Columbus, Ohio
June 24, 2017
June 24, 2017
June 28, 2017
First-Year Programs
12
10.18260/1-2--28128
https://peer.asee.org/28128
988
Leslie Massey is an instructor in the Freshman Engineering Program at the University of Arkansas. She received her BS in Biological Engineering and MS in Environmental Engineering from the University of Arkansas.
Dr. Heath Schluterman is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Associate Director of Academics for the Freshman Engineering Program at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Schluterman completed his B.S. and Ph.D in Chemical Engineering at the University of Arkansas.
Adrienne L. Gaines is the Associate Director of Student Services for the Freshman Engineering Program at the University of Arkansas. Gaines completed her B.A. in Management Information Systems at the University of Northern Iowa and M.Ed. in Workforce Development at the University of Arkansas.
As a Freshman Engineering Program, one of our primary concerns is our students’ progression through the Calculus sequence. The eight-semester degree completion programs (EDCP) for each of nine engineering degrees in the College of Engineering (CoE) require students to begin in Calculus I. As a land grant university, we do not have separate entrance standards to the CoE. The qualifications to enter math courses are set by the Department of Mathematical Sciences (MASC), and the current standards were updated in 2010. The ways in which students may qualify to take Calculus 1 are through ACT or SAT Math subscores, by completing the optional math placement exam (devised by MASC), completion of prerequisite course (Precalculus, Trigonometry, or Engineering Applications of Mathematics) taken at our University or by transfer, or by earning credit through AP exams. With these math placement standards, we find that approximately 35% of CoE students begin in Calculus I while 15% begin ahead (in Calculus II or higher), 35% of CoE students begin in Precalculus (one math class behind), and 15% of CoE students begin in College Algebra (two math classes behind). The goal of this research is to look at the various pathways of how our students qualify for Calculus I and how successful they are in Calculus I and Calculus II the following semester. This should give insight as to whether the updated math placement standards are helping our students be successful in the calculus sequence and thereby helping retention and success in CoE. This information can help shape the Freshman Engineering Program’s advising process and our efforts in modifying the Engineering Applications of Mathematics course.
Massey, L. B., & Rainwater, C. A., & Schluterman, H. A., & Gaines, A. (2017, June), Determination of Success in the Calculus Sequence Based on Method of Placement Paper presented at 2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Columbus, Ohio. 10.18260/1-2--28128
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