MISSION:
The Department of Mathematics has a mission to provide all mathematics students with an understanding of the logical structure and style of mathematics appropriate to their discipline and level. We will provide mathematics majors and graduate students with the background necessary to pursue a meaningful career in mathematics, mathematics teaching, or related fields. Our graduate program will provide additional opportunity for advanced studies in an individualized discipline-centered master's. The program will help students develop quantitative and abstract reasoning and the ability use of mathematics as a computational and analytical tool. We will provide students in General Education mathematics courses with substantive skills in quantitative and abstract reasoning and in the use of mathematics as a computational and analytical tool.GOALS:
To teach students in diverse majors the basic concepts and skills of mathematics, and to provide a mathematical background for all students that is appropriate to their needs. To teach advanced mathematical concepts and analytical skills, to stimulate curiosity, encourage persistence and develop mathematical maturity. We will thereby provide mathematics majors with a strong foundation, suitable for further study and for a career in mathematics or a related field. To encourage and develop mathematical imagination grounded in intellectual independence. The procedures outlined below are designed to assess students who are majoring in mathematics.GOAL 1
To teach students in diverse majors the basic concepts and skills of mathematics, and to provide a mathematical background for all students that is appropriate to their needs.OBJECTIVE 1
Students will demonstrate fluency in basic mathematical skills. In the process of obtaining a degree, our majors successfully complete a wide variety of core courses and electives in mathematics. Student performance is reflected in grades in these courses; in addition, we will spotlight particular skills which are expected of all mathematics graduates. Although these skills are generally acquired before their senior year and do not represent the full extent of the competencies of graduates, they represent a set of mathematical skills in which any graduate should be fluent.Outcome criteria
Students will have a good working knowledge of solving systems of equations, differentiation and integration, and basic probability and statistics.Assessments Methods and Measures
The assessment procedure for all objectives 1 and 2 will be based on the principles of "embedded questions" and is described following objective 2.GOAL 2
To teach advanced mathematical concepts and analytical skills, to stimulate curiosity, encourage persistence and develop mathematical maturity. We will thereby provide mathematics majors with a strong foundation, suitable for further study and for career in mathematics or a related field.OBJECTIVE 2
2A. Students can reason in a clear, precise, orderly, and cogent fashion and write clear, well-organized solutions, using tools from algebra, analysis, and geometry.Outcome criteria:
An acceptable solution is one that clearly addresses the problem being addressed, and demonstrates logical thinking by justifying each step. In particular, students must demonstrate that they understand the significance of quantifiers and conditionals such as "for all", "there exists", "some", "any", "at least one", "if and only if" and negotiations of statements.2B. Students can analyze problems using mathematical definitions and criteria.
Outcome criteria:
Students must demonstrate knowledge of mathematical definitions associated with such mathematical concepts as groups, rings, homomorphisms, automorphisms, open and closed sets, accumulation points, continuity and the theory of differentiation. They must be able to identify relevant definitions and use them in the logical construction of a valid solution.2C. Students can understand and construct proofs of mathematical theorems and conjectures.
Outcome criteria:
Students must understand the logical nature of a proof and be able to write simple basic proofs on their own, modify proofs presented in class to suit different criteria, and detect flaws or deficiencies in given proofs.Assessment Methods and Measures
General Approach: The assessment procedure for undergraduates for the above objectives will be based primarily on the principle of "embedded questions" in the final examinations in a number of core courses. Designated departmental committees will draw up a list of at least 10 problems for each of these courses. At least one of these questions will be included in the final of the corresponding course. The questions will be chosen so that their solutions reflect the students' achievements in the appropriate objectives. In order to ensure consistency of grading, the committees will predetermine a detailed grading scheme for each of the questions in the lists. The scores from this grading will be kept in a departmental database.Objective 1
The skills described in this objective are best tested in the courses Math 331 (Linear Algebra) and Math 465 (Introduction to Probability). Math 331 uses and reinforces the ability to solve systems of linear equations as well as teaching the abstract concepts of vector spaces and linear transformations. Math 465 introduces the concept of random variables, and utilizes differentiation and integration skills.
For alternative mission statements, see Mission Statements