Expanded Statement of Institutional Purpose:
Mission StatementWe understand that a rich and appropriate mathematics education is needed by all disciplines at Southern Utah University. Not only do we serve future mathematicians, scientists, business strategists and engineers but also future teachers of mathematics and computer science students, as well as those pursuing studies in the arts and humanities. The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science is committed to offering a well-rounded academic program which will provide our graduates with employable job skills, and which will give them the fundamentals they need to be competitive in the workplace, both in educational positions, and in positions outside the academic environment.
The Department is also committed to furthering knowledge and techniques in Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science through an active research and consulting program.Goal Statement
The long-term goals of the Department are as follows:
1. Expand the curriculum to provide broad-based instruction in a number of areas of timely interest, including mathematics education, actuarial and financial mathematics, mathematical biology, and application of mathematical science to industrial situations.
2. Develop courses tailored to meet the specific needs of the University and community.
3. Encourage the desire to search for truth by thinking analytically, logically and critically.
4. Enhance the economic and technological development of the community.
5. Foster the continued subject matter and pedagogical development of our faculty.
6. Increase the size, quality and scope of both our graduate and undergraduate programs.
7. Gain accreditation of our Computer Science area.
8. Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our instructional programs, and increase our enrollments in upper division and graduate courses.Assessment Criteria and Activities
Assessment of the quality and effectiveness of departmental programs is an important part of our mission. The entire faculty shares the central responsibility for operating an efficient and productive assessment program. Data and evidence to evaluate whether we are achieving our goals and producing graduates who meet our expectations must continually be gathered and analyzed. The assessment process is coordinated by the department head and implemented by faculty members.
Current assessment activities include:
1. A comprehensive examination in their area with a satisfactory score during the students senior year.
2. Exit interviews by the department head of all graduating seniors.
3. Interviews with a random sample of graduating seniors, carried out by faculty in which the purpose is to measure achievement, training, preparation for the workplace, and to establish a connection for future follow up assessment 5 years hence.
4. A grade of "C" or better earned in each course used to complete the major.
5. Assessment of our students ability to communicate in their field by taking a capstone class in which each student gives both a written and an oral report.
6. Course embedded activities requiring critical, logical, and analytical thinking.
7. Faculty activities that enhance their knowledge of the subject and methods of presentation.
8. Teaching evaluations completed by the students on every instructor in the department.
9. Annual assessments on all service classes by the faculty involved.
10. Assessments at departmental retreats and meetings.
| Department Assessment Plans | Assessment Plans | Institutional Research |
 |
Last Update: Friday, June 06, 2003 |  |