MATH 390: SEMINAR (1 quarter hour, Tuesday 9:00-9:50 a.m., Spring 1997)
Topics of current interest in mathematics and mathematics education, including applications of mathematics in other fields, introduced through lectures, reports, and periodicals. Discussion of professional mathematics organizations, conferences, and publications. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.
COORDINATOR: Lloyd Best (lbest@puc.edu). Phone: office/965-6591; home/942-9680. Fax: office/965-7135.
DESCRIPTION: This course is intended to broaden students into areas of mathematics not covered in regular courses. This is accomplished by a variety of activities (some required) as described below. Students must complete 25 activity credits to receive an S grade. Regularly check the bulletin board for announcements of activities.
Periodical Review. Make a review of the mathematics journals in our library and write a paragraph evaluation of each. This is due by the last day to withdraw, May 27. This requirement is counted as 4 credits because of the time involved.
Journal Article. Read an article in a mathematics journal and write a one page review. This is normally worth 1 credit each. Every student is required to read at least one article. There is a maximum of 3 credits that can be obtained in this way.
Campus Talks (including joint math-science seminar). Seminar talks are given by students, faculty, and guest lecturers. Topics will include interesting mathematical problems, applications of mathematics in other fields, and current issues in mathematics and mathematics education, including professional organizations, graduate study, gender issues, and learning differences. Joint Math-Science Seminars frequently address the role of mathematics in other areas. Topics in the past have included the Congressional Apportionment Problem, Analysis of Hazardous Waste Disposal, and Analysis of the AIDS Epidemic. This quarter's topic is Alternative Power Sources for Automobiles.
A paragraph reaction is required within 1 week of attendance. Because we hope everyone will attend these they are counted as 2 credits.
Review of Professional Associations. Write a brief paragraph summarizing the purpose of each of the professional organizations listed below, and indicate which one would be most beneficial for you. This requirement is counted as 2 credits.
Professional Associations: American Mathematics Society, American Statistical Association, Mathematics Association of America, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Operations Research Society of America, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.
Career Interviews. Each interview with a professional about careers involving mathematics, followed by a paragraph reaction, counts as 1 credit. Only off-campus personnel count. A maximum of 3 credits can be obtained in this way.
Sonoma State Mathematics Colloquium. A paragraph reaction is required with 1 week of attendance. Because of the travel involved each of these is counted as 3 credits.
FIELD EXPERIENCE: As a course requirement, students enrolled in the Subject Matter Program in Mathematics, with intention of obtaining a California Teaching Credential in Secondary Mathematics, must complete the required field experience before completion of MATH 390 Seminar. This requirement is met either by