Western Carolina University
B.S. in Mathematics (Actuarial, Applied, and Traditional Options)
Department of Mathematics & Computer Science
College of Arts & Sciences
Annual Assessment Report for 2007-2008
Primary Contact Name/Info:
Dr. Mark Holliday, Interim Head
Mathematics & Computer Science
Stillwell 426A
227-3951
Student Learning
Outcome(s)
Assessed in 2007-08
State the learning outcome(s)
that the program assessed in
the 2007-08 assessment cycle.
Method(s) of
Assessment
Provide a summary of the
methods used to assess the
chosen outcome. Note any
changes in the assessment
measures from the program’s
official assessment plan.
Results of
Assessment
Results must include a
summary of major findings,
interpretation of the results, and
a description of how the results
were disseminated to key
stakeholders for discussion.
Implementation Plan
Identify what
programmatic/curricular
changes or improvements you
will make as a result of the
assessment.
Each recommended action must
be specific and relate directly to
the outcome and results of
assessment. A description of
the timeline for action and the
person(s) responsible must be
included. In addition, please
include a brief description of
resources that will be critical to
implementation of the actions
proposed, if applicable.
Undergraduate
BS Mathematics:
Traditional, Applied,
and Actuarial Options
1. Students will
demonstrate an
understanding of the
following fundamental
concepts and mastery
of the following
fundamental skills in
mathematics:
a. understanding the
derivative concept in
1.
a. In most of the
Calculus I sections,
students must
demonstrate their
mastery of evaluating
derivatives by passing a
“gateway” exam.
b. Many sections of
Calculus II make use of a
“gateway exam to insure
student proficiency in
1. a. This year 100% of
the students who passed
Calculus I also passed
the gateway exam.
However, each
instructor wrote his/her
own exams, taking time
away from their possible
interactions with
students.
2. This year 100% of
the students who passed
Calculus II also passed
1. a. It is now a
departmental
requirement for all
students in
Calculus I to take the
gateway exam. This
semester we have done
work to create a
centralized database of
questions and a
computer program that
can generate exams.
b. It is now a
terms of slope as well
as “rate of change,”
with procedural fluency
in evaluating
derivatives.
b. understanding the
definite integral as a
limit process for
evaluating sums, with
procedural fluency in
evaluating integrals.
evaluating integrals.
the gateway exam.
However, each
instructor wrote his/her
own exams, taking time
away from their possible
interactions with
students.
department requirement
for all students in
Calculus II to take the
gateway exam. We are
in the process of
centralizing a database
of questions and a
computer program that
can generate exams.
This will be completed
by the end of the Fall
2008 semester.