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 students.
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
Critical mass entering
Eight new graduate assistants started this fall.
Criterion
Critical mass graduating
There are at least five students graduating each spring
Finding
Number of students
Three of the five students who were scheduled to graduate in the spring did so.
Criterion
Regional diversity
At least half of incoming students will be from an institution other than SHSU.
Finding
Diversity of students
Two of the eight incoming students did not have bachelor''s degrees from Sam Houston State. Two were also international students.
Indicator
Number Of Graduate Assistants
Number of graduate assistants
Action
Critical mass entering
The department continues to recruit for its MS program. Faculty members make recruiting trips to neighboring universities.
Action
Critical mass graduating
Continued advising of graduate students should ensure a greater completion rate.
Action
Regional diversity
Five new MS students have been admitted, three are from an institution other than SHSU. Two are international students.
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
Increased GA stipends
Three of the 16 assistants were able to receive an increased stipend.
Action
GA stipends
The Department will continue to push for additional money for GA stipends.
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.
Criterion
Consistency with catalog
Courses offered will be in agreement with well-defined courses in the graduate catalog.
Action
Consistent curriculum
New cycle of MS courses to start this fall. Work will continue on applied math course.
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
GA mentoring
Teaching workshop held the week before the start of classes.
Action
GA mentoring
Assessment of GA workshop this fall will be ongoing. GAs will be monitored by faculty and by staff in new Mathematics tutoring center.
Goal
Consistent And Standardized Courses In The MS Program
The MS program will have a curriculum of 12 core courses, offered in a regular cycle, providing consistent course content in graduate mathematics.
Objective
The Department Will Create A 12 Hour Core Of Classes For The MS Degree
Having a set of core courses agreed-upon by the department will bring some consistency to the MS program
Indicator
Creation Of MS Core Commitee
The committee will propose a 12-hour MS core.
Criterion
A 12-hour MS core will be developed.
The MS Core committee will present the results of its discussions to the faculty.
Finding
Departmental decision
The MS Core committee proposed the following core courses: analysis, algebra, topology, and applied mathematics.
The department approved the first three courses.
Action
Implementation of MS core
The new MS core will begin to be implemented this fall with abstract algebra.
Additional fine-tuning is needed for the type of applied mathematics course.
Goal
Increased Support For Faculty Research And Scholarly Activity
Faculty will have increased resources for exploring mathematics with graduate students.
Objective
The Department Will Provide Support To Faculty For Research And Scholarly Activity
The support will enable the Department to grow.
Indicator
Research Workshops Will Be Held.
Criterion
Number of workshops held
There will be at least three research-based workshops held.
Finding
Number of workshops.
There were four research workshops held during the 2007-2008 academic year.
Indicator
Travel Allocations.
Travel money beyond the normal departmental support is essential.
Criterion
Travel allocations
The Department will secure at least an additional $20,000 in travel funds from outside the department.
Finding
Travel allocations
The Department was able to find $30,000 in outside funds to support faculty travel.
Action
Research workshops
The research workshops were a success. An equal number are planned for next year.
Action
Travel allocations
External grants secured by faculty will provide additional revenue to support travel.