Bachelor of Science with a Major in Mathematics

Assessment Report, 2014-2015

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?

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, 2014-2015 – 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.	Spring 2015	D. Deloach	MATH 2101 Calculus I	Final Exam - Answer Key	At least 60% of the students will score at least 60%.	TARGET MET 73%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Students’ problem solving skills in limited time duration have improved considerably. Online homework problem type and submission process will continue to be made more rigorous in order to keep students better engaged outside the classroom.
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.	Fall 2014	H. Oh	MATH 4201 Analysis I	Final Exam - Answer Key	At least 60% of the students will score at least 60%.	TARGET 1 MET 68%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: TARGETS 1 & 2: Students will continue to be required to schedule appointments at their earliest convenience with the professor instructing the class to assess their progress proof writing skills.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Spring 2015	A. Atena	MATH 4201 Analysis I	Final Exam - Answer Key	At least 60% of the students will score at least 60%.	TARGET 2 MET 68%
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 2014	S. Kim	MATH 3000 Introduction to Biostatistics	Research 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 2015-2016 academic year: Technology (SPSS, Hawkes) component of the course will continue to be incorporated in the syllabus in order to keep the students more engaged outside the classroom. Weekly quizzes to determine whether they are comprehending the subject materials will continue as well.
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.	Fall 2014	S. Kim	MATH 3101 Linear Algebra	Final Exam - Answer Key	At least 60% of the students will score at least 60%.	TARGET MET 65%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Students will continue to be given weekly quizzes to determine whether they are comprehending the subject materials. Also, students will continue to 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 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 1 MET 100%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Students continue to improve on writing research papers. We will persist with our strategies for success.
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 2015	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 2015-2016 academic year: Students continue to improve in using technology to complete their research projects. We will continue our methods.

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	70 students	TARGET MET AY14 = 72 students Target exceeded by 2 majors	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 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	4 faculty grants will receive grants, totaling at least $4000	TARGET MET 5 faculty received $9090 total	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 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 2014	20 Students; 20 projects	TARGET MET 38 students 21 projects	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will continue enabling strategies. Target met.