UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES COMMITTEE MINUTES

2001:Apr 10, Sept 12, Nov 13

2002:Feb 5, Mar 5, Apr 2, Sept 23, Oct 30, Dec 4

2003: Feb 19, Mar 26, Apr 23, Sept 17, Oct 22

2004: Feb 10, Mar 9, Apr 13, Oct 12 , Nov 9, Dec 7,

2005: Jan 27, Mar 10, Oct 26, Dec 9

2006: Feb 15 , Apr 5 , Oct 25 , Nov 15 ,

2007: Jan 30 , Feb 27, Apr 10, May 1

16 October 2007

Members Present: Geller, Howard, Larson (chair), Mogilevsky, Stecher

Members Absent:  Allen, Petrova

Ex-Officio Members Absent:  DeBlassie

Special Guest:  Lima-Filho

The meeting began at 3:45 p.m. There were six topics put up for discussion: Topics –  Math Fast Track Degree Plan, New Math Horizons Course, Math Minor at TAMUQ, Awards given at Math Majors Meeting, Undergraduate Research Scholars Writing Course, and New Endowed Scholarship.  Below is a summary of each.

Topics-

Math Fast Track Degree Plan. The Fast Track program was implemented 5 years ago to award students a Masters degree one year after receiving their undergraduate degree.  Our goal now is to award both degrees simultaneously, and in order to accomplish this the Program has to be formally approved by the University.  Dr. Lima-Filho has written a draft proposal to be reviewed by committee members for comments, etc.  A copy of the propasal can be viewed by clicking "here."  Dr. Geller requested that the admission requirements be changed to  include at least one of the 9 hours of required honors courses be at the 4xx level.  Though no new courses will be required for this program, Dr. Howard suggested that this would be a good place to create new 'bridge' courses, especially on the Math Biology Track.  After the program is approved, the committee agreed that the program should be promoted to several entities--the Texas Academy of Math and Science (TAMS) at North Texas in Denton, TX, our existing BA majors who would benefit from a Masters in Education and all incoming freshman who have ~60 hours of either AP credit or dual credit from other colleges/universities.  Dr. Lima-Filho will make the changes suggested at the meeting and then again consult with Dr. Zoran Sunik before proceeding with the approval process.

New Math Horizons Course. Other departments offer "Horizons" courses and Drs. Kuchment and Mogilevsky would like to see Math offer one.  This would be a one credit elective course that would discuss contemporary topics, career options, and possibly host guest speakers.  Freshman and Sophomores would be the target audience.  The committee questioned how this course would fit with Dr. Rojas' Math of Modern Life course, since it is also a 1 hour free elective course designed for Freshman and Sophomore majors.  After a discussion it was decided that the course should first run as a Math 289 and Dr. Kuchment should work on a course proposal to present to the committee at a future meeting.  

Math Minor at TAMUQ. The current course offerings at TAMUQ do not include a 4xx level course which is required for a math minor.  So at this time, the committee was not able to approve offering a math minor to TAMUQ students. 

Awards given at Math Majors Meeting.  Dr. Stecher proposed that in the future all scholarship and award winners be required to attend the ceremony in order to receive their check unless they have provided us with a valid reason to be absent in advance.  Committee approved this stipulation and students will be notified in writing about the new requirement.

Undergraduate Research Scholars Writing Course.  Students apply to be Research Scholars during their junior year.  The Vice President for Research, Dr. Robert Webb, decided that one perk of students in this program would be to offer them their second W (Writing requirement) course as a 491 in their major.  The office of the VPR runs the W component of the course at a set time each week and the student's research mentor is responsible for reading and editing the students written work.  Upon discussion of the letter from Dr. Robert Webb, the committee approved offering our Math 491.900 section next spring on Wednesdays from 3-4pm in Peterson Building, Room 104.  Each student will still have to complete the Variable Credit Course paperwork and be enrolled by the Math Department.

New Endowed Scholarship.  Dr. Stecher announced his intention to establish an Endowed Scholarship in Bruce Treybig's name.  The minimum amount needed to establish the endowed scholarship through the A&M Foundation is $25,000.00.  Dr. Joe Newton, Dean of the College of Science, will match up to $5,000 and Dr. Stecher will explore options for matching through the Math Department.  The idea of having the amount deducted from paychecks was discussed and will be investigated. 

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna L. Hoffman