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How Much Math Do They Need? Determining Math Prerequisites for Science Courses

How Much Math Do They Need? Determining Math Prerequisites for Science Courses. Andria Schwortz Department of Natural Sciences Physics and Astronomy Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, MA. Abstract.

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How Much Math Do They Need? Determining Math Prerequisites for Science Courses

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  1. How Much Math Do They Need? Determining Math Prerequisites for Science Courses Andria Schwortz Department of Natural Sciences Physics and Astronomy Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, MA

  2. Abstract In non-major lab science courses, math skills often challenge the students. When math prerequisites are in place, students may not possess the assumed tools. Discussion starts with past attempts to assess the math background of students in diverse courses (Astronomy, Physics), find correlations, and thus make informed prerequisite decisions.

  3. PHY 105 - General Physics I Calculus-based Self-selected highly motivated students, with well-defined transfer goals SCI 135 - Introduction to Astronomy Low math prerequisite Many students unclear of life, career, and academic goals Two Courses, Two Extremes

  4. PHY 105 - General Physics I • Calculus-based Mechanics • Declared majors • 48% Basic Engineering • 21% General Studies • 21% Undeclared • 10% Other • Highly-motivated students • Up to 75% Engineering Transfer • Up to 25% Pharmacy Transfer

  5. Math Pretest • Originally intended to help students understand what math skills required. • Administered in-class during first week with little or no prior warning (no studying) • Plot pretest score against different grade components

  6. PHY 105 Results • For a course with a high math prerequisite, a math pretest does not accurately predict final grade • PHY 105 students are actually learning something in the course! • Method may be of more use in a course with a low math prerequisite

  7. PHY 105 - General Physics I Calculus-based Self-selected highly motivated students, with well-defined transfer goals SCI 135 - Introduction to Astronomy Low math prerequisite Many students unclear of life, career, and academic goals Two Courses, Two Extremes

  8. SCI 135 - Introduction to Astronomy • Conceptual Astronomy • Designed for students whose major requires one “math or 3-credit science” course • No lab component

  9. Course History • Not offered ~1986 - 2006 • Revised Spring 2006 • Co-requisites of ENG 100, MAT 090 (Basic Math Skills) • Revised 2007

  10. Motivation • Poor visualization skills • Moon phases, eclipses, heliocentric model. • Assumption • Math skills correlate with visualization skills

  11. Process • Obtained transcripts for all 75 students • Tallied highest level of Math completed prior to taking SCI 135 • Also tallied highest level of English • Plotted SCI 135 grade as a function of highest Math course

  12. Unanswered Questions • Mid-math slump

  13. Unanswered Questions • Mid-math slump • English prereq

  14. Unanswered Questions • Mid-math slump • English prereq • Source of poor visualization skills?

  15. SCI 135 Results • Students who didn’t take MAT 090 first do poorly in the course. • Students who did take MAT 090 do slightly better. • Spring 2007 increased prereq to MAT 090 based on this evidence

  16. Course History • Not offered ~1986 - 2006 • Revised Spring 2006 • Co-requisites of ENG 100, MAT 090 (Basic Math Skills) • Revised Spring 2007 • Reevaluated co-requisites • Prerequisites of ENG 100, MAT 090 • Spring 2009 • Conversion for online section/s

  17. Math and Science Conclusions • Math pretesting • Retention of Math content and Science grade • Examining actual courses taken • Prereqs and science grade • Cannot distinguish between Math and general college readiness • Strong evidence to convince others

  18. Andria C. Schwortzaschwortz@qcc.mass.eduhttp://www.qcc.mass.edu/aschwortz/

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