OATdb Archive

2008 - 2009

Mathematics BA

Goal
Deliver A Curriculum With Appropriate Discipline Specific Skill Sets
The curriculum will provide students with opportunities to develop the skills typically required of professionals in the area of study.

Objective
Ability To Conduct Research In Mathematical Sciences
Students will participate in faculty directed research including the planning, literature search, and public dissemination of results.

Indicator
Undergraduate Research Projects
Students will participate in the Department's undergraduate research projects.

Criterion
Presentations
Students participating in undergraduate research projects will give presentations at mathematics conferences.

Finding
Student Presentations
Eleven SHSU students gave presentations at the Texas Undergraduate Mathematics Conference at Sam Houston State in October, and nine students presented at the Texas Section of the MAA in February at the University of North Texas in February.

We expect 13 students to give presentations at the Long-range Undergraduate Research Experiences (LURE) conference in Baltimore in July.

Criterion
Use Of Media
Students will use electronic media (powerpoint, websites) to present their research.

Finding
Student Presentations Using Media
All SHSU students attending conferences to present the results of their research used, at minimum, powerpoint presentations.

Action
Possible Senior Project Seminar
The Department will discuss requiring a senior project for all BA and BS majors.

Objective
Communicating Mathematical Results In Writing
Students will begin developing these skills in the Mathematical Thought (method of proof) course. All proof based courses from thereon will emphasize the development of this communication skill. The inquiry based method will be implemented in all such courses.

Indicator
Students Will Enroll In Mth364 (Mathematical Thought).
Mth 364 (Mathematical Thought) is the first course students will take that is specifically designed to meet the stated objective.

Criterion
Successful Completion Of Mth364
Students must pass Mth364 with a C or better in order to take more advanced mathematics classes.

Finding
Student Performance In Mth364
In the 2008-2009 academic year, 17 of 36 students meet the stated criterion.

Action
Course Assessment
The department will examine ways to fine-tune assessment in Mth364.

Objective
Communicating Mathematics Through Media
Students seeking teaching certification will also develop the ability to communicate mathematical ideas through visual media and a variety of technology.

Indicator
Undergraduate Research Projects
Students will participate in the Department's undergraduate research projects.

Criterion
Presentations
Students participating in undergraduate research projects will give presentations at mathematics conferences.

Finding
Student Presentations
Eleven SHSU students gave presentations at the Texas Undergraduate Mathematics Conference at Sam Houston State in October, and nine students presented at the Texas Section of the MAA in February at the University of North Texas in February.

We expect 13 students to give presentations at the Long-range Undergraduate Research Experiences (LURE) conference in Baltimore in July.

Criterion
Use Of Media
Students will use electronic media (powerpoint, websites) to present their research.

Finding
Student Presentations Using Media
All SHSU students attending conferences to present the results of their research used, at minimum, powerpoint presentations.

Action
Continued Emphasis On Media
The department will continue to emphasize the use of media in presentations. Use of mathematical software (e.g., Mathematica, Maple) will be integrate into presentations where possible.

Goal
Deliver A Curriculum With Appropriate Discipline Specific Knowledge
The curriculum will address the discipline specific knowledge dictated by professional societies and/or professionals in the workforce.

Objective
Foundation Areas
Students completing the bachelors degree will have a general understanding of topics in the following areas: the calculus, mathematical thought, linear algebra, abstract algebra, real analysis, probability and statistics.

Indicator
Student Enrolled In BA Or BS Programs
Students with declared BA or BS majors will be required to take coursework in the indicated areas.

Criterion
Student GPA
Students will complete the BA or BS program with a minimum GPA of 2.5

Finding
Graduates
In the 2008-2008 school year, there were 25 students who graduated with a BA or BS degree.

Action
Additional Majors
The department intends to increase recruitment of both BA and BS majors.

Objective
Foundation Areas For Certification Majors
Students seeking secondary certification will acquire the same general foundation knowledge as students not seeking certification.

Indicator
Students Will Enroll In Mth364 (Mathematical Thought).
Mth 364 (Mathematical Thought) is the first course students will take that is specifically designed to meet the stated objective.

Criterion
Successful Completion Of Mth364
Students must pass Mth364 with a C or better in order to take more advanced mathematics classes.

Finding
Student Performance In Mth364
In the 2008-2009 academic year, 17 of 36 students meet the stated criterion.

Indicator
Student Enrolled In BA Or BS Programs
Students with declared BA or BS majors will be required to take coursework in the indicated areas.

Criterion
Student GPA
Students will complete the BA or BS program with a minimum GPA of 2.5

Finding
Graduates
In the 2008-2008 school year, there were 25 students who graduated with a BA or BS degree.

Action
Additional Majors
The department intends to increase recruitment of both BA and BS majors.

Objective
Ability To Conduct Research In Mathematical Sciences
Students will participate in faculty directed research including the planning, literature search, and public dissemination of results.

Indicator
Undergraduate Research Projects
Students will participate in the Department's undergraduate research projects.

Criterion
Presentations
Students participating in undergraduate research projects will give presentations at mathematics conferences.

Finding
Student Presentations
Eleven SHSU students gave presentations at the Texas Undergraduate Mathematics Conference at Sam Houston State in October, and nine students presented at the Texas Section of the MAA in February at the University of North Texas in February.

We expect 13 students to give presentations at the Long-range Undergraduate Research Experiences (LURE) conference in Baltimore in July.

Criterion
Use Of Media
Students will use electronic media (powerpoint, websites) to present their research.

Finding
Student Presentations Using Media
All SHSU students attending conferences to present the results of their research used, at minimum, powerpoint presentations.

Action
Possible Senior Project Seminar
The Department will discuss requiring a senior project for all BA and BS majors.

Goal
Deliver A Curriculum That Emphasizes Communication Skills
The curriculum will provide students with opportunities to develop the appropriate speaking and writing skills to function as a professional in the area.

Objective
Communicating Mathematical Results In Writing
Students will begin developing these skills in the Mathematical Thought (method of proof) course. All proof based courses from thereon will emphasize the development of this communication skill. The inquiry based method will be implemented in all such courses.

Indicator
Students Will Enroll In Mth364 (Mathematical Thought).
Mth 364 (Mathematical Thought) is the first course students will take that is specifically designed to meet the stated objective.

Criterion
Successful Completion Of Mth364
Students must pass Mth364 with a C or better in order to take more advanced mathematics classes.

Finding
Student Performance In Mth364
In the 2008-2009 academic year, 17 of 36 students meet the stated criterion.

Action
Course Assessment
The department will examine ways to fine-tune assessment in Mth364.

Objective
Communicating Mathematics Through Media
Students seeking teaching certification will also develop the ability to communicate mathematical ideas through visual media and a variety of technology.

Indicator
Undergraduate Research Projects
Students will participate in the Department's undergraduate research projects.

Criterion
Presentations
Students participating in undergraduate research projects will give presentations at mathematics conferences.

Finding
Student Presentations
Eleven SHSU students gave presentations at the Texas Undergraduate Mathematics Conference at Sam Houston State in October, and nine students presented at the Texas Section of the MAA in February at the University of North Texas in February.

We expect 13 students to give presentations at the Long-range Undergraduate Research Experiences (LURE) conference in Baltimore in July.

Criterion
Use Of Media
Students will use electronic media (powerpoint, websites) to present their research.

Finding
Student Presentations Using Media
All SHSU students attending conferences to present the results of their research used, at minimum, powerpoint presentations.

Action
Continued Emphasis On Media
The department will continue to emphasize the use of media in presentations. Use of mathematical software (e.g., Mathematica, Maple) will be integrate into presentations where possible.


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement Both the BA and BS majors within the department receive a strong mathematics background that prepares them for jobs in private industry as well as continued work at the graduate level. We hope to increase our majors in the coming years.