OATdb Archive

2009 - 2010

Mathematics And Statistics, Department Of

Goal
Deliver Current, Rigorous Curricula
The department will insure that all curricula meet current professional standards and will insure that the rigor of these curricula are monitored and modified appropriately

Objective
MAA Recommendations
The department will meet the MAA curriculum recommendations for its majors as well as its service courses.

Indicator
CUPM Recommendations For Math Majors
The department will offer courses that meet the following CUPM (Committee on Undergraduate Program in Mathematics) recommendations: mathematical thinking skills, skill with technology, broad view of mathematics, and in-depth study

Criterion
SHSU Coursework
SHSU course work will be matched up with CUPM guidelines for majors.

Finding
Mathematics Courses Satisfying CUPM Recommendations
The following courses satisfy "mathematical thinking skills"
  • Mth363 - Euclidean Geometry
  • Mth364 - Mathematical Thought
  • Mth461 - Introductory Analysis
  • Mth477 - Abstract Algebra
The following courses satisfy "skill with technology"
  • Mth142/143/244 - Calculus I, II, III
  • Mth363 - Euclidean Geometry
  • Mth377 - Linear algebra
  • Mth394 - Numerical Methods
The following courses satisfy "broad view of mathematics"
  • Mth466 - Elementary Analysis
  • Mth467 - Evolution of Mathematics

Indicator
CUPM Recommendations For Service Courses
The department will offer courses that meet the following CUPM recommendations: meaningful mathmatical experiences, develop quantitative reasoning skills, strengthen mathematical skills, encourage mathematical communication skills.

Criterion
SHSU Coursework For Service Constituencies
SHSU coursework will be matched up with CUPM guidelines for service courses.

Finding
Mathematics Service Courses Satisfying CUPM Requirements
The following mathematics service courses satisfy "meaningful mathematical experiences":
  • Mth164 - College Mathematics
  • Mth184/185/381 - Foundations of Mathematics I, II, III
The following mathematics service courses satisfy "develop quantitative reasoning skills":
  • Mth164 - College Mathematics
  • Mth169 - Elementary Statistics
  • Mth379 - Statistical Methods in Practice
The following mathematics service courses satisfy "strengthen mathematical skills":
  • Mth163 - Trigonometry
  • Mth170 - Precalculus Algebra
  • Mth199 - Mathematics for Managerial Decision Making
  • Mth295 - Discrete Mathematics
The following mathematics service courses satisfy "encourage mathematical communication skills":
  • Mth164 - College Mathematics
  • Mth169 - Elementary Statistics
  • Mth184/185/381 - Foundations of Mathematics I, II, III

Action
Further Recommendations
We will continue to monitor CUPM recommendations.  The current ones came out in 2004.  We expect a revision on these recommendations in the next year or so.

Objective
Procurement Of Personnel
The department will document personnel needs in all three areas: mathematics, mathematics education, and statistics.

Indicator
PBR Forms
The department will submit Preliminary Budget Request forms indicating personnel needs

Criterion
Faculty Request
The department chair will submit a PBR request documenting need for additional faculty.

Finding
Personnel Needs
PBRs submitted in the fall requested one faculty line in mathematics and two faculty lines in statistics.

Finding
Personnal Hired
ONe faculty member was hired in a tenure-track position for mathematics.

Action
Hiring Results
As noted in the findings, we were able to combine two half-time positions in mathematics and hire on new tenure-track faculty member.  We will continue to ask for new statistics positions due to the anticipated increase in enrollment in stat courses by CJ majors.

Objective
SBEC Recommendations
The department will meet SBEC curriculum recommendations for Mth184 and Mth185.

Indicator
SBEC Standards
The department will offer Mth184 and Mth185 that are in alignment with the State Board of Educator Standards.

Criterion
SHSU Coursework For SBEC Standards
SHSU coursework in Mth184 and Mth185 will be matched up with the SBEC standards.

Finding
Listing Of Objectives For Mth184 And 185
The objectives on the attached syllabi for Mth184 and 185 are taken directly from the SBEC objectives and are used to provide a framework for our course content.

Action
SBEC Standards In Other Courses
We will continue to use the SBEC standards to set objectives on other courses - notably Mth381 and Mth485.

Goal
Provide Effective Communication With Internal And External Constituencies
The department will insure that appropriate communication channels are maintained with the College of Arts and Sciences Office, upper administration, current students, prospective students, and other external constituencies.

Objective
Communication With Dean's Office
The Department chair will communicate with the Dean's office and attend bimonthly chair's meetings.

Indicator
Chairs Meetings
The Dean of COAS holds bimonthly chairs meetings throughout the year.

Criterion
Attendance At Chairs Meetings
The department chair (or his designated representative) will attend COAS chairs meetings.

Finding
Results - Attendance
The department chair (or his designee) attended all chairs meetings.

Action
Chair's Meetings
The department will continue to send a representative to these meetings.

Objective
Saturdays At Sam
The department chair (or his designee) will attend SHSU's Saturdays at Sam.

Indicator
Attendance At Saturdays @ Sam
A member of the department will meet with prospective students.

Criterion
Meeting With Prospective Students
The department representative will meet with prospective students in the Lee Drain Building and discuss program offerings.

Finding
Fall Meeting Of Saturdays @ Sam
The Department chair met with 13 prospective mathematics majors at the November meeting and 17 prospective majors at the April meeting of Saturdays @ Sam.

Action
Upgrade Presentation Materials
The presentations materials need to be consolidated into a powerpoint presentation for a more effective mode of communication.

Goal
Procure Appropriate Resources To Facilitate The Academic Mission Of The Department
The department will monitor the classroom, laboratory, research, and out-reach (service) needs of the unit. Budget requests will reflect these needs.

Objective
Procurement Of Technology
The department will procure hardware and software relevant to the research and instructional needs of its faculty.

Indicator
PBR Forms For Equipment
The department will submit PBR forms indicating technology needs.

Criterion
Technology Request
The department chair will submit a PBR form documenting the need for additional technology.

Finding
Technology Requested - HEAF
The Department submitted a budget of $43,700 for technology.

Action
Results - Technology Request
We received $25,000 in HEAF funds - approximately 90% of that was spent on technology.

Goal
Provide Appropriate Personnel Resources For The Unit
The department will assess the personnel (staff and faculty) needs of the unit on an annual basis. Annual funding requests will reflect these needs and hiring decisions will be based on these needs. The department office will provide appropriate resources and encourage faculty and staff to participate in development opportunities.

Objective
Procurement Of Personnel
The department will document personnel needs in all three areas: mathematics, mathematics education, and statistics.

Indicator
PBR Forms
The department will submit Preliminary Budget Request forms indicating personnel needs

Criterion
Faculty Request
The department chair will submit a PBR request documenting need for additional faculty.

Finding
Personnel Needs
PBRs submitted in the fall requested one faculty line in mathematics and two faculty lines in statistics.

Finding
Personnal Hired
ONe faculty member was hired in a tenure-track position for mathematics.

Action
Hiring Results
As noted in the findings, we were able to combine two half-time positions in mathematics and hire on new tenure-track faculty member.  We will continue to ask for new statistics positions due to the anticipated increase in enrollment in stat courses by CJ majors.

Goal
Ptovide Support Of Faculty Activities
The department will insure that the faculty have sufficient input in issues related to teaching schedules and professional development opportunities.

Objective
Faculty Travel
The Department will increase the amount of money allocated for faculty travel in 2009-2010

Indicator
Travel Allocation
The Department will increase the amount of money allocated for faculty travel to conferences.

Criterion
Amount Allocated.
Travel allocation for faculty travel will increase by 5% over the previous year.

Finding
Travel Allocation
Travel allocation was increased from $27,000 in FY2009 to $34,000 in FY2010 - an increase of 26%.

Action
Travel Increase
The Department was able to set aside more funds for travel because some money initially earmarked for O&M was made available the Department by the Provost's office during the summer.  This amount was approximately $8,000 - so most of the difference was moved to cover faculty travel.


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement Curricula: We will continue to monitor CUPM recommendations.  The current ones came out in 2004.  We expect a revision on these recommendations in the next year or so. We will continue to use the SBEC standards to set objectives on courses , notably Mth381 and Mth485, and remain informed about any revisions and developments to the standards.

Resource and Faculty Development: We will continue to ask for new statistics positions due to the anticipated increase in enrollment in stat courses by CJ majors. We will monitor our technology needs and pursue the amount of HEAF funds necessary to fulfill our needs. We will continue to monitor faculty travel needs and begin searching for additional sources of support for faculty travel.