Mathematics

Welcome to the Mathematics webpage. On this page you'll find the mission of the department, departmental student learning goals, a curricular map and assessment schedule, and progress made from the most recent Program Review Action Plan (2009-2010). If you have questions about the assessment findings or questions about the department, please contact Bret Benesh, Mathematics Department Chair, at [email protected].

MISSION

The Mathematics Department of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University strives for excellence in mathematics education and inquiry, which includes understanding the nature and structure of mathematics, its processes and applications. We strive for a supportive learning community which is intellectually challenging to students and faculty.

STUDENT LEARNING GOALS

The Department is strongly committed to giving its majors a solid and broad-based mathematical foundation that helps prepare them for a variety of careers as well as graduate study in mathematics.  The learning goals for the mathematics major are:

Goal 1.  Students [in all our courses, including majors] will have a basic understanding of some area of mathematics and the modes of inquiry appropriate to that area.

a) Students will know the fundamental concepts and techniques of that area.

b) Students will develop and practice problem-solving and analytical thinking skills.

c) Students will appreciate the practical value of mathematics.

d) Students will appreciate the aesthetic, historical and philosophical dimensions of mathematics.  

Goal 2.  Students will be conversant with the content and structure of some major areas of classical and modern mathematics at the depth appropriate for undergraduates.

a) Students will know the fundamental concepts, definitions and theorems of classical analysis and modern and linear algebra.

b) Students will know the fundamental concepts, definitions, theorems and applications of at least one other area of mathematics.

Goal 3.  Students will understand and practice the processes and skills which are used to justify and produce and communicate mathematical ideas.

a) Students will use technology to investigate and solve mathematical questions, as is appropriate.

b) Students will understand the logical structure of proofs, and be able to use a variety of proof techniques to construct convincing mathematical arguments.

c) Students will develop and practice a variety of problem-solving techniques.

d) Students will communicate mathematical ideas effectively.

CURRICULAR MAP and ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE 

Assessment Schedule

Learning Goals for 200 and 300 level courses

Goal 1) Students (in each course) will demonstrate a basic understanding of some area of mathematics and the modes of inquiry appropriate to that area.

a) Students will demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts and techniques of that area.

b) Students will develop and practice problem-solving and analytical thinking skills.

c) Students will demonstrate an ability to apply the mathematical concepts they have learned.

Goal 2) Students will be conversant with the content and structure of some major areas of classical and modern mathematics at the depth appropriate for undergraduates.

a) Students will demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts, definitions, and theorems of classical analysis and modern and linear algebra.

b) Students will demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts, definitions, and theorems of at least one other area of mathematics.

Goal 3) Students will demonstrate their facility with the processes and skills which are used to justify and produce and communicate mathematical ideas.

a) Students will use technology to investigate and resolve mathematical questions, as is appropriate.

b) Students will demonstrate an understanding of the logical structure of proofs, and they will be able to use a variety of proof techniques to construct convincing mathematical arguments.

c) Students will develop and practice a variety of problem-solving techniques.

d) Students will communicate mathematical ideas effectively.