The Mathematics Department of the Future
PKAL 2002 Summer Institute - Cluster II
June 2 - June 5, 2002

Workshop Abstract

The state of our academic environment, in particular the interdisciplinary culture, is of great concern. Inter- and intra-departmental barriers exist which severely hamper communication between faculty and stifle educational efforts to deepen student understanding, develop life-long learners, and broaden student perspectives. Better relationships are needed between mathematicians and their partners in other disciplines. Barriers must be broken down, partnerships established and core mathematics programs improved to serve partner disciplines in the development of students. The improvement of curriculum and pedagogy through interdisciplinary collaboration is a vital first step towards achieving these goals.

This workshop will focus on methods of establishing cooperative and collaborative relationships between mathematicians and partners from other disciplines with the goal of enhancing a student's undergraduate experience. Interdisciplinary teams from participating schools will participate in discussions with several leaders of Mathematics Across the Curriculum (MATC) projects who will present the key ingredients that made their efforts successful along with the obstacles they had to overcome along the way. Workshop participants will also explore ways to foster cooperation between disciplines at their own school and to write interdisciplinary courseware (projects, activities, labs).

Workshop sessions include:

• VIGRE: Harvard University's Vertical Integration of Research & Education
• Enhancing the Mathematics Understanding of Students in Chemistry: Pomona College
• The Mathematical Sciences Digital Library (MathDL)
• Mathematics Across the Curriculum
• Mathematics from the Two-Year College Perspective

Workshop Planners

Daniel Goroff, Workshop Leader, Harvard University
Jack Bookman, Duke University
Erica Flapan, Pomona College
Lawrence "Lang" Moore, Duke University
Thomas W. Rishel, Mathematical Association of America
Kathleen Snook, United States Military Academy
Frank A. Wattenberg, United States Military Academy
Susan Wood, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College

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