We will have a healthy enrollment in the MS-Math program, with enough quality students to assure a consistent course offering and a strong community of student-scholars.
Objective
Critical Mass Of Students
We will have 6-12 entering students each year, guaranteeing a critical mass of new studentss.
Indicator
Number Of Students
The number of students entering and graduating from the program.
Criterion
Critical mass entering
There are at least eight new students entering the program each fall.
Finding
Insignificant support for grad students
The only MS-Math student to accept an offer of an assistantship for Fall 2007 later changed his mind and turned the assistantship down after receiving a tuition bill. (JS then took a position in the Houston ISD.)
Finding
Insignificant students
There were two students entering the MS program during 2006-2007 and none enrolling for fall 2007.
Indicator
Number Of Graduate Assistants
Number of graduate assistants
Action
Graduate recruitment
Graduate recruiting materials will be created so as to recruit applicants during spring 2008.
Action
Recruitment trips
Faculty will travel to universities and conferences in order to make presentations intended to recruit new graduate students.
Objective
MS Curriculum & MAA
We will have a curriculum which is compatible with those proposed by the MAA.
Goal
MS Assistantships
Graduate assistantships will be quality appointments preparing students for a strong professional life in mathematics.
Objective
GA Stipends
Grad assistantship stipends will be significant enough to allow the recruitment of students from other Texas institutions.
Indicator
Graduate Stipend
Amount of graduate stipend
Criterion
Assistantship stipends
Assistantship stipends will at least match those as Lamar State University and other regional institutions.
Finding
Graduate stipends not competitive
Graduate stipends ($9800/year) lag far behind stipends of competitive institutions ($12000-13000 at Lamar, $12000-18000 at TSU San Marcos,$12000 or higher at other nearby institutions.)
Action
Increase GA stipends
Beginning, fall 2008, some GA stipends will be increased to $12000/year, using grant moneys, adjunct faculty lines and department O & M budget
Goal
Professional Development Of Grad Students
Graduate students will develop a professional view of mathematics and of mathematics teaching.
Objective
Consistent Curriculum
The MS curriculum will be well-defined and courses will be offered with a clear cycle structure.
Indicator
MS Curriculum
The MS Curriculum consists of the courses required for the MS degree in math, along with acceptable electives.
Criterion
MS curriculum
The MS curriculum will consist of 12 courses, well-defined and cycled consistently.
Finding
MS Curriculum
No specific course recommendations have been made yet. This will take place next year.
Criterion
Consistency with catalog
Courses offered will be in agreement with well-defined courses in the graduate catalog.
Finding
Catalog consistency
Courses offered do not match the catalog; Special Topics courses are often used to fill student needs.
Action
MS Revision
The MS curriculum will be revised in 2007-2008, with a new program and well-defined courses submitted to the curriculum committees in spring 2008.
Objective
GA Mentoring
Graduate assistants will be mentored by faculty.
Indicator
Mentoring Program
Activities which provide mentoring or community development among graduate students.
Criterion
Preparation for teaching
Grad students will participate in a short course each August, in preparation for entering the classroom.
Finding
Mentoring
Graduate students assigned to a tutoring lab receive support and mentoring by one or two faculty. Conversations with faculty mentors are encouraged
Action
Faculty mentoring
Beginning spring 2008, grad students teaching MTH 164 and MTH 199 will be assigned to a faculty mentor.