DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

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A

NNUAL

R

EPORT

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

S

UMMER

2012

-

S

PRING

2013

Please follow the outline below so that I do not have to ask you to fill in missing sections or information. DO NOT

try to use spaces to organize any information, use tab settings (use sparingly!) instead, e.g. Do not indent a line using spaces or attempt to align text by using spaces. My “rule of spacing” goes something like this. Turn on the paragraph marks and hidden formatting symbols option in your word processor. If you see more than on symbol for a space in your document, then YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE RULE!

The annual report must include the following:

1. An assessment of your department’s accomplishments in addressing the Academic Affairs Council Work Plan, the College of Health & Science’s Work Plan and your own Department’s Work Plan.

a. AAC Work Plan

If you find something in the AAC Work Plan that is NOT included in the CHS Work Plan add that goal here using the same format as in the CHS Work Plan below.

b. CHS Work Plan

1. submit final assessments for the College, School, Academic Departments, and Academic Units strategic plans for 2008-12 by June 30, 2012 (Provost, AAC members, &

Department Chairs) [SG1, SG2, SG3, SG4, IP7, CHSAP1]; STATUS:

 Annual Assessment Report (2012) for Mathematics Program submitted to CHS Dean and posted on Blackboard.

 Annual Assessment Report (2012) for Computer Science Program submitted to CHS Dean and posted on Blackboard.

2. develop new College, School, Academic Departments, and Academic Units strategic plans to coincide with the new ECU Strategic Plan for 2012-16 by dates to be determined (All AAC members) [IP7, CHSAP1]

STATUS:

 Strategic Plan for Mathematics Program (2013-2017) submitted to CHS Dean and posted on Blackboard.

 Strategic Plan for Computer Science Program (2013-2017) submitted to CHS Dean and posted on Blackboard.

3. identify all departments with course withdrawal rates (AW and W) above the

institutional average in fall 2010 and/or spring 2011 and implement meaningful efforts to reduce these rates by at least two or more percentage points for either fall 2011 and/or spring 2012, paying particular attention to General Education courses and

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individual instructors with rates outside the norm (Provost, AVPAA, Deans, Department Chairs, & faculty) [SG1, IP1, IP2, IP4, AP2.1, CHSAP2];

STATUS:

 MATH 0214: Two traditional lecture-format sections added. DFW rates in these appear to be a lot lower than those in the ALEKS sections. Departmental committee on remedial math is currently examining ways to increase retention rates in MATH 0214. Average retention rate in all sections of MATH 0214, in the fall 2012 semester, was 70%.

 MATH 1513: Departmental MATH 1513 College Algebra committee currently looking for methods to increase retention rates. Online version of MATH 1513 seems to currently have a lower Drop, Fail, Withdraw (DFW) rate, at least as of recent years.

 Online Tutoring: Mathematics program started online tutoring. Students with questions can email student workers during a certain time frame and have their questions answered.

4. identify all degree programs/departments which did not achieve or make progress towards their 2011-12 targets for majors, graduates, and student credit hours (data calculated in the Department-at-a-Glance Report) by June 30, 2012 in order to close out this current set of targets, and begin the negotiations for new targets for 2015-16 (Provost, deans, & department chairs/program coordinators) [SG1, IP1, IP2, IP4, AP2.1, CHSAP2]

STATUS:

5. provide leadership to assist the university maintain its student credit hour production at or above the average of the last three years - 117,246 (Provost & AVPAA) [SG2, IP4, AP1.4, AP1.7, AP1.13, AP2.1, AP2.3, AP2.4, AP2.5, AP2.6, AP2.7, AP5.1, AP5.3, AP5.4, CHSAP7 ];

STATUS:

6. complete a report by November 1, 2012 with the results of each academic department’s retention plan for second-year students (sophomores) for the period fall 2009 to fall 2011 -- retention rate for each major retained or returning in another major -- (Provost, Dir. of Institutional Research, Deans, & Department Chairs) [SG2, IP1, IP2, IP4, AP2.1, AP2.2, AP2.3, AP2.4, AP2.7. AP2.9, CHSAP2, CHSAP4];

STATUS:

 Department has a new second year to third year retention plan for majors in mathematics and computer science. Details of this plan are presented in the strategic plans (2013-2017) submitted to the CHS Dean.

 Undergraduate research projects involving program majors and department faculty has resulted in more effective retention of students in the mathematics and computer science programs.

 Student talks given by program majors at conferences retain more students in the mathematics and computer science programs.

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 Math Club and CPU Club activities, such as the Annual Departmental Picnic in the fall semester, acts as a retention tool as well.

7. participate in revitalizing Enrollment Management efforts (P/VPAA, AVPAA, & Director of Enrollment Management, Dir. A & R, Deans, Dir. Inst. Research) [SG1, IP4, AP2.2, AP2.3, AP2.4, AP2.5, AP2.6, CHSAP3, CHSAP4];

STATUS:

8. create a common evaluation system for tenure and promotion decisions, and post-tenure review (Provost, AVPAA, Deans, Department Chairs, & Faculty Senate) [SG2, IP2, AP1.5, AP1.9, AP1.11, AP1.12];

STATUS:

9. secure funding and a location for an undergraduate research program to promote research-based learning via directed study, summer research, and research internships (Provost, Dir. OSPR, and Deans) [SG2, SG4, IP1, IP2, IP3, IP4, AP3.1, AP3.4, AP3.5, AP3.6, CHSAP3];

STATUS:

10. revise the service learning undergraduate graduation requirement to include other options that promote student centeredness for implementation with the fall 2012 semester (Provost, Deans, Service Learning Committee, Faculty Senate, & President) [SG1, IP1, AP2.8, CHSAP1, CHSAP4);

STATUS:

11. secure OSRHE approval to offer additional degree programs online, such as MEd in Secondary Education (Sports Administration option and Ed Tech option), BS in

Organizational Leadership , and the RN to BSN concentration in Nursing, etc., (Provost, Dean of CEP, Dir. of Distance Ed, appropriate Department Chairs and Program Directors or Coordinators) [SG2, IP2, IP6, AP5, CHSAP3);

STATUS:

12. develop specific programs to recruit, retain, and serve Native American students to achieve a Native American student population of 25% (Provost, Deans, Director of Native American Services)[SG1, SG2, IP1, IP4, IP7, AP5.1, AP5.5];

STATUS:

13. conduct a review of the need and effectiveness of all student computer labs by April 1, 2012 (VPAA, AVPAA, Deans, Lab Directors, & Dir. of IT) [SG1, SG2, IP1, IP2, IP4, AP3.2, CHSAP4);

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14. work with the Chemistry to review the introductory course in chemistry to determine if additional prerequisites are necessary for student success or if additional introductory courses are needed for majors in other areas than chemistry. (Dean and Chemistry Faculty)[SG2, IP2, CHSAP1.3];

STATUS: and

15. work with the Institute for Environmental Science Education and Research (IESER) to establish and meet performance goals (Dean, IESER Executive Director)[SG2, IP3, CHSAP5.2].

STATUS:

2. Department Work Plan

If you have a department goal that is identical to one of the CHS goals above, you can omit any repeat of that discussion here. These could be items left over from your last strategic plan that you were still working on.

a. Add your goals here using the same format as in the CHS goals; STATUS:

Mathematics Goals (From 2008-2012 Strategic Plan):

 Academic Priority 1 (IP1, IP2, IP4, SG1, SG2, AP2, CHSAP2): The Mathematics Department will increase number of mathematics majors. Met

 Academic Priority 2 (IP1, IP2, IP4, SG1, SG2, AP2, and CHSAP2): The Mathematics Department will improve student retention rates and increase the number of undergraduate degrees awarded in the department. Met

 Academic Priority 3 (IP1, IP2, IP3, IP4, IP5, IP7, SG1, SG2, SG4, AP2, AP3, CHSAP1, CHSAP2, CHSAP3, and CHSAP4): The Mathematics Department will secure external funding in support of department programs and of IESER’s annual external funding goals. Met

 Academic Priority 4 (IP1, IP2, IP4, IP5, SG1, SG2, SG4, AP1, CHSAP1, CHSAP2, and CHSAP3): The Mathematics Department will improve the quality of all three undergraduate program options i.e. modifying Applied/Pre-Actuary option, develop online and blended courses, implement departmental pre-tenure review process etc. All Met except pre-tenure review process

 Academic Priority 5 (IP3, IP5, IP6, SG3, AP5, and CHSAP5): The Mathematics Department will develop new graduate programs utilizing distance learning to serve public and private sector education needs and to meet documented economic and manpower needs in the University’s service area. Not Met

 Academic Priority 6 (IP1, IP2, IP4, IP5, IP7, SG1, SG2, SG4, AP1, AP2, AP3, CHSAP1, CHSAP2, and CHSAP3): The Mathematics program will expand outreach efforts targeting alumni. Met

 Academic Priority 7 (IP1, IP2, IP4, SG1, SG2, and AP2): The Mathematics

Department will produce 6900 student credit hours; have 70 majors; and have 10 program graduates by June 30, 2012. Met

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Computer Science Goals (From 2008-2012 Strategic Plan):

 GOAL 1 (IP1, IP2, IP4, IP5, SG1, SG2, AND AP1): SEEK AND HIRE A NEW CHAIRPERSON FOR THE DEPARTMENT. MET

 Goal 2 (IP1, IP2, IP4, IP5, SG1, SG2, and AP1): Seek and hire a Director of Computing Sciences Laboratories. Met (for now)

 Goal 3 (CHS AP3.2): Replace the existing main server in the department. Met  Goal 4 (CHS AP2.7): Rearrange the course offerings in the department to include

two service learning courses taught in the fall or spring semesters each year. Met  Goal 5 (CHS AP2.7): Using 2006-07 as the baseline, improve the one-year

retention rate of second year students (within the Computer Science Program) to 80% by 2012. Not Met

 Goal 6 (IP1, IP2, IP4, SG1, SG2, and AP2): Produce 2300 student credit hours, have 70 majors, and have 14 program graduates by June 30, 2012. (2300 Credit Hours

Met; 70 Majors Not Met; 14 Graduates Not Met)

 Goal 7 (IP1, IP2, IP4, SG1, SG2, and AP2): Revise the student recruiting plan to include new strategies for the area high schools and two-year colleges that will increase the number of majors. Not Met

3. Programmatic accomplishments of note.

Here is your opportunity to shine. What happened in your department of note this past year that you want to get on the record?

 The Mathematics and Computer Science Department currently has TWO OSRHE-funded Summer Academies, one in Mathematics and one in Computer Science. Further, the department has a large NSF-funded grant and several OSDE-funded, smaller grants. Grants provide scholarships as well as undergraduate research opportunities for program majors and professional development workshops for local-area school teachers.

 New computer laboratory in Science Hall, funded by Math program equipment budget funds, was constructed. Laboratory is used primarily by upper level mathematics majors for coursework and undergraduate research. Creating such a laboratory was one of the Spring 2006 program review recommendations. 4. Annual Program Assessment Report

a. Your program name and include the following information. (copy and paste from your assessment report)

i. Received: Yes

ii. Did you personally review the report: Yes

b. Identify the instructional improvements or changes during the past year that resulted from assessment of student learning.

 Mathematics: None for this year.

 Computer Science: Embedded assessments in CPSMA 2923 (Data Structures) will measure oral presentation skills of majors.

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 Computer Science: Embedded assessments in CMPSC 3943 (Software Design and Development) will measure written skills of majors.

 Computer Science: Surveys to measure satisfaction of first-year program graduates and employers of first-year program graduates will be administered by program faculty.

c. Identify any proposed instructional improvements or changes planned for future years that are the result of assessment of student learning. NONE

d. Were there any practices or procedures for the collection of assessment data that were determined to not be working successfully? If so, what changes are proposed?

 Computer Science: Embedded assessments in CPSMA 2923 (Data Structures) will measure oral presentation skills of majors.

 Computer Science: Embedded assessments in CMPSC 3943 (Software Design and Development) will measure written skills of majors.

 Computer Science: Surveys to measure satisfaction of first-year program graduates and employers of first-year program graduates to be administered by program faculty.

e. Report the status of your responses to the University Assessment Committee’s evaluation of your Assessment Plan if one has been conducted. None conducted this year. However the responses from the last evaluation are as follows:

 Mathematics (1): Will include the College of Health and Sciences (CHS) mission statement in all future plans. Status: Addressed.

 Mathematics (2): Will indicate whether an adequate number of responses have been received. Status: Not Addressed (Evaluation Item Unclear).

 Mathematics (3): Will conduct an employer survey with results added to the assessment report in 2010. Status: Not Addressed.

 Mathematics (4): Will conduct an alumni survey with results that will linked to the department’s alumni newsletter. Status: Addressed. Current program faculty is developing database of recent alumni with plans of contacting them for this survey.  Computer Science (1): Will develop new student outcomes for 2009. Status:

Addressed.

 Computer Science (2): Will create and implement embedded assessment items in select courses for 2009. Status: Addressed.

 Computer Science (3): Will modify alumni survey in 2008 with the data from the modified survey to be included in the 2009 report. Status: Addressed.

5. Faculty accomplishments of note.

Note: things that need to be entered into the historical record for future use in institutional reports and self-studies. This is not a list of what every faculty member has done this past year. If your faculty members have been entering this information into the blackboard portal you can copy and paste that information here. Let’s just make certain that we include “accomplishments of note”.  Three full-time, tenure-track faculty members hired. Two in mathematics and one

in computer science.

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6. Student accomplishments of note:

a. What accomplishments have your students made in the area of undergraduate research? The table below illustrates student name, research project and conference at which the student presented their research.

STUDENT RESEARCH PROJECT CONFERENCE

Fixico-Mitchell, Erin The Ancestry of a Language: Exploring Glottochronology OAS Annual Technical Meeting

Scott, Brian So What’s The Point OK-AR MAA Sectional Meeting

Wood, Austin A Survey of Quaternions OAS Annual Technical Meeting

Pavlovich, Joey The Mathematics and Application of Quarterback Ratings OAS Annual Technical Meeting Crittenden, Joshua Random Number Generation: Part I OAS Annual Technical Meeting Cardwell, Ashley The Mathematical Modeling of Golf OK Research Day

Gordon, Kaleb Fractal Music Applications OK Research Day

Carnes, Bobby Wayne Statistics Research Involving NBA & Basketball

OK-AR MAA Sectional Conference

Orso, Vikki Effects of Calculators on Students

Garner, Matthew Effects of Calculators on Students

Eckler, Christopher The Fermat Points and its Properties

Somers, Daniel Statistics Research Involving NBA & Basketball

Heaton, Tabitha Statistics Research Involving NBA & Basketball OK Research Day Brantley, Krystal Effects of Flowing Water on Pipes OK Research Day Harjo, Simmon The Mathematics of the Discus

Maas, Stephanie Statistics Research Involving NBA & Basketball

McGuffin, Bailey Statistics Research Involving NBA & Basketball

Mitchell, Erin Fixico Mathematical Modeling OAS Annual Technical Meeting

Harding, Matthew Unusual Critical Points OK Research Day

Huhman, Ashley REU REU Michigan State Univ.

Duncan, Stephanie Game Theory OK Research Day

Murphy, Cady Game Theory OK Research Day

Crittenden, Joshua Linear Congruential Random Numbers ECU Honors Project b. Other accomplishments?

 One student accepted into Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) summer research program at University of Oklahoma.

 One student accepted into Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) summer research program at Michigan State University.

 One student inducted into Pi Mu Epsilon (mathematics honorary society).  One student passed first two exams administered by Society of Actuaries (SOA).

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 Two students accepted into Mathematics Graduate Programs at University of Texas-Tyler and University of Oklahoma, respectively.

c. What things need to be entered into the historical record for future use in institutional reports and self-studies?

 Total of 27 students completed undergraduate research projects with department faculty and presented results at conferences. This trend of increasing number of students participating in undergraduate research continues.

 Students are passing the Actuarial Exams and entering graduate programs. This is a new trend among department graduates and should continue.

7. Please give me a brief summary noting strengths, areas of concern, and projections of priority issues for your program in the coming year.

Strengths

 Mathematics faculty continue to be active in scholarship including grant writing and undergraduate research.

 Faculty continue to be effective classroom instructors.

 Program majors continue to be active in undergraduate research projects with department faculty.

 Program majors continue to present undergraduate research talks and posters at conferences. Travel to conferences supported by ECU Alumni Association, Math Club and NSF in many cases.

 New departmental computer laboratory used by upper level mathematics majors for undergraduate research projects.

 Program majors are passing the Actuarial Exams and entering graduate programs.  New faculty hired this year will add strength to the programs.

Concerns

 Computer Science faculty currently inactive in the area of scholarship activities, including grant writing and undergraduate research. Hopefully this will change owing to new computer science faculty hired for the coming academic year.  Proof-writing skills of mathematics majors are below the required standard.

However, there seems to be an improvement and hopefully this upward trend continues.