Mathematics graduates demonstrate:
- Knowledge of fundamental methods of calculus and differential equations
- Knowledge of fundamental methods of advanced algebra
- Understanding of mathematical methods for problem-solving
- Ability to prove theorems and to reason logically
- Communication skills using mathematics
- Awareness of the breadth of mathematics
- Ability and desire to apply mathematics outside the classroom
In addition, mathematics graduates obtaining secondary certification
to teach mathematics understand and demonstrate
- Knowledge of methods for teaching mathematics
ASSESSMENT METRICS
Outcome: Knowledge of fundamental methods of calculus and
differential equations
Relevant courses: Math 165, 166, 265, 266, 267, 414,
415
Assessment:
- Mathematics senior surveys or interviews
- Mathematics alumni survey
- Survey of Math 415 instructors
- Grades in relevant courses
Outcome: Knowledge of fundamental methods of advanced
algebra
Relevant courses: Math 301, 302, 307, 317
Assessment:
- Mathematics senior surveys or interviews
- Mathematics alumni survey
- Survey of Math 302 instructors
- Grades in relevant courses
Outcome: Understanding of mathematical methods for
problem-solving
Relevant courses: All courses
Assessment:
- Mathematics senior surveys or interviews
- Mathematics alumni survey
Outcome: Ability to prove theorems and to reason
logically
Relevant courses: Math 201, 301, 302, 304, 314,
317, 331, 350, 414, 415
Assessment:
- Mathematics senior surveys or interviews
- Mathematics alumni survey
- Number of graduates who attend graduate school in mathematics or
related disciplines
- Grades in relevant courses
Outcome: Communication skills using mathematics
Relevant courses: Math 201, 492; English 314
Assessment:
- Mathematics senior surveys or interviews
- Mathematics alumni survey
- Survey of Math 492 instructors
- Grades in Math 201 and 492
Outcome: Awareness of the breadth of mathematics
Relevant courses: All 300 and 400 level mathematics classes
Assessment:
- Mathematics senior surveys or interviews
- Mathematics alumni survey
Outcome: Ability and desire to apply mathematics
outside the classroom
Assessment:
- Mathematics senior surveys or interviews
- Mathematics alumni survey
- Number of majors who obtain employment or research experience in
mathematics while undergraduates (e.g., internships or research at a
university or national lab)
- Number of graduates who obtain jobs in industry or government using
mathematics
Outcome: Knowledge of methods for teaching mathematics
Relevant courses: Math 297, 497
Assessment:
- Mathematics senior surveys or interviews
- Mathematics alumni survey
- Number of majors who obtain secondary certification to teach mathematics
- Grades in relevant courses
CHANGES BASED ON RESULTS 1994-2005
- In recent catalogs, the requirements for a Mathematics major have
included the requirement of 15 additional credits from mathematics courses
at the 300 level or above, including 6 credits from the courses Math
341, Math 365, Math 471, and Math 481. This requirement has been simplified
for the 2005-07 catalog to require merely 15 additional credits from
mathematics courses at the 300 level or above. Student feedback to advisers
had indicated that the special list of four courses was burdensome to
some majors, whose interests and needs did not overlap with those four
courses. The students most strongly affected were those interested in
discrete mathematics and those seeking certification to teach at the
secondary level.
- The order of topics in the basic calculus sequence (Calculus I, Calculus
II, and Calculus III) has been changed to be more in line with the order
of topics in those courses at other colleges and universities and in
most textbooks. The change in order was in part a response to difficulties
faced by transfer students, whose calculus classes as taken elsewhere
did not match those available here.
- The 2003-05 catalog recommends two years of French, German, or Russian
for students contemplating graduate study in mathematics. In accordance
with current practices and because of difficulties faced by majors (for
whom only one year of a foreign language is required), we have changed
the recommendation in the 2005-07 catalog to only a reading knowledge
of French, German, or Russian.
- Students seeking secondary certification to teach mathematics are
now being required to take Math 297. The new requirement is the result
of feedback from instructors in Curriculum and Instruction and from
students reacting to their student-teaching experiences. The feedback
suggested that prospective elementary school teachers taking Math 195,
196, and/or 297 were much more comfortable and skilled when they performed
student-teaching (LAS 417) than were the students seeking secondary
certification.
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