{"id":101,"date":"2012-06-04T14:23:06","date_gmt":"2012-06-04T14:23:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/ugrad1213\/sas\/programs\/mathematics\/"},"modified":"2020-08-11T11:56:54","modified_gmt":"2020-08-11T15:56:54","slug":"mathematics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/ugrad2021\/sas\/programs\/mathematics\/","title":{"rendered":"Mathematics"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/h1>\n

Stavros Christofi, Chair<\/strong><\/em>
\nchristofis@wcsu.edu<\/a>
\nHiggins Hall 101N, Midtown Campus
\n(203) 837-9351
\n(203) 837-8289 (fax)<\/p>\n

David Burns, Associate Chair (Sabbatical Spring 2021)<\/b>
\n<\/em>burnsd@wcsu.edu<\/a>
\nHiggins Hall 101A, Midtown campus
\n(203) 837-9346<\/p>\n

Cathy Desisto-Reynolds, Department Secretary<\/strong><\/em>
\nreynoldsc@wcsu.edu<\/a>
\nHiggins Hall Office Suite 101 Reception, Midtown Campus
\n(203) 837-9299
\n(203) 837-8289 (fax)<\/p>\n

Faculty<\/strong><\/h5>\n

D. Burns, Assoc. Chair
\nS. Christofi, Chair
\nB. Hall
\nS. Hayes (Sabbatical Fall 2020)<\/em>
\nS. Lightwood
\nA. Lubell
\nP. Maida
\nC. Rocca
\nM. Shoushani
\nT. Trimble (Visiting Assistant Prof. Fall 2020)<\/em>
\nX. Wang<\/p>\n

Adjunct Faculty<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
M. Aldrich<\/td>\nM. Alexandru<\/td>\nW. Barrett<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
J. Breen<\/td>\nD. Ciskowski<\/td>\n\u00a0J. DiGiacomo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
P. Ganchev<\/td>\nC Hall<\/td>\nR. Hopkins<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
E. Lehman<\/td>\nW. Newsom-Stewart<\/td>\nH. Q. Nguyen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
P. O’Donnell<\/td>\nC. Peterson<\/td>\nK. Pisano<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
M. Saccucci<\/td>\nK. Sherman<\/td>\nC. Wallace<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Overview<\/p>\n

In the exciting, technologically advanced, and dynamic age we live in, mathematics has become one of the primary players in developing useful solutions to practical problems, receiving its rightful recognition as one of the\u00a0foundational components of discovery and innovation.<\/p>\n

Employers from businesses and govern\u00adment agencies to schools and foundations understand more and more the benefits of hiring an employee with quantitative competencies able to think abstractly, critically, and problem-solve \u2014 an employee with the skills that mathematics teaches.<\/p>\n

Math Students at WCSU may choose major options in pure or applied mathematics or math education and are challenged to gain mastery in a variety of mathematical areas while fulfilling all requirements of a liberal arts education. The B.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics as well as the B. S. in Secondary Education \u2013 Mathematics weave career applications into the curriculum. \u00a0All programs are flexible and up-to-date.<\/p>\n

Students have the opportunity to pursue their particular mathematical interests by working closely with Western\u2019s dedicated math\u00adematics professors on independent research projects. These may be in such diverse areas as analytical and numerical methods for partial differential equations, combinatorics, actuarial math, axiomatic set theory, cryptology, data science and machine learning, wavelets, topological measure theory, scientific computing, 3-D printing and more.<\/p>\n

For students who plan to continue with graduate studies in mathematics, applied mathematics or a related field, as well as those who look forward to beginning a career upon graduation, studying mathematics at Western will provide the knowledge and skills required to achieve success.<\/p>\n

Mission<\/p>\n

It is the mission of the mathematics department to contribute to our society\u2019s mathematical competency in a manner consistent with the university\u2019s mission. To accomplish this, the department has defined its goals for the following three constituencies.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The department supports the development of the mathematics student by providing students with:\n
      \n
    1. A breadth of knowledge in core areas of mathematics.<\/li>\n
    2. A depth of knowledge in a specific area.<\/li>\n
    3. Strong skills in mathematical communication, problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, and applications to related areas.<\/li>\n
    4. Personalized learning experience in mathematics.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    5. The department supports the mission of the university by:\n
        \n
      1. Developing mathematical literacy for all students.<\/li>\n
      2. Meeting the mathematical needs of all majors.<\/li>\n
      3. Providing expertise in mathematics, applied mathematics, math education, and statistics.<\/li>\n
      4. Conducting theoretical and applied research in the mathematical sciences.<\/li>\n
      5. Maintaining a wide presence in the university community outside the department.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
      6. The department supports the needs of the community by:\n
          \n
        1. Providing expertise in mathematics, math education, and statistics.<\/li>\n
        2. Conducting research in the mathematical sciences.<\/li>\n
        3. Providing continuing education and retraining in mathematics, applied mathematics, and mathematics-based fields.<\/li>\n
        4. Fostering the appreciation of mathematical sciences.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          University Mathematics Testing and Placement Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

          All students admitted to the university are assigned mathematics placement prior to registration. Placement level is determined primarily by SAT scores.\u00a0 A placement test is available during the first class meeting for those students placed into developmental math in the Math Emporium, but wish to place higher.\u00a0 The purpose of the placement\/testing is to determine whether the student possesses the basic quantitative skills needed for success in college-level quantitative studies.<\/p>\n

          If the student requires additional work in the skills area (SAT below 570), placement will be in MAT 098 Elementary Algebra, MAT 100P Intermediate Algebra Plus or MAT 100 Intermediate Mathematics. Otherwise, the student may opt for any general education course appropriate to the student\u2019s educational goals. \u00a0Students wishing to register for Calculus must have an SAT score of 620 or above. A 3, or higher, in AP Calculus AB allows a student to earn credit for Calculus I MAT 181. Detailed information regarding placement testing and placement levels can be found on the departmental website (http:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/math\/placement-testing\/<\/a> )<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

          Instruction in MAT 098, MAT 100 and MAT 100P<\/strong><\/p>\n

          MAT 098, MAT 100 and 100P are taught following the Emporium Model of instruction.\u00a0 Traditional lecture methods are reduced and the emphasis is placed on individual work and one-on-one help from an instructor or teaching assistant.\u00a0 The text, homework assignments and course exam preparations are part of an online delivery system.\u00a0 Exams, including the final, are given as traditional paper and pencil tests. This should not be confused with an online class as daily attendance is required<\/span>.\u00a0 Students use a required software program, ALEKS, Assessment and E-Learning in Knowledge Spaces, that guides them to the necessary videos, learning content and required practice assignments needed during the learning process.\u00a0 Meeting weekly assignment goals as well as the completion of the periodic progress checks and self assessments are mandatory and are incorporated into the student\u2019s final grade.\u00a0 These courses are designed to have the student constantly engaged in the learning process using adaptive learning technologies.\u00a0 A professor and\/or teaching assistants are always present during the lab’s open hours and available to teach\/help\/guide a student when needed, but there is little \u201cChalk and Talk\u201d in the traditional sense.<\/p>\n

          Thomas Grant, Math Emporium Coordinator
          \n<\/em><\/strong>          granttt@wcsu.edu<\/a>
          \nHiggins Hall 122A, Midtown Campus
          \n(203) 837-9370
          \n(203) 837-8289 (fax)<\/p>\n

          <\/a>Degree Programs in Mathematical Sciences<\/p>\n

          Bachelor of Arts<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Mathematics
          \nMathematics with Computer Science Option<\/p>\n

          Bachelor of Science<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Applied and Computational Mathematics with options in:<\/p>\n