2008 Woodie Awards
Support builds as EPAG considers stats major
About 35 students have signed a petition supporting the creation of a major in applied math and statistics
By: Matthew Stone, Editor in Chief
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News
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As momentum builds in favor of the Mathematics and Computer Science department's proposal to offer a third major, the normally private process of deliberating the proposal for a new major is becoming a subject commanding wide student interest on campus.
Since the faculty's Educational Policy and Governance Committee first rejected the department's proposal to offer an Applied Mathematics and Statistics major, interested students have weighed in to show their support for the new offering. About 35 students have signed a petition in favor of the new major's creation and Macalester College Student Government's Legislative Body approved a resolution Tuesday backing the department's proposal.
While curriculum issues fall within the domain of the faculty, student government officials said they saw an appropriate opportunity to weigh in.
"If students want this, it's important to represent them. The faculty and the administration would look to MCSG," said Academic Affairs Commission chair Alison Tray '09, who drafted the student government resolution with MCSG President Franz Meyer '09.
The Mathematics and Computer Science department already offers two majors-Mathematics and Computer Science. The third major in applied math would emphasize connections between math and other fields that require use of statistics, including biology, economics, public health and environmental science, according to the proposal the department submitted to EPAG members.
The major would also require that students participate in an "integrative experience," such as an internship or summer research program, to gain practical experience in the field.
While majors in Applied Mathematics are a rarity at liberal arts colleges around the country, scientific fields are beginning to demand more comprehensive knowledge in statistics and Applied Mathematics.
"Applied math and statistics have become very important in the sciences in general," said Mathematics professor Danny Kaplan, who developed the department's proposal.
Since the faculty's Educational Policy and Governance Committee first rejected the department's proposal to offer an Applied Mathematics and Statistics major, interested students have weighed in to show their support for the new offering. About 35 students have signed a petition in favor of the new major's creation and Macalester College Student Government's Legislative Body approved a resolution Tuesday backing the department's proposal.
While curriculum issues fall within the domain of the faculty, student government officials said they saw an appropriate opportunity to weigh in.
"If students want this, it's important to represent them. The faculty and the administration would look to MCSG," said Academic Affairs Commission chair Alison Tray '09, who drafted the student government resolution with MCSG President Franz Meyer '09.
The Mathematics and Computer Science department already offers two majors-Mathematics and Computer Science. The third major in applied math would emphasize connections between math and other fields that require use of statistics, including biology, economics, public health and environmental science, according to the proposal the department submitted to EPAG members.
The major would also require that students participate in an "integrative experience," such as an internship or summer research program, to gain practical experience in the field.
While majors in Applied Mathematics are a rarity at liberal arts colleges around the country, scientific fields are beginning to demand more comprehensive knowledge in statistics and Applied Mathematics.
"Applied math and statistics have become very important in the sciences in general," said Mathematics professor Danny Kaplan, who developed the department's proposal.
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