Download Math Department Minutes 9/15/15 1 Report of the Chair

Math Department Minutes 9/15/15
1
Report of the Chair
The Mathematics Department has a new office, Osborne A426, for use by
nonstudent lecturers. The bad news is that there are approximately 14 lecturers sharing that space.
Development of the Department’s computer classroom Osborne B213 has
been delayed because of difficulty obtaining computer compatible desks. Over
the summer the power and communications wiring was completed. In addition the new whiteboard, which doubles as a projection screen, was installed.
The room is now functioning as a standard classroom. The computers and
furniture should be installed over the winter break.
The department is continuing the development of two online courses that
are needed for other departments to offer fully online degree programs. Shannon Michaux is developing online College Algebra (Math 1040), while Meredith Casey is handling Business Calculus (Math 1120). Shannon is also leading
the development of a special section of College Algebra which meets for an
extra period each week; this effort to assist ’at risk’ students is supported by
a grant (SIP) under the direction of the Provost and Barbara Gaddis.
2
Graduate committee
A proposal to recognize Scientific Computation a new concentration area
within the Ph.D. program was circulated. The proposal envisions new graduate courses.
3
Undergrad Committee
The new Introduction to Geometry course (Math 3210) was approved by the
college Curriculum and Requirements Committee. The first offering should
be in Fall 2016.
As part of the attempt to reorganize the undergraduate curriculum for
mathematics majors, several courses were added to the proposed core. The
core courses would be required of all majors. The core now includes Calculus 1-3, Discrete Math, Introduction to Linear Algebra, Introduction to
Differential Equations, and Introduction to Probability and Statistics.