This proposal is for funding to hire two graduate assitants to staff and help run the Mathematics Learning Center (MLC)/Computer lab in KOM 252 and KOM 267.
The Mathematical Sciences Department, and , consequently the MLC currently serve approximately 3,400 students per semester. Through the MLC, the Mathematical Sciences Department offers undergraduate students in all service, general studies, and upper division courses, access to mathematical and tutorial software packages, and individualized tutoring through calculus.
Students enrolled in a variety of courses use the lab to complete projects that require the following software: Scientific Notebook,Matlab, Logo, Geometer's Sketchpad, Maple, Mathematica, Microsoft Office, as well as course specific software provided by textbook publishers. Further, many instructors require students to complete assignments using these software packages: notably in the courses: MATH 141, 201, 211, 221, 222, 307, 312, 323, 326, 331, 425, 431, 480,
and STAT 314, 436, 437, 438.
Given this large demand, it is crucial that the MLC be open as much as possible and staffed with trained, knowledgeable, graduate student workers who understand the mathematical theory and are able to run the installed software packages. To make this possible, we request funding for two graduate assistantships. The graduate students would be responsible for working directly with students, would help provide much needed continuity of assistance, and would assist the Lab Director in training and supervising undergraduate lab workers.
In developing the MLC (with remodeling, networking, hardware and software costs) the University has invested approximately $450,000 in the last 3 years. However, with insufficient staffing, the Department cannot provide the access to the MLC that is needed by our students.
The funds requested will enable us to significantly increase student access to the computing and tutorial resources in the MLC.
