Bachelor of Science with a Major in Mathematics

Assessment Report, 2013-2014

COST, Mathematics

Assessment Identifiers

College / School
College of Sciences and Technology

Department
Mathematics

Program / Major / Certificate
Mathematics

Assessment Coordinator(s)
Samuel Dolo, Alfredo Villanueva

Has there been a change to the Assessment Coordinator(s) since the last assessment plan?
No

Person(s) responsible for writing and/or submitting this report:
Dolo, Atena, Villanueva, Chowdhury

Program Mission Statement

The Mathematics Department at Savannah State University strongly commits itself to the mission of excellence to prepare students for employment and for the pursuit of advanced degrees in various math-related areas by educating them in the fundamental concepts of:
1. Scientific methods and hypotheses testing (as a way of testing research hypotheses).
2. Hands on experiences in the laboratory where theory and application merge.
3. Critical thinking methodologies.
4. Logic and proofs.
5. Undergraduate research.
6. Quantitative literacy – “competency in working with numerical data.”

Has this mission statement been revised since the last plan? No

PSLOs

1. Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to outline the history of mathematics and solve math related application problems.

2. Upon completion of the program, the student will have the ability and critical thinking skills to prove basic mathematical theorems by using different modes and methodologies of reasoning.

3. Upon completion of the program, the student will have the ability to collect data, analyze data, conduct experiments, and interpret data for mathematical applications.

4. Upon completion of the program, the student will have the critical thinking skills to demonstrate traditional mathematical methods (in upper level courses) in solving problems.

5. Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to communicate mathematical research results in a well-organized manner primarily in the written form (and orally as well).

6. Upon completion of the program, the student will have the ability to use technologies as effective tools in the application of mathematics in problem solving.

LINK TO: Assessment Report, 2013-2014 – Supporting Documents

Assessment Results (PSLOs)

SSU Strategic Plan Goal	PSLO	Semester	Professor	Courses	Assessment Artifacts and Instruments	Target Levels	Results and Analysis of Results	Actions in Response to Results
Academic Engagement and Achievement	1. Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to compute & evaluate differential and integral calculus problems as well as other math related application problems.	Summer 2013	H. Oh	MATH 2121 Calculus III	Final Exam - Answer Key	At least 60% of the students will score at least 60%.	TARGET MET 60%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: Students will be given weekly quizzes to determine whether they are comprehending the subject materials. Also, students will be required to schedule appointments at their earliest convenience with the professor instructing the class to assess their progress.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	2. Upon completion of the program, the student will have the ability and critical thinking skills to prove basic mathematical theorems by using different modes and methodologies of reasoning.	Spring 2014	H. Oh	MATH 4201 Analysis I	Final Exam - Answer Key	At least 60% of the students will score at least 60%.	TARGET MET 60%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: Students’ problem solving skills in a limited time duration need to be improved. More practice sessions will be arranged to address this issue and how to write proofs.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	3. Upon completion of the program, the student will have the critical thinking skills to so the following: 1) compute probabilities; 2) collect data, analyze data, conduct experiments, and interpret data for mathematical applications.	Fall 2013	S. Kim	MATH 2201 Introduction to Probability & Statistics	Final Exam - Answer Key	At least 60% of the students will score at least 60%.	TARGET 1 NOT MET 26%	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: TARGETS 1 & 2: Since the majority of students are non-math majors, they need to be better engaged outside the classroom. Syllabus will be slightly modified to incorporate technology (Hawkes Learning System) component into the course.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Fall 2013	S. Kim	MATH 3000 Introduction to Biostatistics	Final Exam - Answer Key	At least 60% of the students will score at least 60%.	TARGET 2 NOT MET 26%
Academic Engagement and Achievement	4. Upon completion of the program, the student will have the critical thinking skills to demonstrate traditional mathematical methods in solving problems.	Spring 2014	S. Kim	MATH 3101 Linear Algebra	Final Exam - Answer Key	At least 60% of the students will score at least 60%.	TARGET NOT MET 34%	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: More practice sessions will be arranged to improve students’ problem solving s skills. Students will be given weekly quizzes to determine whether they are comprehending the subject materials. Also, students will be required to schedule appointments at their earliest convenience with the professor instructing the class to assess their progress.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	5. Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to communicate mathematical research results in a well-organized manner primarily in the written for (and orally as well).	Fall 2013	M. Lemma / J. Lambright	MATH 4902 Mathematical Research	Research paper - Research Paper Rubric	At least 60% of the students will score at least 70%.	TARGET 1 MET 100%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: TARGETS 1 & 2: Students were mentored almost on daily basis throughout the semester to make them more competent in writing research paper. We will continue this practice.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Spring 2014	M. Lemma / J. Lambright	MATH 4902 Mathematical Research	Research paper - Research Paper Rubric	At least 60% of the students will score at least 70%.	TARGET 2 MET 100%
Academic Engagement and Achievement	6. Upon completion of the program, the student will have the ability to use technologies as effective tools in the application of mathematics in problem solving.	Spring 2014	H. Oh	MATH 3501 Numerical Analysis	Research Project/paper - Research Paper Rubric	At least 60% of the students will score at least 70%.	TARGET MET 100%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: Students were mentored almost on daily basis throughout the semester to make them more competent in writing computer program syntax. This will continue.

Assessment Results (POs)

SSU Strategic Plan Goal	PO Goal	Enabling Strategies	Measures	Targets	Results and Analysis of Results	Actions in Response to Results
Academic Engagement and Achievement	Increase enrollment	Annual outreach and academic initiatives: math awareness week program, the undergraduate research day program, the pi day celebration program.	Banner data	65 students	TARGET MET AY13 = 73 students Target exceeded by 8 majors.	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: The program will continue enabling strategies and increase target next year.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	Increase faculty development	SSU President Faculty Mini-Grant Program	Number of faculty receiving grants; total grant amount	2 faculty grants will receive grants, totaling at least $2000.	TARGET MET 3 faculty received grants totaling $3438	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: The program will continue enabling strategies and increase target next year.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	Increase student retention through engagement	Off-Campus REU Internship; regional/national conference presentations; other activities	Numbers of participating students; number of activities in 2013	15 Students; 10 projects.	TARGET MET 26 students 21 projects	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: The program will continue enabling strategies and increase target next year.