Course Proposals

Course Name:  Foundations of Algebra 
Course Prefix: MATH
Course Number: 2110
             Submitted by (Name & E-Mail):  Matt Ondrus, mattondrus@weber.edu

Current Date:  10/7/2011
College: Science
Department:   Mathematics                              
From Term: Fall  2012 

Substantive

change number  2110

 Current Course Subject MATH
Current Course Number 2110

MATH 2110. Foundations of Algebra (3) F, Sp An introduction to Abstract Algebra, Number Theory and Logic with an emphasis on problem solving and proof writing. Prerequisite: MATH 1210.

New/Revised Course Information:

Subject:  MATH            

Course Number: 3110

 Check all that apply:
    This is for courses already approved for gen ed.
    Use a different form for proposing a new gen ed designation.
DV  CA  HU  LS  PS  SS 
EN  AI  QL  TA  TB  TC  TD  TE

Course Title: Foundations of Algebra

Abbreviated Course Title:

Course Type:  LEC

Credit Hours:  3  or if variable hours:    to

Contact Hours: Lecture 3  Lab 0   Other 0

Repeat Information:  Limit 0   Max Hrs 0 

Grading Mode:  standard

This course is/will be: a required course in a major program
a required course in a minor program
a required course in a 1- or 2- year program
elective

Prerequisites/Co-requisites:

Prerequisite: MATH 1210

Course description (exactly as it will appear in the catalog, including prerequisites):

MATH 3110. Foundations of Algebra (3) Sp

An introduction to Abstract Algebra, Number Theory and Logic with an emphasis on problem solving and proof writing. Prerequisite: MATH 1210.

Justification for the new course or for changes to an existing course. (Note: Justification should emphasize academic rationale for the change or new course. This is particularly important for courses requesting upper-division status.)

The Mathematics Department wishes to change the course number of Foundations of Algebra from 2110 to 3110. Foundations of Algebra is a required course for students majoring in (secondary) Mathematics Teaching. The Utah State Office of Education publishes a list of courses required for Level 3 and Level 4 teaching certification, and one of those courses is Foundations of Algebra. This list identifies the corresponding course number at every state institution in Utah. For example, the equivalent course number is 4030 at the University of Utah , 3120 at Southern Utah University, and is 4310 at Utah State University. The proposed change is in fact consistent with the current numbering at every other state university in Utah.

In addition to issues related to articulation across the state, the depth of the material covered in Foundations of Algebra is more consistent with other mathematics courses numbered 3000 and above (than with computational courses such as calculus). The topics of Foundations of Algebra are challenging and abstract, and the focus is on reasoning and proving more than on computation. This is precisely the type of thinking that characterizes upper level mathematics courses.
 

INFORMATION PAGE
for substantive proposals only

1. Did this course receive unanimous approval within the Department?

true

If not, what are the major concerns raised by the opponents?

2. If this is a new course proposal, could you achieve the desired results by revising an existing course within your department or by requiring an existing course in another department?

3. How will the proposed course differ from similar offerings by other departments? Comment on any subject overlap between this course and topics generally taught by other departments, even if no similar courses are currently offered by the other departments. Explain any effects that this proposal will have on program requirements or enrollments in other department. Please forward letters (email communication is sufficient) from all departments that you have identified above stating their support or opposition to the proposed course.

4. Is this course required for certification/accreditation of a program?

no

If so, a statement to that effect should appear in the justification and supporting documents should accompany this form.

5. For course proposals, e-mail a syllabus to Faculty Senate which should be sufficiently detailed that the committees can determine that the course is at the appropriate level and matches the description. There should be an indication of the amount and type of outside activity required in the course (projects, research papers, homework, etc.).