly environment to help students make confident progress with the core material.

Second year mathXchange - 2026/27, Term 1

• Covers: Analysis 3, Algebra 3, Methods of Mathematical Modelling 3.
• Times: Starting Week 2. Monday 10-12, Tuesday 2-4, Thursday 10-12, Friday 2-4
• All sessions in the Undergraduate Workroom
• Supported by:

  Dr John Green, Dr Nikos Kallinikos, Dr Sunny Sood

Third year Analysis mathXchange - 2026/27, Term 1

• Covers: Introduction to Topology, Measure Theory, Complex Analysis, Functional Analysis I.

• Times: Starting Week 2. Monday 10-12, Friday 2-4

• All sessions in the Undergraduate Workroom
• Supported by:

  Dr Michelle Daher, Dr John Green.

Third year Algebra mathXchange- 2026/27, Term 1

• Covers: Introduction to Group Theory, Galois Theory, Commutative Algebra.

• Times: Starting Week 2. Monday 3-5, Friday 10-12

• All sessions in the Undergraduate Workroom
• Supported by:

  Dr Raad Al Kohli, Dr Dan Marlowe, Dr Michael Turner