Undergraduate Affairs Committee: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Peter Loeb Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of September 3, 1992 Present at the meeting: Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, and the chair, Peter Loeb The graduate student representative, Judy Newhauser, and the undergraduate student representative, Dana Ruther, were introduced. Elliot Weinberg was elected Secretary. The committee considered a request for information from Computer Science. The newly reconstituted CS 101 (2 credit hours) will be taught with a subsequent 1 hour lab, CS 110, in some particular programming language. Departments were asked to indicate if they preferred a particular language for their students. The committee authorized the following reply: Though we prefer that our students take C, and wish Pascal to be available, particularly for prospective high school teachers, we will allow our students to take any of the languages offered in CS 110 towards fulfillment of their CS requirement. The committee began consideration of a proposal for changes in the calculus offerings made by an ad hoc committee composed of Professors S. Alexander, Appel, Miles, and Weinberg. This proposal was shaped by the perceived need to adjust to anticipated budget cuts. The initial discussion within the Undergraduate Affairs Committee, though far-ranging, centered on (1) the undesirability of reshaping the calculus based on budgetary rather than pedagogical grounds and (2) potential improvements based on changes in the content of the courses and assignment of students to courses appropriate to their skills. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of September 10, 1992 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, and the chair, Peter Loeb The committee approved a letter to the Committee on Courses and Curricula of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences requesting the following changes in Computer Science requirements for the curricula of Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Teaching of Mathematics, and Combined Science&Letters/Teaching of Mathematics: CS 101(3 hrs) should be replaced by CS 101(2 hrs) and CS 110(1 hr) CS 121(3 hrs) should be replaced by CS 125(3 hrs) In the teaching curricula, CS 105 should be dropped from the list of acceptable courses. The changes were necessitated by revisions in the original courses: CS 101 has been replaced by the pair CS 101 and 110, CS 121 is no longer being taught and has been replaced by CS 125, and the content of CS 105 has been changed to data dase and spreadsheet programming. The committee continued with the discussion of the proposal to modify the calculus sequence. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of September 17, 1992 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, Ken Appel, and the chair, Peter Loeb Ken Appel visited the committee to discuss matters relating to course readjustments. He mentioned the possibility of some adjustment to the Fall- Spring imbalance by offering Math 112 only in the spring and Math 116 only in the Fall. The committee continued the discussion of calculus modifications. Among the ideas floated, in addition to the structural changes (5-3-2 or 4-4-3) currently on the floor, were those of capping courses (particularly in the calculus and 134), cutting more sections of 300 level courses with small enrollments, and using larger sections. The three ideas that seem to be getting the most attention are (1) capping courses,(2) moving to a 5-3-2 calculus sequence with some material going into revised versions of 225 and 280, (3) moving to a 4-4-3 sequence. The meeting closed with a noncommittal straw-vote on the question of moving to a 5-3-2 sequence beginning next year. The vote was 7-2 against. Discussion will be resumed at the next meeting. Members are encouraged to bring specific proposals. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of September 24, 1992 Present at the meeting: Heini Halberstam, Monica Nicolau, Judy Newhauser, Joseph Rotman, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb Joe Rotman reported on conversations with Chemistry concerning their reaction to the recisions and any concern they might have with our restructuring the calculus. As to the restructuring, they thought that everyone could live with it, if given time to adjust to the change. As to their own problems, they reacted last spring by capping enrollments in beginning one hundred level courses, thus causing deferred enrollments of some 400 students. This did not solve the problem but only displaced it. It also created a terrible morale problem, since students whose enrollments were deferred entered the courses with terrible attitudes. With this experience as evidence, Chemistry approached Dean Faulkner who agreed to relieve their pressure for the present academic year by providing extra funds for teaching assistants. It was moved that we adopt a 10 hour calculus sequence beginning next year. The motion was defeated 6-2. The general feeling in the committee was that it was wrong to reconstruct the calculus offerings without seriously considering the matter of content and its presentation. It was moved that we suggest to the executive committee that we follow the Chemistry example, suggesting to the dean that in order to avoid capping enrollment in the calculus courses, the college should provide funds for necessary teaching assistants. In the meantime the committee should undertake a several month study of undergraduate course offerings with the goal of using our faculty and the allotted time more efficiently. The motion was adopted unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of October 1, 1992 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, and the chair, Peter Loeb The committee discussed a draft letter to the executive committee detailing the UAC's response to the request for a calculus revision as was outlined at the previous meeting. With minor revisions, the letter was approved. This done, the committee turned to the question of how to attack the question of calculus revision. Three major ideas were broached with the first getting the most attention at this meeting. Below is a meager sketch of some these ideas- pros and cons omitted. (1) Joe Rotman has suggested a 13 hour sequence that incorporated some material now handled in later courses. His proposal also included ideas about using the faculty more efficiently-a faculty member giving the three lectures, while most other features of the course are handled by course captains, thus freeing the lecturer to teach a second course. (2) There is a general interest in a multiple track system. A major track for more committed students. A second track some or all of which would satisfy requirements of biology majors and commerce and social science majors, with separate sections perhaps for select groups. One suggestion was that Calculus & Mathematica be established in a separate sequence. (3) It was mentioned that we should simultaneously consider the fit of Math 225 and Math 280 in the curriculum. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of October 8, 1992 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Elliot Weinberg, Doug West, and the chair, Peter Loeb Fall in number of majors in various mathematical curricula as well as the fall of enrollment was discussed. The discussion of a calculus revision continues. If we are going to discuss reform, we should hear from the reformers. If we construct an alternate path through the calculus what should go in it? What should be in the regular course? Weinberg was instructed to provide syllabi for existing courses. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of October 15, 1992 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Doug West, Robert Muncaster, and the chair, Peter Loeb A committee was appointed to seek a new text for Math 124 -Finite Mathematics. The current text by Brown and Sherbert is out of print. The committee consists of Larry Dornhoff (chair), Hiram Paley, and Mary Lynn Reed, a student. Bob Muncaster attended the committee in his capacity as the chairman of the teaching awards committee. He called our attention to the existence of funds to support the development of general education courses. Deadline for applications is November 9. Earlier grants to Professors Jerrard, Dornhoff, and Tondeur supported the development of course materials now being used in Math 118(Numeracy) and Math 119(Ideas in Geometry). This does not preclude our continuing the development process. Jerry Uhl called on his experience and wide contacts in the calculus reform movement to discuss his view of how the calculus should be adopted to meet modern needs. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of October 22, 1992 Present at the meeting: Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Doug West, Robert Muncaster, and the chair, Peter Loeb In line with the policy of the Undergraduate Affairs Committee giving formal approval to divergent textbook requests from instructors, the committe approved requests from Robert Fossum and John Wetzel for Math 302 in the spring semester. Fossum will teach from "Roads to Geometry" by Wallace & West and Wetzel from his own notes. Weinberg pointed out that though this course is a part of the standard curriculum both for students in the General Mathematics Option of the Mathematics Major and for students in the Secondary Education Mathematics programs in the colleges of LAS and Education, Pat Coombs does not have a standard syllabus available for instructors to work from. He has solicited attention to this matter from the Geometry Area chair. In addition the committee asked him to solicit from the two instructors syllabi for the 302 courses they intend to teach in the spring. The committee continued its discussion of calculus reform. Particular attention was paid to the Harvard project. For the moment the committee is restricting its attention to what material it feels ought to go into the calculus. One or more members, beginning with Halberstam and Loeb, will give presentations of their views on this subject. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of October 29, 1992 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Doug West, and the chair, Peter Loeb The committee approved a statement to be placed in the course file for Math 302 which included a possible syllabus. The suggestion is to be made to the Geometry Area committee that instructors giving courses which diverged significantly from the syllabus post their prospective syllabi with the other displayed announcements of forthcoming courses. The committee continued its discussion of calculus reform with a presentation by Heini Halberstam. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of November 5, 1992 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, Jerry Janusz, and the chair, Peter Loeb Peter Loeb presented an approach to the teaching of calculus based on the use of an error function. He emphasized the need for precision and correct rather than loose language in teaching the calculus. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the Meeting of November 12, 1992 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman , Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, Jerry Janusz, Tony Peressini and the chair, Peter Loeb Tony Peressini requested a change for next semester in the text for Math 388 from Grossman to Kreyzig, the latter being more suitable to the high quality of experienced students the course has been attracting. He agreed to consider formally changing the syllabus for the course after his experience with it this coming spring. Doug West asked for and received permission for Jerry Janusz to use his notes for the revised version of Math 247 in the special section to be offered this spring. Jerry Janusz presented an overview of his forthcoming honors calculus text, with attention to the ways it is similar to and different from classical approaches. The committee is to begin detailed description of what it expects in the calculus and related courses at the next meeting. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the Meeting of November 19, 1992 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Joseph Rotman , Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Tony Peressini and the chair, Peter Loeb. Discussion of the CS request for feedback on courses we want available for our students (both undergraduate and graduate) was deferred until further consultations were held with Jerrard and Grayson. Weinberg reported on a conversation with Bob Muncaster concerning a recent meeting of the Engineering-Mathematics Liason committee. (1) The committee had circulated a request for feedback on the possible reduction of the calculus from a three semester 11 hour sequence to a two semester 10 hour sequence. There were no negative responses. They are waiting to see what we propose. (2) The question was raised by Weinberg last year as to whether Engineering was satisfied with the current 280 (Advnced Calculus) or would like it changed, but they will wait to respond to any changes we propose. (3) Math 225 is not a successful course and the committee would not mind if it were abolished . Should the calculus for example become a 10 hour sequence they could have their students take 315 without a change in hour requirements. It was suggested that linear algebra - differential equations make a good sequence for obvious reasons. This provoked a discussion about the topics of linear algebra, series, and differential equations, their relation, and when and how they should be taught. Joseph Rotman led a discussion of a revised calculus centered around questions and ideas presented by our earlier speakers. Some pointed out that a new course will need a new text. Tony Peressini discussed how reform is developing in other universities and emphasized the need for experimental presentations and course development that would be years, rather than months, in the making. Concern about the background of our students led to a request to study the placement exams taken by incoming students. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the Meeting of December 3, 1992 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Monica Nicolau, Judy Newhauser, Joseph Rotman , Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Doug West, Tony Peressini and the chair, Peter Loeb. A request from Paul McCreary to repeat this coming spring semester the sophomore seminar for Merit Workshop students was approved. Last year Tony Peressini, Eva Gray, and Bruce Reznick offered modules in the seminar. The students will be eight undergraduates who have completed the calculus in the Merit Workshop program with grades of A. Two hours credit will be given. At this point one instructor, Dick Bishop, has agreed to participate. Approval is contingent upon obtaining adequate faculty participation. A proposal to create a new course, Math 197, Merit Workshop Calculus Lab, was presented. Currently, students in the Merit Workshop register in a separate course for credit while enrolled in the calculus, receiving 2 hours additional credit while taking 120, 2 hours while taking 130, and 1 hour while taking 242. The same credit arrangement will be in effect. This would allow the sophomore seminar to be offered under 199 rather than the inappropriate 290. The proposal was tabled for later discussion. The committee approved a proposal of Heini Halberstam to formalize one option spelled out in last year's report of the Subcommittee on Mathaematics Courses for Elementary Education Majors. The current courses Math 200 Computers for Elementary Teachers 3 hours Math 201 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers 3 hours would be replaced by Math 200 Experimental Arithmetic 3 hours Math 201 Theory of Arithmetic 4 hours The content of 200 would be virtually unchanged, while that of 201 would be expanded to include additional material. In addition these courses would no longer be restricted to students in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Development, but would be open to all students with priority given to the above mentioned groups. In addition these courses would be made available to fulfill the campus-wide General Education requirement in mathematics. The chair announced that one of the observations to be drawn from the statistics obtained in our annual survey is that we have one of the lowest instructor to student ratios in post-calculus pre-graduate school courses. This provoked a discussion of the need to attract more good students to our programs and courses and to improve our offerings. Some reflected on the value of teaching mathematics in small sections. Tony Peressini presented some material on the Advanced Placement examinations in mathematics taken by incoming freshmen. About 92% of incoming freshmen take this exam. It is a one hour 40 question multiple choice exam including 15 trigonometry, 15 advanced algebra, 5 geometry, and 5 basic algebra question. A score of 18 qualifies a student to take Math 120, a score off 24 (& a high school course in analytic geometry) qualifies one for Math 135, and a score of 16 qualifies one for Math 125 and 134. About 16% fail to so qualify. (A trigonometry subscore of less than 8 triggers a caution to the student that he needs to review trigonometry before continuing in the calculus. Copies of the exam were distributed and examined. In addition Peressini provided some information on the NCTM standards for hight school mathematics. A committee was created to review the placement exam with the aim of revising it. The committee is to be co-chaired by Tony Peressini, Jerry Uhl, and Heini Halberstam Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the Meeting of December 10, 1992 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Judy Newhauser, Joseph Rotman , Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Doug West, Horatio Porta, Ken Appel, Gerry Janusz, and the chair, Peter Loeb. The meeting started with a broad gauged discussion of the effectiveness of the large lecture format but grew into a discussion of our educational role in the scientific community and the forces which shape that role. Any attempt to summarize the discussion or to sort out who said what when is doomed to misrepresent the participants; nonetheless... : Appel suggests that the bottom line is insufficient funds - too few people teaching too many students resulting in reduced quality work at the freshman-sophomore level. Perhaps this aspect of the problem began (about) 1985. At that time a half-time math TA had a teaching load of 13 hours per year. In order for the department to remain competitive it was allowed by the University to reduce this to an 8 hour annual load. However the campus did not pick up the difference. We have large lecture formats in Math 112, 116(Fall), 120, 131, 125, and 225. Lectures in 112 and 116 are given by teaching associates. In response to questions about switching from large lectures to small recitations, the following statistics were provided. We have about 85 faculty and 120 teaching assistants. Math 120 is offered in thrice weekly lectures to 250 students in each of about 7 lectures (in the fall) and twice weekly recitations of 25-35 students. Math 225 is given in lectures of the same size with no recitations. Math 125 is offered in a similar way (Kathy Wahl a teaching associate who has taught this course recently has described it as the worse experience of her teaching career.) The cost in teaching bodies of just replacing Math 120 by the required 60 5 hour discussion sections would leave little left for our other course offerings even if we gave up all our released funds for this purpose and/or hired more teaching associates. In general it was pointed out that all changes instituted should be monitored for their potential cost. Someone suggested that faculty in 120 would be better used if they didn't also teach recitation sections; others challenged this. More graders would be useful, particularly in 120. Uhl, in discussing content and modes of presentation, quotes someone from outside of mathematics as saying that our courses are responsible for damaging the scientific community. Porta says that we speak from ignorance about the needs of those we serve. Notice that our enrollments have been suffering a 5-7% annual decline in recent years. Too many of our courses are 'sit and git'; we need broader academic programs that recognize the value of the future nonacademic employment of our students (both those we serve from other departments and our own), more cooperative learning workshops, more recitation hours and fewer lectures, greater emphasis on concepts and modeling problems in mathematical terms and less on formal manipulation, more graders. Our instructors should teach more. Janusz called attention to a recent speech by Richard Herman at a Department Chairs colloquium sponsored by the Board on Mathematical Sciences of the National Research Council. It is to appear in the next issue of the Bulletin. Many of the concerns expressed above were repeated here along with the need for the department to accept a role as contributor to the solution of the general university problems by constructing its own innovative approaches, which, if successful, would be rewarded by attracting university funds. Weinberg says we seem to have lost a sense of serving the broader academic community and that we have to earn the right to maintain a large research faculty by using them efficiently to produce attractive service courses. Beyond 315 and 285 many of our upper level service courses attract too few students. There must be a market for second term matrix and diff eq courses that attract more than 8 or 10 students. Moreover, in recent years, we seem to have responded to budgetary pressures by adopting policies that decrease the number of instructional units we offer while arguing that we need more faculty. Perhaps some of our difficulties could be alleviated by increasing teaching loads - say 7 hours per semester instead of 6, something surely in the works at other universities. Others responded to the latter heresy by pointing out that we must remain competitive when recruiting first class people. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Peter Loeb Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of January 21, 1993 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb The minutes of the previous meeting were corrected to show Doug West present. The committee approved a letter to Professor Kubitz, Associate Chair of Computer Science, on courses in computer science for students who do not go through the sequences CS 125, 225. The general conclusion was that with the numerical analysis courses that are available and the 1 hour (1/4 unit) topics courses proposed students would have options beyond the basic course CS 101(110). The committee approved a request from Gerry Janusz to use his text in the honors section of Math 242. The committee approved a request from Peter Loeb to teach 135-245 next year using his own materials. There was no decision reached on a proposal by the chair to hold a retreat, perhaps at Allerton, to iron out the details of the revisions the committee has been considering. Rotman and Weinberg both submitted proposals on the structure of our course offerings. They were sent out to reconcile the differences in their proposals. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of January 28, 1993 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Tony Peressini, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb Rotman and Weinberg, as requested at the previous meeting, presented another alternative to the presentation of service courses. After some discussion they were asked to reconsider their proposal for the next meeting. Heini Halberstam urged that no program will be successful without a clear description of the goals for evaluation of students. He agreed to chair a subcommittee to formulate such ideas. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of February 4, 1993 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Monica Nicolau, Julian Palmore, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb The committee considered a letter from Ken Appel requesting that Math 121 and 131 not be offered next year, although they will not be removed from the catalog. Very few students enrolled in the courses, students who got advanced placement credit in 121 (3 hrs) as opposed to 120 (5 hrs) did not seem to do well in 131, and students who dropped back to 121 would probably have been better off in 116. He agreed to offer 131 in the Fall of 1993 for students currently enrolled in 121. Students in 121 will have to be informed that there may not be a 131 section offered next spring. The committee concurred with this arrangement. Heini Halberstam's subcommittee on assessment produced a preliminary report. The committee viewed and discussed various alternatives for the structure of calculus and post- calculus service offerings presented by Weinberg and Rotman. It was decided to concentrate on the portion not involving differential equations courses, and in particular on the four semester, 14 hour sequence involving material currently presented in Math 120-130-242-225-280. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of February 11, 1993 Present at the meeting: Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb The committee continued with the discussion of the long term development of the calculus and service courses. The committee reached a tentative agreement for a structure for the 'calculus' sequence. Rather than break immediately into subcommittees to determine content, it was decided that individual members will present rough syllabi that describe their vision for the courses. The structure envisioned is intended to cover all or some of the material of the current courses 120, 130, 242, 225, 280 and perhaps some of 285. It is a four semester diamond shaped sequence of 14 credit hours arranged so that a student could possibly complete the work in 3 semesters. There is to be a 5 hour first semester course which would be a prerequisite for two 3 hour courses. The sequence would end with a fourth semester 3 hour course. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of February 18, 1993 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb The committee considered a report submitted by the subcommittee on assessment of students (Heini Halberstam, Dana Ruther, Bruce Berndt). This included a statement on the adoption of certain uniform norms of instructional performance and organization. Based on this report the committee tentatively approved the following two statements: In multi-section service courses, standards should be set and maintained by means of common finals wherever possible. Courses listed for undergraduates should be conducted at undergraduate level, regardless of the presence of graduate students. Consideration of the remaining items of the subcommittee report will be discussed at a later meeting. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of February 25, 1993 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb Weinberg reported on a meeting of Halberstam, Francis, Appel, and Weinberg to consider the request from Dean Peck that the revised versions of Math 200 and 201 be given 100 level listings in order to be consistent with other General Education Quant 1 listings. The group decided that this was reasonable for 200 and recommended it be reborn as Math 117. However with regard to 201 the group decided that to emphasize the significance we attach to the role of this material in educating future elementary teachers and to encourage that it be taught at a demanding level, it was important that it remain at the 200 level. The full committee agreed with this recommendation and recommends the change from Math 200 to Math 117. The same group proposed that a new course, Math 251, Topics in Mathematics for Undergraduate Students, be constructed. The only vehicle for such offerings now are the honors courses 198 and 296 and the 2 hour independent studies courses 290 and 291. This would provide a vehicle for several offerings including nonhonors courses. The full committee agreed. The further consideration of the report of the subcommittee on Assessment of Undergraduates was deferred to a later meeting. Tony Peressini has arranged a meeting with John Ory of the Office of Measurement and Testing on Wed March 1 in 449 Altgeld Hall to consider the placement exams. The Executive Committee has returned the proposal to create a new version of Math 247 called Fundamental Mathematics with a letter indicating serious reservations about the use of the course as a prerequisite for other courses. It was moved that consideration of the course be deferred until members of the committee have time to review the papers. Volunteers were solicited to work out details for a 1-dimensional calculus based on submitted proposals. At this point the committee consists of Halberstam, Loeb, and Newhauser. The remaining time of the meeting was devoted to an explanation of the syllabus of the proposed revision of Math 247. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of March 4, 1993 Present at the meeting: John D'Angelo, Bruce Berndt, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb The committee approved the following amended report of a subcommittee appointed to consider the Executive Committee's objections to the proposed version of Math 247. Regarding the questions raised by the EC with respect to Math 247, we make the following recommendations to the UAC. For the next two years, the new version of Math 247 proposed by West and D'Angelo in Fundamental Mathematics should not be a prerequisite for any course. At the end of this two-year eriod, the course would be reassessed, to see if it has succeeded in solving the problems it was intended to solve. Meanwhile, the course should be a requirement for the Mathematics, Math CS, and Math Education majors. It should be strongly recommended that students take the course after or concurrent with the last semester of the calculus and before Math 317, 344, or 347. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of March 18, 1993 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb Several requests for permission to deviate from standard texts for advanced courses were received and approved: McLinden-383(summer)-Personal Notes Paley-317(summer)-Gallian-Contemporary Abstract Algebra Rotman-317(fall)-Personal Notes Wetzel-344(summer)-Gaughan-Real Analysis Weinberg reported on preliminary discussions with Emily Peck and Peter Glidden on a revision of the Teacher Education Curriculum. They have essentially reached an agreement: All students would complete the requirements of the General Option for a mathematics major with the Professional Education requirements substituting for the supporting coursework. The committee made progress towards approving a revision of a statement to the Executive Committee based on the subcommittee report on the assessment of undergraduate students. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of March 25, 1993 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb There was a brief discussion of a list of students in our curricula with GPA's of 3.5 or better. It was mentioned that new editions of the texts currently used in 120-130-242, 225, and 114 will have new editions next spring. A request for permission to deviate from the standard text for Math 361was received and approved: Jockusch- Probability by Pitman The committee approved the following statement to be presented to the Executive Committee: The Undergraduate Affairs Committee recommends that Department policy on Undergraduate courses should include the following points: 1. Common finals should be given in multi-section service courses whenever possible. This would help to set and maintain uniform standards across sections of the same course. Each common final should be set by the team of instructors involved. Special provisions may be made to examine experimental material. 2. Courses listed for undergraduates should be conducted at a level appropriate for undergraduate students regardless of the presence of graduate students. 3. In all undergraduate courses, homework appropriate in quantity and difficulty should be collected and graded throughout the term. Not even weekly quizzes are a reasonable substitute for graded homework. [The UAC recognizes that this point cannot be implemented until graders are provided for medium and large classes. We recommend that this project be given the highest priority in seeking funds to improve undergraduate instruction.] 4. The UAC recommends that the Executive Committee reaffirm long standing department policy that three hour final examinations are expected in all 100, 200, and 300 level courses for which they are appropriate. The committee approved a separate motion to support a proposal appearing on the agenda of the forthcoming Faculty meeting: The UAC believes that a single "Reading Day" is not a sufficiently long period to be of use. We recommend that the Executive Committee through the department's representation on the Faculty Senate seek to extend the "Reading Period" to at least three days, which will not include Saturday or Sunday. The committee discussed a subcommittee proposal for Calc 1 & 2 of the 'diamond' plan. A subcommittee consisting of Rotman, Uhl, and any others they might coopt, was appointed to plan Calc 3 & 4. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of April 1, 1993 Present at the meeting: Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb After a discussion of the Mathematics & Computer Science curriculum, the committee approved the following motion: all LAS students in a mathematics curriculum should be provided with an advisor in the mathematics department. Doug West called attention to the November '91 report to the College of Engineering Executive Committee of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee to review the first two years of the engineering curriculum. It is interesting to notice the references to mathematics. There is an existing core consisting of the basic courses 120, 130, 242, 225 and an advanced course 285. There was a strong majority for recommending that 120, 130, 242 (11 hrs) be replaced by a 10 hour calculus sequence. They recommend that 225 be made optional with the requirement that it be replaced by an alternative sophomore level course (perhaps in probability and statistics). If the calculus is reduced to ten hours, 225 can be replaced by a 3 hour course (315 etc.). The subcommittee on Calc 3 and 4 reported. A final vote on their proposals awaits further discussion. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of April 8, 1993 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb The committee continued the discussion of the calculus. Joe Rotman withdrew the proposal of a diamond shaped sequence as being unworkable. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of April 15, 1993 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Dana Ruther, Jerry Uhl, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb The Chairman put before the Committee a memorandum seeking to summarize the Committee's views of the Calculus sequence for the benefit of next year's UAC. A vigorous discussion ensued, and is t be continued at the next meeting. Submitted on behalf of Elliot Weinberg H. Halberstam Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of April 22, 1993 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Jerry Uhl, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb A new text for Math 124 was approved: Zitarelli and Coughlin, Finite Mathematics with Applications, Second Edition, Saunders (Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich)k 1992 Approval was given for Paul Schupp to use West's Introduction to Graph Theory in Math 312 for the fall semester. The committee continued discussion of the details of the draft of a letter to the Executive Committee summarizing the Committee's views of the Calculus sequence for the benefit of next year's UAC. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of April 29, 1993 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb Approval was given for Joseph Rotman to choose a text for his section of Math 317 for the fall semester. The committee continued discussion of the details of the draft of a letter to the Executive Committee summarizing the Committee's views of the Calculus sequence for the benefit of next year's UAC. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary Undergraduate Affairs Committee Minutes of the meeting of May 3, 1993 Present at the meeting: Bruce Berndt, Heini Halberstam, Judy Newhauser, Monica Nicolau, Joseph Rotman, Elliot Weinberg, Douglas West, and the chair, Peter Loeb At the meeting of March 18, the committee approved a proposal strengthening the Teacher Education curricula. On May 1 the Committee for the Preparation of Teachers approved this proposal with minor corrections. The UGA approved the proposal. Abrief description of the changes follows: The Curricula for the Teaching of Mathematics in LAS and Education General Education Requirements remain unchanged Professional Educational remain unchanged Mathematics requirements are those for the General Option of Mathematics majors with Math 302 to satisfy the Geometry requirement. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 overall and in mathematics The Combined Science & Letters/Teaching of Mathematics Curriculum General Education Requirements remain unchanged Professional Educational remain unchanged Mathematics requirements are those for the General Option of Mathematics majors with Math 302 to satisfy the Geometry requirement. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.75 overall and 4.0 in mathematics Students are required to take an approved Honors or major-directed Science sequence such as Physics 106 & 107 or Chem 107(109)&108(110). Students must complete a Teaching Minor or 12 hours of approved supporting coursework. The name of the program shall be changed to Honors Curriculum for Teachers of Mathematics The committee neared completion of the details of the draft of a letter to the Executive Committee summarizing the Committee's views of the Calculus sequence and post calculus serviece courses for the benefit of next year's UAC. There will be a final meeting on May 5 to finish the details. Respectfully submitted, Elliot Weinberg, Secretary