St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 4 Designation
Mathematical Thinking &Quantitative Reasoning
Academic Affairs Use Only
Response Dare:_____________
Effective Date:______________
1.
Proposal Number:_______________________________
Prepared By:___Sarnath Ramnath & Tirthankar Ghosh________________________________
Phone:__308-4960, 308-2213____ Email:__rsarnath@stcloudstate.edu/tghosh@stcloudstate.edu
2.
Requesting Unit: CSCI/CNA
3.
Department, Course Number,Title: CSCI/CNA 169: Computers and Society
4.
New Course
Existing Course
5.
Will this course be flagged as a diversity course?
Already Designated as Diversity
No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
6.
Will this course also satisfy another General Education Goal Area?
If “Yes” specify which goal area.
No
Yes
Goal Area 11
7.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
Essentials of Computer Mathematics. History, foundations, moral and social implications of computer
technology and information use. Using software packages (including word processing, database
management, spreadsheets) to organize, analyze, interpret and visualize scientific data. Solving and
describing solutions to problems from various knowledge domains. Prereq. Math 070, 3 Cr. F, S, SUM
8.
Indicate the clientele for whom this course is designed. Is the course for general education only, or does it
fulfill general education and other program needs for this or another department? Obtain signatures from
any affected departments.
Several CNA courses require169 as a prerequisite. On a list of possible prerequisite courses in Information
Media. Listed as a way to meet computer competency requirements for College of Business, Aviation
Department and Teacher Development. On suggested schedule for BS in Community Health and Mass
Communication.
9.
Indicate any changes that must be made in offerings or resources in your department or other departments
by offering this course.
None
10/15/2009
10.
For new courses or courses not yet approved for General Education, indicate any other SCSU departments
or units offering instruction that relates to the content of the proposed course.
Existing course
11.
Courses designated as General Education are included in the assessment plan for the Goal Area(s) for which
they are approved. Courses for which assessment is not included in the annual GE assessment report for
two years will be removed from the General Education Program.
The Requesting Unit understands and recognizes the above conditions.
12.
Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 4: Mathematical Thinking & Quantitative Reasoning: Apply mathematics to analyze
numerical relationships, solve problems, explain processes and interpret results.
Application of quantitative methods to computing in different knowledge domains requires a basic
understanding of mathematics, numerical relationships, sets, relations, binary number systems, logic,
functions, and variables. Processing and transforming data require computational tools such as data
management systems and spreadsheets. Critical examination and interpretation of results require the
ability to explain the information representation and the transformational processes employed.
13.
In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 4, it must address at least 4 of the 4 student
learning outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general
education course.
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic theories and methods of mathematics.
2. Use quantitative methods to test hypotheses or to construct quantitative solutions to problems.
3. Apply mathematical skills and knowledge in other academic disciplines.
4. Communicate quantitative ideas, both orally and in writing.
14.
Discuss how each Student Learning Outcome checked above is achieved in this course. (Note: Although
descriptions of typical assignments or types of assignments may be part of this discussion, it is not
appropriate to submit copies of actual assignments.)
SLO1: Demonstrate knowledge of the basic theories and methods of mathematics.
Students will exercise the principles of counting, cardinality, binary logic, truth tables, and logical
operations. They will use Venn diagrams to derive formal queries and vice-versa.
SLO2: Use quantitative methods to test hypotheses or to construct quantitative solutions to problems.
Students will identify relevant data sets needed to answer a given query, and will extract knowledge
from the data sets by applying appropriate tools. These can include spreadsheets and databases
for payment schedules, reverse mortgages, budgets, restricted special diets, meteorological data,
and physical quantities like indices of refraction, etc.
10/15/2009
SLO3: Apply mathematical skills and knowledge in other academic disciplines.
Students will apply mathematical skills through the use of computational tools to analyze and
process data from various knowledge domains.
SLO4: Communicate quantitative ideas, both orally and in writing.
Students will write reports and discuss results with others in class.
15.
List or attach the Course Outline (adequately described and including percentage of time to be allocated to
each topic). Curriculum Committees may request additional information. Topics larger than 20% need to
be broken down further. Indicate in your course outline where the Student Learning Outcomes checked
above are being met.
10% - Binary number systems, mathematical foundations, logic.
15% - Basic software and hardware elements of computer systems
5% - Sets, relations and database concepts
15% - Database applications, using a database to model a system, formulation of queries that represent
hypotheses.
5% - Concepts of dependent and independent variables as used in spreadsheets.
15% - Using spreadsheets to model systems, simulate their behavior and draw inferences.
15% - Historical developments and current use of computing systems, applicability to varied knowledge
domains.
15% - Social & ethical implications, positives and negatives of technology.
5% - Tests
10/15/2009
St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Proposal Number
Department: CSCI/CNA
Course or Course(s): CSCI/CNA 169: Computers and Society
R. Sarnath, CSCI
Tirthankar Ghosh, CNA
Department or Unit Chair Signature
2/24/2010
2/24/2010
Date
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and electronically to Chair of General Education Committee, Chair
of College Curriculum Committee, College Dean
Recommendation of General Education Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of University Curriculum Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of Faculty Association:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
FA Senate
Signature
Date
Action of Academic Vice President:
Approve
Disapprove
Signature
Entered in Curriculum Data File
10/15/2009
Remarks:
Date