Buster Bytes' guide to college calculators

Calculators are rarely first on list of things college students enjoy buying. And yet, without a little bit of research, some students can end up spending several hundred dollars on the devices throughout their college career.

While no guide can cover every calculator, course and instructor requirement, here you will find compiled a few basic guidelines for getting the right calculator during your time at Parkland College.

To get the straight scoop, Buster sat down with Omar Adawi, Associate Professor in mathematics and physics, and Keiko Kircher, a part-time instructor who also pulls double duty, teaching physics and math as well.

These first questions were addressed to Kircher:

Buster Bytes: What calculators are allowed for PHY 141?

Keiko Kircher: Any calculator is allowed, since our goal is not to test your algebra skills.

BB: Are any calculators not allowed for PHY 141?

KK: There is none.

BB: Do you use one calculator in particular during class? If so, would having that calculator help students follow along?

KK: I don't use any during lectures, but if I do use one during discussion time, I would probably be using the TI-83. It may help students to use the same calculator just because I'm able to help them with it, but not because the calculator itself does a better job.

BB: I'm not sure if you teach other Physics courses, but if you do, would any of your answers change for those courses?

KK: I have taught PHY 143 as well, and my answers would be the same with that course.

BB: I believe you also teach math? Are any particular calculators required for those courses?

KK: In the math class that I teach, pre-algebra, they are not allowed to use any calculator unless I explicitly tell them to use one. They are required to buy a calculator that can deal with basic functions such as square roots and trigonometric functions for when they deal with those. But the calculator doesn't have to be as fancy as theTI series.

Similar questions were asked of Adawi:

Buster Bytes: Professor Adawi, you teach MAT 129, what calculators are allowed for that course?

Omar Adawi: Depending on the instructor, the TI-83+, TI - 84+ or TI-89 is allowed.

BB: Are any calculators not allowed for MAT 129? Are these answers the same for all sections?

OA: Again it depends on the instructor. For example if the required calculator is a TI-83+ or TI-84+ then a TI-89 would not be permitted on quizzes and exams.

BB: Do you use one calculator in particular during class? If so, would having that calculator help students follow along?

OA: In MAT 129 I use the TI-89. The students may use this calculator to carry out explorations or sketch graphs, etc. The use of the calculator enhances the learning process of the class material.

BB: Do you know of any different regulations for other courses?

OA: There are different regulations, especially for MAT 128 and lower level courses, but for Calculus 3 and above as well.

Adawi included the following list of requirements:

MAT 095, 098, 099, 106, 108, 124, 125, 126, 128, 141, 143, 145 and 160 require the TI-83+ or TI-84+.

MAT 110 and 131 require the Sharp EL-520WBBK.

For MAT 105, the instructor selects a calculator.

MAT 134 requires the CASIO FX-115MS scientific calculator.

MAT 228 and MAT 229 require the TI-89.

BB: Do you teach courses in any other department? Are any particular calculators required for those courses?

OA: I teach PHY 142 in the summers. There is no particular calculator required for this class but I recommend the TI-89, since the engineering students will need this calculator for their future engineering courses.

Hopefully this information will help making your calculator purchases a little easier. To save money, you might want to look ahead and try to pick a calculator that will work for upcoming classes in your program, as well.

Another great way to save money is to shop around. Often, used calculators can be found for a discount from other students who have taken the course and no longer need their calculator. Look to the bulletin boards around campus for notifications about calculators for sale.

Used calculators can also be found on Craigslist, eBay and Amazon. Amazon even offers a free Prime membership to college students, which provides free two day shipping for many purchases.

Wherever you find your calculator, make sure you “do your homework,” when it comes to shopping for the best price. And if you don’t need it after the course, why not get a little money back and pass on the savings to another student who needs it?