math across the curriculum
In the spring of 2005, I contacted some science faculty looking for ways to better incorporate their topics into our math courses. After some discussion, it became clear that I'd started a much larger project than I initially planned, so it was suggested that I apply for a mini-grant.
Lots of courses at ECC have mathematics in them. Unfortunately, many of us in the math department aren't aware of some of the specific problems students need to be able to solve in their other courses. My idea was to collect a list of topics from across the curriculum here at ECC that could be included in each math course. Ideally, a Mth098 Intermediate Algebra instructor should be able to look at the documents I've compiled and find examples from Chemistry, Biology, Economics, etc. That instructor can then include some of these specific examples or types of problems in his or her lesson on that topic. In theory, our students would then be better prepared for their other courses, because they will have seen the material before.
Because of the nature of the project, I couldn't have done this without the contributions from many faculty. I have problems from Leticia Garcia, Sherry Hellmuth, Glenn Mayer, Tim Millen, Miroslav Rezac, Jerry Stevens, Laurel Vietzen, Jennifer Lindquist, Steve Trail, and Helen Wickersham. I also had help from Mary Arndt, Barb Backley, Karen Friedberg, Jabria Jassim, Maureen Lange, Martin May, Marguerite Savage, and Ken White. Cindy Hutman gave me some great suggestions getting started, and Susan Smithson found me the list of all the courses that have math prerequisites. Thanks to all who helped. (And if I've left anyone out, please forgive me!)
I have two files, and only for courses with Mth096 or Mth098 prerequisites - I may have one for Mth112, but I have yet to receive any materials. For instructors teaching Mth096, I'd recommend also downloading the Mth098 file, as most of the information could be used in either course, and the Mth096 file is fairly limited.
Examples for courses with Mth096 as a prerequisite: MS Word or PDF
Examples for courses with Mth098 as a prerequisite: MS Word or PDF
If you happen to find any errors in these files, please email me at dkernler@elgin.edu.
Thanks!