Math 236 is a concept (most likely not new) by Douglas Beck from Physics and Randy McCarthy to address a common complaint by faculty in Engineering. They are finding that a growing percentage of their students are obtaining advanced placement credit equivalent to both Math 220 and Math 230 (either by taking the BC exam or by transer credit) but their math understanding remains weak. That is, these students are technically able to solve straightforward calculus problems but their ability to do word problems or other applications of these same techniques is poor. It was felt that a one semester review of the first year calculus course stressing engineering applications would serve these students better than making them repeat Math 230 (which is currently their only option) or rushing into math 242 unprepared.
We would like the new Math 236 to be created jointly by both
math faculty and those from engineering. It should also be
team taught with faculty from both departments for the first
two years (at least). In this way, we can be sure to have
a good balance between the mathematical understanding (primarily
through the lectures) and
the engineering applications (primarily through the recitations).
This course should be taught at a level quite a bit higher than
a usual first year calculus course and the students who finish with math
236 would then take math 241. Math 236 would be offered only
in the fall and it is expected to serve between 100 and 150 students
the first year (one large lecture). However, if successful, given
the national trend for more highschools attempting to teach
AP calculus, math 236 would be expected to grow in enrollment
over time.