Departmental Assessment Update - Natural Sciences Report

Department: Mathematics
Program: MA and PhD
Level: Graduate

1. Has your program developed learning outcomes? If yes, please list.

Graduate students in the UHM mathematics program should learn the fundamental results and methods of modern algebra, real and complex analysis.  They should learn mathematics from a variety of fields.  Most importantly, they should learn to think, do research, and write mathematics independently.

The graduate mathematics core for the masters degree is reflected in the contents of Math 611-612 (abstract algebra) , Math 631 (real analysis) and Math 644 (complex analysis).  Doctoral candidates are also responsible for Math 632 (real analysis 2).  The topics in the core are the subject of the algebra and analysis comprehensive exams for PhD students.

The breadth requirement is reflected in the requirement of additional courses.  Each student's graduate adviser ensures that a variety of appropriate topics are studied.

The student is expected to master an area of specialization.  Research in this special area forms the topic for the masters paper or doctoral dissertation.  For PhD candidates, there is also a specialty exam in the chosen area.

2. If your program has learning outcomes, where are they published (e.g., department web page)?

The mathematics graduate program is described on a link from the department home page:  www.math.hawaii.edu/home/GraduateRequirements.html.  This includes a list of specific topics to be covered in the core courses and the comprehensive exams.  The program description is reviewed and up-dated annually, most recently in August 2008.

3. Do your faculty list course learning outcomes on their syllabi?

Course syllabi are the responsibility of the professor.

4. Does your program have a curriculum map that links course outcomes to program outcomes? If so, please include.

The core courses cover the core material, while topics courses cover topics. 

5. Does your program benchmark or have goals for student performance? (e.g. 70% students will graduate within 5 years)

Our graduate students come from a variety of backgrounds.  Such benchmarks would be inappropriate.  Each graduate student must meet with an adviser each semester, so that the student's program can be tailored to the individual situation.

 

6. Other than GPA, what data/evidence is used to determine that graduates have achieved stated outcomes for the degree? (i.e. capstone project, class assignment)

Graduate faculty are expected to maintain standards in graduate mathematics courses.  This has not been a problem.

The mathematics department considers that the best measure of the graduate program is in the quality of the masters papers and doctoral dissertations of its graduates.  (The masters paper is for all intents and purposes an unofficial thesis.)  Both require a public defense.

7. Who interprets the evidence of student learning?

The departmental graduate committee serves on every masters student's committee.  Members are expected to read the masters paper and attend the presentation, along with the student's individual committee.

The department graduate committee also attends all mathematics dissertation defenses, but in this case in an advisory role rather than as voting members.  

8. How are the assessment data/results used to inform decisions concerning the curriculum and administration of the program?

The curriculum and administration of the graduate program is based on the collective wisdom of the graduate mathematics faculty.

9. What attempts are made to monitor students’ postgraduate professional activities?

See www.math.hawaii.edu/home/uhgraduates.html for the current positions of most of our graduates since 1988, and some going back to 1974.