Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning

Intellectual Foundations

Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning

Overview
Learning Outcomes
Implementation

Report to the College Senate

of the

Select Committee

on General Education

8 November 2002

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1. Overview

The Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning learning outcomes developed by both the SUNY Trustees and Buffalo State College fall into two distinct groups.

a.

The first group consists of arithmetic, geometry and algebra. Courses fulfilling these learning outcomes shall be designated with an "M" in the course schedule.

b.

The second includes data analysis and quantitative reasoning. Courses fulfilling these learning outcomes shall be designated with a "Q" in the course schedule. For courses with only the "Q" designation, fulfillment of the "M" learning outcomes shall be prerequisite. It is anticipated that many courses offered outside the Mathematics Department could fulfill the "Q" learning outcomes.

c.

Some courses may receive both "M" and "Q" designations.

d.

Completion of a single course with a "Q" designation, or a single course with an "MQ" designation, will therefore complete a student's Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning requirement. Students can use high school performance to demonstrate fulfillment of the "M" or both the "M" and "Q" learning outcomes.

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2. Learning Outcomes/Objectives

Informational memo: The learning outcomes listed below have already been approved by the College Senate as part of the GE2K Assessment Plan. Their categorization into "M" and "Q" learning outcomes is new to this report.

a. The "M" Learning Outcomes

i

Arithmetic: Students will demonstrate competence in arithmetic

(a)

Students will understand the historical development of the Hindu-Arabic and other positional systems;

(b)

Students will understand number bases and computation in positional systems;

(c)

Students will understand methods of estimation;

(d)

Students will understand proportion;

(e)

Students will understand real numbers and their properties.

ii.

Geometry: Students will demonstrate competence in geometry.

(a)

Students will demonstrate competence in direct and indirect measurement including length, area and volume;

(b)

Students will demonstrate understanding of the properties of plane and solid figures

iii.

Algebra: Students will demonstrate competence in algebra.

(a)

Students will demonstrate the ability to solve algebraic expressions and formulae;

(b)

Students will demonstrate knowledge of applications of linear equations, inequalities and quadratic equations;

(c)

Students will demonstrate ability to compute ratio, proportion and variation;

(d)

Students will demonstrate an understanding of algebraic functions.

b. The "Q" Learning Outcomes

i.

Data Analysis: Students will demonstrate competence in data analysis.

(a)

Students will understand different ways to collect and describe data;

(b)

Students will understand beginning probability theory;

(c)

Students will understand how to draw conclusions based upon statistical measures.

ii.

Quantitative Reasoning: Students will demonstrate competence in quantitative reasoning

(a)

Students will demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking abilities;

(b)

Students will understand logic and modeling.

c. Options for demonstrating fulfillment of the learning outcomes

The following is based on criteria in force for GE2K. It is presented as a starting point for the ad hoc review committee (see below).

i.

Options for demonstrating fulfillment of the "M" learning outcomes

Students demonstrating any one of the following shall be deemed as having fulfilled the "M" learning outcomes and therefore as having attained the prerequisites for taking a course carrying the "Q" designation

(a)

Successful completion of a course carrying the "M" designation;

(b)

Passed the Regents Math A exam (or equivalent exam) with a score of at least 75%

(c)

Passed the Regents Math B exam (or equivalent exam) with a score less than 85%.

(d)

Exam and other criteria for demonstrating proficiency in the "M" learning outcomes will be developed by the Intellectual Foundations Oversight Committee for students whose high school background doesn't require the Regents Math A or equivalent exam, e.g., for those who are not New York State residents.

ii.

Options for demonstrating completion of all "M" and "Q" learning outcomes

Students demonstrating any one of the following shall be deemed as having fulfilled the all of the "M" and all of the "Q" learning outcomes and therefore the minimum Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning requirement in the Intellectual Foundations Program.

(a)

Successful completion of a single course carrying both the M and Q designations.

(b)

For students who have fulfilled the "M" learning outcomes elsewhere, successful completion of a single course carrying a "Q" designation;

(c)

Completion of the Regents Math B exam with an score of at least 85%;

(d)

Exam and other criteria for demonstrating proficiency in the "Q" learning outcomes will be developed by the Intellectual Foundations Oversight Committee for students whose high school background doesn't require the Regents Math B or equivalent exam, e.g., for those who are not New York State residents. See below for criteria currently in force under General Education 2000.

d. Options for demonstrating completion of all "M" and "Q" learning outcomes under GE Y2k

Informational Memo: The following are options are currently in force under GE2K

i.

Completion of the Regents Math B exam with an score of 85% or better;

ii.

Completion of the SAT Mathematics Exam and achieved a score of 500 or higher

iii.

Completion of Pre-Calculus in high school (e.g., Math IV) or college

iv.

Completion of the AP Calculus AB Exam with a score of 2 or higher

v.

Completion of MAT 103, or one of several course combinations, e.g., MAT 126 and MAT 311. (Note: The several sources of information on this requirement that are available to students, are either unclear or contradictory.

3. Implementation

The IFOC shall form an ad hoc committee of in Spring, 2003, with the following charge:

The committee shall:

a.

Review and if necessary revise the existing Buffalo State College Learning Outcomes/Objectives for Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning courses

b.

Determine the minimum Regents Math exam scores along with other minimum, pre-college criteria for, and means of demonstrating proficiency in the "M" and "Q" learning outcomes. The committee shall use the options for completion listed below as a starting point.

c.

Establish content-based criteria for inclusion (and exclusion) of courses as "M," "Q," and "MQ" foundational courses that make no reference to the administrative structure (e.g., Department or Faculty) at Buffalo State College or elsewhere. These may be embedded in the learning outcomes.

d.

Complete work by October, 2003.

e.

All committee recommendations are subject to ratification by the IFOC and the College Senate Curriculum Committee and may be appealed via established procedures to the College Senate Curriculum Committee.

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1. Overview
The Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning learning outcomes developed by both the SUNY Trustees and Buffalo State College fall into two distinct groups.
a.	The first group consists of arithmetic, geometry and algebra. Courses fulfilling these learning outcomes shall be designated with an "M" in the course schedule.
b.	The second includes data analysis and quantitative reasoning. Courses fulfilling these learning outcomes shall be designated with a "Q" in the course schedule. For courses with only the "Q" designation, fulfillment of the "M" learning outcomes shall be prerequisite. It is anticipated that many courses offered outside the Mathematics Department could fulfill the "Q" learning outcomes.
c.	Some courses may receive both "M" and "Q" designations.
d.	Completion of a single course with a "Q" designation, or a single course with an "MQ" designation, will therefore complete a student's Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning requirement. Students can use high school performance to demonstrate fulfillment of the "M" or both the "M" and "Q" learning outcomes.
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2. Learning Outcomes/Objectives
Informational memo: The learning outcomes listed below have already been approved by the College Senate as part of the GE2K Assessment Plan. Their categorization into "M" and "Q" learning outcomes is new to this report.
a. The "M" Learning Outcomes
i	Arithmetic: Students will demonstrate competence in arithmetic
	(a)	Students will understand the historical development of the Hindu-Arabic and other positional systems;
	(b)	Students will understand number bases and computation in positional systems;
	(c)	Students will understand methods of estimation;
	(d)	Students will understand proportion;
	(e)	Students will understand real numbers and their properties.
ii.	Geometry: Students will demonstrate competence in geometry.
	(a)	Students will demonstrate competence in direct and indirect measurement including length, area and volume;
	(b)	Students will demonstrate understanding of the properties of plane and solid figures
iii.	Algebra: Students will demonstrate competence in algebra.
	(a)	Students will demonstrate the ability to solve algebraic expressions and formulae;
	(b)	Students will demonstrate knowledge of applications of linear equations, inequalities and quadratic equations;
	(c)	Students will demonstrate ability to compute ratio, proportion and variation;
	(d)	Students will demonstrate an understanding of algebraic functions.
b. The "Q" Learning Outcomes
i.	Data Analysis: Students will demonstrate competence in data analysis.
	(a)	Students will understand different ways to collect and describe data;
	(b)	Students will understand beginning probability theory;
	(c)	Students will understand how to draw conclusions based upon statistical measures.
ii.	Quantitative Reasoning: Students will demonstrate competence in quantitative reasoning
	(a)	Students will demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking abilities;
	(b)	Students will understand logic and modeling.
c. Options for demonstrating fulfillment of the learning outcomes
The following is based on criteria in force for GE2K. It is presented as a starting point for the ad hoc review committee (see below).
i.	Options for demonstrating fulfillment of the "M" learning outcomes
	Students demonstrating any one of the following shall be deemed as having fulfilled the "M" learning outcomes and therefore as having attained the prerequisites for taking a course carrying the "Q" designation
	(a)	Successful completion of a course carrying the "M" designation;
	(b)	Passed the Regents Math A exam (or equivalent exam) with a score of at least 75%
	(c)	Passed the Regents Math B exam (or equivalent exam) with a score less than 85%.
	(d)	Exam and other criteria for demonstrating proficiency in the "M" learning outcomes will be developed by the Intellectual Foundations Oversight Committee for students whose high school background doesn't require the Regents Math A or equivalent exam, e.g., for those who are not New York State residents.
ii.	Options for demonstrating completion of all "M" and "Q" learning outcomes
	Students demonstrating any one of the following shall be deemed as having fulfilled the all of the "M" and all of the "Q" learning outcomes and therefore the minimum Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning requirement in the Intellectual Foundations Program.
	(a)	Successful completion of a single course carrying both the M and Q designations.
	(b)	For students who have fulfilled the "M" learning outcomes elsewhere, successful completion of a single course carrying a "Q" designation;
	(c)	Completion of the Regents Math B exam with an score of at least 85%;
	(d)	Exam and other criteria for demonstrating proficiency in the "Q" learning outcomes will be developed by the Intellectual Foundations Oversight Committee for students whose high school background doesn't require the Regents Math B or equivalent exam, e.g., for those who are not New York State residents. See below for criteria currently in force under General Education 2000.
d. Options for demonstrating completion of all "M" and "Q" learning outcomes under GE Y2k
Informational Memo: The following are options are currently in force under GE2K
i.	Completion of the Regents Math B exam with an score of 85% or better;
ii.	Completion of the SAT Mathematics Exam and achieved a score of 500 or higher
iii.	Completion of Pre-Calculus in high school (e.g., Math IV) or college
iv.	Completion of the AP Calculus AB Exam with a score of 2 or higher
v.	Completion of MAT 103, or one of several course combinations, e.g., MAT 126 and MAT 311. (Note: The several sources of information on this requirement that are available to students, are either unclear or contradictory.
3. Implementation
The IFOC shall form an ad hoc committee of in Spring, 2003, with the following charge:
	The committee shall:
	a.	Review and if necessary revise the existing Buffalo State College Learning Outcomes/Objectives for Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning courses
	b.	Determine the minimum Regents Math exam scores along with other minimum, pre-college criteria for, and means of demonstrating proficiency in the "M" and "Q" learning outcomes. The committee shall use the options for completion listed below as a starting point.
	c.	Establish content-based criteria for inclusion (and exclusion) of courses as "M," "Q," and "MQ" foundational courses that make no reference to the administrative structure (e.g., Department or Faculty) at Buffalo State College or elsewhere. These may be embedded in the learning outcomes.
	d.	Complete work by October, 2003.
	e.	All committee recommendations are subject to ratification by the IFOC and the College Senate Curriculum Committee and may be appealed via established procedures to the College Senate Curriculum Committee.