Mathematics and Undergraduate Education: A New Framework for Mutual Invigoration

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9456040 Maki This proposal seeks funding for a planning proposal to implement a restructuring of undergraduate mathematics education. The planning involves curriculum restructuring, creation of a general academic infrastructure for undergraduates, and creation of a new institutional infrastructure. The curriculum restructuring will engage mathematicians and their colleagues from other disciplines in the development of three types of new interdisciplinary courses, all aimed at underscoring the way mathematics is used in other academic disciplines and in the non- academic world: (1.) Courses based on real problems in a different area where mathematics is used in the solution. Students will work in teams using technology to implement mathematical tools developed in class for the projects. (2.) Courses designed to give a mathematics major a basic understanding of a subject which is a current or potential area of application for mathematics. (3 .) Courses developed in collaboration with the professional schools to introduce mathematics majors to the possibility of using their education in one of these areas. General academic infrastructure for students. The second component of the implementation of the general philosophy involves the manner in which the students relate to their academic programs. Institutional Infrastructure. The implementation of our general philosophy of undergraduate mathematics instruction requires a degree of collaboration and coordination across departments and disciplines that far exceeds what is commonly found on any campus. As the means of accomplishing this, we propose that the preparation and the design of classes and activities will take place in an Institute for Undergraduate Education.