Math Department Meeting
MINUTES
Math Department Meeting
May 10, 2005
1. MSC203
The computer lab in MSC is currently being used for individual class
presentations and by students, mainly in the sciences, to work on
projects. There have been problems with paper supply, student
behavior and, potentially, security for the hardware. It was agreed
that we should take advantage of available staffing to have a monitor
in the room. Cathy will check on how many hours during the day we
could request. In the fall, the department can then decide about which
hours during the day we would like a monitor to be present.
2. New Calculus Text - Differential Equations Coverage
The department plans to remain with the 8th edition of Larson, which has
some new material on differential equations. The calculus text committee
will make recommendations regarding which sections to include in the
three calculus courses.
3. MTH 090 Project
Mary Ann reported the results of the Math 090 committee's work.
(See below.) The department voted (with one abstention) to
approve the changes, which will go to the Curriculum Committee
in the fall.
4. Next Year's Department Goals
The following goals were discussed as possibilities for 2005-2006:
-- Re-establish communication with local high schools
-- Set up course resource binders for each of our courses, in particular
those that are most commonly covered by adjuncts (096, 098, etc.)
-- For the spring of 2006, arrange for a professional (in engineering or
business, e.g.) to give a talk about how they use math in their job
It was also noted that the department accomplished the four goals set for the
2004-2005 academic year.
5. Syllabi
There was an agreement that the department should distribute syllabus
guidelines to all full-time and adjunct math faculty members. This will
include samples of policies shared by the fulltime members at the
Departmental Roundtable in April 2005 and subsequent additions
as well as information for education majors and students with special
needs. Mary Ann will circulate a revised document.
6. Schedule for spring 2006
Mary Ann requested that everyone send her their wish list before
departing for the summer.
MTH 090 – Proposed Course ChangesApril 2005
TITLE: Pre-Algebra
Course credits: 3 hours (No change)
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed as a review of the basic operations of arithmetic and an introduction to algebra. The emphasis is on operations with fractions, decimals, percents, and signed numbers. It is intended for the student who needs a review of arithmetic and prealgebra skills. This course precedes technical math or beginning algebra.
COURSE CONTENT:
- Operations with whole numbers, fractions and decimals
- Operations with signed numbers
- Order of operations
- Ratio and proportions
- Percent and uses of percent
- Basic terms and formulas of geometry involving perimeter, area and volume
- Solving linear equations and applications including formulas
- Operations with algebraic expressions and polynomials
- Introduction to square roots and squares of numbers
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Perform arithmetic operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals and signed numbers without use of calculator or other assistance
- Convert between fractional, decimal and percent forms and apply these concepts to basic percent problems
- Use basic geometric terminology and formulas, such as perimeter, area and volume
- Perform arithmetic operations with algebraic expressionsand polynomials
- Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable
- Find the least common denominator using the prime factorization method
- Apply the order of operations to numerical and algebraic expressions
- Use the above topics in routine applications
- Recognize the reasonableness of solutions
METHODS FOR EVALUATING STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE:
Homework, quizzes, examinations and additional projects or assignments.
The departmental final exam should be administered.
Assessment instruments should include some tests and quizzes that are administered without use of calculators or other assistance.