Slide1 : The Wright State Model for Engineering Mathematics Education Support:
National Science Foundation
Grant Numbers EEC-0343214, DUE-0618571, DUE-0622466
Slide2 : Motivation:
Historically, only about 42% of students who wish to pursue an engineering or computer science degree at WSU ever advance past the freshman calculus sequence
The remaining 58% either switch majors or leave the University
This problem is not unique to WSU; indeed, math-related attrition plagues engineering programs across the country
We submit that even at universities with open admissions, the retention rate could (and should) be much higher Objective:
To increase student retention, motivation and success through application-driven, just-in-time, engineering math instruction Motivation and Objective
Slide3 : The WSU Model Develop a freshman-level engineering mathematics course (EGR 101) addressing only the salient math topics actually used in core engineering courses (physics, engineering mechanics, electric circuits, computer programming, etc.)
Restructure the early engineering curriculum, with EGR 101 as the only math prerequisite for the above core courses
Develop a revised engineering mathematics sequence, to be taught by the math department later in the curriculum, in concert with College and ABET accreditation requirements
EGR 101: Introductory Mathematics for Engineering Applications : Course Topics
Linear & Quadratic Equations
Trigonometry
Vectors and Complex Numbers
Sinusoids and Harmonic Signals
Systems of Equations and Matrices
Basics of Differentiation
Basics of Integration
Differential Eqns. W/Const. Coeffs.
EGR 101: Introductory Mathematics for Engineering Applications
All topics driven by engineering applications taken directly from core engineering courses
Lectures motivated by hands-on laboratory exercises, including a thorough integration with MATLAB
Restructured Curriculum (Effective Fall, 2004) : Restructured Curriculum (Effective Fall, 2004) Traditional Freshman Year (Mechanical Engineering):
Restructured Freshman Year (Mechanical Engineering):
Revised Math Sequence : Revised Math Sequence EGR 101 (5 hours, freshman year)
Engineering Calculus Sequence (5 hours each)
Engineering Calc I (freshman year)
Engineering Calc II (sophomore year)
Engineering Calc III (sophomore year)
Engineering Calc IV (junior year)
Differential Equations with Matrix Algebra
(5 hours, sophomore year)
Slide7 : Results of Initial Implementation Every department requiring EGR 101 saw an increase in first-year (Fall-to-Fall) retention in 2004-2005: Overall, first-year retention for majors requiring EGR 101 increased from 68.0% to 78.3%
NSF CCLI Phase 2 Program : NSF CCLI Phase 2 Program
PI: N. Klingbeil
Co-PI’s: K. Rattan, D. Reynolds, M. Raymer, R. Mercer
Multiyear assessment at WSU (student retention, motivation and success, including effect on student learning in subsequent math and engineering courses)
Pilot adoption and assessment at collaborating institutions (University of Cincinnati, University of Toledo)
Widespread dissemination of results: Development of an EGR 101 textbook; publication and presentation in STEM venues; workshops for faculty from across the country (build team for Phase 3 in 2009) “A National Model for Engineering Mathematics Education” Grant Number DUE-0618571, 08/15/06-07/31/09.
Total Funding: $500,000
NSF STEP Program : NSF STEP Program PI: M. Wheatly
Co-PI’s: N. Klingbeil, B. Jang, G. Sehi, R. Jones
Adoption of EGR 101 and associated engineering math reforms at Sinclair Community College (SCC)
Development of companion SM 101/ASE 101 “Scientific Thought and Method,” offered to all first-year science majors at WSU and SCC
Training of faculty, graduate students and senior undergraduates, who will participate in the development and implementation of the unified first-year STEM experience at WSU and SCC
Expected Outcomes: 10% increase in first-year STEM retention at WSU; 10% increase in articulation of STEM majors from SCC to WSU; 50 additional WSU STEM graduates per year by close of project “Gateway into First-Year STEM Curricula: A Community College/University Collaboration Promoting Retention and Articulation”
Grant Number DUE-0622466, 10/01/06-09/30/10.
Total Funding: $1,786,559 (additional $211,061 expected in FY 2010)
Questions : Questions ? More Information: http://www.cs.wright.edu/engmath/ http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/
Student Performance First Year of EGR 101 : Student Performance First Year of EGR 101 Grade distributions, Fall and Cumulative (Fall 04-Spring 05) Cumulative performance surpassed expectations, with 74% of students completing EGR 101 with a “C” or better
Suggests the potential for a dramatic improvement in student retention and success in engineering
Slide12 : Student Perception EGR 101 First-Run, Fall 2004 Student perception of EGR 101 sorted by high school math background: EGR 101 increased student motivation and perceived chance of success in future math and engineering courses
Slide13 : Student Perception First Year of EGR 101 Student surveys, Fall and Cumulative (Fall 04-Spring 05) Student perception of EGR 101 remained strong in subsequent quarters, even though the students were generally less prepared to be there!
Student Comments on EGR 101 : Student Comments on EGR 101 “This course has really helped me. I was thinking of dropping engineering, but because of this course I am sticking with it…”
“Being able to put calculus to actual engineering problems helps a lot for me. I didn’t understand it in high school, but being able to imagine or see it in an actual problem helped greatly.”
“I enjoyed the class because it focused more on application to real world problems rather than just numbers. The lectures based on example problems followed up by recitation created a very good learning environment for me.”
Slide15 : Two-Year Retention (Fall 2004-Fall 2006) Students who took EGR 101 had a much greater chance of success through their first two years (75.6%), as compared to those who did not (23.0%)
Slide16 : Two-Year Retention (Fall 2004-Fall 2006) Students at all initial math placement levels (MPL) gained a significant advantage from EGR 101