October 7, 2016

Department of Mathematics revamps approach to math courses

The Department of Mathematics has implemented a number of changes that affect incoming students and some continuing students.  

The primary goals of these changes are:

1. To promote the ability of students to transfer math courses from other universities and to CODO within Purdue.

There are now only two calculus tracks: One for science and engineering students who will take further math courses and the other for students who will take no math classes beyond calculus. This makes it easier for students to use credits for math courses when they change majors within Purdue or transfer into the University.

2.  To provide an alternative to the standard algebra-trigonometry-calculus sequence with a quantitative reasoning course.

The new Quantitative Reasoning course (MA 15555) can be used to satisfy the mathematics requirement for many majors.  This course includes many of the concepts of algebra using problems of relevance and utility for students from all majors.

3. To improve placement into first-year mathematics courses.

Incoming students can now skip the ALEKS placement test if their SAT or ACT scores demonstrate that they are well-prepared for their first math course in their major.

4. To offer a high-quality, online homework system at a low cost to students and to simultaneously improve the department's ability to offer online courses.

The learning platform LON-CAPA makes it easier to offer online homework and online courses for four 100-level classes. This platform replaces a textbook with an online homework system, videos, and text specific to each lesson in a course.  Students can take one of these courses in standard lecture format, or in some cases in an online format over the summer.

More information is available at http://www.math.purdue.edu/~buzzard/changes.shtml.


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