Bachelor of Science with a Major in Mathematics

Assessment Report, 2015-2016

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:
Samuel Dolo, Alfredo Villanueva

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, 2015-2016 – 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 2016	A. Villanueva	MATH 2101 Calculus I	Final Exam - Answer Key	At least 60% of the students will score at least 60%.	TARGET 1 MET 62%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: TARGETS 1 & 2: Online homework through web-assign and numerous problem-solving sessions throughout the semester have turned out to be very beneficial to the students. We will continue this practice moving forward.
			S. Dolo	MATH 3301 Linear Algebra			TARGET 2 MET 62%
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 2015	H. Oh	MATH 4201 Analysis I	Final Exam - Answer Key	At least 60% of the students will score at least 60%.	TARGET 1 MET 72%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: TARGETS 1 & 2: This year, special attention was given towards developing students’ proof-writing skill. Improving their understanding of syntactic knowledge of the facts as well as reducing abstraction level through examples are recognized to be key areas where instructor will be giving more attention next year.
		Spring 2016	A .Atena				TARGET 2 MET 72%
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 2015	S. Dolo	MATH 2201 Introduction to Probability and Statistics	Final Exam - Answer Key	At least 60% of the students will score at least 60%.	TARGET 1 MET 77%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: TARGETS 1 & 2: We will continue to keep the technology (Hawkes, SPSS) component of the course syllabus in order to keep the students more engaged outside the classroom.
			S. Kim	MATH 3000 Introduction to Biostatistics			TARGET 2 MET 77%
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 2016	S. Dolo	MATH 3101 Linear Algebra	Final Exam - Answer Key	At least 60% of the students will score at least 60%.	TARGET MET 85%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: Additional Problem sessions helped students achieve more success in the final. This will be maintained.
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 2015	M. Lemma / J. Lambright	MATH 4902 Senior Research/ Internship	Research paper - Research Paper Rubric	At least 60% of the students will score at least 60%.	TARGET 1 MET 100%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: TARGETS 1 & 2: Students were mentored more frequently (at least once a week) to enhance research-paper writing skills. This will persist.
		Spring 2016				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 2016	H. Oh	MATH 3501 Numerical Analysis	Research Project - 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 2016-2017 academic year: Successful methods will be continued next year to meet the target again.

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	72 students	TARGET MET AY14 = 74 students Target exceeded by 2 majors	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will continue enabling strategies. Target met.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	Increase faculty development	SSU President Faculty Mini-Grant Program	Number of faculty receiving grants; total grant amount	5 faculty grants will receive grants, totaling at least $8000.	TARGET MET 5 faculty received $9490 total	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will continue enabling strategies. Target met.
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 2015	20 Students; 20 projects.	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 20 students 12 projects Target shortfall 8 projects.	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will continue enabling strategies.